Enquiry for Science Major/Minor/Programme Requirements
BIOL4993 Molecular biology & biotechnology project (12 credits) Academic Year 2025
Offering Department Biological Sciences Quota ---
Course Co-ordinator Prof Chaogu Zheng, Biological Sciences < cgzheng@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (All academic staff in MBB Major / MBB Intensive Major,School of Biological Sciences)
Course Objectives To provide a stimulating capstone experience for all Molecular Biology & Biotechnology Major / Molecular Biology & Biotechnology Major (Intensive) undergraduates to integrate and apply their knowledge and skills obtained from the Molecular Biology & Biotechnology Major / Molecular Biology & Biotechnology Major (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 mentors
CLO 3 develop and formulate scientific hypotheses to test this question
CLO 4 design and undertake practical research work to formally test the hypotheses proposed and communicate with mentors for technical troubleshooting
CLO 5 analyse and evaluate the data collected to test the hypotheses
CLO 6 present data in a professional manner to illustrate the outcomes through oral presentation and a dissertation
CLO 7 draw an objective series of conclusions based on the experimental work through communication with mentors
CLO 8 highlight and discuss their research findings through oral presentations and a dissertation and place them into a holistic scientific context
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 / Molecular Biology & Biotechnology Major (Intensive); and
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
This capstone course is for Molecular Biology & Biotechnology Major / Molecular Biology & Biotechnology 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 Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2022 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2021 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
Course to PLO Mapping 2025 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 4,3,5 >
2025 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 5,4,3 >
2024 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 4,3,5 >
2024 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 5,4,3 >
2023 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 3,5,4 >
2023 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 5,4,3 >
2022 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 3,5,4 >
2022 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 5,4,3 >
2021 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 4,3,5 >
2021 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 5,4,3 >
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. A well-designed experimental approach to test the research hypothesis. Show excellent organizational and/or analytical skills and laboratory/fieldwork techniques through a written dissertation and oral presentation. 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. An appropriately designed experimental approach to test the research hypothesis. Show good organizational and/or analytical skills and laboratory/fieldwork techniques through a written dissertation and oral presentation. 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. An adequately designed experimental approach to test the research hypothesis. Show fair organizational and/or analytical skills and laboratory/fieldwork techniques through a written dissertation and oral presentation. 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. A poorly designed experimental approach to test the research hypothesis. Show fair organizational and/or analytical skills and laboratory/fieldwork techniques through a written dissertation and oral presentation. 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 the research hypothesis. Show little evidence of appropriate organizational and/or analytical skills and laboratory/fieldwork techniques through a written dissertation and oral presentation. Demonstrate incorrect interpretation and assessment of results and poor presentation of research work.
Communication-intensive Course Y
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 Dissertation 1: written report (50%) and Dissertation 2: continuous assessment by supervisor for practical communication at work (20%). 70.0 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Oral presentation Oral 1: presentation in research seminar (20%) and Oral 2: peer evaluation of research seminars presentation; writing 2 research critiques. (10%) 30.0 1,2,3,6,7,8
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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