Induction Day for 6901 BSc I Students

1. Induction Day for 6901 BSc I Students BSc Curriculum and Course Selection Prof Wai Kin Chan Associate Dean (Student Affairs) August 15, 2014 Faculty of Science The University of Hong Kong

2. Welcome to Faculty of Science!

3. BSc Curriculum & Graduation Requirements • Academic Advising System • Course selection • Plagiarism • Disciplinary Issues • Regulations on Discontinuation

4. 6901 BSc Curriculum

5. Curriculum structure of the BSc Degree (240 Credits)

6. Science Majors • Choose any one of the 15 Science majors as primary Science major • Astronomy • Biochemistry • Biological Sciences • Chemistry • Earth System Science • Ecology & Biodiversity • Environmental Science • Food & Nutritional Science • Geology • Mathematics • Mathematics/Physics • Molecular Biology & Biotechnology • Physics • Risk Management • Statistics

7. Science Minors • 16 Science Minors • Actuarial Studies • Astronomy • Biochemistry • Chemistry • Computational & Financial Mathematics • Earth Sciences • Ecology & Biodiversity • Environmental Science • Food & Nutritional Science • Marine Biology • Mathematics • Molecular Biology & Biotechnology • Physics • Plant Science • Risk Management • Statistics

8. Minors and 2nd Majors available for BSc students • Minors • Science • Architecture • Arts • Business and Economics • Education • Engineering • Medicine • Social Sciences • Majors* • Science • Arts • Business & Economics • Education • Engineering • Social Sciences *Non-science major can only be taken as 2nd major. Some non-Science majors/minors may require a minimum academic results before you are allowed to enroll in them

9. Optional Optional Selection of 2ndMajor Selection of Minors Major-Minor and Double-Major Options * Quota & timetabling restrictions may apply. Some non-Science majors/minors may require a minimum academic result before you are allowed to enroll in them. + One ScienceMajor + Science or non-Science disciplines *

10. BSc Curriculum Requirements

11. Example of BSc programme structure by year of study CC - Common Core Courses Eng 1 – Core University English SF - Science Foundation Courses Eng 2 – English in the Discipline Chi - Chinese Note: Different distributions of courses over the years are possible. Blank boxes can be used for elective courses, or courses leading to a minor or a 2nd major.

12. The Common Core Curriculum is designed to provide key common learning experience for all HKU students and to broaden their horizons beyond their chosen disciplinary fields of study. • It focuses on issues that have been, and continue to be, of deeply profound significance to mankind, the core intellectual skills that all HKU undergraduates should acquire and the core values that they should uphold. • The Common Core Curriculum is divided into four Areas of Inquiry (AoIs): • (1) Scientific and Technological Literacy; • (2) Humanities; • (3) Global Issues; • (4) China: Culture, State and Society. • Students have to pass 36 credits of courses in the Common Core Curriculum, selecting not more than one course from the same Area of Inquiry within one academic year and at least one and not more than two courses from each Area of Inquiry during the whole period of study. • Common Core courses should be completed normally within the first three years of the BSc study. Common Core Curriculum

13. Capstone experience is an integral part of the major programme which focuses on integration and application of knowledge and skills gained in the early years of study. • The capstone course carries a minimum of 6 credits and students must complete this for fulfillment of the graduation requirements. • Capstone course is normally taken in the senior years (year 3 or 4) of study. The earliest that a student is allowed to take a capstone course is their year 3 study. • The capstone courses in each Science major may be different but a range of courses (e.g. research project, seminar, field work, internship and capstone project) is offered to suit individual student’s needs and interests. • For students who double major in 2 Science majors, it is possible for students to take only 1 capstone course in their primary major to fulfill the capstone requirement of both majors, if approval is obtained from the major coordinators of both majors. Students should then take a 6-credit advanced course in the second major instead. • Students should complete the “Application for Exemption from Taking a Capstone Course” if they wish to seek exemption in taking capstone course in their second major. Capstone Requirement

14. Students will be informed, via email, of the application details and requirements of capstone courses in mid-September 2014.  A briefing session on capstone requirement will also be organized in mid-September 2014. • The Faculty has added a new section of FAQ on capstone requirement in the Faculty website at http://www.scifac.hku.hk/ug/current/faq/capstone-req.  • Other updated curriculum and course selection matters can also be found at the website for current students: http://www.scifac.hku.hk/ug/current. Capstone Requirement (Cont’)

15. List of capstone courses by major

16. List of capstone courses by major (Cont’)

17. Students taking double Majors, Major-Minor or double Minors with overlapping course requirements • Double-counting of courses up to a maximum of 24 credits is permissible with double majors. The double-counted courses in both Science majors must include SCNC1111 and SCNC1112. • Additional credits to be double-counted must be for courses required (‘must take’) by both majors. For cases with 24 or less double-counted credits, students must make up an equivalent number of credits by taking other courses offered by any Faculty.

