Undergraduate Courses 2024-25

Undergraduate courses marked with [BLD] or [SPO] may be offered in the mode of blended learning or self-paced online delivery respectively, subject to different offerings. Students should check the delivery mode of the class section before registration.

• OCES 1001

  The Earth as a Blue Planet

  3 Credit(s)
  Mode of Delivery

  [BLD] Blended learning

  Description

  The ocean is the largest life supporting habitat on Earth, and yet, it is less explored than the surface of the moon. This survey course introduces students to the fundamental, cross-disciplinary knowledge of our ocean from its formation, to the physics in circulation and climate modulation, to the chemistry and biology of the living systems within.
• OCES 1010

  Principles and Applications of Environmental Science

  3 Credit(s)
  Exclusion(s)

  OCES 1030

  Description

  This course aims to provide students with a science background to learn and address the environmental issues caused by humans. Key topics include emerging global, regional and local environmental issues; renewable and non-renewable energy; life-supporting systems of our planet and its biodiversity; atmosphere, air pollution and global climate change; water resources and water pollution; ocean plastics and solid waste management; environmental health and toxicology. Through the course, students will be able to understand fundamental knowledge of the inter-relationship between life and our environment, the characteristics of the environmental sustainability, pollution and monitoring measures, and technologies used in pollution control and remediation.
• OCES 1030

  Environmental Science

  3 Credit(s)
  Previous Course Code(s)

  CORE 1140

  Exclusion(s)

  LIFS 1030, OCES 1010

  Description

  The course introduces students without a science background to the general concepts of environment, natural resources, and sustainable development. Topics include pressing global, regional and local environmental issues; renewable and non-renewable energy; life-supporting systems of our planet and its biodiversity; atmosphere, air pollution and global climate change; water resources and pollution; ocean plastics and solid waste management; environmental health and toxicology. Throughout the course, students will gain a sufficient background and a better understanding of the root causes of key environmental issues. They will also become more aware of their role, as individuals, in environmental protection and sustainable development.
• OCES 2001

  Survey of Ocean Science

  3 Credit(s)
  Previous Course Code(s)

  ENVS 2004

  Prerequisite(s)

  OCES 1001

  Description

  The ocean defines the features of our planet. The ultimate goal of the course is to promote and enhance ocean literacy, which means the awareness and understanding of fundamental concepts of the history, functioning, and utilization of the ocean. By the end of this course students will understand the ocean's influence on individuals and their influence on the ocean. The course will cover a wide range of topics including ocean physics, marine chemistry, marine geology, and biological oceanography.
• OCES 2002

  Marine Chemistry

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  CHEM 1030 (prior to 2024-25) OR CHEM 1011

  Description

  This course is an introduction to chemical oceanography. It describes the chemistry of the ocean based on distribution and dynamics of elements, isotopes, atoms and molecules. This ranges from fundamental physical, thermodynamic and kinetic chemistry to two-way interactions of ocean chemistry with biological, geological and physical processes. It encompasses both inorganic and organic chemistry, and includes studies of ocean-atmosphere dynamics and marine sediments. Non-OST students may enroll in the course upon instructor’s approval only.
• OCES 2003

  Descriptive Physical Oceanography

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  (PHYS 1101 OR PHYS 1111 OR PHYS 1112 OR PHYS 1312) AND (MATH 1012 OR MATH 1013 OR MATH 1020 OR MATH 1023)

  Description

  This course is an introduction to physical oceanography that includes topics such as physical description of the sea, physical properties of seawater, methods and measurements, wind-driven ocean circulation, abyssal ocean circulation, boundary processes, and wave motions. Large-scale distributions and processes that are central to the ocean’s role in Earth’s climate and biosphere will also be addressed and discussed.
• OCES 2004

  Sustainable Ocean

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course explores the principles and practices of sustainability as they apply to the world's oceans. Students will learn about the impacts of human activities on marine ecosystems and how to develop strategies for sustainable use and conservation of ocean resources. The course combines aspects of marine ecology, oceanography, environmental science, and socio-economics.
• OCES 2100

