Induction Day for 6901 BSc I Students

1. Induction Day for 6901 BSc I Students BSc Curriculum and Course Selection Prof W K Chan Associate Dean (Student Affairs) August 15, 2013 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 capstone courses in each Science major may be different but a range of courses (e.g. research project, field work, internship) is offered to suit individual student’s needs and interests. Capstone Requirement

14. Double-counting of courses up to a maximum of 24 credits is permissible when a student with a science major opts to undertake a second science major. • The double-counted courses must include SCNC1111 (6 credits) and SCNC1112 (6 credits). 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, the student must make up an equivalent number of credits by taking other courses offered by any Faculty. Students taking double Majors, Major-Minor or double Minors with overlapping course requirements

15. 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 a student, the student 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). • 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, the student 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 above, students have to complete the form “Application for Taking a Replacement Course for the Course Required in Two Different Majors/Minors.”

16. Example: A student is taking CHEM as the first major and BIOC as the second major. The following courses are compulsory (must take) Chemistry Biochemistry SCNC1111 SCNC1111 SCNC1112 SCNC1112 CHEM1042 CHEM1042 CHEM2441 CHEM2441 CHEM2541 CHEM2541 …… …….. Double Counting of the first 24 credits is allowed. Needs to take a replacement course in BIOC (at the same or higher level with the approval by a course selection adviser

17. Graduation Requirements • Satisfied the requirements in UG5 of the Regulations for First Degree Curricula#; • Passed not 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.

18. 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 GPA.

19. Academic Advising System

20. 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?

21. Before selecting your major, minor, or courses…… Think…… What’s the qualification/ prerequisite required for that major or course? Am I eligible to take? What is my strength and weakness? What is myacademicgoal and interest? You can explore different possibilities using a semester or so……

22. Where can you obtain information & advice?

23. 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

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

25. 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

26. 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)

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

28. 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!

29. 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

30. 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 from August 21 to 27 to answer your enquires! Student Peer Advising Corner

31. SIS for Academic Advising 31

32. Student Center 32

33. Student Center Click adviser name to send email. 33

34. Course Selection

35. Timetable of events for course selection (BSc I only) • Aug 21- Aug 27 Course selection period • Sep 21st semester starts • Sep 2-13Course add/drop period (1st semester) • Jan 202nd semester starts • Jan 20- Feb 6 Course add/drop period (2nd semester)

36. 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 13

37. 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!!!

38. 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.

39. Plagiarism

40. 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

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

42. 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

43. 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

44. 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.

45. 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 '2012 curriculum' to the first year in 2012-13 or thereafter: • 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.

46. Progression and Discontinuation (Cont’) • G11 Unsatisfactory performance or progress: A student whose performance at examinations or in coursework or in such class tests as may be held from time to time is unsatisfactory, or in the case of a higher degree student whose progress is unsatisfactory,...may be required by the Senate (a) to discontinue his studies. • Students who are recommended for discontinuation of their studies will be interviewed by the Faculty Review Committee before their cases are considered by the University's Committee on Discontinuation. The Faculty Review Committee normally meets in Jan/Feb and July every year.

47. How does the Faculty contact you? Mostly by email to your HKU e-mail account Students have the responsibility to check your HKU e-mail account and take timely action accordingly Always read theemailsent by Faculty of Sciencescience@hku.hk Keep the Faculty updated of your contact information (telephone, personal e-mail, address) inyour SIS account!!!

48. Useful contacts Faculty of Science Office G12 Chong Yuet Ming Physics Bldg Websites Faculty: http://www.scifac.hku.hk Academic Services Office: www.asa.hku.hk Academic Advising Office: http://aao.hku.hk HKU Worldwide exchange programme: www.als.hku.hk/admission/exchange Emailscience@hku.hk Telephone 2859 2683

49. Advice and support from the University • Academic Advising Office • Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS) • Counselling & Person Enrichment / Career & Placement / Campus Life / Student Development • University Health Service • Health issues