Enquiry for Major/Minor/Programme Requirements

Major Title Major in Mathematics/Physics
Offered to students admitted to Year 1 in 2017-2018
Objectives:

The Major in Mathematics/Physics aims to provide students with a solid foundation in both physics and mathematics. This major is catered especially for students interested in the more theoretical aspects of physics. It covers a wide range of core areas in both disciplines which form the blocks of fundamental knowledge for further specializations, e.g. quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, classical mechanics, electrodynamics, linear algebra, mathematical analysis, abstract algebra, complex variables, differential equations, modern differential geometry, etc. A large selection of elective courses is provided for students to pursue a broad spectrum of professional knowledge in mathematical and theoretical physics. Analytical thinking, quantitative reasoning and innovative ideas are fostered through the effective design of courses and research projects. The curriculum emphasizes experiential learning through internships, field studies and research projects supervised by experts. With the comprehensive training received, graduates are expected to be well-prepared for further studies and to pursue careers in many fields of science and engineering.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this programme, students should be able to:
PLO 1 :

identify and describe physical systems with a rigorous representation using their professional knowledge (by means of coursework and tutorial classes in the curriculum)

PLO 2 :

have developed their scientific intuition, abilities and techniques to tackle physical problems with intellectual rigor theoretically (by means of coursework, tutorial classes and assessments in the curriculum)

PLO 3 :

apply mathematical theory and techniques to analyze physical problems qualitatively and quantitatively, and appraise the related ethical issues (by means of coursework, tutorial classes and research-based projects in the curriculum)

PLO 4 :

communicate and collaborate with people effectively in scientific issues (by means of group projects, tutorial sessions and presentation opportunities in the curriculum)

PLO 5 :

apply scientific and quantitative methods in tackling problems in research or real-world setting (by means of projects, directed studies, local and foreign internships attached to universities, research centers, government bodies, NGOs and influential companies)

Impermissible Combination:

Major in Mathematics
Major in Physics
Minor in Computational & Financial Mathematics
Minor in Mathematics
Minor in Operations Research & Mathematical Programming
Minor in Physics

Required courses (96 credits)
1. Introductory level courses (48 credits)
Disciplinary Core Courses: Science Foundation Courses (12 credits)
SCNC1111 Scientific method and reasoning (6)
SCNC1112 Fundamentals of modern science (6)
Disciplinary Core Courses (30 credits)
MATH1013 University mathematics II (6)
MATH2101 Linear algebra I (6)
MATH2211 Multivariable calculus (6)
PHYS1250 Fundamental physics (6)
PHYS2265 Introductory quantum physics (6)
Disciplinary Electives (6 credits)
At least 6 credits selected from the following courses:
PHYS1150 Problem solving in physics (6)
PHYS2055 Introductory relativity (6)
PHYS2150 Methods in physics I (6)
PHYS2155 Methods in physics II (6)
PHYS2160 Introductory computational physics (6)
PHYS2250 Introductory mechanics (6)
PHYS2255 Introductory electricity and magnetism (6)
PHYS2260 Heat and waves (6)
2. Advanced level courses (42 credits)
Disciplinary Core Courses (36 credits)
MATH3301 Algebra I (6)
MATH3401 Analysis I (6)
MATH4501 Geometry (6)
PHYS3350 Classical mechanics (6)
PHYS3351 Quantum mechanics (6)
PHYS4351 Advanced quantum mechanics (6)
Disciplinary Electives (6 credits)
At least 6 credits of advanced level Mathematics or Physics courses (MATH3XXX or MATH4XXX or MATH7XXX or PHYS3XXX or PHYS4XXX or PHYS7XXX level), subject to prerequisite requirements. The current list of courses include courses in List A and those courses not selected to fulfill the capstone requirement, but excluding MATH4966 Mathematics Internship.
List A
MATH3001 Development of mathematical ideas (6)
MATH3002 Mathematics seminar (6)
MATH3303 Matrix theory and its applications (6)
MATH3304 Introduction to number theory (6)
MATH3403 Functions of a complex variable (6)
MATH3405 Differential equations (6)
MATH3408 Computational methods and differential equations with applications (6)
MATH3541 Introduction to topology (6)
MATH3600 Discrete mathematics (6)
MATH3601 Numerical analysis (6)
MATH3603 Probability theory (6)
MATH3901 Operations research I (6)
MATH3904 Introduction to optimization (6)
MATH3905 Queueing theory and simulation (6)
MATH3906 Financial calculus (6)
MATH3911 Game theory and strategy (6)
MATH3943 Network models in operations research (6)
MATH4302 Algebra II (6)
MATH4402 Analysis II (6)
MATH4404 Functional analysis (6)
MATH4406 Introduction to partial differential equations (6)
MATH4511 Introduction to differentiable manifolds (6)
MATH4602 Scientific computing (6)
MATH4902 Operations research II (6)
MATH4907 Numerical methods for financial calculus (6)
MATH7101 Intermediate complex analysis (6)
MATH7201 Topics in geometry (6)
MATH7202 Complex manifolds (6)
MATH7217 Topics in financial mathematics (6)
MATH7219 Topics in applied functional analysis (6)
MATH7224 Topics in advanced probability theory (6)
MATH7501 Topics in algebra (6)
MATH7502 Topics in applied discrete mathematics (6)
MATH7503 Topics in advanced optimization (6) [previous title: Topics in mathematical programming and optimization (6)]
MATH7504 Geometric topology (6)
MATH7505 Real analysis (6)
PHYS3150 Theoretical physics (6)
PHYS3151 Machine learning in physics (6)
PHYS3450 Electromagnetism (6)
PHYS3550 Statistical mechanics & thermodynamics (6)
PHYS3551 Introductory solid state physics (6)
PHYS3650 Observational astronomy (6)
PHYS3651 The physical universe (6)
PHYS3652 Principles of astronomy (6)
PHYS3653 Astrophysics (6)
PHYS3660 Astronomy laboratory (6)
PHYS3750 Foundations of laser and spectroscopy (6)
PHYS3751 Physics of nanomaterials (6)
PHYS3760 Physics laboratory (6)
PHYS3850 Physical Optics (6) [previous title: Waves and optics (6) ]
PHYS3851 Atomic and nuclear physics (6)
PHYS4150 Computational physics (6)
PHYS4151 Data analysis and modeling in physics (6)
PHYS4350 Advanced classical mechanics (6)
PHYS4450 Advanced electromagnetism (6)
PHYS4550 Advanced statistical mechanics (6)
PHYS4551 Solid state physics (6)
PHYS4650 Stellar physics (6)
PHYS4651 Selected topics in astrophysics (6)
PHYS4652 Planetary science (6)
PHYS4653 Selected topics in astrophysics and cosmology (6)
PHYS4654 General relativity (6)
PHYS4655 Interstellar medium (6)
PHYS4656 Advanced astrophysics (6)
PHYS4750 Experimental physics (6)
PHYS4850 Particle physics (6)
PHYS7350 Graduate classical mechanics (6)
PHYS7351 Graduate quantum mechanics (6)
PHYS7450 Graduate electromagnetic field theory (6)
PHYS7550 Graduate statistical mechanics (6)
PHYS7551 Graduate solid state physics (6)
PHYS7650 Stellar atmospheres (6)
PHYS7750 Nanophysics (6)
3. Capstone requirement (6 credits)
At least 6 credits selected from the following courses:
MATH3999 Directed studies in mathematics (6)
MATH4910 Senior mathematics seminar (6)
MATH4911 Mathematics capstone project (6)
MATH4966 Mathematics internship (6)
MATH4999 Mathematics project (12)
PHYS3999 Directed studies in physics (6)
PHYS4966 Physics internship (6)
PHYS4999 Physics project (12)
 
