Q1: Is the establishment of the broad-based admission scheme to tackle some problems in the old academic structure? Can broad-based admission work?
Q2: How many students will be admitted under SCIENCE programme?
Q3: How will other programmes in the Science Faculty admit students?
Q4: Why are four major programmes (Chinese Medicine; Enrichment Mathematics; Quantitative Finance and Risk Management Science; and Risk Management Science) in the Faculty of Science not included in the broad-based admission?
Q5: Say I have decided to study one of those four major programmes, but I then realize that the programme is not suitable for me. Would it be difficult to change majors after I have been admitted to one of those four programmes?
Q6: Can I apply for admission of SCIENCE with results in more than one sitting of the HKDSE exam?
Q7: Can Form 7 students apply for admission through JUPAS on the strength of their HKALE results?
Q8: Will the Faculty conduct any interviews for JUPAS applicants of SCIENCE programme?
Q9: Will you weigh all the core and electives equally?
Q10: Will you give any bonus points to the additional electives?
Q11: Is it guaranteed that a student can go to the programme of his/her own choice?
Q12: Can I choose a major earlier?
Q13: What are the purposes of having these major declaration phase?
Q14: If I have not made up my mind on my major, how should I proceed after entry?  Which courses should I take?
Q15: If I want to take more than 3 courses from the Faculty Package courses, can I do that?
Q16: Are the Faculty Package courses to be taken all in Year 1?
Q17: Are the SCIENCE Year 1 Faculty Package courses just a copy of the subjects from Form 7 courses of the old academic structure?
Q18: Will there be any disadvantage for graduates of the new curriculum system over their counterparts of the old curriculum system since their secondary school studies is one year shorter?
Q19: If I’m interested in major programmes A, B and C, do I have to study nine Faculty Package courses?
Q20: I want to major in subject X, but I hate to study anything in subject Y.  X required Y in the Faculty Package requirement and I really don’t want to study Y.  Why does X require us to take a course in Y?
Q21: I am very good at subject C and my knowledge is far beyond the highest grade in HKDSE.  I am afraid that the Faculty Package course in the discipline is too easy for me and it will waste my time. Can I skip the Faculty Package courses in the discipline and skip to higher level courses?
Q22: Are there any exchange opportunities?

Q1: Is the establishment of the broad-based admission scheme to tackle some problems in the old academic structure? Can broad-based admission work?
A1: Globalisation, the advancement of information technology and the development of knowledge-based economies in a climate of global economic restructuring have brought about unprecedented changes worldwide. University graduates should not only equip themselves with professional knowledge, but they should also enhance their adaptability, creativity, independent thinking and life-long learning abilities, so as to maintain their competitiveness in the international arena. Professional knowledge has become more encompassing than before, and most secondary school graduates may not have sufficient understanding of individual professions. In order to tackle this problem, the Faculty of Science is launching the SCIENCE broad-based admission scheme in September 2012. SCIENCE allows students with different abilities, interests and ambitions to prepare themselves for future challenges in their first year of university studies. For a better implementation of the broad-based admission, the Faculty of Science has done a lot of preparatory work. In addition to an learning from local and overseas examples and discussions with teachers, students, alumnus and the community, we have also gradually introduced broad-based admission to the Faculty. Since 2005, the Faculty has been admitting 50 mainland students every year through broad-based admission; the six Life Sciences programmes have been admitting around 220 students through broad-based admission each year since 2009. Based on the accumulation of years of experience and the continuous reflection of the various stakeholders, we believe we shall be able to overcome any difficulties that we may face in the future, and the SCIENCE broad-based admission scheme shall be implemented smoothly.

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Q2: How many students will be admitted under this scheme?
A2: The admission quota is 433 for the SCIENCE programme (JUPAS CODE 4601).

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Q3: How will other programmes in the Science Faculty admit students?
A3: Other programmes, including Chinese Medicine, Enrichment Mathematics, Quantitative Finance and Risk Management Science, and Risk Management Science will admit students via the individual programme-based admission.

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Q4: Why are four major programmes (Chinese Medicine; Enrichment Mathematics; Quantitative Finance and Risk Management Science; and Risk Management Science) in the Faculty of Science not included in the broad-based admission?
A4: The Quantitative Finance and Risk Management Science programme is co-organised with another Faculty; while Chinese Medicine programme and Risk Management Science programme are professional subjects; and Enrichment Mathematics is designed for students who have a strong interest in studying mathematics. These four programmes thus have different admission requirements and are not suitable to be included in the SCIENCE broad-based admission scheme.

