Course Coordinator: Dr. Charles Tang, MPhil (CUHK), PhD (UT Austin)
This is an intensive research and investigation-oriented course in the BSc of Applied Science programme. This course is compulsory for all students taking honours studies in the BSc Applied Science programme. Students will have to apply all the knowledge and skills acquired in the second and third-level courses and draw up a plan to tackle a scientific or technical problem in a manner that is usually practised in the academic community.
Compulsory prerequisite(s)
You must have already completed 140 credits towards the BSc in Applied Science programme. (Please ignore the above if you are following a new entry pathway to the BSCHASD.)
Aims
This course aims to instruct you to apply all you have learned about biology and chemistry to work independently on an applied science project. You need to develop an appropriate scientific methodology and a work plan; identify issues or problems that could be analysed in a scientific manner; and present and report as appropriate regarding the type of intended audience and media.
Contents
There are no conventional course materials assigned for this course. However, Guidance Notes on Project Courses have been developed to equip students with independence skills in organizing, analysing and integrating information. They will help students to make decisions on and implement a workable plan to solve a particular problem as an ultimate end. Therefore, the guidance notes serves as a training manual for successful student projects.
Students will be given some reading materials before each academic presentation as background for each research area. They will go through the process of completing a literature survey, field study and experimental work after the selection of a research project. Staff from the School concerned will advise on the activities to be taken in this course. The project will be developed in a rational sequence. Students will be briefed on the general objectives of the project title and the options available to pursue after discussion. The advisor will outline the broad research strategy, so as to assess the strengths and weaknesses of students and to agree on a preliminary literature survey and reading list. In general, projects are expected to include both an investigative component and a design or integrative element.
The focus of the project should not be either too narrow or too wide. To some extent the aims should be adjusted within the context of the level of work expected and the time available. It is preferable to constrain the scope so that the project can be completed without leaving a large number of questions unanswered. However, if this can only be done at the cost of trivializing the problem, aims will have to be reassessed from the beginning of the work.
Learning support
There will be tutorials with your project supervisor throughout the course. Details will be announced at the start of the term.
Laboratory classes
If applicable laboratory sessions will be arranged during the course where tutors and supervisors will guide you through the experiments related to the project title.
Assessment
Students are required to submit an initial report, an interim report and a final report for assessment. Students are required to submit assignments via the Online Learning Environment (OLE).
Project presentations are designed to assess your progress in the course. All students will be given chances to present their findings. Performance in these presentations will be counted to the overall continuous assignment score. There is no final course examination at the end of the course, which will be substituted by the final report.
Online support
This course is supported by the Online Learning Environment (OLE). You can find the latest course information from the OLE. Through the OLE, you can communicate electronically with your tutor and the Course Coordinator as well as other students. To access the OLE, students will need to have access to the Internet. However the use of the OLE is not compulsory for the study of this course. All tutorials and surgeries will be video-recorded and available for playback from the OLE.
Equipment
Students will need access to a personal computer or other electronic devices with an Internet connection.
Set book(s)
There are no set books for this course.
Students with disabilities or special educational needs
This course may contain visual and audio materials that you have to work through in order to complete your studies successfully. You are encouraged to seek further advice from the Course Coordinator if you feel that will be physically challenging.
