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Most students who enter the programme have experience in one of the relevant sub-disciplines – engineering, ecology, environmental science, education, urban planning, corporate sustainability and journalism, etc. However, the MSc is also suitable for fresh graduates and people working in other areas who intend to pursue a career in environmental management, or simply want to enhance their understanding of the field.
To be eligible for admission to the programme you should have a Bachelor's degree with honours in any field. This can be any field of study. We are keen to facilitate a multi-disciplinary intake of students as this enriches the programme and is consistent with its objectives and character. Working experience is preferable but not essential. Fresh graduates are welcome to apply.
For 2021-22 intake:
Application will be opened in late December 2020. The closing dates for non-local and local applications are 12:00nn (HKT), April 30, 2021 and 12:00nn (HKT), June 30, 2021 respectively. Applications can be submitted via our on-line application system here.
Fees for 2021-22 intake:
The composition fee for the full-time programme for 2021-22 intake will be HK$130,000# and that for the part-time programme is HK$65,000# per year for two years. The fees shall be payable in two instalments over one year for full-time study or in four instalments over two years for part-time study. Additional expenses for field travel and studies are possible. For occasional students, the tuition fee would HK$2,170# per credit.
In addition, students are required to pay Caution Money (HK$350, refundable on graduation subject to no claims being made) and Graduation Fee (HK$350).
# Subject to approval
Each year Ada and Arthur Hill Prize in Environmental Management and Fred Kan and Co. Prize are awarded to meritorious students.
This programme is accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA)and the Hong Kong Green Building Council.
Introduction
The MSc in Environmental Management is an inter-faculty multi-disciplinary coursework programme. The programme will involve part-time study for a period of two years or full-time study for one year. The programme provides comprehensive training in the field of environmental management, addressing both the major environmental problems and their social, legal and economic context. The contents of the programme have evolved as the world has changed, but the basic objective of providing a broad, integrated overview has remained the same. The teachers are internationally-recognized experts in their fields and have many years of experience in Hong Kong. The programme started in 1989 and over 1,000 graduates are now pursuing successful careers in government departments, environmental consultancies, NGOs and various industries. For more information about the programme, please visit the following website.
Assessment
Courses in the programme are assessed in a variety of ways, by written coursework, examinations, or both. A dissertation on a topic of the student’s choice forms an important part of the study.
A candidate shall follow and be examined in at least 60 credits of courses including core courses (42 - 51 credits) and elective courses (9 - 18 credits). For Part-time candidates, they will normally take 30 credits in their first year of study and 30 credits in their second year of study. A 3-credit course will normally consist of 18-24 hours of lectures, seminars, workshops and/or field trips.
A. COURSE STRUCTURE
The list of courses, and their contents set out
Programme Structure of the Part-time Mode (from 2020-2021 onwards) | ||
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Year 1: | ||
Core courses (30-33 credits): | ||
ENVM7003 | Introduction to ecology (3 credits) | |
ENVM7012 | Environmental economics and analysis (3 credits) | |
ENVM7013 | Sustainability, society and environmental management (3 credits) | |
ENVM7014 | Environmental quality management (6 credits) | |
ENVM7015 | Research methods and report writing in environmental management (6 credits) | |
ENVM7016 | Environmental policy (3 credits) | |
ENVM7017 | Environmental law in Hong Kong (3 credits) | |
Select at least one field study course from the following list: | ||
ENVM7018 | Environmental field studies (3 credits) | |
ENVM7019 | Ecological field studies (3 credits) | |
Year 2: | ||
Core courses (12 - 18 credits): | ||
ENVM8006 | Environmental impact assessment (3 credits) | |
Select one capstone experience course from the following list: | ||
ENVM8004 | Dissertation (15 credits) # [Capstone experience] | |
ENVM8021 | Project (9 credits) [Capstone experience] | |
Elective courses (9- 18 credits, depending on the core courses taken): [Indicative only: courses’ availability will vary from year to year] | ||
ENVM8003 | Conservation biology and management (3 credits) | |
ENVM8011 | Environmental auditing and reporting (3 credits) | |
ENVM8012 | Environmental health and risk assessment (3 credits) | |
ENVM8013 | Air and noise pollution control and management (3 credits) | |
ENVM8014 | Special topics in environmental management (3 credits) | |
ENVM8015 | Directed studies in environmental management (6 credits) | |
ENVM8016 | Conservation and management of freshwater resources (3 credits) | |
ENVM8017 | Conservation and management of marine resources (3 credits) | |
ENVM8018 | Urban planning and environmental management (3 credits) | |
ENVM8019 | Corporate sustainability (3 credits) | |
ENVM8020 | Green buildings and energy management (3 credits) | |
