Undergraduate Studies
Why study Earth Sciences?
Admission
Programme for 2007 onwards
The Earth Science Curriculum
Career Opportunities & Statistics
Field Trips & Graduates sharing
Professional Preparation Programme
Professional Bodies
Why study Earth Sciences?
Earth Sciences involve study of the nature and evolution of our planet. Modern Earth Sciences are rigorous and challenging, possessing strong links to physics, chemistry, biology, and physical geography. Earth scientists use their knowledge to enrich our understanding of Earth processes and resources to improve the quality of human life. They help connect us to our planet's past, manage our present, and prepare for our future. A good knowledge of Earth Systems, including the solid earth, the atmosphere, the oceans, and the organisms that live on the planet, is fundamental to the understanding and prediction of climate changes and geological hazards, discovery and development of natural resources, and the understanding of human impacts on the global environment.
The Earth Sciences undergraduate programme leads to the award of a BSc honours degree. Emphasis is placed on effective teaching and learning, with an opportunity for individual research. Our primary objective is to give our students a robust training in the basics of Earth Sciences as well as a whole-person development. Students are equipped with technical skills in certain specialized areas such as applied geochemistry, geophysics, coastal management, engineering geology, and hydrogeology. Throughout the curriculum there is consistent emphasis on the acquisition of practical experience through fieldwork, laboratory studies, field camps both overseas and in China, training in industry, independent study projects, and strong interaction with local employers. The active learning approach enables students to develop important generic skills, such as critical thinking, analytical powers, interpersonal and teamwork spirit, which are essential in their future careers.
A good earth scientist, therefore, is also a good manager of resources, a strategist to explore valuable resources for human development while striking balance of preserving the natural beauty of our planet. These require strong higher order thinking, leadership and communicative skills to raise awareness and influences opinions. We train our students to be adaptable, adventurous, resilient and creative scientists and individuals. Their knowledge and personal development makes them competent to fill a variety of positions both in Hong Kong and internationally. In addition, they may undertake further specialized training programmes, either in university or through government-industry initiatives. Although our students generally enjoy broad and diverse career paths, given the growing demand for natural and alternative resources for development both in Hong Kong, the Mainland and globally, the demand for Earth Science graduates is steadily growing year by year.
Admission
Please address any queries on admission procedures and qualifications directly to the Academic and Faculty Services Section of the Registry through the following link page:
http://www.hku.hk/admission/ug.htm
If you intend to enroll in the Earth Sciences major, you need to enter 6901 Bachelor of Science. You can declare a major in Earth Sciences after you are admitted. You may do a single major in Earth Sciences or, as an option, do a minor or a second major in science, arts, social sciences or another discipline.
Admission Requirements
Admission is competitive. The minimum requirements are:
Grade E or above in AS Chinese,
Grade E or above in English,
Grade E or above in at least 1AL+1AS (in Physics or Engineering Science, Chemistry, Biology, Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Mathematics & Statistics, Computer Studies, Computer Applications, Geography or Economics)
Students in the Art stream are eligible to apply.
Other students with other subjects will be considered on an individual basis
Programme for 2007 onwards
The Faculty of Science will implement a new science curriculum called '14-in-one' in 2007. This involves the common admission of students to all 14 majors in the Bachelor of Science programme, including Earth Sciences. They will undertake a common first year of studies, followed by a choice of major.
Click here to see a Powerpoint presentation prepared by Dr LS Chan
The Earth Sciences Curriculum
Major in Earth Sciences
The Earth Sciences Major offers students an opportunity to learn about local, regional and global geological and environmental problems. The primary objective is to give students a robust training in the basics of Earth Sciences as well as technical skills in certain specialized areas. Fundamental theoretical and applied subjects including mineralogy (the study of minerals), petrology (the study of rocks), geophysics, geochemistry, surficial processes, sedimentology, Earth history, structural geology, fieldwork, regional geology, Earth resources, environmental geology, hydrogeology and engineering geology are offered along with studies of Earth systems and Earth dynamics.
To complete the B.Sc. (major in Earth Sciences), a student is required to pass at least 180 credits, equivalent to 30 6-credits courses.
