BACHELOR OF COGNITIVE SCIENCE(BCogSc)
(See also General Regulations, pp. 1 to 16)
Bachelor of Cognitive Science (BCogSc)
Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science (BSc[ActuarSc])
Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc)
Master of Housing Management (MHousMan)
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Master of Social Sciences (MSocSc)
BCo 1 In these Regulations, and in the Syllabuses for the degree of BCogSc, unless the context otherwise requires
| 'Course' means a course of instruction leading to one paper in the Final Examination Part I, Part II and Part III, as defined in the syllabus; | |
| 'Paper' means one or more of the following tests: a theoretical examination paper, a practical examination paper, a project paper, or a dissertation, or other assignments as prescribed in the syllabus of the course leading to it; | |
| 'Prerequisite' means a course which candidates must have completed successfully before being permitted to take the course in question. |
BCo 2 To be eligible for admission to the degree of Bachelor of Cognitive Science candidates shall
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comply with the General Regulations; and |
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complete the curriculum in accordance with the regulations that follow. |
BCo 3 The curriculum for the degree of Bachelor of Cognitive Science shall extend over not less than three academic years and shall include the Final Examination Part I, Part II and Part III held annually, at the end of the first, second and third years respectively. Candidates shall select courses in accordance with Regulations BCo 6 and BCo 9 below, and such selection shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Studies in Cognitive Science.
BCo 4 In the Final Examination Part I, Part II and Part III an assessment of the candidates' coursework during the year, including completion of written assignments and participation in fieldwork or laboratory work, as the case may be, shall be taken into account in determining their results in each written examination paper.
BCo 5 Candidates who are unable because of their illness to be present for any paper or papers in the Final Examination Part I and Part II may apply for permission to present themselves for a supplementary examination to be held before the beginning of the first semester of the following academic year. Any such application shall be made on the form prescribed within two weeks of the first day of absence from any examination. Candidates who fail to satisfy the examiners in one or more papers in such a supplementary examination shall be considered under the provisions made in these Regulations for failure at the first attempt at the examination, except that a further supplementary examination shall not be permitted.
BCo 6 To complete the first year of the curriculum, candidates shall follow seven courses plus the compulsory English course and satisfy the examiners at the Final Examination Part I which shall consist of one paper in each of the courses selected, together with any fieldwork, oral and practical tests prescribed in the syllabus; provided that the candidates select each course subject to the special requirements listed with it.
BCo 7 Candidates in the Final Examination Part I who have failed to satisfy the examiners in one paper only, but have achieved in their opinion a sufficiently high standard in other papers to compensate for that failure, may be deemed to have satisfied the examiners but shall not be permitted to select a second- or third-year course for which the failed paper forms a prerequisite unless they are given permission by the Department concerned to sit a qualifying examination in the failed paper and satisfy the examiners in this.
BCo 8
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Candidates in the Final Examination Part I | |
| (i) | who have failed to satisfy the examiners in any one paper and are not deemed to have satisfied the examiners under the provision of Regulation BCo 7 above, or | |
| (ii) | who have failed to satisfy the examiners in two papers | |
| may be permitted to sit a Supplementary Final Examination Part I in the failed paper(s) held the same year in August/September. Candidates who fail in one or more papers at a Supplementary Final Examination Part I shall be required to repeat the whole first year of the curriculum. | ||
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Candidates in the Final Examination Part I who have failed to satisfy the examiners in three papers shall be required either to repeat the whole first year of the curriculum, or to discontinue their studies. | |
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Candidates in the Final Examination Part I who have failed to satisfy the examiners in more than three papers shall be recommended for discontinuation of studies under the provisions of General Regulation G 12. | |
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In no case may candidates proceed to the second year of the curriculum until they have satisfied the examiners at the Final Examination Part I under the provisions of BCo 5, BCo 6, BCo 7 or this Regulation. Candidates who have failed to satisfy the examiners in the Final Examination Part I after having repeated the first year shall be recommended for discontinuation of studies under the provisions of General Regulation G 12. | |
BCo 9 To complete the second and third years of the curriculum, candidates shall follow the equivalent of sixteen courses and satisfy the examiners at the Final Examination Parts II and III in the sixteen papers for the compulsory and other selected courses, half of the papers to be taken at Part II at the end of the second year and half at Part III at the end of the third year.