Notes: Alternative courses from all other taught Masters’ programmes at HKU might be accepted at the discretion of the Programme Director. # If a part-time student wishes to take ENVM8004 Dissertation, he/she must obtain a Grade B+ or above in ENVM7015 Research methods and report writing in environmental management by May of the first study year. Students must have submitted their dissertation titles and supervisor's names to the School of Biological Sciences by June 30 and are expected to commence work on their dissertation during the summer vacation between their first and second years of study. Students are also required to attend a dissertation research colloquium in their first and second years of study. They have to deliver presentations based on their dissertation project. The presentations will be assessed and this will contribute to the final grade awarded for the dissertation. Part-time students must submit their dissertation to the School of Biological Sciences on or before the last Friday in May in the second academic year of study, unless otherwise permitted or required by the course coordinator(s). On the successful completion of the degree, a copy of the outstanding dissertation may be lodged in the University Library for public access. |
Programme Structure of the Full-time Mode (from 2020-2021 onwards) | ||
Core courses (42-51 credits): | ||
ENVM7003 | Introduction to ecology (3 credits) | |
ENVM7012 | Environmental economics and analysis (3 credits) | |
ENVM7013 | Sustainability, society and environmental management (3 credits) | |
ENVM7014 | Environmental quality management (6 credits) | |
ENVM7015 | Research methods and report writing in environmental management (6 credits) | |
ENVM7016 | Environmental policy (3 credits) | |
ENVM7017 | Environmental law in Hong Kong (3 credits) | |
ENVM8006 | Environmental impact assessment (3 credits) | |
Select at least one field study course from the following list: | ||
ENVM7018 | Environmental field studies (3 credits) | |
ENVM7019 | Ecological field studies (3 credits) | |
Select one capstone experience course from the following list: | ||
ENVM8004 | Dissertation (15 credits) [Capstone experience] | |
ENVM8021 | Project (9 credits) [Capstone experience] | |
Elective courses (9-18 credits, depending on the core courses taken): [Indicative only: courses' availability will vary from year to year] | ||
ENVM8003 | Conservation biology and management (3 credits) | |
ENVM8011 | Environmental auditing and reporting (3 credits) | |
ENVM8012 | Environmental health and risk assessment (3 credits) | |
ENVM8013 | Air and noise pollution control and management (3 credits) | |
ENVM8014 | Special topics in environmental management (3 credits) | |
ENVM8015 | Directed studies in environmental Management (6 credits) | |
ENVM8016 | Conservation and management of freshwater resources (3 credits) | |
ENVM8017 | Conservation and management of marine resources (3 credits) | |
ENVM8018 | Urban planning and environmental management (3 credits) | |
ENVM8019 | Corporate sustainability (3 credits) | |
ENVM8020 | Green buildings and energy management (3 credits) | |
ENVM8022 | Environmental management internship (6 credits) | |
Notes: Alternative courses from all other taught Masters’ programmes at HKU might be accepted at the discretion of the Programme Director. # If a full-time student wishes to take ENVM8004 Dissertation, he/she must pass a qualification assessment in September/ October of the first study year. Students must have submitted their dissertation titles and supervisor's names to the School of Biological Sciences by October 30. Students are also required to attend a research colloquium at which presentations are made by students based on their dissertation project. The presentations will be assessed and this will contribute to the final grade awarded for the dissertation. Full-time students must submit their dissertation to the School of Biological Sciences on or before the last Friday in June in the first academic year of their study, unless otherwise permitted or required by the course coordinator(s). On the successful completion of the degree, a copy of the outstanding dissertation may be lodged in the University Library for public access. |
B. Course contents
Core Courses |
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ENVM7003 Introduction to ecology (3 credits)This course deals with the ecological processes determining the distribution and abundance of organisms, and which in turn govern the structure and function of communities and ecosystems. The focus of the course is on how an understanding of ecology is important for environmental management. Together with lectures and student- Assessment: Written examination (100%) |
ENVM7012 Environmental economics and analysis (3 credits)The aim of this course is to equip students with the ability to undertake
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ENVM7013 Sustainability, society and environmental management (3 credits)This course begins with the intellectual debates on the definitions, conceptions and different interpretations of the notion of sustainable development. The course then moves on to explore and analyse the implementation of the sustainability concept at the macro- and the micro- levels, covering a wide range of issues from international agreements and campaigns to local projects and practice. This will followed by a number of tools and techniques including community engagement and sustainability assessment. This course concludes with a series of real-life case investigations on innovative models to achieve sustainability in different contexts.