* 12 courses in Earth Sciences including 3 foundation courses, at least 9 advanced-level courses and capstone requirement#
* 2 Faculty of Science elective courses
* 2-4 courses for fulfilling university language and broadening requirements
* 12-14 additional elective courses or courses leading to a second major or a minor
Course
Introductory LevelEASC0105 Earth Through Time (Core Course)
EASC0118 Blue Planet (Core Course)
EASC0119 Solid Earth (Core Course)
EASC0002 Peaceful use of Nuclear Technologies
EASC0117 Geological Heritage of Hong Kong
EASC0120 Earth, Environment and Society
EASC0121 Earth’s Climate Past and Future
EASC1123 Planetary Geology
Advanced Level
EASC2124 Geological Maps and Air Photographs
EASC2108 Structural Geology
EASC2109 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
EASC2113 Sedimentology
EASC2125 Global Tectonics
EASC2126 Mineralogy and Geochemistry
EASC2112 Earth Systems
EASC2127 Global Change: Anthropogenic impact
EASC2128 Earth-Ocean-Atmosphere interactions
EASC2129 Physical Oceanography
EASC2130 Earth Observation and Remote Sensing
EASC2131 A Cool World: Ice Ages and Climate Change
EASC2201 Hydrogeology
EASC3132 Earth Resources
EASC3133 Applied Geochemistry
EASC3133 Regional Geology
EASC3202 Soil and Rock Mechanics
EASC3203 Engineering Geology
EASC2301 Field Camps (Capstone Course)
EASC2306 Intermediate Year Project (Capstone Course)
EASC3305 Geology Project (12 crs) (Capstone Course)
Click here for detail description of the curriculum
Here are some comments given by our second year students after they did an exercise called “facing stone exercise” offered by Structural Geology course.
“…I have to do learn independently, I need to find evidences to support my analysis all by myself…This exercise develops my confidence in making decisions and in identifying the rocks…”
“…I grow to love Geology as a subject more and more as I can apply my knowledge in daily lives that relate to me…it broadens my horizon...From learning to read maps, and to integrate it with the facing stone exercise, I realize that a stone carries an interesting story in it…a map is not just a map; it contains a story rich for the past history. It is really interesting!”
“…Learning by listening in lectures tends to be boring if we have to sit there all the time. Even if we can bring a couple of samples into the lesson, it can never be compatible with what we see in authentic, real life situations...this course/exercise makes learning theories and concepts interesting as we can apply them to our own rich surroundings…”
Earth scientists work as consultants on engineering and environmental problems, explorers for new mineral and hydrocarbon resources, government and university researchers, teachers, writers, editors, as well as in many other challenging positions. With the number of large-scale construction projects and emerging needs for better environmental management, the demand for geologists in Hong Kong and worldwide is growing.
Sector % of graduates 2006 2005
Basic Salary Gross Income 2006 2005 2006 2005 $10,444 $9,456 $11,328 $9,813 $10,000 $9,000 $10,625 $9,479 $5,000 $8,000 $5,000 $8,000 $20,000 $12,500 $21,667 $12,500
The number of job offers received by Earth Sciences graduates is shown in the following table.
No. of job offers received No. of graduates (% of graduates) One 7 (44%) Two 5 (31%) Three 1 (6.3%) Four 2 (13%) Five 1 (6.3%) Arup Atkins China Ltd. EGS (Asia) Ltd. ESA Consulting, LLC Fugro Hong Kong Ltd. Gammon Skanska Geotechnical Engineering Office, CED Halcrow Hanson Pioneer Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (CAGS) Lam Geotechnics Ltd. Maunsell Mongomery Watson Scott Wilson Hong Kong Ltd. Soletanche-Bachy “…The subject makes me think more broadly and globally. If no jobs interest me in HK, I would consider Australia, Europe, America… I think Earth Scientists have a much wider horizon and broader perspective in life.”
“…It turns out that the more I study it the more I love it. I am not worried about what I could do in future. I think that learning things that interest me is more important. Parents might have a misconception that there are no jobs in earth scienes field. In fact, Earth Science is an important subject in both Hong Kong and worldwide…”
“I have friends who have gone abroad for study. They told me that in other countries, including Mainland China, Earth Science is a subject of high regard. They admire earth scientists.” “I enjoy my learning so much that I want to continue my study.”
“My training has exposed me to the global environmental issues and I would like to work in the field related to global warming.”