BCo 10 An alphabetical list shall be published of candidates successful in the Final Examination Parts I and II, while the list of candidates successful in the whole of the Final Examination shall be published in five divisions: First Class Honours; Second Class Honours Division One; Second Class Honours Division Two; Third Class Honours; Pass. The standard attained in each of the three Parts of the Final Examination shall be taken into account in determining the candidates' classification.
BCo 11
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Candidates who have failed to satisfy the examiners in the Final Examination Part II in one or two papers only may be allowed to proceed to the third year of the curriculum and present themselves for re-examination either in the failed paper(s) or for examination in the same number of new papers, together with the papers of Part III of the Final Examination. |
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Candidates who have failed to satisfy the examiners in the Final Examination Part II in three or more papers shall be required either to repeat the second year or to discontinue their studies. |
BCo 12 Candidates in the Final Examination Part III who have failed to satisfy the examiners in three or more papers, including where appropriate the Part II papers examined or re-examined under the provisions of Regulation BCo 11(a), shall be required either to repeat the courses for the failed papers and present themselves for re-examination in the papers when the examination is next held, or to repeat the final year of the curriculum and present themselves for re-examination in the whole of Part III of the Final Examination when the examination is next held, but in either case shall not be eligible for honours unless the Senate directs that they shall be so eligible because of exceptional circumstances. Candidates who fail to satisfy the examiners in this second attempt shall be recommended for discontinuation under the provisions of General Regulation G 12. If they are not required by the Senate to discontinue their studies and are permitted to present themselves for a third time, they shall then in no circumstances be eligible for honours. Candidates who present themselves for re-examination may offer the same papers in which they have failed, or substitute other papers.
SYLLABUSES FOR THE DEGREE
OF
BACHELOR OF COGNITIVE SCIENCE
FIRST-YEAR COURSES
Candidates must take a total of eight courses including courses B0101, 07102, 14101, 17101 or 17103, 23117 or 23125 , 23119 or 23249 and 77100. Candidates without a pass in Pure Mathematics at HKALE must take either 24118 or 24119 as appropriate. Candidates with a pass in Pure Mathematics at HKALE may choose 23117 and 23119 in Computer Science. Those without a pass in Pure Mathematics at HKALE must take 23125 and 23249. Similarly, candidates must choose between Statistics 17103 and 17101 depending on their mathematics background as indicated in the course descriptions. All other courses should be taken from the list below, or from any first-year course offered by departments of the Faculties of Arts or Social Sciences subject to the permission of that department and of the Course Director.
The examination for each course is one two-hour written paper and the final grading will be determined by performance in the examination and an assessment of coursework in the ratio of 75:25 unless otherwise specified.
School of Business
12104. Introduction to management
This course is designed as an introduction to the study of business management. It provides an introductory overview of the 'process' perspective of management, which includes planning decision -making, control, feedback and other concepts useful to management in their problem-solving activities. The students will also be introduced to the main functional areas of management. Some basic features of the business environment and work organization will also be covered.
Department of Computer Science
23117. Computer programming and applications
Basic concepts of computer systems, introduction to operating systems, text editors, compilers and loaders; Pascal; techniques for writing well-structured programs; high-level language programming. Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% examination. Examination: One three-hour written paper.
23119. Introduction to data structures and algorithms
Arrays, linked lists, trees and graphs; stacks and queues; symbol tables; priority queues, merge-find trees; internal sorting algorithms; memory management; elementary verification and complexity analysis. Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% examination. Examination: One three-hour written paper.
Prerequisite: 23117.
23125. Applied mathematics C ¡X computer concepts and programming
The object of the course is to introduce basic computing concepts and to study the techniques for writing well-structured computer programs. Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% examination. Examination: One three-hour written paper.
23249. Information processing
To study fundamental concepts in data and file structures. Topics include: elementary data structures; searching; sorting; indexing; characteristics of storage media; file structures and access methods. Assessment: 30% coursework, 70% examination. Examination: One three-hour written paper.
