26
HKUST 2014-2015
Annual Report
The School has advanced its holistic education approach and
received significant local and international acknowledgement of
its world-class faculty and research achievements
SCHOOLOF SCIENCE
BROADENING SCIENCE EDUCATION
Blended and experiential learning were introduced in several
undergraduate courses to build upon the innovative science
education, along with academic advising and enrichment
activities to foster whole-person development.
A tri-modal practicum course was launched in Spring
2015 to provide students with opportunities to explore
entrepreneurship possibilities based on applied sciences
projects. Students learnt about the process of knowledge
transfer and commercialization through a combination of
seminars, project courses, and group work. The blended
learning course “Great Ideas in Chemistry” was rolled out
in Spring 2015. Video clips and interactive learning materials
were made available online, while students worked in groups
during class-time through exercises that went beyond lectures
on topics such as energy policy and climate change. Additional
blended learning projects in Physics and other disciplines are
under development.
The International Research Enrichment Track (IRE) commenced
its second cohort, with the Guided Study in Research course
enabling each student to work on a research topic under close
mentorship of a faculty member. Non-classroom enrichment
activities such as field trips to the Biopharmaceutical Research
Center and the Wind Tunnel in Shenzhen were also organized
to expand their horizons in different scientific frontiers. The
Lee’s Pharmaceutical – Kanya Lee Scholarship Limited made
a generous donation of $3 million to support IRE students to
go overseas for research internship and exchange activities.
In 2014-15, the School organized over 80 seminars,
workshops, and activities through its Induction Course to
assist undergraduate freshmen in adapting to university
life and exploring different majors, interests, and careers.
Interaction between students and the School’s advising
team, faculty advisors and peer mentors, was also structurally
embedded into the Induction Course.
Adding to the School’s taught postgraduate programs,
the first cohort for the MSc in Analytical Chemistry will
commence in Fall 2015, while a new MSc in Mathematics
for Educators is scheduled to launch in 2016-17. The School
also undertook a review of its Professional Development
Course for research postgraduates, which aims to add value
to students on various areas such as research management,
professional conduct, and career planning.
FOSTERING STUDENT ENRICHMENT
The School continued to run its Career Training and
Internship Program, providing students with individual
consultations, company visits, mock interviews hosted by
human resources experts, internship opportunities, and job
referrals to partner companies. A number of career forums
were organized by the Division of Life Science for UG and PG
students to plan for career development after graduation.
In Summer 2014, the Department of Mathematics arranged
projects with the Beijing Genomics Institute, Hong Kong
Observatory, Lenovo, and Microsoft Research Asia, as part
of the Research in Industrial Projects for Students summer
program for senior undergraduates, co-organized with the
Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics, University of
California, Los Angeles. Students worked in teams to tackle
real-world issues proposed by the industry sponsors under the
guidance of an academic mentor.