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ENVM7014 Environmental quality management (6 credits)This course introduces students to the types, sources and effects of environmental pollution and some of the key principles and strategies used in combating pollution and managing environmental quality. Topics include water and air quality management, solid waste management and noise pollution control, with an emphasis on the situation in Hong Kong.
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ENVM7015 Research methods and report writing in environmental management (6 credits)This course is intended both as preparation for the dissertation, which forms an important part of the
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ENVM7016 Environmental policy (3 credits)This course focuses on key aspects of environmental policy making and the policy-implementation processes, such as how policy agendas emerge and evolve, how environmental discourse shapes policy outputs; and how institutions affect the trajectories and outcomes of environmental policy measures. Making references to local, national and international cases of successful and not-so-successful policies that pertain to the sustainable development agenda, the course also examines the theories and praxis of policy transfer and policy convergence, as well as the perennial problematics of policy integration, policy learning and policy failure.
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ENVM7017 Environmental law in Hong Kong (3 credits)This course focuses on the statutory interpretation of the four principal Ordinances and subsidiary legislation dealing with pollution in Hong Kong; namely the Water Pollution Control Ordinance, the Air Pollution Control Ordinance, the Noise Control Ordinance and the Waste Disposal Ordinance. Some consideration will also be given to the Dumping at Sea Ordinance, the Radiation Ordinance, the Merchant Shipping (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Ordinance, the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance, the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance and international conventions
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ENVM7018 Environmental field studies (3 credits)This is an experiential learning course. This course aims to broaden students' horizon and knowledge base on key aspects of environmental management and nature conservation through a series of field studies and visits to local and overseas organizations. Topics include, but not limited to, conservation and biodiversity management, waste and wastewater treatment processes, water treatment processes, and corporate environmental management in practices. Field studies will be conducted in form of guided visits, field work, and invited lectures or forums according to the topics involved. Study trips outside Hong Kong such as Macau, Mainland China and Taiwan may be considered. Students are required to attend at least 6 sessions organized over the study period.
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ENVM7019 Ecological field studies (3 credits)This is an experiential learning course. This course aims to teach students with the field survey and study skills in biodiversity assessment through an intensive residential field course and some optional field trips. Rapid biodiversity assessment methods and report writing skills will be taught. Students taking this course have to conduct hands on field surveys of common plant and animal groups in Hong Kong such as vascular plants, mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and butterflies. Students completing this course shall be able to take part in ecological assessments.
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ENVM8004 Dissertation (15 credits) [Capstone experience]The dissertation is an individual,
Pre-requisite: Part-time students must obtain a Grade B+ or above in ENVM7015 Research methods and report writing in environmental management by May of the first study year. Full-time students must pass a qualification assessment in September / October of the first study year. |
ENVM8006 Environmental impact assessment (3 credits)Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is one of the most important contemporary instruments of environmental management. Used widely around the world to identify the environment impacts of development projects as well as strategic plans and policies, EIA plays a key role in many regulatory systems for the environment. This course reviews the development of different approaches to EIA, basic analytical principles, administrative and legal systems for EIA, assessments at the project and strategic levels (SEA), and case study applications in Hong Kong.
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ENVM8021 Project (9 credits) [Capstone experience]This is a group project (2-3 students per group) to be carried out under the supervision of one or more teachers. The topic and content of the project will be agreed individually between students and the supervisor(s) which have to be endorsed by the respective course coordinators. Students may propose their own topics and approach potential supervisors, or they may consider those suggested by teachers. Apart from scientific research projects, creative projects such as the production of field guides, books, websites, videos, apps about the environment are encouraged.
