Enquiry for Science Major/Minor/Programme Requirements
BIOL4991 Ecology & biodiversity project (12 credits) Academic Year 2025
Offering Department Biological Sciences Quota ---
Course Co-ordinator Prof S Y W Sin, Biological Sciences < sinyw@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (All academic staff in E&B Major / E&B Intensive Major,School of Biological Sciences)
Course Objectives To provide a stimulating capstone experience for Ecology & Biodiversity Major / Ecology & Biodiversity Major (Intensive) undergraduates to integrate and apply their knowledge and skills obtained from the Ecology & Biodiversity Major / Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) through planning and carrying out a research project under the supervision of a member of staff.
Course Contents & Topics Students should seek approval from a prospective supervisor prior to selecting this course. After
admission to the course is approved by the course coordinator, students will complete their project
work under the guidance of their supervisor.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 critique and review appropriate scientific literature
CLO 2 use this information to generate a scientifically relevant research question through communication with supervisors
CLO 3 develop and formulate innovative scientific hypotheses to test this question
CLO 4 design and undertake practical research work to formally test the hypotheses proposed and communicate with supervisors for technical troubleshooting
CLO 5 analyse and evaluate the data collected to test the hypotheses, present data in a professional manner to illustrate the outcomes
CLO 6 draw an objective series of conclusions based on the experimental work through communication with supervisors
CLO 7 highlight and critically discuss their research findings and place them into a holistic scientific context
CLO 8 submit their work following a specified journal format, present their work as a scientific conference talk
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in at least 24 credits of advanced level disciplinary core / elective courses in the Ecology & Biodiversity Major / Ecology & Biodiversity Intensive Major; and
This capstone course is for Ecology & Biodiversity Major / Ecology & Biodiversity Major (Intensive) 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 Ecology & Biodiversity ( Core/Compulsory )
2025 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2022 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity ( Core/Compulsory )
2022 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2021 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity ( Core/Compulsory )
2021 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
Course to PLO Mapping 2025 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity < PLO 3,2,7,1,6,5,4 >
2025 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) < PLO 3,2,1,6,5,4 >
2024 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity < PLO 6,5,4,3,2,7,1 >
2024 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) < PLO 4,3,2,1,6,5 >
2023 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity < PLO 3,2,7,1,6,5,4 >
2023 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) < PLO 1,6,5,4,3,2 >
2022 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity < PLO 4,3,2,7,1,6,5 >
2022 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) < PLO 5,4,3,2,1,6 >
2021 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity < PLO 2,7,1,6,5,4,3 >
2021 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) < PLO 6,5,4,3,2,1 >
Offer in 2025 - 2026 Y        Year long    Examination No Exam     
Offer in 2026 - 2027 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Evidence of complete or near-complete understanding and a thorough grasp of the subject matter as demonstrated by attainment of all learning outcomes. Excellent critique and knowledge of relevant literature and identification of research hypothesis. Well designed experimental approach to test research hypothesis. Show excellent organizational and/or analytical skills and laboratory/fieldwork techniques. Demonstrate comprehensive, critical, assessment of results and professional presentation of research work.
B Evidence of near-complete understanding and a good grasp of the subject matter as demonstrated by attainment of the majority of learning outcomes. Good critique and knowledge of relevant literature and identification of research hypothesis. Appropriately designed experimental approach to test research hypothesis. Show good organizational and/or analytical skills and laboratory/fieldwork techniques. Demonstrate effective, critical, assessment of results and good presentation of research work.
C Evidence of adequate understanding and grasp of the subject matter as demonstrated by general but incomplete attainment of most of the learning outcomes. Acceptable critique and knowledge of relevant literature and identification of research hypothesis. Adequately designed experimental approach to test research hypothesis. Show fair organizational and/or analytical skills and laboratory/fieldwork techniques. Demonstrate adequate but not necessarily critical, assessment of results and presentation of research work.
D Evidence of limited understanding and grasp of the subject matter as demonstrated by incomplete attainment of many of the learning outcomes. Limited critique and knowledge of relevant literature and identification of research hypothesis. Poorly designed experimental approach to test research hypothesis. Show fair organizational and/or analytical skills and laboratory/fieldwork techniques. Demonstrate confused and poorly organized assessment of results and limited presentation of research work.
Fail Evidence of poor or inadequate understanding and grasp of the subject matter such that most of the learning outcomes are not attained. Poor critique and knowledge of relevant literature and identification of research hypothesis. Badly designed experimental approach to test research hypothesis. Show little evidence of appropriate organizational and/or analytical skills and laboratory/fieldwork techniques. Demonstrate incorrect interpretation and assessment of results and poor presentation of research work.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Project-based course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Reading / Self study formal lectures, seminars & practical work 144.0
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Dissertation Written report (<12000 words) 50% and Research report: continuous assessment by supervisors through discussion and evaluation of findings 20% 70.0 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Oral presentation 30.0 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 NIL
Course Website http://moodle.hku.hk
Additional Course Information A dissertation of about 9,000 - 12,000 words (60% weighting), a research seminar (30% weighting), and two research critiques (10% weighting).
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.


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