Notes:

1. Students are strongly advised to consult departmental course selection advisors for course and career planning before selecting the courses.

2. Double-counting of courses up to a maximum of 24 credits is permissible when a student with a science major opts to undertake a second major in science. The double-counted courses must include SCNC1111 Scientific method and reasoning (6 credits) and SCNC1112 Fundamentals of modern science (6 credits). Additional credits to be double-counted must be for courses required ('disciplinary core') by both majors. For cases with 24 or less double-counted credits, the student must make up an equivalent number of credits by taking other courses offered by any Faculty.

3. If more than 24 credits (including SCNC1111 & SCNC1112) are listed as required courses ("disciplinary core") in both the first and second majors undertaken by a student, the student must make up the number of credits above the 24 permissible by taking replacement course(s) (disciplinary electives) in the second major. Double counting of credits is not permissible for major-minor or double-minors combinations. For details, please refer to "Students taking double Majors, Major-Minor or double Minors with overlapping course requirements" in the BSc syllabuses.

4. Students are not required to take Capstone if this Science major is taken as a second major on the condition that the capstone experience in the first major requires the integration or application of knowledge from both major disciplines.  If this is approved, a 6-credit advanced level course (disciplinary electives) in the second major must be taken to fulfill the credit requirement of the capstone experience.

5. Capstone requirement for BEd&BSc degree students is different. Students are required to take an additional 6-credit advanced level course (disciplinary electives) in the major to replace the capstone requirement of this Major.  Students should consult the Faculty of Education for details.

6. (a) Students must have level 3 or above in HKDSE Physics or HKDSE Combined Science with Physics component or equivalent to take this major.  Students who do not fufill this requirement are advised to take PHYS1240 Physics by inquiry; and
(b) Students must have level 2 or above in HKDSE Extended Module 1 or 2 of Mathematics or equivalent to take this major.  Students who do not fufill this requirement are advised to take MATH1011 University mathematics I.

7. Students taking the Mathematics related major/minor should check the exemption and replacement arrangement for the introductory level Disciplinary Core Mathematics courses at http://www.scifac.hku.hk/ug/current/bsc/curriculum/overlapping-course-req.

Remarks:

Important! Ultimate responsibility rests with students to ensure that the required pre-requisites and co-requisite of selected courses are fulfilled. Students must take and pass all required courses in the selected primary science major in order to satisfy the degree graduation requirements.



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