Assessment: Individual project report (50%) and group presentation (50%) |
Elective Courses |
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ENVM8003 Conservation biology and management (3 credits)Conservation biology is the essential scientific element in biodiversity conservation. The course will cover the basic principles and methods of conservation biology from a management perspective. In reality, successful biodiversity conservation projects often require an integration of the welfare of local communities. As such, practical examples from Hong Kong and elsewhere will be used as case studies to illustrate the importance of different elements in conserving the world's biodiversity.
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ENVM8011 Environmental auditing and reporting (3 credits)This course provides an introduction on the concepts of environmental management, auditing and reporting. Detailed explanation of the development, implementation and continuous improvement of an environmental management system (EMS) based on ISO14001:2015 standards will be covered. With the understanding on the key elements of an EMS, audit methodology and skills based on ISO19011:2011 would be introduced with focus on environmental audit. Key elements of environmental audit under the Hong Kong EIA system and mechanism of carbon audit will also be covered. The function and importance of environmental reporting will be explained along with the contents of Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards which is a guide for sustainability reporting.
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ENVM8012 Environmental health and risk assessment (3 credits)Environmental Risk Assessments (ERAs) are a tool to determine the likelihood that contaminant releases, either past, current, or future, pose an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment. Currently, ERAs are required under various regulations in many developed countries so as to support decision-makers in risk characterization or the selection of cost-effective remedial cleanup. This course introduces the theory and practice of human and ecological risk assessments. Students completing the course will gain a sound knowledge of the concepts and principles of ERAs, management and communication as applied in practice; understand the basic risk assessment tools (i.e. prospective, retrospective and tiered approaches) to environmental risk management; be able to select and apply the simpler tools to tackle risk issues; and appreciate the interpretations of risk and its role in environmental policy formulation and decision making.
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ENVM8013 Air and noise pollution control and management (3 credits)This advanced course focuses on various technical aspects related to air and noise pollution control and their management issues. The topics include micrometeorology; air dispersion modelling; advanced air pollution control (e.g. process modification, energy audit and emission trading); case studies on control of emissions from stationary and mobile source; concept of sound propagation; basic principles of noise control; noise impact assessment and technical mitigation measures for construction, industrial, road traffic, railway and aircraft noise.
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ENVM8014 Special topics in environmental management (3 credits)The contents of this course will vary from year to year, depending on the availability of teachers and topics, and will be announced before course selection each year. Hot topics in Hong Kong or overseas that are related to environmental management will be selected. Examples of such topics could include urban tree management; slope greening; nature conservation versus development in rural Hong Kong and China, sustainable development movements. With careful consideration of
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ENVM8015 Directed studies in environmental management (6 credits)This course provides an opportunity for students to study a topic of particular interest under the supervision of a specialist (i.e., a Faculty member) or an experienced Environmental Practitioner. The contents of this course will be agreed individually between the student and the supervisor which has to be endorsed by the course coordinator. Directed studies may include traditional research projects generating scientific paper or other study projects with creative outputs in environmental management such as audit reports; booklets; pamphlets; field guides; manuals; teaching modules and so on. The course was designed to allow a flexible approach in fixing the content and output of the directed studies.
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ENVM8016 Conservation and management of freshwater resources (3 credits)The overall aim of this course is to introduce the global importance of freshwater resources to
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ENVM8017 Conservation and management of marine resources (3 credits)The marine environment has been an important source of its fortunes but today suffers from a range of perturbations, from pollution and habitat
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ENVM8018 Urban planning and environmental management (3 credits)This course lays down the challenges of achieving environmental sustainability in cities. It highlights the important role of urban planning and its related tools and instruments in managing development pressure, mitigating environmental impacts, conserving ecological sensitive areas and achieving the society’s overall resilience. The course begins with an introduction to the fundamental functions and processes of planning. Illustrated with real-life case studies, the course then critically reviews the effectiveness of a collection of planning tools and methods, such as land use zonings, conservation trusts, partnership schemes, in resolving conflicts in both urban and rural contexts. The course adopts the Problem-based Learning (PBL) approach where students will take lead and debate on selected current environmental affairs such as planning and development on private land with high conservation value, planning for facilities with environmental nuisances, design and planning for quality open space and rural revitalisation for sustainable communities.