“Having studied so much about the earth, I come to love my Earth and I’d love to work in the area of environmental protection.”
“The subject discipline has changed my outlook on life. I am also interested in working in NGOs associated with environmental protection.”
“I love to do adventurous things such as oil exploration.”
In addition to classroom teaching and laboratory work, field trips are an essential part of the Earth Sciences programme. Students typically take four field camps locally, overseas or in China to study the geology of various parts of the world. Our undergraduate overseas field trips have taken place in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. We leave our footprints all over the world. Students learn effectively through authentic, real life experience during these field trips. They work hard and have great fun at the same time. A pool of good friendships is often built through this unique and exciting form of learning.
The Department of Earth Sciences has instigated a Professional Preparation Programme in collaboration with several geotechnical organisations to provide students with opportunities to learn about the typical work of an engineering geologist. Students can work with government departments, or geotechnical and geological companies to gain work experience and insights into the nature of the geological profession.
Programme:
Earth Sciences undergraduates are encouraged to become student members of a number of professional bodies, learned societies and associations. Benefits include: the opportunity to attend talks and seminars which broaden knowledge of the working world; a better understanding of where your university studies might lead you; and the opportunity to make contacts for summer or full time employment. Geological Society of London (Hong Kong Branch) Hong Kong Geological Society Institution of Mining & Metallurgy Institute of Quarrying (Hong Kong Branch) Hong Kong Waste Management Association Hong Kong Institution of Engineers
Career Opportunities & Statistics
The following tables provide some statistics and information on our recent graduates
(source: the Careers Education and Placement Centre, HKU
http://www.hku.hk/careers/NEW/index.html)
a) Employment sectors
Commerce & industry
58%
87%
Cummunity, Social & Personal Service
32%
6.7%
Educational Institutions
5.3%
0.0%
Civil Service
5.3%
6.7%
b) Basic Salary and Gross Income
Mean
Median
Minimum
Maximum
c) Number of full-time job offers
d) Some Employers of Earth Sciences graduates
http://www.arup.com
http://www.wsatkins.com
http://www.egssurvey.com
Professional Environmental Consulting
http://www.webesa.com
http://www.fugro.nl
http://www.gammonskanska.com
HKSAR Government
http://www.info.gov.hk/ced/eng/index.htm
http://www.halcrow.com
http://www.hansonplc.com
Institute of Geophyical & Geochemical Exploration (IGGE)
http://www.cags.cn.net
http://www.lamconstruct.com
http://www.maunsell.com.au
http://www.mwlaboratories.com
http://www.scottwilson.com.hk
http://www.soletanche-bachy.com
e) Sharing from the undergraduate students (2005 intake)
What would they like to do after the study?
Field trips and Graduates sharing
Field Trips
Photograph taken at the Everest Base Camp in Tibet, 2006
Professional Preparation Programme
Objectives:
(1) To provide interested students with insights into the job nature and career of the engineering geologist in Hong Kong;
(2) To help participating students establish contact and connection with professional companies; and
(3) To improve the practical knowledge of the students;
(4) To enable mentoring firms to try out prospective ES graduates
Students will be assigned to one of the participating companies. Prior to the site work, the participating students will have to
(1) enroll in a safety course for the 'Green Card' ($120 to be paid by the participating student) which enables them to do work at construction sites in Hong Kong and is valid for 3 years, and
(2) attend required seminars by industrial partners The mentoring firm will arrange for the students to work with the firm either
for two weeks continuously over the semester break, or for an afternoon each week for 16 consecutive weeks.
Students are required to submit their work record and learning material in the form of a portfolio to the Department of Earth Sciences at the conclusion of the programme. Logistics The University of Hong Kong will carry medical insurance for the participating students. The mentoring company is not obliged to provide any stipend for the participating students. Eligibility and Application The programme is open to year 3 ES students. Transcript Record Students enrolled in the programme will have the programme included in the academic transcript. Students will be registered a 'pass' or 'fail' mark based on feedback from the mentoring company.
Professional Bodies
Conacts for summer or full time employment
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/hkrg
http://www.geolsoc.org.hk
http://www.imm.org.uk
http://www.inst-of-quarrying.org
http://www.quarry.org.hk
http://www.hongkongwma.org.hk
http://www.hkie.org.hk