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14+7 Science Majors

Major in Ecology & Biodiversity

student

About the Major

This Major is directed at teaching students: (1) the evolution and diversity of life forms on Earth and the diversity of their habits and behaviours, (2) how organisms interact with each other and with their environments, and (3) key threats and approaches for conserving biodiversity and ensuring sustainable management. Special reference is made to Hong Kong and other Asian flora and fauna, within both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, the ways in which humans are impacting natural environments, and the approaches used to manage or mitigate those impacts.

crab

Photo credit: Stefano Cannicci

This Major includes introductory courses which emphasize the diversity of plant and animal species, their evolutionary history, as well as applied tools such as biostatistics. There is field-work experience with a compulsory five-day residential field course focusing on the ecology of local habitats. At the advanced level, the Major teaches students about the ecology and biodiversity of different ecosystems (e.g. marine, terrestrial and freshwater environments), again emphasizing field work experience, and introduces the use of quantitative and experimental methods in ecology through direct access to dedicated facilities at the Swire Institute of Marine Science. Students can focus on applied or specialised topics such as fisheries and mariculture, tropical terrestrial and marine ecology, and biodiversity conservation.

Experiential learning is encouraged and facilitated to develop expertise in one or a few groups of plants or animals, to provide knowledge in species identification and detailed understanding of their biology and ecology as essential prerequisites for ecologists and conservation biologists. Students are also offered opportunities to conduct independent research in ecology, evolution and biodiversity in the context of a final year project or internship, or they may undertake a dissertation under the close supervision of an individual staff member. A variety of other experiential or capstone opportunities is also offered, including overseas field trips and internships with local organisations.

frog

Photo credit: Billy Hau

The Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) Major has been conferred accreditation by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB), UK, for the purpose of meeting in part the academic and experience requirement for the Membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol) after an independent and rigorous assessment. It is noteworthy that the Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) Major is the first programme of its type accredited by RSB in Asia. Graduates will receive one year of guest membership of RSB at Associate level. This will help them to stay up to date with what is happening across the life sciences, gain additional recognition for their skills and experience, develop their professional network and demonstrate their support for the future of biology. Enhancement of this Major will be reflected in the curriculum starting from September 2018, and the intake of cohort 2018-19 will be able to apply for the accredited options of this.

accredited degree

Career Prospects

  • Graduates have an excellent track record in local and overseas employment in jobs directly related to their studies or in other fields;
  • Graduates and postgraduates have secured employment in the Government (e.g. in the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Environmental Protection Department, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department), Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, environmental consultancies, research, teaching, ecotourism, conservation groups such as World Wide Fund and the Conservancy Association, and community services;
  • Graduates also find careers in universities and intergovernmental organisations; 
  • As awareness of the need to protect our natural environment and biological resources grows in Hong Kong and elsewhere in Asia, demand for graduates with expert knowledge of biodiversity and conservation issues is increasing and is important for policy formulation and decision making by Government, NGOs and the private sector; 
  • An increasing number of Ecology and Biodiversity graduates have entered the education sector as school teachers in recent years, as the new secondary school curriculum contains added components pertaining to ecology and environmental sciences in several required and elective courses. 

 

(Video) Introduction of the Major

 

Student Sharing 

 

Even Leung

LEUNG Yee Man Even

2019 BSc graduate (major in Ecology & Biodiversity)

Even is now pursuing a PhD degree in Ecology & Biodiversty at The University of Hong Kong 

 

"Studying Ecology & Biodiversity at HKU was one of the greatest decisions I have ever made. I got to learn about ecological theories and some of the most updated research in interactive lectures and apply the acquired knowledge in the field and the lab. I also had a lot of chances for overseas experiential learning, through overseas courses in the major curriculum and different exchange opportunities. I even got to explore previously unknown knowledge by getting involved in research projects. Ecology students have always been welcomed as student helpers in the labs at the Kadoorie Biological Sciences Building and in other related NGOs. There are also various research opportunities provided by the Faculty such as Summer Research Fellowship. I am glad to have met professors and peers who share the same passion for nature as me. They have been very supportive throughout my studies and I have enjoyed every moment exploring natural wonders with them.”