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ENVM8019 Corporate sustainability (3 credits)Corporate sustainability focuses on the business sector’s role and contribution to achieving sustainability. In recent years, the expectations of business to act sustainably are higher than ever before. The scope has extended from contributing to the social welfare of the society or avoiding environmental degradation to a new business approach that creates long term value for the business by embracing opportunities and managing risks deriving from economic, environmental and social developments
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ENVM8020 Green buildings and energy management (3 credits)One of the ways to tackle global climate change is to significantly enhance energy efficiency especially in buildings. This course will introduce the global trends in the green building movement with focuses on current energy management in new and existing buildings in Hong Kong e.g. BEAM Plus. The course will introduce various aspects of energy efficiency including laws and codes; assessment tools; methods to analyse energy uses in different types of buildings and practical energy conservation measures. This course stresses on practical knowledge and experiences in energy management in buildings. Thus, experienced practitioners in the field are engaged to deliver some of the course content. The course is accredited by Hong Kong Green Building Council Limited and BEAM Society Limited. Starting from the Academic Year 2020-21, the students upon passing the examination of the course will be able to register as BEAM Affiliate by the Hong Kong Green Building Council Limited.
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ENVM8022 Environmental management internship (6 credits)This course provides an opportunity for students to undertake an internship in environmental management in universities, NGOs or commercial companies under the supervision of an experienced Environmental Practitioner or Faculty member. The student needs to work for at least 160 hours for the internship employer on either the first, second or summer semester. During the internship, the student needs to conduct a desktop study on a topic related to the internship job duties, which should be endorsed by the course coordinator. The written report for the internship shall contain a fully referenced report for the desk top study and some sharing and reflection of the internship experiences. Assessment: Written report (60%); Supervisor’s assessment (20%); Oral presentation (20%)
Prerequisite: For Full-time students only |
Appendix A: Recommendations for specialization in various streams by selecting relevant elective courses
If candidates would like to follow a specialized scope of study in the MSc Programme in Environmental Management, they may select one of the four recommended streams as shown below:
I. Biodiversity Conservation and Management
ENVM7003 | Introduction to ecology (3 credits)* |
ENVM8003 | Conservation biology and management (3 credits) |
ENVM8006 | Environmental impact assessment (3 credits)* |
ENVM8016 | Conservation and management of freshwater resources (3 credits) |
ENVM8017 | Conservation and management of marine resources (3 credits) |
ENVM8020 | Green buildings and energy management (3 credits) |
II. Methods and Techniques in Environmental Management
ENVM7012 | Environmental economics and analysis (3 credits)* |
ENVM8006 | Environmental impact assessment (3 credits)* |
ENVM8011 | Environmental auditing and reporting (3 credits) |
ENVM8012 | Environmental health and risk assessment (3 credits) |
ENVM8018 | Urban planning and environmental management (3 credits) |
ENVM8020 | Green buildings and energy management (3 credits) |
III. Pollution Management and Control
ENVM7014 | Environmental quality management (6 credits)* |
ENVM8006 | Environmental impact assessment (3 credits)* |
ENVM8012 | Environmental health and risk assessment (3 credits) |
ENVM8013 | Air and noise pollution control and management (3 credits) |
IV. Thematic Approaches to Environmental Management
ENVM8014 | Special topics in environmental management (3 credits) |
ENVM8015 | Directed studies in environmental management (6 credits) |
ENVM8018 | Urban planning and environmental management (3 credits) |
ENVM8019 | Corporate sustainability (3 credits) |
*Core courses
Programme Director
Dr C H Hau
School of Biological Sciences
- chhau@hku.hk
- (852) 2299 0609
- (852) 2517 6082
Programme Coordinator
Dr K Y Chan
School of Biological Sciences
- chanjky@hku.hk
- (852) 2299 0614
- (852) 2517 6082
Graduate/ Student Sharing

Samuel RIBET
Class of 2018
"The MSc in Environmental Management encompasses a broad range of topics thereby affording an excellent grounding in the environmental field. For this reason, as well as the University of Hong Kong’s reputation for excellence, I selected this master’s degree.
Completing this course has been challenging but, thanks to the challenge as well as the high level of tuition, immensely rewarding. With the knowledge and skills I have acquired and connections I have made I have the confidence to embark on a new chapter in my career incorporating the principles of sustainability into my work and engaging with experts in the fields I have been introduced to."
Enquiries
Dr C H Hau Programme Director School of Biological Sciences
| Dr K Y Chan Programme Coordinator School of Biological Sciences
| School of Biological Sciences The University of Hong Kong
| Faculty of Science The University of Hong Kong
|