18. Students taking double Majors, Major-Minor or double Minors with overlapping course requirements (Cont’) The following list shows the major-major combinations that have more than 24 credits of the same courses that appear in both majors and is subject to the rule of double counting:

19. Students taking double Majors, Major-Minor or double Minors with overlapping course requirements (Cont’) • If more than 24 credits (including SCNC1111 & SCNC1112) are listed as required courses (“must take”) in both the first and second majors undertaken by students, students must make up the number of credits above the 24 permissible by taking replacement course(s) in the second major. The replacement course(s) must have the same prefix and at the same or higher level as the double-counted course(s). The double counted credits should count the following courses in this order: (1) SCNC1111 and SCNC1112, (2) introductory level (levels 1 and 2) courses, and (3) advanced level (level 3 or above) courses. • Double counting of credits is not permissible for major–minor or double-minors combinations. When a course is required (“must take”) both by the major and minor or by both minors, students must take a replacement course for the minor. The replacement course must have the same prefix and at the same or higher level as the course to be replaced. • For the situations of 2 and 3 above, students have to complete the application form, seek the written endorsement from the Course Selection Adviser of the second major / minor and then return it to the Faculty Office by the closing dates of course selection or add/drop periods.

20. Example: A student is taking Food & Nutritional Science as the first major and Molecular Biology & Biotechnology as the second major. The following courses are compulsory (must take) Food & Nutritional Science Molecular Biology & Biotechnology SCNC1111 SCNC1111 SCNC1112 SCNC1112 BIOL1110 BIOL1110 BIOL 2102 BIOL2102 BIOL2103 BIOL2103 BIOL2220 BIOL2220 BIOL2306 BIOL2306 …… …….. Double Counting of the first 24 credits is allowed. Needs to take a replacement course in 2nd major (at the same or higher level with the approval by a course selection adviser)

21. Graduation Requirements • Satisfied the requirements in UG5 of the Regulations for First Degree Curricula#; • Passed no fewer than 240 credits, comprising 96 credits of the required courses as prescribed in the major programme of the BSc degree curriculum. # UG5 specifies that students have to successfully complete: • 12 credits in English language enhancement, including 6 credits in Core University Englishand 6 credits in an English in the Discipline course; • 6 credits in Chinese language enhancement; • 36 credits of courses in the Common Core Curriculum, selecting not more than one course from the same Area of Inquiry within one academic year and at least one and not more than two courses from each Area of Inquiry during the whole period of study; and • a capstone experience as specified in the syllabuses of the degree curriculum.

22. Honours Classification • Classification of honours are calculated using the cumulative grade point average (CGPA) as below: CGPA range First Class Honours 3.60 – 4.30 Second Class Honours Division I 3.00 – 3.59 Second Class Honours Division II 2.40 – 2.99 Third Class Honours 1.70 – 2.39 Pass 1.00 – 1.69 • Credits granted for advanced standing in recognition of studies completed successfully elsewhere before admission to the University and credits transfer in recognition of studies completed on exchange during candidature at HKU are not included in the calculation of CGPA.

23. Notes on Course Selection of Science Foundation Courses • The two Science Foundation courses can be taken in ANY ORDER, i.e., it is not necessary to take SCNC1111 first.  • Please enroll in BOTH courses (including the one to be taken in Semester 2) in one go. If you have not enrolled in both courses by the start of September, you will be randomly assigned to an available sub-class that has no timetable conflict with your other registered courses. • If in either course you are “disapproved” from one sub-class, please choose ANOTHER SUB-CLASS of the same course. Some sub-classes may be more popular among your fellow classmates. Choosing such sub-classes may lower your chances of being "approved" into the course. • Please check the ballot result on a regular basis until the status for both courses are “approved”.

24. Academic Advising System

25. I am a freshman I want to have someone to discuss with… or should I read the information by myself? How much time and effort am I willing to devote to studying? What major am I truly interested in? What do I want to do after graduation? Where can I find relevant information? What do I want to achieve for my university study?

26. Before selecting your minor, or courses…… Think…… What’s the qualification/prerequisite required of by that minor or course?  Am I eligible to take What are my strengths and weaknesses? What are myacademicgoal and interests? You can explore different possibilities using a semester or so……

27. Where can you obtain information & advice?

28. FacultyAcademic Advisory System A) Information-based Advising ~ Web resources B) Personal Academic Advising ~ Academic Advisers C) Course Selection Advisers ~ Deal with course selection/approval on a specific major D) Student Peer Advisers ~ Academic Advising by Yr 2, 3 students

29. A)Web resources Faculty of Science website http://www.scifac.hku.hk/ug

30. Web resources (cont’) http://www.scifac.hku.hk/ug • A list of information is • available for students • online in our website • Important information • about the BSc • curriculum and course • selection • Update regularly for • latest information • from the Faculty

31. Web resources (cont’) http://www.scifac.hku.hk/ug/current Advice and self-exploration before selection of majors and minors BSc regulations, Course Selection procedures and important events BSc syllabuses (full list of majors and minors and BSc courses with courses description)

32. Web resources (cont’d) Academic Advising Office of the University http://aao.hku.hk

33. B) Faculty Academic Advising Team • Academic Advisers • Will be assigned to you by the faculty according to your top three intended majors • Facilitate freshmen to set academic and personal goals • Offer academic advice on intended major • Offer guidance for your transition from secondary school to university, and enriching your total learning experience • Your ‘Course History’ has to be endorsed by your academic adviser by the end of the add/drop period in the 1st semester You are required to meet your assigned Academic Adviser once every semester in your first year of study!