  Conservation Field Trips

  1 Credit(s)
  Previous Course Code(s)

  ENVS 2001

  Description

  This course introduces students to a range of local conservation efforts through various field trips. Through this course, students are expected to enhance their appreciation of our nature, to recognise the importance of harmony between human and the environment, as well as to learn how to contribute to environmental conservation as a responsible citizen. Guided tours may be conducted in Cantonese by the request of hosting organizations. Instructor's approval is required for enrolling in the course.
• OCES 2201

  Internship

  2-4 Credit(s)
  Previous Course Code(s)

  ENVS 2002

  Description

  This course aims to provide students with hands-on experience in environmental and ocean science fields. Students will undertake training and duties under the internship supervisors. Graded P or F. Maybe graded PP. Cantonese may be used in off-campus trainings and internships, in some situations. Instructor’s approval is required for enrolling in the course.
• OCES 3001

  Coastal Environmental Monitoring

  3 Credit(s)
  Previous Course Code(s)

  ENVS 3001

  Prerequisite(s)

  OCES 2001

  Description

  Students will gain hands-on experience in field survey and sampling, laboratory studies including physical, chemical and biological analyses, experimental design, as well as data analyses and presentations. Course topics include coastal survey, water quality monitoring, marine sediment quality monitoring, etc.
• OCES 3003

  Field Methods in Marine Studies

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  Through this course, students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills for sample collection and in situ measurement in various marine habitats. The topics will include (i) the design of scientifically robust sampling plans, (ii) safety precautions for field activities, (iii) proper collection and preservation of field samples, (iv) proper measurement and recording of in situ environmental parameters, and (v) post field trip sample storage and data management.
• OCES 3005

  Blue Economy

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course explores the concept of the ‘Blue Economy’, which involves the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the key sectors involved, the opportunities and challenges they present, and the policies and frameworks required to foster sustainability.
• OCES 3130

  Marine Biology

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  Survey of the major marine living organisms; their habitat and community structures; trophic interactions and the marine ecosystem.
• OCES 3160

  Ecology

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  Basic principles and patterns of ecology; population growth; community interaction; ecosystem; ecosphere.
• OCES 3201

  Biological Oceanography

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  OCES 2001 AND (OCES 3160 OR LIFS 3160 (prior to 2021-22))

  Description

  This course examines major patterns and processes in coastal, benthic, and upper ocean pelagic ecosystems. We will explore mechanisms that control abundances and distribution of organisms, from plankton to fishes, including a brief survey of ecosystem models. This course will also cover human-impacts on the ocean and highlight interdisciplinary management tools.
• OCES 3203

  Physical Oceanography

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  OCES 2003 AND {MATH 2350 OR [(MATH 2111 OR MATH 2121 OR MATH 2131) AND (MATH 2351 OR MATH 2352)]}

  Description

  This course adopts mathematical tools and laws of physics to unlock various oceanic motions with different temporal and spatial scales. Students will learn thermodynamic properties of seawater, equations of motion of stratified and rotating fluid, boundary current and Ekman transport, planetary waves, and eddy-mean flow interactions.
• OCES 3301

  Data Analysis in Ocean Science

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  COMP 1021 OR COMP 1029P

  Description

  The goal of the course is to learn basic numerical analysis tools needed to compute and practice simple techniques for analyzing oceanographic data. These analysis include basic statistics, curve fitting, and simple graphics. Students will learn these techniques through examples from ocean data sets. Students will learn to conduct these analyses with Python or R and are not assumed to have experience in programming.
• OCES 3302

  Marine Pollution Tracking

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  The marine environment is susceptible to a range wide of land-based pollution such as sewage, industrial effluent and terrestrial runoff. Very often the pollution source is either concealed or diffuse without an apparent point of discharge. The tracking of pollution source is essential to accurate assessment of the ecosystem and health consequences as well as effective mitigation and remedial actions. Pollution source tracking is a cross-disciplinary challenge, involving knowledge and skills in microbiology, molecular biology, chemistry, hydrodynamics, etc. This course serves to provide an in-depth understanding of the principle of pollution source tracking, the cutting-edge technology in the field and also case studies from Hong Kong and other parts of the world.
• OCES 3330

