Postgraduate Courses

a) 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.

b) Undergraduate courses marked with [EXP] may adopt the approach of experiential learning subject to different offerings. Students should check the delivery mode of the class section before registration.

• LIFS 5001

  Responsible Conduct of Biomedical and Biotechnology Research

  [3-0-0:3]
  Co-list with

  BIEN 5001

  Exclusion(s)

  BIEN 5001

  Background

  Some knowledge of general biology concepts, equivalent to introductory biology at the undergraduate level

  Description

  This course will present some of the most common ethical issues encountered in biomedical research and biotechnology. Students will engage in active discussion to provide deeper understanding of each issue. The objective of this course is to raise awareness of the ethical issues around biomedical/bioengineering research, and encourage critical and responsible consideration of research conduct. Topics covered will fall into three categories: 1) Research integrity, 2) Applied ethics in biological research and biotechnology, and 3) Contemporary ethical issues arisen from emerging biotechnologies. Graded P or F.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Describe potential important ethical issues that biomedical researchers may face in their careers.
  • 2.
    When presented with a case or specific scenario, be able to identify the explicit or potential ethical issues, arguments, and perspectives arising from the case or scenario.
  • 3.
    Critically analyze and evaluate ethical issues revolving around contemporary biomedical/life science research in a contextual manner, and form and justify their own position on these ethical issues.
  • 4.
    Recall and describe key principles, policies, and regulations relevant to the ethical and responsible conduct of research (e.g. Nuremberg Code).
  • 5.
    Identify administrative or other resources on campus that researchers can access to seek assistance with ethical issues they may be facing.
  • 6.
    Communicate and present ideas to others in a clear and critical manner about complex issues, both in presentation and written format.
  • 7.
    Engage in open and thoughtful discussions with peers on complex ethical issues.
• LIFS 5070

  Workshops in Biosciences

  [2-0-3:3]
  Background

  LIFS 3120 (prior to 2018-19)

  Description

  Laboratory exercises, including recombinant DNA technology, protein purification, microscopy, tissue culture and other technologies currently in use.
• LIFS 5260

  Biochemical and Molecular Basis of Diseases

  [3-0-0:3]
  Background

  LIFS 4760 or equivalent

  Description

  Advanced topics on the biochemical basis of human diseases, molecular medicine and structure based drug design; an oral presentation and a written essay on a specific topic are required.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Recognize the molecular mechanism underling certain human diseases.
  • 2.
    Apply knowledge from modern biomedical sciences to evaluate current treatments and envision potential future treatments.
• LIFS 5310

  Biostatistics: Theory and Application in Life Science Research

  [3-0-0:3]
  Previous Course Code(s)

  LIFS 6000C

  Background

  Students are expected (i) to know calculus and basic probability and (ii) to have some experience of programming (in any language). Requirement (ii) can be satisfied by self-learning an R tutorial before the course.

  Description

  Statistical analysis has become an essential component in research for testing hypothesis and designing experiments. This course is tailored to postgraduate students in Life Science. We will introduce common methodologies used in research, such as ANOVA, linear regression, nonparametric methods, and bootstrapping. The students will also gain practical skills of using R for analysis.
• LIFS 5710

  Cellular Regulation

  [3-0-0:3]
  Description

  Molecular basis of cellular regulation. Cellular signal transduction cascades.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Explain the latest concepts in selected cellular processes and the basic mechanisms underlying these processes.
  • 2.
    Examine how new discoveries can improve ways to treat different diseases.
  • 3.
    Apply the knowledge learnt in this course to solve research problems.
• LIFS 6000

  Special Topics in Life Science

  [1-4 credit(s)]
  Description

  This course includes selected topics of current interest in Life Science which are not covered by existing courses. Credit to be determined on case by case basis based on workload. May be repeated for credit, if different topics are covered. Enrollment may require approval of the course instructor.
• LIFS 6111

  Life Science Postgraduate Student Seminar

  [1 credit]
  Previous Course Code(s)

  LIFS 6110

  Exclusion(s)

  OCES 6011

  Description

  Advanced seminar series presented by postgraduate students on their research topics in biological sciences offered in Fall/Spring Terms. This course may be repeated for credit. Graded PP, P or F.
• LIFS 6112

  Current Topics in Neuroscience

  [2-0-0:2]
  Description

  This course will expose postgraduate students to selected current topics in Neuroscience. This course may be repeated for credits. Graded P or F.
• LIFS 6113

  Current Topics in Biochemistry and Biophysics

  [2-0-0:2]
  Description

  This course will expose postgraduate students to selected current topics in Biochemistry and Biophysics. This course may be repeated for credits. Graded P or F.
• LIFS 6114

  Current Topics in Biotechnology and Traditional Chinese Medicine

  [2-0-0:2]
  Description

  This course will expose postgraduate students to selected current topics in Biotechnology and Traditional Chinese Medicine. This course may be repeated for credits. Graded P or F.
• LIFS 6115

  Current Topics in Development and Systems Biology

  [2-0-0:2]
  Description

  This course will expose postgraduate students to selected current topics in Development and Systems Biology. This course may be repeated for credits. Graded P or F.
• LIFS 6116

  Current Topics in Genomics and Bioinformatics

  [2-0-0:2]
  Description

  This course will expose postgraduate students to selected current topics in Genomics and Bioinformatics. This course may be repeated for credits. Graded P or F.
• LIFS 6117

  Current Topics in Cell Biology

  [2-0-0:2]
  Description

  This course will expose postgraduate students to selected current topics in Cell Biology. This course may be repeated for credits. Graded P or F.
• LIFS 6170

  Special Topics in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology

  [2-2-0:4]
  Background

  LIFS 3110

  Description

  Recent advances in molecular, cell and developmental biology will be presented and discussed in lectures and tutorials.
• LIFS 6410

  Seminar Enrichment Course

  [1 credit]
  Description

  Study on selected current topics in life science through attending seminars in LIFS seminar series. Students can repeat the course for credits. Graded PP, P or F.
• LIFS 6420

  Project Research

  [1-3 credit(s)]
  Description

  Project research in one of the life science research laboratories under the supervision of a faculty member. Graded P or F. (for Visiting Internship Postgraduate student)
• LIFS 6660

  Molecular Medicine

  [3-0-0:3]
  Description

  This joint course offered under the HKU-CUHK-HKUST Centre for Advanced Study will give an introduction to basic concepts as well as modern techniques and technologies in Molecular Medicine. Cancer as well as neurodegenerative diseases will be used as disease models in most of the examples covered in the course. Classes will be held in the campus of the university concerned for that part of the course offered.
• LIFS 6800

  Frontiers in Nucleic Acid Research

  [4-0-0:4]
  Description

  This course will cover the biogenesis and function of non-coding RNAs, drawn from molecular, biochemical and cell biological studies. Dysfunction of non-coding RNA in disease and the application of non-coding RNA as research tools will be discussed.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Explain how diverse classes of non-coding RNA were discovered and characterized.
  • 2.
    Explain how biological processes can be regulated by non-coding RNA.
  • 3.
    Critically assess the scientific literature in writing.
  • 4.
    Critically review and present scientific literature in oral presentations.
  • 5.
    Develop experiments concerning the use or characterization of non-coding RNA in biological studies.
• LIFS 6990

  MPhil Thesis Research
  Description

  Master's thesis research supervised by a faculty member. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.
• LIFS 7990

  Doctoral Thesis Research
  Description

  Original and independent doctoral thesis research. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.