English Centre
77100. English for academic communication
The course prepares students to respond effectively to the communicative demands of academic study in English. Through text-based activities in class and investigative project work related to language and disciplinary issues, the course develops abilities to analyse and evaluate extended texts, and to produce clear and coherent spoken and written discourses. It also emphasizes careful revision and editing of essays and project reports to ensure that lexical and grammatical choices are correct and appropriate. Assessment: 100% coursework.
Department of Linguistics
B0101. Introduction to linguistics
Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of linguistic inquiry: sounds and sound patterns, word formation, sentence structure, organisation of meaning, and language change. This course will illustrate how linguists approach their subject matter through investigation of such topics as children's language, dialectal variation, writing systems, foreign accents, and language and the brain. Students will gain insight into the general structure underlying all language as will as the diversity of linguistic structure. The course provides a basis for further linguistic study with practice in generalisation, argumentation, and data analysis for a wide variety of languages.
Department of Mathematics
24118. Mathematics for social sciences: course I.1
The Department of Mathematics does not allow candidates with a pass in Advanced Supplementary Level Mathematics and Statistics or Advanced Level Pure Mathematics to take this course. Such students are however eligible to take either 24119 or 24303.
The course is intended for students who wish to use mathematics as a tool and have done little mathematics since Form 5.
| Prerequisite: | Certificate of Education Level Mathematics (students with a pass or above in Advanced Supplementary Level Mathematics and Statistics or Advanced Level Pure Mathematics are not eligible). |
24119. Mathematics for social sciences: course I.2
The course introduces students to the basic techniques of mathematics. It is intended for students who wish to use mathematics as a tool.
| Prerequisite: | Certificate of Education Level Mathematics, and with Certificate of Education Level Additional Mathematics or its equivalent. (Recommended for students with Advanced Supplementary Level Mathematics and Statistics. Students with a pass or above in Advanced Level Pure Mathematics are not eligible. Special cases will be considered by the Department.) |
Department of Philosophy
07102. Introduction to philosophy: the human mind
The course deals with philosophical problems about the mind, about such topics as consciousness, thinking, feeling, believing and dreaming. We shall look at such questions as: Are human minds physical objects?; Is it possible to build a computer that thinks?
Department of Psychology
14101. Introduction to psychology
Discussion of basic concepts in psychology and a preliminary survey of representative work carried out in various areas of psychological investigation, together with an investigation at some length of one such area.
Department of Statistics
17101. Elementary statistical methods
The discipline of statistics is concerned with situations involving uncertainty and variability. Variability greatly affects the interpretation of data. Thus statistics forms an important descriptive and analytical tool of the social sciences. This elementary course, which is taught without any technical mathematics, presents many standard situations of data interpretation. The statistical tests for these situations are presented.
| Eligibility: | Not available to students with a pass in Advanced Level Pure Mathematics. Students who have taken 24119 or have Advanced Supplementary Level Mathematics and Statistics are eligible for this course, but are advised that 17103 may be a more suitable choice because it leads to a wider choice of options in later years. |
17103. Introductory statistics
The discipline of statistics is concerned with situations involving uncertainty and variability. The interpretation of data is greatly affected when variability plays a role, as it usually does. Thus statistics forms an important descriptive and analytical tool of the social sciences. Candidates with a mathematical background will find this course suitable, because the language of mathematics allows the subject of statistics to be presented with economy and clarity.
| Prerequisite: | Either Advanced Level Pure Mathematics or 24118 or 24119 or Advanced Supplementary Level Mathematics and Statistics. Students without these qualifications, but with grade C or better in Advanced Level Physics, are deemed to have sufficient mathematical training to enrol in this course. |
SECOND- AND THIRD-YEAR COURSES
Candidates should take a total of eight courses in the second year and eight courses in their third year. All candidates are required to take courses ¡X
B0201. Computational linguistics
B0207. Phonology I: systems of sounds
14215. Cognitive psychology
14248. Biological psychology
17232. Statistical concepts and methods or
17241. Computer-aided data analysis I
23270. Artificial intelligence
in their second year;
07280. Philosophy and cognitive science
14218. Advanced cognitive psychology
14292. Computational models of behaviour
34204. Advanced cognitive neuroscience
in either their second or third years of study; and
14295. Thesis in cognitive science
in their third year.
