Enquiry for Science Major/Minor/Programme Requirements
ENVS1301 Environmental life science (6 credits) Academic Year 2025
Offering Department Biological Sciences Quota 60
Course Co-ordinator Prof T Vengatesen, Biological Sciences < rajan@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Prof T Vengatesen,School of Biological Sciences)
Course Objectives This course intended for students who wish to understand the fundamentals of environmental biology/life science and importantly the relationship (connection) between environment and life. Here you will learn about the various biological/ecological principles and concepts of environmental science which are needed for critical discussion and evaluation of current global environmental issues including human ecology, urbanization, ecological economics, and climate change.
Course Contents & Topics This course is a combination of lectures, group discussion/debate and field trips cum tutorials. We first explore the fundamental interactions between organisms and their environment. We then explore environmental constraints on life at various ecosystems (like marine, freshwater, and terrestrial). Students will also learn how factors such as urbanization, climate change, and anthropogenic impacts affect life at population and ecosystem levels.   Similarly, students will be exposed to the incredible interrelationships that are basic to ecological principles and the impact that human development has upon these interrelationships. After learning basics of environmental life science, students will be stimulated to think about current life science issues such as biodiversity loss, organisms adaptation to climate change, tragedy of commons (human ecology) and applied life science topics such as biomaterial science.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 understand life, environment and their interactions
CLO 2 appreciate species and ecosystem responses to human-induced environmental change
CLO 3 attain ability to critically think and discuss about current environ-life science issues
CLO 4 be motivated and equipped: to tackle biological environmental science questions and to choose advanced environmental science courses
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 NIL
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2025 Major in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Minor in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Minor in Marine Biology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Minor in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Minor in Marine Biology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Minor in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Minor in Marine Biology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Minor in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Minor in Marine Biology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Minor in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Minor in Marine Biology ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2025 Major in Environmental Science < PLO 1,2,3 >
2024 Major in Environmental Science < PLO 1,2,3 >
2023 Major in Environmental Science < PLO 1,2,3 >
2022 Major in Environmental Science < PLO 1,2,3 >
2021 Major in Environmental Science < PLO 1,2,3 >
Offer in 2025 - 2026 Y        2nd sem    Examination May     
Offer in 2026 - 2027 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Evidence of original thought during the analysis of environmental life science issues. Show evidence of analytical, critical and multidimensional thinking about the study subject. Extensive knowledge and skills required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Demonstrate excellent ability to apply what you have learned in the class room to critically analyze the real environmental life science issues. Show highly effective organizational, presentational and field trip skills.
B Show substantial knowledge and thought during the analysis of environmental life science issues. Show some evidence of some analytical, critical and multidimensional thinking about the study subject. Good knowledge and skills required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Demonstrate good ability to apply what you have learned in the class room to critically analyze the real environmental life science issues. Show effective organizational, presentational and field trip skills.
C Show general but incomplete knowledge and original thought during the analysis of environmental life science issues. Fair knowledge and skills required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Demonstrate fair ability to apply what you have learned in the class room to critically analyze the real environmental life science issues. Show considerable organizational, presentational and field trip skills.
D Evidence to show a minimum knowledge (i.e. knowledge is very incomplete) and thought during the analysis of environmental life science issues. Show insufficient knowledge and skills required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Demonstrate poor ability to apply what you have learned in the class room to critically analyze the real environmental life science issues. Show very little organizational, presentational and field trip skills.
Fail Evidence of meager or inadequate knowledge and understanding of environmental life science issues. Show no evidence of knowledge and skills required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Demonstrate no ability to apply what you have learned in the class room to critically analyze the real environmental life science issues. Show no evidence of familiarity with relevant reading material and field trip demonstrations, or any knowledge of organizational and presentational skills.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture with laboratory component course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Field work 3-12 hours field work 12.0
Lectures 24.0
Tutorials 12.0
Reading / Self study 100.0
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Examination 50.0 1,3
Project report Field trip project (25%) + diary report (25%) 50.0 3,4
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 Appropriate reading materials/handouts will be provided during the course.
Course Website http://moodle.hku.hk
Additional Course Information This course will be offered subject to a minimum enrollment number and availability of teachers.


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