Enquiry for Science Major/Minor/Programme Requirements
BIOL3218 Global food safety (6 credits) Academic Year 2025
Offering Department Biological Sciences Quota 30
Course Co-ordinator Dr L Zhang, Biological Sciences < lzhang17@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Dr L Zhang,School of Biological Sciences)
Course Objectives This course aims to provide students with a global perspective on food safety challenges and management practices. It focuses on developing analytical skills for identifying, assessing, and mitigating food safety hazards, while also introducing ethical considerations in food product development and manufacturing. The course also equips students with knowledge of international food safety regulations, preparing them to understand and manage food safety issues effectively in a global context.
Course Contents & Topics Topics will include: Chemical contaminants, Physical contaminants, Food borne pathogens, Food fraud, Food additives, Regulatory aspects of food safety, Good manufacturing practice, ISO22000 and HACCP, Ethics in food industry
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 understand identification, characterization and exposure assessments of various food safety hazards
CLO 2 apply food safety management practices to control risks associated with food safety hazards
CLO 3 gain global perspective on the management of food safety hazard
CLO 4 understand ethical perspectives and practices linked to food product development and manufacturing across different countries
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in BIOL2101 or BIOL3203
Not for students who have passed in BIOL3208
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2025 Major in Biological Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Minor in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Biological Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Minor in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Biological Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Minor in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Biological Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Minor in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Biological Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Minor in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2025 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1,2,4 >
2025 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,3,5 >
2025 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6 >
2024 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1,2,4 >
2024 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,3,5 >
2024 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6 >
2023 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1,2,4 >
2023 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,3,5 >
2023 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6 >
2022 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1,2,4 >
2022 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,3,5 >
2022 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6 >
2021 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1,2,4 >
2021 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,3,5 >
2021 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6 >
Offer in 2025 - 2026 Y        2nd sem    Examination May     
Offer in 2026 - 2027 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrate thorough grasp of the subject matter covered. Show strong analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, with evidence of creative ability and competence in professional-level problem solving. Critically use quality management skills and techniques and analysis of data and results to draw appropriate and insightful conclusions to real-world problems. Demonstrate highly effective team-based organizational and presentational skills.
B Demonstrate substantial grasp of the subject matter covered. Show evidence of analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking with some evidence of competence in professional-level problem solving. Use quality management skills and techniques and analysis of data and results to draw generally appropriate conclusions to real-world problems. Demonstrate effective team-based organizational and presentational skills.
C Demonstrate general but incomplete grasp of the subject matter covered. Show some evidence of analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking with limited competence in professional-level problem solving. Use quality management skills and techniques and analysis of data and results to draw moderately appropriate but sometimes erroneous conclusions to real-world problems. Demonstrate moderately effective team-based organizational and presentational skills.
D Demonstrate partial but limited grasp, with retention of some relevant information, of the subject matter covered. Show some evidence of coherent and logical thinking, but lacking competence in professional-level problem solving. Use quality management skills and techniques and analysis of data and results to draw sometimes appropriate but often erroneous conclusions to real-world problems. Demonstrate team-based organizational and presentational skills of limited effectiveness.
Fail Demonstrate little or no grasp, with retention of little relevant information, of the subject matter covered. Show lack of coherent and logical thinking, and minimal competence in professional-level problem solving. Use quality management skills and techniques and analysis of data and results ineffectively, leading generally to inappropriate and usually erroneous conclusions to real-world problems. Demonstrate ineffectiveness team-based organizational and presentational skills.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture-based course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Group work 12.0
Lectures 24 hours lecture & 12 hours tutorial for project 36.0
Project work 30.0
Reading / Self study 100.0
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Assignments 30.0 1,2,3,4
Examination 40.0 1,2,3,4
Project reports 30.0 2,3
Required/recommended reading
and online materials
Course Website http://moodle.hku.hk
Additional Course Information The course will be offered subject to a minimum enrollment number and availability of teachers.


Back  /  Home