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11 Nov 2020

HKU Science launches double degree elite programme 6688 Science Master Class Incubating the next generation of scientists

    From the left: Professor Alice WONG, Associate Dean (Teaching & Learning), Faculty of Science, Professor Vivian Wing Wah YAM, Philip Wong Wilson Wong Professor in Chemistry and Energy, Professor Wing Sum CHEUNG, Director of Undergraduate Admissions.

    From the left: Professor Alice WONG, Associate Dean (Teaching & Learning), Faculty of Science, Professor Vivian Wing Wah YAM, Philip Wong Wilson Wong Professor in Chemistry and Energy, Professor Wing Sum CHEUNG, Director of Undergraduate Admissions.

    The Faculty of Science of The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is introducing a new double degree programmme, the 6688 Science Master Class in academic year 2021-22, allowing talented students to complete 2 degrees at accelerated pace – a Bachelor of Science (BSc) and a Master of Research (MRes) from HKU. This elite programme caters specifically to the needs of science-inclined students, with Science Masters (renowned scientists in the Faculty) helping students achieve their scholastic potential in science.

    One of the best ways to learn is to be inspired from those who excel. This programme allows research-aspired students to immerse themselves in an authentic research environment and learn from researchers from diverse backgrounds, incubating the next generation of dynamic scientists who are able to translate scientific knowledge into practical applications with far- and wide-reaching impacts. We have renowned scientists including Members of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences, International Members of National Academy of Sciences USA, Foreign Member of Academia Europaea, awardees of State Natural Science Awards and a number of highly cited scientists.

    “We understand the learning pace and needs of highly able students might be different – they are quick learners who can usually accomplish more than expected, which a standard pedagogical routine might not be an ideal option for them. Skills alone would not make one succeed. It is the attitude, visions and efforts that set one’s direction. Learning from our Grand Masters and Masters, our top scholars who have exceptional accomplishments in their research areas, will definitely help our students broaden their horizon and establish personal network, facilitating their pursuit of research career in the future,” said Professor Matthew Evans, Dean of Faculty of Science.

     

    6688 structure

     

    Where will this Programme lead our students

    • Career development & network
    • Nurtures students who intend to pursue research in science
    • After completing the programme, students will be fully equipped to further pursue graduate studies in prominent university overseas or in HKU
    • Builds a consortium of young researchers for cross fertilisation of innovative ideas and facilitate possible multidisciplinary projects
    • Transferable skills
    • Provides students with extensive subject knowledge and specialised training
    • Nurtures a scientifically literate population to formulate solutions for research challenges

     

    6688 programme features

     

    study path

     

    What the programme covers

    A list of Intensive Majors is appended below:

    - Biological Sciences (Intensive)*

    - Mathematics (Intensive)

    - Chemistry (Intensive)*

    - Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive)*

    - Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive)*

    - Physics (Intensive)

    - Geology (Intensive)*

     

    *Some of the Intensive Majors fulfill the accreditation requirements of various societies in the UK

    Courses such as research ethics, research postgraduate course and research project, will be offered to students to enhance their scientific method and research skills.

    In addition to the study of disciplinary-based Intensive Majors, an array of opportunities in our flagship Young Science Scheme (YSS) including entrance scholarship, Cambridge-track**, Summer Research Fellowship, Overseas Research Fellowship and International exchange studies are also available to the students.

    **Only available to Majors in Natural Sciences disciplines; candidates will then follow the track if admitted to Cambridge successfully.

     

    Supplementary Information

    How to apply

     

    JUPAS Applicants

    Students in local secondary schools taking the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) should apply through JUPAS. Minimum requirements for the programmes:

    English Language#:Level 5 or above; Chinese Language: Level 3 or above; Mathematics and Extended Modules 1 or 2 in Mathematics (M1/M2): Level 4 or above; 2 Science elective subjects##: Level 3 or above; Liberal Studies: Level 2 or above

    #Candidates with level 4 in English Language but with excellent results in Science subjects/ Mathematics will be exceptionally considered on a case-by-case basis.

    ##Science elective subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Combined Science and Integrated Science

    Non-JUPAS Applicants

    Non-JUPAS applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Higher level Mathematics is required for IB students.  For GCEAL students, Mathematics and Further Mathematics are required.  Excellent results in Mathematics are required for students with other qualifications. 


    Quota:15-20 (Including JUPAS and Non-JUPAS Applicants)
     

    Scholarships:

    • Entrance scholarship
    • Scholarships will be provided to cover at least 50% of the tuition fee of the MRes programme

     

    Our Grand Masters

    Professoriate Staff

    Department/ School

    Award

    Year of Award

    Professor Chi Ming CHE

    Chemistry

    Founding Member of Hong Kong Academy of Sciences

    2015

    Foreign Associate of the US National Academy of Sciences

    2013

    State Natural Science Award (First-class)

    2006

    Croucher Foundation Senior Research Fellowship

    1997-1998

    Member of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)

    1995

    Professor Ngai Ming MOK

    Mathematics

    Member of Hong Kong Academy of Sciences

    2017

    Member of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)

    2015

    State Natural Science Award (Second-class)

    2007

    Croucher Foundation Senior Research Fellowship

    1998-1999

    Professor Michael Kwok Po NG

    Mathematics

    Feng Kang Prize of Scientific Computing

    2017

    Professor Min SUN

    Earth Sciences

    National Natural Science Award (First-class) (co-winner)

    2018

    State Natural Science Award (Second-class) (co-winner)

    2014

    Professor Vivian Wing Wah YAM

    Chemistry

    Founding Member of Hong Kong Academy of Sciences

    2015

    Foreign Associate of the US National Academy of Sciences

    2012

    State Natural Science Award (Second-class)

    2005

    Member of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)

    2001

    Croucher Foundation Senior Research Fellowship

    2000-2001

    Professor Wang YAO

    Physics

    Croucher Foundation Senior Research Fellowship

    2019-2020

    Member of Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences

    2017

    Professor Alice Sze Tsai WONG

    Biological Sciences

    Croucher Foundation Senior Research Fellowship

    2012-2013

    Professor Guochun ZHAO

     

    Earth Sciences

    Member of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)

    2019

    National Natural Science Award (First-class) (co-winner)

    2018

    State Natural Science Award (Second-class) (co-winner)

    2014

     

    Introduction of Grand Masters and details of the Programme can be viewed at: 
    https://www.scifac.hku.hk/prospective/ug/6688-science-master-class/introduction

    Register for Admissions talk@Zoom (Nov 24, 2020, 5pm): https://bit.ly/32uqEI

     

    Remarks:
    This is a new programme for offer from September 2021 and there may still be fine tuning to the programme. Prospective students will be informed of any updates of the programme in due course.