| Academic Year |
2025 |
| Offering Department |
Biological Sciences |
Quota |
---
|
| Course Co-ordinator |
Prof. K W Y Yuen, Biological Sciences < kwyyuen@hku.hk > |
| Teachers Involved |
(All academic staff in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology Major,School of Biological Sciences) |
| Course Objectives |
This course aims to provide a stimulating capstone experience for all Molecular Biology & Biotechnology Major undergraduates to integrate and apply their knowledge and skills obtained from the Major. |
| Course Contents & Topics |
The directed study can be a review of literature on a specific topic, or a lab or field study that enhances the student's understanding of the topic in the field of molecular biology & biotechnology. The student should obtain the commitment of a supervisor in the area of the dissertation topic before submitting the registration form for the course (available from the General Office of School of Biological Sciences). Supervisor will introduce various methodologies/techniques and guide students to completion of the dissertation. Teaching will be informal and students will gain knowledge through discussion and feedback from their supervisors. |
| Course Learning Outcomes |
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
| CLO 1 |
become familiar with the process of scientific enquiry |
| CLO 2 |
have a better understanding of the nature of molecular biology and biotechnology sciences through one-to-one communication with a mentor |
| CLO 3 |
apply scientific methods to address important issues in various molecular biology and biotechnology disciplines through a written report and oral presentation |
| CLO 4 |
develop the key intellectual skills through evaluation, communicative writing, and oral presentation that will be valuable for all scientific studies |
|
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations) |
Pass in at least 24 credits of advanced level disciplinary core / elective courses in the Molecular Biology & Biotechnology Major.
This capstone course is for Molecular Biology & Biotechnology Major students only.
The earliest that a student is allowed to take this capstone course is their year 3 study. |
| Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core |
2025 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (
Disciplinary Elective
)
2024 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (
Disciplinary Elective
)
2023 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (
Disciplinary Elective
)
2022 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (
Disciplinary Elective
)
2021 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (
Disciplinary Elective
)
|
| Course to PLO Mapping |
2025 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 3,5,4 >
2024 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 5,4,3 >
2023 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 3,5,4 >
2022 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 5,4,3 >
2021 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 4,3,5 >
|
| Offer in 2025 - 2026 |
Y
1st sem
2nd sem
|
Examination |
No Exam
|
| Offer in 2026 - 2027 |
Y |
| Course Grade |
A+ to F
|
| Grade Descriptors |
| A | Work displaying a high level of scholarship and originality; virtually flawless oral presentation with excellent introduction to dissertation topic, showing a thorough grasp of the topic from background reading and analysis; clear statement of the objectives of the research; comprehensive exploration of the topic, personal synthesis of the issues with detailed support from the literature; comprehensive and up-to-date references integrated into argument or logical reasoning; critical evaluations of the main points or problems and their solutions and implications; thought-provoking discussions; accurate summary. All chapters/paragraphs in written dissertation are well-connected and presented logically with clarity of goals, demonstrating excellent organizational, rhetorical and presentational skills. The length of the dissertation meets the specified requirements. All other aspects of the dissertation conform to a high academic standard. |
|---|
| B | Work showing some evidence of originality and insight in identifying, generating and communicating competing arguments, perspectives or problem solving approaches; demonstrating substantial understanding of fundamental concepts of the field of study; adequate grasp of the topic from background reading and analysis; a systematic exploration of the topic which may include an attempt at critical comment or appraisal; regular support provided from the literature; comprehensive and up-to-date references included; main points fully elaborated; summary given in the final chapter/paragraphs; communicating information and ideas clearly and fluently, demonstrating good organizational in written dissertation and rhetorical and oral presentational skills. The length of the dissertation meets the specified requirements. Most aspects conform to a high academic standard. |
|---|
| C | Work showing no evidence of originality and insight, but the oral presentation demonstrated adequate understanding and comprehension of most aspects of the dissertation topic; essential topic materials have been read and acknowledged; the main points presented in logically sequential paragraphs; reasonably balanced discussion of the major issues; acceptable interpretation of the topic, some explanation, illustration and support provided from the literature; summary given in the final chapter/paragraphs; most presentation details met (front page, margin, legibility, citations correctly reported and tabulated, etc.); few typos or grammatical errors; most aspects conform to an acceptable academic standard for written dissertation. |
|---|
| D | Demonstrating superficial or partial or faulty understanding of the fundamental concepts of the field of study in written dissertation and oral presentation; showing the bare minimum of information, poorly digested and not very well organized in presentation; irrelevant material; showing no evidence of critical thinking; arguments undeveloped or inappropriate or unsupported; lack of clarity or structure in communicating information or ideas. Dissertation topic not fully covered; discussion too brief or just repeating the data or findings; overuse quotations with little explanation; insufficient support from literature; reading not well incorporated into the text; limited acknowledgements and light bibliography; some major points missed. The written work meets the minimum requirement of an acceptable academic standard. |
|---|
| Fail | The dissertation topic was not covered acceptably; demonstrating evidence of poor knowledge, clear deficiencies in understanding fundamental concepts; materials largely irrelevant; incomplete or confusing communication of information or ideas; unreflective; incoherent argument; complete misinterpretation of the topic or data; no evidence of reading (no acknowledgements or bibliography); structure confused or not discernible; Fail to meet most or all of the basic requirements of the course through written dissertation and oral presentation. The written work is not of an academic standard. |
|---|
|
| Communication-intensive Course |
Y |
| Course Type |
Project-based course |
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities |
| Activities |
Details |
No. of Hours |
| Reading / Self study |
at least 120 hours on the dissertation or project |
120.0 |
|
Assessment Methods
and Weighting |
| Methods |
Details |
Weighting in final
course grade (%) |
Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping |
| Dissertation |
Written report 6000-8000 words (excluding figures and references). |
50.0 |
1,2,3,4 |
| Oral presentation |
15 minutes (Plus 5 minutes for questions and answers). |
20.0 |
1,2,3,4 |
| Research report |
Continuous assessment through one-to-one discussion and evaluation of findings with mentor; planning and drafting of the dissertation. |
30.0 |
1,2,3,4 |
|
Required/recommended reading
and online materials |
NIL |
| Course Website |
http://moodle.hku.hk/ |
| Additional Course Information |
Regular meetings between the supervisor and student. Guidance from the supervisor on the scientific methods, and on how to think and write scientifically. Students should spend at least 120 hours on the dissertation or project. Recommended reading may be assigned.
Students should complete the registration form by clicking (http://www.biosch.hku.hk/course/capstone/capstone.html) before or after they add this course during the course selection period. |