All other courses should be selected from the list below, or from any second- or third-year course offered by departments in the Faculties of Arts or Social Sciences subject to the permission of that department and of the Course Director. Candidates are expected to stream their courses according to whether their background is in Arts or Science subjects. Advice on this will be given by the Course Director. Candidates with an Arts background will not normally be eligible to take courses 17328, 23313. Candidates with a Science background will not normally be eligible to take B0203 or 07265. All candidates are strongly recommended to take 72215. Neurolinguistics in their third year.
The examination for each course is one two-hour written paper and the final grading will be determined by performance in the examination and an assessment of coursework in the ratio of 75:25 unless otherwise specified.
Department of Architecture
65258. Visual studies
Visual studies: The content of the course in visual studies serves as an introduction by dealing with the clarification of certain fundamental areas of visual enquiry and to develop an awareness, inquisitiveness and sensitive appreciation of this field.
The course covers exercises in two- and three-dimensional spatial elements, i.e., dynamics of visual form; perspectives, projections and basic graphic techniques. Assessment: 100% coursework.
School of Business
12318. Analysis and design of business information systems
This course examines the application of computer technology to business and analyses the various stages of a systems life-cycle in connection with the development of computer-based information systems.
Prerequisite: 23246 or 23139 .
12319. Management information systems
This course examines the roles played by information systems in the modern business community and how information is increasingly being seen as a strategic resource in yielding competitive advantages in an organization. The interaction between systems and human beings and some technical aspects of management information systems will also be discussed.
Prerequisite: 12318.
12327. Decision support systems
This course studies how computer systems can be used to assist managers in making effective decisions, both structured and semi-structured, through the integrated application of model base management, knowledge base management, data base management, dialogue management and problem processing systems.
Prerequisite: 12318.
Department of Computer Science
23248. Information systems development and project management
This course concerns management of information systems development projects. Topics include project planning and scheduling, team organization, end user involvement, software quality measurement and metrics, software audit, cost/benefit analysis, risk analysis, process management. Assessment: 30% coursework, 70% examination. Examination: One three-hour written paper.
Prerequisites: 23398 and 23278 or 23296 and 23297.
23250. Design and analysis of algorithms
The course studies various algorithms design techniques, such as Divide and Conquer, Greedy, Dynamic Programming and Branch and Bound. These techniques are applied to design highly non -trivial algorithms from various areas of computer science. Topics include: Advanced data structures; graph algorithms; scheduling algorithms; searching algorithms; algorithms on strings; geometric algorithms; algorithms on polynomials and matrices; Fast Fourier Transform; overview of NP-complete problems. Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% examination. Examination: One three-hour written paper.
Prerequisite: 23119 or 23249 .
23270. Artificial intelligence
AI programming languages; logic; theorem proving; searching; problem solving. Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% examination. Examination: One three-hour written paper.
Prerequisite: 23119 or 23249 .
23278. Principles of database management systems
This course studies the principles and the design of DBMS. Contents include: entity-relationship model; physical organization of databases; the relational model; design theory for relational databases; query languages; query optimization; security and integrity; concurrency control; distributed databases. Assessment: 30% coursework, 70% examination. Examination: One three-hour written paper.
Prerequisites: 23117 and 23119;
or 23125 and 23249. This course may not be taken with 23296.
23313. Introduction to artificial neural networks (half course)
To introduce the theory underlying the learning and computing in network systems that mimic biological networks of neurons. Such theory will be applied to solve practical signal processing and pattern recognition problems with the artificial neural networks simulated in terms of computer software. Students will experiment with networks of various architectures and learning algorithms in order to appreciate their relative effectiveness. Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% examination.
23317. Computer vision and recognition of patterns and speech
Students taking this course will learn how images and speech are represented inside a computer; how their characteristics are extracted, represented and described; and finally, how recognition can be performed. Examination: One three-hour written paper.
Prerequisites: 23117 and 23119; or 23125 and 23249.
23392. Knowledge-based systems (half course)
Knowledge representation techniques; knowledge-based systems control strategy; expert systems tools; developing an expert system; existing expert systems; concept of knowledge-based systems with emphasis on applications; the process of designing and implementing a knowledge-based system. Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% examination.
