Offered to students admitted to Year 1 in ALL
Major/Minor ALL
Course Type
Offer in 2023 - 2024 Y N
Course Code BIOC4999
Date2023/09/24 22:38
Enquiry for Course Details
BIOC4999 Biochemistry project (12 credits) Academic Year 2023
Offering Department Biomedical Sciences Quota 25
Course Co-ordinator Dr B H B Yuen; Prof J D Huang, Biomedical Sciences < yuenbbh@hku.hk; jdhuang@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (All academic staff in Biochemistry Major,Biomedical Sciences)
(Dr B H B Yuen,Biomedical Sciences)
(Prof J D Huang,Biomedical Sciences)
Course Objectives [This is a certified Communication-intensive (CI) Course which meets all of the requirements endorsed by HKU's Senate, including (i) the teaching and assessment of oral, written and visual communication 'literacies'; and (ii) at least 40% of the course grade assigned to communication-rich assessment tasks.]

To enable students to acquire the basic skills in scientific research emphasizing on critical and analytical reasoning, free and creative thinking, scholarly communication (both orally and in writing), research integrity, teamwork and time management.  The course is particularly useful for those students who intend to pursue a career in life science either in research or industry.
Course Contents & Topics Project-related topics in biochemistry, cell, molecular and developmental biology.
Experimental methods in protein and nucleic acid biochemistry; bioinformatics and cell biology.
Critical appraisal of current science literature
Formulation of research questions
Design of experiments.
Data analysis and interpretation.
Scientific writing
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 describe recent research development in a defined area of biochemistry and molecular biology
CLO 2 formulate research questions and design experiments to address these questions
CLO 3 apply appropriate experimental techniques to solve research problems
CLO 4 manage and interpret experimental results
CLO 5 develop scientific writing skills and logically report their research findings
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in at least 24 credits of advanced level (level 3 or 4) disciplinary core/elective courses in Biochemistry Major including 4 of the following 5 courses: BIOL3401, BIOC3601, BIOC3604, BIOC4610 and BIOC4613.
BIOC4610 and BIOC4613 can be taken concurrently with this course.
This capstone course is for Biochemistry Major students only.
This capstone course is ONLY opened to students who are in year 3 or above in the Biochemistry Major program.
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2023 Major in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Major in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2019 Major in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2023 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2022 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2021 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2020 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2019 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
Offer in 2023 - 2024 Y        Year long    Examination No Exam     
Offer in 2024 - 2025 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Plans and executes a sophisticated and creative experimental investigation, framing the research question within existing knowledge. Displays tenacity and commitment, generating a meaningful body of data that is analysed with insight and comprehensively evaluated in the context of the original research question. Works proactively with a supervisor and other co-workers to enhance practical and scientific writing skills. Communicates the findings to a broader audience in an effective and scholarly way and responds knowledgeably to questions. Excellent time-management skills.
B Plans and executes a detailed experimental investigation, framing the research question within existing knowledge. Works with commitment, generating a sufficient body of data that is analysed and evaluated in the context of the original research question with skill and understanding. Works constructively with a supervisor and other co-workers to enhance practical and scientific writing skills. Clearly communicates the findings to a broader audience and responds knowledgeably to most questions. Able to time-manage effectively.
C Plans and executes an experimental investigation, attempting to contextualize the research question. Works with adequate commitment in order to generate sufficient data for a reasonable analysis and evaluation in the context of the original research question. Works with a supervisor and other co-workers to improve practical and scientific writing skills. Communicates the findings to a broader audience with reasonable clarity and responds to most questions. Acceptable time-management skills.
D Plans and executes a rudimentary experimental investigation, showing a limited ability to contextualize the research question. Displays minimal commitment when collecting data and is only able to undertake a superficial analysis and evaluation. Works reluctantly with a supervisor and other co-workers to develop practical and scientific writing skills. Displays weak communication skills when presenting the findings to a broader audience. Poor time-management skills.
Fail Plans and executes an experimental investigation that is flawed, ineffective or overly simplistic, that is lacking a valid scientific context. Shows no commitment when collecting data and produces an incoherent analysis and evaluation. Works in isolation, thus failing to improve practical and scientific writing skills. Displays weak communication skills when presenting the findings to a broader audience. No time-management skills.
Communication-intensive Course Y
Course Type Project-based course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Reading / Self study 240
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Dissertation 50 CLO 1,2,3,4,5
Oral presentation 35 CLO 1,2,3,4,5
Research report 15 CLO 1,2,3,4,5
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 None prescribed
Course Website NIL
Additional Course Information NIL
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