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Q5: Say I have decided to study one of those four major programmes, but I then realize that the programme is not suitable for me. Would it be difficult to change majors after I have been admitted to one of those five programmes?
A5: According to our record, very few students from these four programmes have changed their majors. However, there are common Faculty Package courses between these four programmes and the SCIENCE programme, so if students would like to change their majors, they would find possible channel to do so.  

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Q6: Can I apply for admission of SCIENCE with results in more than one sitting of the HKDSE exam?
A6: For 2013 entry, SCIENCE would consider the best subject results of applicants in their first two attempts of HKDSE examinations.

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Q7: Can Form 7 students apply for admission through JUPAS on the strength of their HKALE results?
A7: Applicants with qualifications other than HKDSE results (for example, IB, GCE, Sub-degree, and HKALE) should apply for admission through non- JUPAS from 2013.

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Q8: Will the Faculty conduct any interviews for JUPAS applicants of SCIENCE programme?
A8:The interview is scheduled in May 2013. Only some of the applicants putting CUHK-SCIENCE (JS4601) in their BAND A will be invited.

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Q9: Will you weigh all the core and electives equally?
A9: We would like to admit students with good grades in their core subjects and with a solid science background.  Therefore, students with good grades in science subjects will have a greater chance to be admitted to SCIENCE.

SCIENCE would have heavier weightings on the following subjects:
Option 1: Chemistry / Physics / Biology / Integrated Science / Combined Science
Option 2: Any 1 elective + Mathematics (Module 1 or 2)

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Q10: Will you give any bonus points to the additional electives?
A10: We will assign bonus points to up to two additional elective subjects, including Mathematics M1 and M2, and Science subjects would receive more bonus points than non-science subjects. We would like to take in students with a good science background. Thus, students with good grades in science subjects have a greater opportunity to be admitted to SCIENCE.

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Q11: Is it guaranteed that a student can go to the programme of his/her own choice?  
A11: For students admitted to the SCIENCE programme, entry to the major programme of their choice is guaranteed, provided that students have taken (not necessarily passed) a set of prescribed courses.

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Q12: Can I choose a major earlier?
A12: Depending on your preparation, you may declare your major at the time of entry, or the end of Year 1, or Year 2 of your studies (see Table below).

Details of major declaration are listed here.

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Q13: What are the purposes of having these major declaration phases?
A13: Students may have a very strong interest in a particular subject and programme. They may have already decided their major programme long before entering the University.  Phase 1 is for this group of students.
Students may also wish to find their interest and their academic strengths in Year 1. Phase 2 enables and encourages students to choose a major that they are able to complete.
Some students may have wide interests in various science subjects while others may need some extra assistance in learning and advancing, so they may want to take up the first two years for considering a suitable major.  Phase 3 is for this group.

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Q14: If I have not made up my mind on my major, how should I proceed after entry?  Which courses should I take?
A14: It is expected that some students may not have decided their major at entry.   We hope that students will think about what they are interested in, what they want to learn and what they want to be.  After that, we expect students will come up with one or two (or more) potential majors, i.e. programmes that they will consider becoming their major of study.  They should then consult the study schemes for these potential majors and, in particular, look at the Faculty Package course requirements of these programmes.  They will find that there are overlapping course requirements and they can take these courses to start their studies.  At the same time, students can collect more information on their interested potential majors by talking to the teachers and their academic advisor.  It is likely that by the end of Year 1, students could have taken the Faculty Package courses required for a few major programmes.  Moreover, an academic advisor will be assigned to each student to guide them.

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Q15: If I want to take more than 3 courses from the Faculty Package courses, can I do that?
A15: Each programme in the Science Faculty requires their graduates to take 3 courses, or a total of nine units, from the Faculty Package courses. This is the minimum requirement.  As the CUHK uses a credit system, students will have credits available for selecting other courses they like. In some cases, the study scheme of a science major programme may allow students to take additional courses that belong to the Faculty Package and count these credits as major units.  Students should consult the major programme’s study scheme for details, and/or seek advice from their major programme or academic advisor.

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Q16: Are the Faculty Package courses to be taken all in Year 1?
A16: Formally in the CUHK’s credit-based system, we don’t have the notion of a yearly curriculum.  As long as students fulfil graduation requirements of their major including Faculty Package courses, it will be an acceptable plan. Therefore, the Faculty Package courses need not be completed all in Year 1. However, academically, the study of science subjects is very often sequential in nature, i.e., one needs some background knowledge before moving to the next stage of learning.  These Faculty Package courses are designed to provide the necessary background to move forward within a major programme, as well as to serve the purpose of broadening students’ scope and allowing them to sample different science disciplines.  Practically, it is in students’ best interest to take these courses in the beginning stage of their university studies.

