Enquiry for Science Major/Minor/Programme Requirements
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SCNC1113 The big history of our planet: a scientific perspective on everything that has ever happened (6 credits) Academic Year 2025
Offering Department Faculty Quota 50
Course Co-ordinator Dr W M Y Cheung, Faculty < willmyc@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Dr H F Yu,Physics)
(Dr W M Y Cheung,Faculty of Science)
(Prof Q A Parker,Physics)
Course Objectives By exploring the Big History of our planet: from the Big Bang of the Universe, the synthesis of different chemical substances, through the evolution of various species on Earth, to the establishment of modern human society, the course aims to:
(1) discuss the process of scientific discovery, and how our current body of knowledge about Nature was established;
(2) develop students' understanding of the multi-disciplinary nature of science;
(3) develop students' understanding of the importance of science and technology to our society, in formulating policies in the society, and solving the future problems of our planet;
(4) increase scientific literacy.
Course Contents & Topics Part I: From the Cosmos to the Atom
Main theme: How fundamental interactions between the building blocks of matter shape the Universe today as we know it;
Topics include: Big bang, nucleosynthesis, cosmic expansion, cooling of the universe, star formation, and thermal equilibrium of our planet Earth.

Part II: From the Atom to Life
Main theme: How we understand the transition from non-living matter to the diversified biosphere on earth today;
Topics include: Origin of life, evolution, natural selection and tree of life.

Part III: From Life to Mind to Society
Main theme: How our modern civilised society emerges through the development of intelligence and accumulation of knowledge; how science, technology, human society and environment influence one another;
Topics include: Neural network and the emergence of intelligence, historical development of modern science, the role of science in human civilisation and the contemporary world.

Part IV: Looking into the Future
Main theme: Outlook on the future of science, technology, human society and environment; key challenges to be faced by humankind that could be addressed by science and technology;
Topics include: Students will attend one of several parallel modules on topics that suit their interests, such asnano-technology, climate change, energy crisis, bioethics and artificial intelligence.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 appreciate and elaborate on the significance of major events in the development and formation of our Universe, our Earth system and our modern society
CLO 2 explain, with some level of depth and details, how a number of major theories allows us to understand the workings of the world
CLO 3 understand how different science disciplines fit and emerge from one another as a collective effort of the humankind to understand Nature
CLO 4 critically assess the mutual influence between science and human society, the role of science in our society as well as the making of science policy in our local region
CLO 5 evaluate some of the major challenges faced by humankind, and discuss solutions from a multi-disciplinary perspective
CLO 6 test claims and engage in historical analysis based on theories and practices from multiple disciplines
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Level 3 or above in at least one science subject at the pre-university level (HKDSE Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Combined/Integrated Science or equivalent)
This course is not offered to students in the 6901 BSc or 6119 BEd&BSc programmes.
Course to PLO Mapping
Offer in 2025 - 2026 N        Examination
Offer in 2026 - 2027 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrate thorough mastery of extensive knowledge and skills required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Show strong analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to a wide range of familiar and unfamiliar situations. Carry out computations carefully and correctly. Apply highly effective organizational and presentational skills.
B Demonstrate substantial command of a broad range of knowledge and skills required for attaining at least most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to familiar and some unfamiliar situations. Carry out computations mostly in a careful and correct way, but commit some minor computational errors. Apply effective organizational and presentational skills.
C Demonstrate general but incomplete command of knowledge and skills required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to most familiar situations. Commit a number of minor computational errors. Apply moderately effective organizational and presentational skills.
D Demonstrate partial but limited command of knowledge and skills required for attaining some of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some coherent and logical thinking, but with limited analytical and critical abilities. Show limited ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Commit some substantial computational errors. Apply limited or barely effective organizational and presentational skills.
Fail Demonstrate little or no evidence of command of knowledge and skills required for attaining the course learning outcomes. Lack of analytical and critical abilities, logical and coherent thinking. Show very little or no ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Commit serious computational errors. Organization and presentational skills are minimally effective or ineffective.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture-based course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Lectures 36.0
Tutorials 12.0
Reading / Self study 100.0
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Assignments About 3 reading assignments will be given. Students will then be assessed in various forms such as drawing mind maps, short quizzes or reflective journals. 40.0 1,2,3,4,5,6
Presentation Tutorial participation 10.0 1,2,3,4,5,6
Project reports 30.0 1,3,4,5,6
Test 20.0 1,2,3,4,6
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 Steven Weinberg: The First Three Minutes: A Modern View of the Origin of the Universe (Basic Books)
Charles Darwin: The Origin of Species
Eric R. Kandel: In Search of Memory: The Emergence of a New Science of Mind (W. W. Norton & Company)
Fred Spier: Big history and the future of humanity (Wiley-Blackwell)
David Christian, Cynthia Brown and Craig Benjamin: Big History: Between Nothing and Everything (McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages)
The Big History Project website: https://www.bighistoryproject.com/
Course Website NIL
Additional Course Information NIL


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