23398. Information systems analysis and software development
To study the concepts and methodologies in the analysis, specification, design and management of information systems. A team-based term project is used to reinforce the taught concepts and methodologies. Contents include: software engineering process; feasibility study; requirements analysis and specifications; user-interface design; software design and implementation; project estimation and planning; structured analysis and structured design; implementation and testing issues; overview of other software engineering paradigms such as object-oriented analysis and design, and formal methods and CASE tools. Assessment: 30% coursework, 70% examination. Examination: One three -hour written paper.
Prerequisites: 23117 and 23119; or 23249.
Department of Linguistics
B0201. Computational linguistics
The use of the computer in the study and analysis of language.
B0203. Conversation analysis
An introduction to the study and analysis of natural conversation.
B0207. Phonology I: systems of sounds
The notion of the phoneme and its place in phonology; distinctive features; phonological processes and their description; rules and representations.
B0208. Syntax I: describing grammatical patterns
A study of syntactic structure will reference to a variety of languages.
B0256. Phonology II: theory and explanation
Current theories of phonology, including Autosegmental phonology, Metrical theory, Lexical phonology, Optimality theory and other models.
Prerequisite: B0207.
B0257. Syntax II: the theory of grammar
The course explores recent theoretical approaches to syntax, focusing on generative grammar.
Prerequisite: B0208.
Department of Philosophy
07242. Philosophy of language
What is a language, and what is involved in knowing or understanding a language? In this course we will see how philosophers and linguists answer such questions as the following: What can logic tell us about the grammar of natural languages? Are human beings born with a universal grammar? What makes a word meaningful? What is the difference between what we mean and what we convey when we say something? How does a metaphor work? Can we learn something from slips of the tongue about the nature of language?
07265. The mind
What is the nature of the mind and how is it related to the brain? Is the mind identical to the brain, or is it an immaterial substance? Or is the mind the software of the brain? In this course we will look at different theories of the mind, such as dualism, behaviourism, materialism and functionalism. We will also address more specific issues such as: what is thinking and do we always think with images or symbols? What is consciousness and can it be explained scientifically? We might also look at other philosophical issues in psychology and Artificial Intelligence.
07280. Philosophy of cognitive science
Cognitive science is the attempt to acquire, through computer modelling and other means, an understanding of human cognitive capacities such as perception, reading, reasoning and decision making. The enterprise requires philosophical understanding of such questions as: What is involved in the acquisition of a set of concepts? How is it possible for a physical system to think and see? What is the relevance of the communicational behaviour of apes to an account of the human ability to use language? By what criteria should the usefulness of a model be judged? We shall look at the dispute between classical AI and connectionism, issues concerning the modularity of the mind (whether there are different subsystems in the mind performing different functions), the simulation debate (on the nature of our psychological knowledge) and recent work on vision and consciousness.
Department of Physiology
34204. Advanced cognitive neuroscience
An advanced course on coding in the Central Nervous System, the importance of neural networks within this system, and the relationship between receptors and behaviour, as exemplified by the visual system and visual processing. Neural network architecture, parallel distributed processing, motor control and language processing will also be covered. Assessment: 30% coursework, 70% examination.
Department of Psychology
14215. Cognitive psychology
This course covers how humans learn to deal with information from the environment. Topics include various aspects of perception, memory, concept structure and learning, and thinking. Students will be involved in conducting experiments on cognitive functioning as part of the coursework. Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% examination.
14218. Advanced cognitive psychology
This course covers some recent approaches in the field of cognitive psychology. Topics may include the cognitive unconscious in perception and memory, conditioning versus cognitive learning in humans, neural networks and information processing, as well as other topics reflecting the interests of the teacher. Student will be introduced to first-hand experience in designing and conducting experiments using instruments and computers as part of the coursework. Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% examination.
Prerequisite: 14215.
14248. Biological psychology
This course provides an introduction to biological aspects of behaviour. The topics include: biological bases of behaviour, development, learning, memory, and abnormal psychology; the nervous system; processes of brain maturation; genetic influences; psychophysiology. Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% examination.
