(See also General Regulations, pp. 1 to 16)

Bachelor of Science (BSc)

Master of Science (MSc)

Master of Science in Environmental Management (MSc[EnvMan])

Admission requirements

Sc 40 To be eligible for admission to the courses leading to the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Management a candidate

Sc 40A A candidate who does not hold a Bachelor's degree with honours of this University or another qualification of equivalent standard may in exceptional circumstances be permitted to register if he demonstrates adequate preparation for studies at this level and satisfies the examiners in a qualifying examination.

Qualifying examination

Sc 41

Award of degree

Sc 42 To be eligible for the award of the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Management a candidate

Length of curriculum

Sc 43 The curriculum shall extend over not less than two academic years of part-time study, with a minimum of 300 hours of prescribed work and shall include a written examination.

Completion of curriculum

Sc 44 To complete the curriculum, a candidate

Dissertation

Sc 45 The title of the dissertation shall be submitted for approval by June 1 of the first academic year and the dissertation shall be submitted not later than June 1 in the second year of study; the candidate shall submit a statement that the dissertation represents his own work undertaken after registration as a candidate for the degree. The candidate shall make a formal presentation on the subject of his dissertation as required by the programme organizers, during the final semester of the teaching programme; and the dissertation and presentation shall count as the equivalent of two full courses.

Examinations

Sc 46 The examination in any course shall consist of elements prescribed by the course teachers, and will normally comprise either written coursework alone, or coursework combined with formal examination; in either case participation in field work or practical work may form part of the examination.

Sc 47 A candidate who has failed to satisfy the examiners at his first attempt in not more than half of the number of courses to be examined during the first year of study, or in not more than half of the courses, excluding the dissertation, in the second year of study may be permitted

Sc 47A A candidate who presents himself for re-examination in any subject shall not be eligible for the award of more than a pass mark in that subject.

Sc 48 A candidate who has failed to satisfy the examiners in more than half of the number of courses to be examined during any of the academic years of study, or in any course at a repeated attempt, may be recommended for discontinuation of studies.

Sc 49 A candidate who has failed to satisfy the examiners in the dissertation

Sc 50 A candidate who is unable because of his illness to be present for one or more papers in any written examination may apply for permission to present himself at a supplementary examination to be held before the beginning of the following academic year. Any such application shall be made on the form prescribed within two weeks of the first day of the candidate's absence from the examination. An examination in these circumstances shall not be subject to regulation Sc 47A above.

Examination results

Sc 51 At the conclusion of the examination, a pass list shall be published in alphabetical order. A candidate who has shown exceptional merit at the whole examination may be awarded a mark of distinction, which shall be recorded in the candidate's degree diploma.

SYLLABUSES FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE
IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

COURSES

The list of courses, and their contents set out thereafter, may be changed from time to time.

First year

A candidate shall follow and be examined in eight courses, or their equivalent, in the first year of study.

All courses are compulsory:

Semester I

98101.  Quantitative methods for environmental management

98102.  Environmental economics

98104.  Introduction to ecology

98112.  Planning, environment and sustainability

Semester II

98113.  Water quality management

98114.  Air and noise quality management

98115.  Solid waste management

98111.  Seminar on environmental management

By June 1 students must have submitted their dissertation titles for approval by the Board of Studies. They will be expected to make a start on the work for this dissertation during the long vacation.

Second year

A candidate shall follow and be examined in nine courses, or their equivalent, in the second year of study.

Semester I

1. One compulsory course:

98201.  Theories of environmental management

2. Two of the following:

98206.  Pollution studies II: air and noise pollution control

98207.  Pollution studies II: water pollution control

98208.  Pollution studies II: solid waste pollution control

3. One of the following:

The pollution studies II paper not taken under 2.

98209.  Earth science and environmental management

98210.  Conservation biology and management

98212.  Soils and the environment¹

¹  This is also offered in the Faculty of Architecture as course 65909.

Semester II

All courses are compulsory:

98202.  Comparative environmental policy and law

98203.  Urban development planning and environmental impact assessment

98204.  Environmental case studies seminar

The Dissertation (equivalent to 2 courses)

The Dissertation (98205) will be written during the second year. Attendance at a colloquium at which presentations based on the work for the dissertations is required. This takes place in March. The final version of the dissertation must be submitted no later than June 1.