  Marine Biology Laboratory

  3 Credit(s)
  Corequisite(s)

  OCES 3130

  Description

  Both laboratory and field investigations will provide the opportunity to apply and adapt the experimental methods developed here to specific groups of marine organisms, diversified marine habitats, and practical issues in marine/environmental science. Tutorial sessions and field trips will be used to enhance student's understanding of the practical work and the theories covered in the lectures.
• OCES 4001

  Ocean and Climate Change

  3 Credit(s)
  Previous Course Code(s)

  ENVS 3004

  Prerequisite(s)

  OCES 2001 AND OCES 2003

  Description

  Ocean is the largest carbon reservoir on the Earth. It plays a central role in regulating the global climate but is currently under severe anthropogenic stress. This course provides students with relevant scientific background in ocean and climate, which enables them to understand the past, present and future climate changes. The impacts of human-induced changes of ocean and climate will also be investigated.
• OCES 4103

  Fisheries and Aquaculture

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  Fisheries and Aquaculture introduces the science behind capture fisheries and aquaculture production, from both a global and local perspective. Topics covered include the different types of fishing gears and methods commonly employed, the biology of fisheries resources (including finfish and shellfish), stock assessment, the basics of fish population modeling, and some emerging techniques such as environmental DNA-based fish monitoring methods. Students will learn about the diversity of fishery resources, as well as the status, operation, and sustainable management of capture fisheries. They will also explore the role of aquaculture in food production, its economics, and mariculture operations.
• OCES 4201

  Environmental Microbiology

  3 Credit(s)
  Previous Course Code(s)

  ENVS 3005

  Prerequisite(s)

  LIFS 2060 OR OCES 1010 OR OCES 1030

  Description

  The course aims to introduce the students to (i) the fundamental features of microorganisms that live in the natural environment, (ii) the roles of the microorganisms in natural processes that drive our ecosystem, such as biogeochemical cycling, interactions with plants and animals, (iii) the use of the microorganisms in environmental technology. Key concepts are illustrated with real-life examples and case studies.
• OCES 4202

  Marine Biotechnology

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  The goal of this course is provide the students a comprehensive understanding of marine biotechnology. The students will be able to learn the basic concepts of marine biodiversity, biotechnology, and the production of different compounds. At the end of this course, the students will be able to evaluate the importance of marine resources and propose a sustainable way to utilize them.
• OCES 4203

  Environmental Impact and Risk Assessment

  3 Credit(s)
  Previous Course Code(s)

  ENVS 4001

  Prerequisite(s)

  OCES 1010

  Description

  This course gives an overview on the relationships between human health, environment, and sustainable development. Topics include the development and objectives of environmental impact and risk assessment; impacts of environmental quality (including air, water, wastes, ecology) and health risks; assessment and mitigation, public participation; sustainable development. Case studies and guest lectures will be included. For OST, LIFS and CHEM students in their third and fourth year of study only.
• OCES 4204

  Coral Reef Ecosystem Science

  4 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  OCES 3003 AND OCES 3160

  Description

  This course provides a grounding in the theory required for comprehensive multi-disciplinary study of subtidal coastal ecosystems. Using coral reefs as an example, lectures will explore global values and threats on coral reefs, the physical, biogeochemical and ecological factors controlling their structure and function, and how to study these factors using integrative, multi-disciplinary research based on the concepts of ecosystem science. For OST students in their third or fourth year of study only.
• OCES 4205

  Chemical Oceanography

  3 Credit(s)
  Previous Course Code(s)

  OCES 3202

  Prerequisite(s)

