Postgraduate Courses
OCES
Ocean Science
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.
- OCES 5001Introduction to Oceanography[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)ENVS 6012DCo-list withENVR 6050Exclusion(s)ENVR 6050DescriptionAn introduction to the fundamentals of physical, chemical, geological, geochemical, and biological oceanography. It unveils the mystery of the oceans including the formation of the continents, oceanic circulation, and formation of precious minerals in the deep oceans; discovers ocean resources from phytoplankton to fish. The course will lay the foundation for sustainable use of the oceans and discuss human threats such as global warming, overfishing, and coastal pollution.
- OCES 5100Biological Oceanography[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis is an advanced biological oceanography course aimed at first-year post-graduate students. The objectives of this course are to introduce the field of biological oceanography and explore how interactions between biology, chemistry and physics regulate the structure, function and productivity of marine ecosystems.
- OCES 5200Physical Oceanography[3-0-0:3]Prerequisite(s)OCES 5001DescriptionAn advanced physical oceanography course aimed at first-year post-graduate students. It covers fundamental concepts including quasi-geostrophic approximation, barotropic and baroclinic instabilities, eddy-mean flow interactions, ocean gyres and western intensification, and meridional overturning circulations. The course will lay a solid theoretical foundation for scientific researches in physical oceanography.
- OCES 5300Chemical Oceanography[3-0-0:3]Prerequisite(s)OCES 5001DescriptionThis course provides a detailed foundation in chemical oceanography, which is an essential interdisciplinary component of understanding ocean processes across a multitude of different spatial and temporal scales. It will examine the ocean as a chemical system in which the inputs, outputs, and internal cycling of the elements determine their concentrations and distributions. It will also cover chemical processes that are essential in biological systems, control the geology of the planet, and provide key tracers for understanding past, present and future ocean conditions.
- OCES 5320Ecotoxicology[3-1-0:4]Previous Course Code(s)LIFS 5320Exclusion(s)ENVS 5113BackgroundLIFS 3160DescriptionTo study the impact and toxic effects of pollutants on diversity, growth and metabolism of living organisms and the ecosystem as a whole.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Define the scope of ecotoxicology study and recognize the major classes of pollutants.
- 2.Describe the major concepts in ecotoxicology study, such as the entry and fate, bioaccumulation and bioavailability.
- 3.Describe the ecological and biological responses of pollutants at different levels.
- 4.Demonstrate methods in conducting ecotoxicology research, such as the kinetic modelling, biomonitoring, toxicity testing, biomarkers and toxicity mechanisms study.
- OCES 5400Marine Genomics[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis is an advanced marine genomics course for first-year postgraduate students. It covers the fundamental knowledge of marine genomics and the applications of cutting-edge genomics tools in a marine setting. This course will provide the students with the essential skills for conducting research in the emerging field of marine genomics.
- OCES 5401Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThe course gives an overview of marine capture fisheries and aquaculture with case studies from around the world and from Hong Kong, exploring the diversity and biology of exploited fish and invertebrate species important in commercial production. The inter-relationship between the marine environment, biological oceanographic processes, and fish productivity is examined. Basic principles of stock assessment and management methods are introduced, with emphasis on how to ensure long-term sustainability of fishery and aquaculture resources.
- OCES 5402Marine Resources Management[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis course will cover a broad spectrum of concepts and practices in marine resources management. It starts with the types of resources available in different kinds of coastal environments, fundamental concepts and elements in integrated coastal management (ICM), followed by various aspects in resources utilization. Intergovernmental, institutional, legal and financial considerations in marine resources management will be covered.
- OCES 5403Deep Sea Resources[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis course is designed for first-year postgraduate students. The objective of this course is to introduce the geology of the deep sea, the mining of deep sea resources, the diversity of organisms in the deep sea, the sampling of deep sea organisms, and how the deep sea resources should be regulated and protected.
- OCES 6011Postgraduate Seminar[1 credit]Previous Course Code(s)ENVS 6011DescriptionAdvanced seminar series presented by postgraduate students, faculty and guest speakers on selected topics in marine environmental science offered in Fall/Spring terms. This course may be repeated for credit. Graded P or F.
- OCES 6012Special Topics in Environmental Science[1-6 credit(s)]Previous Course Code(s)ENVS 6012DescriptionOfferings are announced each term. Typical topics include eutrophication, global warming, biodiversity and conservation, microbial ecology, environmental law, and pollutants in the ocean.
- OCES 6111Research Project in Global Marine Resources Management I[3 credits]DescriptionThis course enables students to conduct an independent project in selected areas of marine resources management under the supervision of one or more faculty members. This course is the first part of a two-term research project. Students shall consult the list of topics provided by the faculty members and choose to perform a research project and formulate an individual study plan. This course is for MSc(GMRM) students only.
- OCES 6112Research Project in Global Marine Resources Management II[6 credits]Prerequisite(s)OCES 6111DescriptionThis course is a continuation of OCES 6111. Students are required to submit interim reports of their works and present their research progress. This course is for MSc(GMRM) students only. Graded P or F.
- OCES 6113Research Project in Global Marine Resources Management III[6 credits]Prerequisite(s)OCES 6112DescriptionThis course is a continuation of OCES 6112. Students are required to submit written reports of their works and present the major findings in a symposium attended by peers and faculty members. This course is for MSc(GMRM) students only.
- OCES 6770Professional Development in Marine Science[0-1-0:1]Exclusion(s)ENVS 6770DescriptionThis course aims at providing research postgraduate students basic training in scientific ethics in marine research studies, research management, professional career development, and related professional skills. Guest speakers from various professional areas will be invited to share their career paths in professional career developments. Students will have chances to connect to talents in various professional areas. Graded PP, P or F.
- OCES 6990MPhil Thesis ResearchPrevious Course Code(s)ENVS 6990DescriptionMaster's thesis research supervised by a faculty member. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.
- OCES 7990Doctoral Thesis ResearchPrevious Course Code(s)ENVS 7990DescriptionOriginal and independent doctoral thesis research. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.