34. Faculty Academic Advising Team (Cont’) • Student Adviser/Student Advising Officer • General advice • Course Selection Advisers • Teachers representing all majors/ minors offered in the Faculty of Science • Provide academic advice on major(s)/ minor(s) and course selection • Approval of pre-requisite / timetable clashes waiver • Approval of replacement course (if a major/minor or major/major combination share the same core course) • Approval for taking course load deviating from normal load(taking< 24 credits or > 36 to 42 in a semester or taking > 72 credits in a year) • Students are not allowedto take more than 72 credits in year 1

35. Faculty Academic Advising Team (Cont’) • Student Peer Advisers • A group of dedicated senior students that serve as a contact point for freshmen regarding academic enquiries http://www.scifac.hku.hk/ug/current/bsc/curriculum/advising/office#peer Student peer advisers will be available at the ‘Student Peer Adviser Corner’ at the Faculty Office during the add/drop period to answer your enquires! Student Peer Advising Corner

36. SIS for Academic Advising 36

37. Student Center 37

38. Student Center Click adviser name to send email. 38

39. Course Selection

40. Timetable of events for course selection (BSc I only) • Aug 20- Aug 26 Course selection period • Sep 11st semester starts • Sep 1-12Course add/drop period (1st semester) • Jan 192nd semester starts • Jan 19- Jan 30 Course add/drop period (2nd semester)

41. What you MUST do … Step 1 Select your courses for the 1st and 2nd semesters from the SIS. Obtain approval from course selection advisers if necessary Step 2 Make an appointment with your Academic Adviser. Print out‘My Course History’ from the SISand bring to your Academic Adviser for his/her endorsement Step 3 Bring your endorsed ‘My Course History’, Course Approval Form (if applicable), Application form for taking a replacement course (if applicable)  to the Faculty of Science Office *only for the 1st year Remarks: You can only choose courses from your own curriculum (4-year curriculum) By 4 pm on Sep 12

42. Declaration of Major/Minor You do not have to decide your major in the first year! Talk with your Academic Adviser for ideas and suggestions!!!

43. Declaration of major/minor On-line course selection via SIS under HKU Portal website (www.hku.hk/portal) You have to declare your primary Science major (and/or minors and 2nd majors) online during the course selection period in August before the start of your third year of study, the latest Your declared major/ minor can be changed afterwards* * as long as the course selection system is opened (during the course selection periodandcourse add/drop period)except the 2nd semester of the last academic year for graduation.

44. Plagiarism

45. Plagiarism and Academic Honesty • An academic misdemeanour and is aSERIOUSdisciplinary offence The situation is particularly severe in course assessment involving submission of report / poster / presentation, where students have be caught copying materials in bulk

46. Plagiarism THE FACULTY DOES NOT TOLERATE PLAGIARISM. COMMITMENT OF PLAGIARISM COULD RESULT IN SEVERE PENALITY AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION INCLUDING REPRIMAND AND DISCONTINUATION.

47. Plagiarism Details for plagiarism can be found in Faculty of Science homepage http://www.scifac.hku.hk “What is Plagiarism?” available at http://www.hku.hk/plagiarism

48. In what situation I would be defined as having committed plagiarism? Copying • Text • Work • Graphics One should not say you don’t know…… A mean of violatingAcademic Honesty from internet, books, or any forms of information without proper paraphrasing or acknowledgement When in doubt, talk to your academic adviser/ teacher / tutor

49. Disciplinary Issues • Besides plagiarism, students should be aware of your conduct, behaviour and always uphold your integrity. • NEVER attempt cheating, falsification of documents. • Any disciplinary infringements will be considered by the Disciplinary Committee. Penalty ranges from reprimand to expulsion from University depending on the seriousness of the offense.

50. Progression and Discontinuation • The Faculty stresses the importance of the academic performance of students. Students who do not perform satisfactorily may be recommended for discontinuation of their studies. For students admitted under the 4-year curriculum: • Sc 5 (h) Candidates shall be recommended for discontinuation of their studies if they have (i) failed to complete successfully 36 credits or more in two consecutive semesters (not including the summer semester), except where they are not required to take such a number of credits in the given two semesters, or (ii) failed to achieve an average Semester GPA of 1.0 or higher for the two consecutive semesters (not including the summer semester); or (iii) exceeded the maximum period of registration specified in Sc3, unless otherwise permitted by the Board of the Faculty.