  OCES 2001 AND OCES 2002

  Description

  This course focuses on the major biogeochemical processes in the coastal, benthic, and upper ocean pelagic ecosystems that control the abundances, distribution and transformation of chemical substances. The impacts of human activities and climate change on these processes will be discussed. The use of isotope tracers as a tool to investigate the age and sources of water masses will be illustrated.
• OCES 4301

  Environmental Conservation

  3 Credit(s)
  Previous Course Code(s)

  ENVS 4301

  Prerequisite(s)

  OCES 3160 OR [LIFS 3160 (prior to 2021-22)]

  Description

  This course covers the essential topics of environmental conservation, which includes biodiversity, ecosystems, environmental ethics and economics, environmental policy, resource management, and conservation biology. Case studies from Hong Kong and other regions will be investigated. For LIFS and OST students in their third or fourth year of study only.
• OCES 4320

  Marine Toxicology

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  OCES 2002

  Description

  Marine toxicology aims to provide fundamental concepts in the toxicology of marine pollution, with focuses on the general properties and principles of persistent and or toxic substances commonly encountered in the marine environment and in the biota, and their effects on humans and their actions and movement in the marine environment. How chemicals are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated by the biological organisms in the marine environment will be examined. The biological response to the toxicants and its mechanisms will be covered. Knowledge and techniques in the monitoring, measurement and management of toxicants and pollutants in the marine environment will be discussed.
• OCES 4326

  Introduction to Fluid Dynamics

  3 Credit(s)
  Alternate code(s)

  MATH 4326

  Prerequisite(s)

  MATH 4052

  Exclusion(s)

  CIVL 2510, MECH 2210

  Description

  Lagrangian and Eulerian methods for the flow description; derivation of the Euler and Navier-Stokes equations; sound wave and Mach number; 2D irrotational flow; elements of aerofoil theory; water wave dispersion relation; shallow water waves; ship wave pattern; dynamics of real fluid, stokes flow and boundary layer theory.
• OCES 4910

  Independent Study

  1-3 Credit(s)
  Description

  Independent studies or projects under the directed guidance of a faculty member. Enrollment in the course requires prior approval of the course instructor, and credits assigned depend on the workload. Students may repeat the course up to two times if different topics are taken. Graded P or F.
• OCES 4940

  Special Topics in Ocean Science and Technology

  1-4 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course will focus on emerging topics in ocean science and technology. The topics will be explored through lectures, field work and/or workshops. For OST students in their third and fourth year of study.
• OCES 4964

  Ocean Science and Technology Capstone Project Research

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  Under the supervision of a faculty member, students will undertake a project about ocean science and technology. The project can be delivered through the format of literature review or research. Students are required to submit a written report. Subject to the nature of the project, students may be required to give oral presentation as well. For OST students in their third and fourth year of study only. Instructor’s approval is needed for enrollment in the course.
• OCES 4974

  Ocean Science and Technology Research Project I

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  This is the first course of the two-term project. Students will undertake a research project about ocean science and technology under faculty supervision. Through the reading of scientific literature, field/laboratory studies, meetings with supervisors, and presentations in laboratory meetings, students will learn the latest knowledge in their chosen field of research and the skills in hypothesis synthesis and testing, experimental design, data collection and analysis, and scientific communication. Students will be evaluated for their performance through continuous assessment by the supervisor and an oral presentation held at the end of the course. For OST students in their fourth year of study only. Instructor’s approval is required for enrollment in the course.
• OCES 4984

  Ocean Science and Technology Research Project II

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  OCES 4974

  Description

  This course is a continuation of OCES 4974 in which students will undertake a research project about ocean science and technology under faculty supervision. Through the reading of scientific literature, field/laboratory studies, meetings with supervisors, and presentations in laboratory meetings, students will learn the latest knowledge in their chosen field of research and the skills in hypothesis synthesis and testing, experimental design, data collection and analysis, and scientific communication. Students will be evaluated for their performance through continuous assessment by the supervisor and a written report to be submitted at the end of the course. For OST students in their fourth year of study only. Instructor’s approval is required for enrollment in the course.