Offered to students admitted to Year 1 in ALL
Major/Minor ALL
Course Type
Offer in 2024 - 2025 Y N
Course Code PHYS4966
Date2024/11/12 18:16
Enquiry for Course Details
PHYS4966 Physics internship (6 credits) Academic Year 2024
Offering Department Physics Quota ---
Course Co-ordinator Prof F C C Ling, Physics < ccling@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (NIL,Physics)
Course Objectives This capstone course is offered to students majoring in physics, physics (intensive), math/physics or astronomy.  It should be taken normally in the summer immediately before their final year of study.  Students gain working experience in the field of physics or astronomy through intern placement.  They should use what they have learnt in their majors in this intern.  Passing a pre-approved internship is recognized as having completed an elective in one of the four themes.
Course Contents & Topics Students will work as an intern for at least 160 hours within the University or outside the University in a company, government department or NGO.  The work nature must be related to physics or astronomy.  The internship should be arranged by the Department or obtained by students themselves.  In the latter case, it must be approved before the commencement of the internship.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 apply physics or astronomy knowledge that students have learnt in their majors to real working environment
CLO 2 help to create, propose or design part of the project that they are working on during the internship
CLO 3 employ effective technical and inter-personal communication skills to people of different background, culture, gender and nationality
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)
Pass in at least 24 credits of advanced level (3XXX level or above) disciplinary core/elective courses of the Physics Major, Physics (Intensive) Major, Mathematics/Physics Major or Astronomy Major curriculum.
This capstone course is for Astronomy, Mathematics/Physics, Physics, and Physics (Intensive) Majors 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 2024 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2024 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2024 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2023 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2023 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2022 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2022 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2021 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2021 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2020 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2020 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
Offer in 2024 - 2025 Y        Summer    Examination No Exam     
Offer in 2025 - 2026 Y
Course Grade Distinction/Pass/Fail
Grade Descriptors
Distinction Demonstrates excellent ability in applying knowledge to solve problems in the workplace. Demonstrates excellent performance in handling and carrying out the work required in the job or assigned by supervisor(s). Establishes highly effective collaboration and communication with supervisor(s), colleagues, and clients in the job. Successfully fulfills the requirements set out in the Course Description regarding working hours, with excellent performance in written and oral report, and excellent evaluation by supervisor(s), etc.
Pass Able to apply knowledge to solve problems in the workplace. Successfully handles and carries out the work required in the job or assigned by supervisor(s). Establishes effective collaboration and communication with supervisor(s), colleagues, and clients in the job. Successfully fulfills the requirements set out in the Course Description regarding working hours, written and oral report, and evaluation by supervisor(s), etc. Students demonstrating excellent performance in the above would be awarded a grade of "Distinction".
Fail Very limited or no ability to solve problems in the workplace. Fails to handle or carry out the work required in the job or assigned by supervisor(s). Fails to establish effective collaboration or communication with supervisor(s), other colleagues, or clients in the job. Fails to satisfy the requirements set out in the Course Description regarding working hours, written and oral report, or evaluation by supervisor(s), etc.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Internship
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Internship work It is expected that students are to work at least 160 hours (or the equivalent of 4 weeks full-time) 160
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)
Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Written report Written report, employer's feedback and oral presentation 100 CLO 1,2,3
Required/recommended reading
and online materials
To be provided by individual project supervisor
Course Website NIL
Additional Course Information Satisfactory completion of this course can be counted towards the Capstone requirement.  Details of internship will be recorded on the student's transcript. This course will be assessed on "Pass/Fail" basis. Students who are interested to enrol in this course should contact the Department to obtain the approval.
Enrolment of this course is not conducted via the online course selection system and should be made through the relevant Department/School office after approval has been obtained from the course coordinator.
Back  /  Home