Offered to students admitted to Year 1 in ALL
Major/Minor ALL
Course Type
Offer in 2024 - 2025 Y N
Course Code CHEM4148
Date2024/10/11 19:06
Enquiry for Course Details
CHEM4148 Frontiers in Modern Chemical Science (6 credits) Academic Year 2024
Offering Department Chemistry Quota 60
Course Co-ordinator Prof X D Li, Chemistry < xiangli@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Prof X D Li,Chemistry)
(Prof. J S Siegel,Chemistry)
(Prof. J Y Tang,Chemistry)
Course Objectives Modern chemistry is thought to be the "central science" as it plays a critical role in related biological, physical, medical, and engineering disciplines. This course aims to introduce students to the newest concepts and technological breakthroughs in chemical sciences. Throughout the course, students will be introduced to how the interplay among molecules, materials, and interfaces leads to unprecedented functionalities that contribute to innovations in biology and medicine, smart materials, and sustainable energy schemes.
Course Contents & Topics Current topics focus on the interdisciplinary area of chemistry with biology, and material sciences.  Covered topics include chemical genetics, epigenetics and proteomics; chemical biology for drug discovery and development; stimuli-responsive nanomaterials; autonomous macromolecular motion; future power landscape; renewable energy conversion and utilization. Examples in protein posttranslational modifications, active colloidal, thermoelectric materials, molecular machines, advanced rechargeable batteries, and next-generation fuel cells and electrolysers will be discussed.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 understand important principles and topical trends in chemical sciences
CLO 2 demonstrate understanding of future directions in biomedical chemistry, nanomatertials, and energy sciences and applying this knowledge in comparing and contrasting various emergent technologies
CLO 3 interpret and analyse recent published research data in the field of chemistry and extract relevant chemical information to explain the observed properties and phenomena associated to the chemical systems
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in CHEM3341 and CHEM3441.
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2024 Major in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Minor in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Minor in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Minor in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Minor in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Major in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Minor in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2024 Major in Chemistry < PLO 1,2,3,5 >
2024 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,5 >
2023 Major in Chemistry < PLO 1,2,3,5 >
2023 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,5 >
2022 Major in Chemistry < PLO 1,2,3,5 >
2022 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,5 >
2021 Major in Chemistry < PLO 1,2,3,5 >
2021 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,5 >
2020 Major in Chemistry < PLO 1,2,3,5 >
2020 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,5 >
Offer in 2024 - 2025 Y        2nd sem    Examination No Exam     
Offer in 2025 - 2026 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrate thorough knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts and principles in chemical sciences, especially those relating to biomedical chemistry, nanomaterials, and energy sciences. Show strong ability to apply and integrate knowledge in chemical sciences in explaining the formation and properties of chemical species and in designing different chemical systems. Show strong ability in the literature review, research proposal writing, and oral presentation for frontier topics in chemical sciences.
B Demonstrate substantial knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts and principles in chemical sciences, especially those relating to biomedical chemistry, nanomaterials, and energy sciences. Show evidence to apply and integrate knowledge in chemical sciences in explaining the formation and properties of chemical species and in designing different chemical systems. Show good ability in the literature review, research proposal writing, and oral presentation for frontier topics in chemical sciences.
C Demonstrate general but incomplete amount of knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts and principles in chemical sciences, especially those relating to biomedical chemistry, nanomaterials, and energy sciences. Show some ability to apply and integrate knowledge in chemical sciences in explaining the formation and properties of chemical species and in designing different chemical systems. Show some ability in the literature review, research proposal writing, and oral presentation for frontier topics in chemical sciences.
D Demonstrate partial but incomplete command of knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts and principles in chemical sciences, especially those relating to biomedical chemistry, nanomaterials, and energy sciences. Show evidence of limited ability to apply and integrate knowledge in chemical sciences in explaining the formation and properties of chemical species and in designing different chemical systems. Show limited ability in the literature review, research proposal writing, and oral presentation for frontier topics in chemical sciences.
Fail Demonstrate little or no evidence of command of knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts and principles in chemical sciences, especially those relating to biomedical chemistry, nanomaterials, and energy sciences. Show little or no ability to apply and integrate knowledge in chemical sciences in explaining the formation and properties of chemical species and in designing different chemical systems. Show little or no ability in the literature review, research proposal writing, and oral presentation for frontier topics in chemical sciences.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture-based course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Lectures 36
Tutorials 12
Reading / Self study 100
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Assignments 30 CLO 1,2,3
Essay (Proposal) 35 CLO 1,2,3
Presentation 35 CLO 1,2,3
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 References to specialized texts and other published materials will be made throughout the course.
Course Website
Additional Course Information This course is also offered to RPg students, and the course code for RPg students is CHEM6118.
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