Enquiry for Science Major/Minor/Programme Requirements
EASC3999 Directed studies in earth sciences (6 credits) Academic Year 2025
Offering Department Earth and Planetary Sciences Quota ---
Course Co-ordinator Prof Z H Liu, Earth and Planetary Sciences < zhliu@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Various teachers in the Department,Earth and Planetary Sciences)
Course Objectives To enhance the student's knowledge of a particular topic and the student's self-directed learning and critical thinking skills.
Course Contents & Topics The student undertakes a self-managed study on a topic in earth sciences under the supervision of a staff member. The topic is preferably one not sufficiently covered in the regular curriculum. The directed study can be a critical review or a synthesis of published work on the subject, or a laboratory or field study that would enhance the student's understanding of the subject. The project may not require an element of originality.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 enhance the ability in self-learning, data-collection and analysis, critical thinking, doing independent research in earth sciences
CLO 2 write scientific dissertation, and conduct oral presentation of the research results
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in at least 24 credits of advanced level (level 3 or 4) disciplinary core/elective courses in the Geology or Earth System Science Majors; and
Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above.
This course is not a capstone course and students cannot use this course to fulfill the capstone requirement of the Earth System Science and Geology Majors.
The earliest that a student is allowed to take this course is their year 3 study.
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2025 Major in Earth System Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Geology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Geology (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Minor in Earth Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Earth System Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Geology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Geology (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Minor in Earth Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Earth System Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Geology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Geology (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Minor in Earth Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Earth System Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Geology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Geology (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Minor in Earth Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Earth System Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Geology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Geology (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Minor in Earth Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2025 Major in Earth System Science < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6 >
2025 Major in Geology < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2025 Major in Geology (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2024 Major in Earth System Science < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6 >
2024 Major in Geology < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2024 Major in Geology (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2023 Major in Earth System Science < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6 >
2023 Major in Geology < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2023 Major in Geology (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2022 Major in Earth System Science < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6 >
2022 Major in Geology < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2022 Major in Geology (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2021 Major in Earth System Science < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6 >
2021 Major in Geology < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2021 Major in Geology (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
Offer in 2025 - 2026 Y        Year long    Examination No Exam     
Offer in 2026 - 2027 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrate thorough grasp of the subject. Show strong analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, with evidence of original thought. Insightful use and critical analysis / evaluation of information drawn from a full range of high quality sources and to quote/reference aptly. Critical use of data and results to draw insightful conclusions and solve problems. Apply highly effective organizational and presentational skills. [Work of A+ should show considerable creative thinking and additional work beyond that is required in wider areas relevant to the topic.]
B Demonstrate substantial grasp of the subject. Evidence of analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking. Critical use of relevant information from sources, showing ability to make meaningful comparisons between different secondary interpretations and to quote/reference aptly. Correct use of data of results to draw appropriate conclusions to draw insightful conclusions and solve problems. Apply effective organizational and presentational skills.
C Demonstrate general but incomplete grasp of the subject. Evidence of some analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking. Use of relevant information from sources, showing ability to make comparisons between different interpretations and to quote/reference aptly. Mostly correct but some erroneous use of data and results to draw appropriate conclusions. Apply moderately effective organizational and presentational skills.
D Demonstrate partial but limited grasp, with retention of some relevant information, of the subject. Evidence of some coherent and logical thinking, but with limited analytical and critical abilities. Demonstrate use and reference of several sources, but mainly through summary rather than analysis and comparison. Limited ability to use data and results to draw appropriate conclusions. Apply limited or barely effective organizational and presentational skills.
Fail Demonstrate evidence of little or no grasp of the knowledge and understanding of the subject. Evidence of little or lack of analytical and critical abilities, logical and coherent thinking. Limited use of secondary sources and no critical comparison of them. Misuse of data and results and/or unable to draw appropriate conclusions. Organization and presentational skills are minimally effective or ineffective.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Project-based course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Reading / Self study The student is expected to spend at least 120 hours on the project 120.0
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Research report Report and presentation 100.0 1,2
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 NIL
Course Website NIL
Additional Course Information NIL


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