14292. Computational models of behaviour
This course will explore the many aspects of psychological research that use computers as tools for understanding thought and behaviour. Topics covered will include traditional symbolic architectures in AI, expert systems, parallel distributed systems, intelligent agents, autonomous robots, situated systems, machine learning, and recent combinations of these approaches. The focus will be on the psychological contributions of these theories and methodologies. We will also look at how these advances help us build computers that are better suited for human use. Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% examination.
Department of Sociology
16251. Science, technology and society
This course looks at science and technology in their wider social context. It aims to provide students with an understanding of how science and technology have been shaped by social forces, and how they have influenced social developments in developed and developing countries. To this end, it will study the rise of science and technology in China, Europe and the United States, and look at the role of the various scientific and technological professions in these countries. It will also introduce students to key issues in the history and sociology of science, and the sociology of knowledge more generally. It will examine sociological issues such as images of science and their social uses, and examine the use of science as a resource in public policy. In addition to those wider issues, the course will look at sociological studies of scientific work in the laboratory, scientific culture, and the concept of 'fraudulent' or 'bogus' knowledge.
16329. Social research methods
The aims of this course are to introduce the basic principles and procedures which form the foundation of social research, to review the main types of research designs and methods of data collection used in social research, and to provide a set of criteria for analysing and evaluating the products of social research. The types of research covered will include participant observation, experimental design, survey methods and documentary analysis. Ethical and political issues in social research will also be discussed.
Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences
72215. Neurolinguistics
This course deals with the relationship between neurological damage and degeneration and speech and language disorders in adults. It will include some or all of the following topics: degenerative neurological conditions affecting speech and language; acquired disorders of speech and language, especially aphasia: neuropsychological and linguistic approaches to aphasia; the assessment and treatment of aphasia; its emotional and behavioural correlates. Assessment: 30% coursework, 70% examination.
Department of Statistics
17232. Statistical concepts and methods
This course is a natural sequel to 17103, taught at the same intermediate mathematical level. The course has two aims. Firstly, we aim to equip the students with the main concepts of statistical estimation and hypothesis testing, so that many other statistical ideas become accessible to the students. Secondly, we aim to provide exposure to statistics in a computer environment through the use of a statistical package such as JMP.
Prerequisite: 17103.
17241. Computer-aided data analysis I
In any study of the social sciences the investigator is faced with uncertainty and variability. Examples include the uncertain effects of a new fiscal measure and the variability in educational attainments of individuals. Measuring uncertainty, describing patterns of variability, and describing the inter -relationship between several variables are therefore essential aspect of social science investigations. These aspects require a good understanding of statistics. Against a background of specific social science problems, this computer-oriented but non-mathematical course develops the important concepts and methods of statistics. In particular, the student will learn data exploration, formulation of testable hypotheses, the evaluation of evidence and forecasting on the basis of past experience. Simple statistical software, JMP, will be used extensively, No prior knowledge of computers is assumed. Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% examination.
Prerequisite: 17101 or 17103 .
| Eligibility: | Students with Advanced Level Pure Mathematics are not permitted into this course. The course is not available if 17232 has already been taken. |
17328. Probability modelling
In this course we present the fundamental principles of probability theory through examples. The emphasis is on the modelling of systems which evolve with time in a random way, the so called 'random' or 'stochastic' process. Topics include: the Poisson process, which models evens such as accidents which occur randomly in time; branching processes, which model population growth; random walks, which model gambling and financial transactions; Markov chains; birth and death processes; diffusion processes, which are useful in modern finance theory; cognitive models of learning; models for no-claim discount systems in general insurance; collective risk models. Some use of standard computer packages, such as the matrix language IML within SAS, illustrate the topics on Markov chains. Examination: One three-hour written paper.
Prerequisite: 17106 or 17103 .
All Departments
14294. Seminars in cognitive science
This course will be a tutorial-based reading course in a specialist area of cognitive science. It will include presentations and group discussion of issues and concepts within the area, providing an integrative framework for courses in cognitive science taken earlier in the programme. Assessment: 100% coursework.
14295. Thesis in cognitive science
This course comprises an independent research study or dissertation in an area of cognitive science of the candidates' choice. Assessment: 100% coursework.