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Q17: Are the SCIENCE Year 1 Faculty Package courses just a copy of the subjects from Form 7 courses of the old academic structure?
A17: No. The Faculty Package are classified under five groups: Chemistry, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics. The contents of these courses are tailor-made for HKDSE graduates. The Faculty Package is designed to fit students with different HKDSE science backgrounds and to guide students in starting their preferred major programme. SCIENCE students can pursue studies in the discipline of their choice, balanced by the chance to explore other subjects and take up opportunities for overseas exchanges in a range of world-class partner institutions, local or overseas internships, as well as community and social service. All students will have the opportunity to complete a range of courses to develop their transferable skills and General Education subjects to broaden their horizons. These components together are intended to give students an opportunity to grow into a confident member of our University community. These are some of the features of the new four-year study programme of the CUHK, made possible by the additional year. The overall goal is to help students grow intellectually, develop appropriate skills and values, and prepare for further studies or a career of their choice. For more details on the 334 Academic Reform, please refer to the university’s New Undergraduate Curriculum from 2012 website.

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Q18: Will there be any disadvantage for graduates of the new curriculum system over their counterparts of the old curriculum system since their secondary school studies is one year shorter?
A18: No. The Faculty has different major arrangements and requirements for students of these two cohorts. Therefore, generally speaking, students from these two cohorts will not be arranged to have classes of the core courses.

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Q19: If I’m interested in major programmes A, B and C, do I have to study nine Faculty Package courses?
A19: No.
It is not necessary for a student to study nine Faculty Package courses even if he or she has interest in different science subjects. To better prepare students for selecting a major of study, a flexible first-year curriculum and a Faculty Package of courses have been designed for students. For details, please refer to the following webpage: Curriculum and Faculty Package.

The following are three examples for your reference:
Example 1 – If the student is interested in Chemistry, Physics and Earth System Science, the student can complete CHEM1070, PHYS1111 and MATH1010 in order to fulfil the three majors’ requirements.

Example 2 – If the student is interested in Physics, Mathematics and Statistics, the student can complete PHYS1111, STAT1011 and MATH1010 in order to fulfil his or her desired majors’ Faculty Package requirements. (After having studied those 3 courses, students can also choose to major in Earth System Science.)

Example 3 – The student is interested in Chemistry, Biochemistry and Mathematics, so the student will need to study four courses, including CHEM1070, LSCI1002, MATH1010 and STAT1011 to meet the Faculty Package requirements of these three major programmes. (After having studied those four courses, students can also choose to major in Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Earth System Science, Environmental Science, Food and Nutritional Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology, or Statistics.)

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Q20: I want to major in subject X, but I hate to study anything in subject Y.  X required Y in the Faculty Package requirement and I really don’t want to study Y.  Why does X require us to take a course in Y?
A20: The courses in the Faculty Package are designed to cater to HKDSE graduates with different preparations in secondary school.  They also provide the necessary background, in terms of contents, skills, and even (science) culture, to proceed to more advanced learning.  Each major programme was designed to benefit their students the most.  If your major programme X requires you to take a course in discipline Y, the course in Y is intended to provide some necessary background, skills, or viewpoints that benefit your major.  Due to the changes in NSS studies, students from NSS are expected to have less time or chance to have a deeper understanding in the different disciplines of science.  It would be wise to keep your mind open and give yourself a chance to explore and appreciate other subjects.

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Q21: I am very good at subject C and my knowledge is far beyond the highest grade in HKDSE.  I am afraid that the Faculty Package course in the discipline is too easy for me and it will waste my time. Can I skip the Faculty Package courses in the discipline and skip to higher level courses? 
A21: Formally, all students must fulfil the graduate requirements of their major including the Faculty Package requirement (the nine units).  HKDSE is new and so is our curriculum with faculty package courses.  The Science Faculty and major programmes will keep a close look at the new situation as more data on HKDSE and feedback on the package courses become available.  When we have sufficient data, there may probably be some exemption scheme in the future.  At the CUHK, exemption is given on an attainment basis.  Besides, the CUHK credit based system allows students to take (after consulting with academic advisor) an upper level course (e.g. a course typically taken in Year 2) earlier if s/he has obtained the necessary background.

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Q22: Are there any exchange opportunities?
A22: Of course, Science students will have a lots of exchange opportunities either in mainland or overseas.

• Office of Academic Links: many exchange programmes, we have 92 students (out of some 800) participate in exchange programmes in 2012-2013;
• We also have specially designed exchange programmes for science students. Information is available on the Science Faculty website;
• Individual programmes like Mathematics, Physics and Life Science also provided many summer exchange or internship opportunities for students. Please consult teachers of these programmes;
• Many other exchange opportunities are organized by the colleges; and
• Many other short term exchange opportunities and internship opportunities are provided by various units of the University.

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