COURSE CONTENTS

First Year

98101. Quantitative methods for environmental management ¹

Quantitative information is crucial to our understanding of relationships in the geophysical and biological systems which constitute our environment. Yet, gaps often exist in our data bases and in some cases the relationships are so complex and variable that decisions must be made under considerable uncertainty. This course provides an overview of important statistical techniques and emphasizes issues associated with the use of quantitative information in environmental decision-making.

98102. Environmental economics²

Economic analysis approaches environmental management questions through the systematic comparison of benefits and costs associated with the various technological and planning options. Often, in the case of the environment, such comparisons are particularly difficult because the benefits (and sometimes the costs) are not in money terms. The first part of this course provides a summary of basic concepts in economic analysis (e.g., comparing of marginal costs and benefits). The second part focuses on topics of particular importance to the economic assessment of the environment (e.g., externalities, common property resources) and an introduction to project evaluation techniques.

98104. Introduction to ecology

Definition; habitats; biogeographical distribution and abundance; evolution and adaptation; population dynamics; inter-specific interactions; trophic levels and energy flow; the ecosystem concept; biological diversity and community stability/disturbance; man and his environment; extinctions/habitat destruction; biological conservation; human populations, technology and environmental change; monitoring change in the biological world.

98112. Planning, environment and sustainability

This course focuses on the interface between planning systems and environmental management using the concept of sustainable development as an integrating conceptual framework. The evolution of the concept of sustainability is discussed and attention is focused on the development and use of sustainability indicators, policies for sustainability and the transition to sustainable development paths.

¹  Formerly 'Statistics for environmental management '

²  Formerly 'Environmental and resource economics '

98113. Water quality management

The importance of water; the hydrological cycle and water resources; types of water pollution; potable water quality and supply; wastewater characteristics; monitoring of water and wastewater; biological effects of water pollution; wastewater treatment processes; legislation for water quality management; water pollution in Hong Kong.

98114. Air and noise quality management

Pollutants and sources of air pollution; air pollution index; plant/animal/atmosphere relations; air /land /water interactive systems; effects of pollutants on crops, natural vegetation, man, other animals; rising CO₂ levels and their significance; biological effects of other pollutants; nuclear winter; aerial organisms; measurement of air pollution; meteorology and micro-meteorology; introduction to air dispersion modelling; source control of air pollutants.

Sound; noise measurement; noise sources; indoor acoustics; effects of noise on man; noise transmission; noise pollution modelling; noise abatement; legislative control

98115. Solid waste management

Legislation for management of wastes; sources, types, characteristics, and quantities of wastes; environmental effects; waste management options; waste prevention, reduction and recycling; storage, collection, transport, and treatment of wastes; final disposal; economic evaluation.

98111. Seminar on environmental management

This seminar series provides an opportunity for presentation and discussion of topics which serve to integrate the various disciplinary inputs to the programme. Topics include emerging environmental concerns in Hong Kong and the region, developments in the methodology and practice of environmental management and case study experiences. Seminars will be presented by University staff and invited participants including representatives of government departments, industry, consultancies and other local and visiting academics.

Second Year

98201. Theories of environmental management

The first part of this course examines the changing social, political and organizational context for environmental management since 1945. It evaluates changing paradigms for environmental management, the evolution of the international environmental movement and the emergence of green politics, green consumerism as well as changing business attitudes to the environment. Particular emphasis is placed on the emergence of the concept of sustainable development.

The second part of this course builds on the introduction to project evaluation and benefit-cost analysis provided in the environmental economics course. Topics include identification of benefits and costs, issues associated with discounting, techniques for monetizing certain types of non-monetary impacts, and methods for dealing with those impacts described in non-monetary terms.

98202. Comparative environmental policy and law

This course consists of two major elements:

98203. Urban development planning and environmental impact assessment

This course consists of two basic elements:

98204. Environmental case studies seminar

This course consists of a series of special topics, drawn from both Hong Kong and abroad, which illustrate how the various professional disciplines come together in the treatment of environmental problems.

98205. Dissertation (equivalent to 2 courses)

The dissertation is an individual, independent research project carried out under the supervision of one or more faculty members. Students may propose their own topics and approach possible supervisors, or they may consider those suggested by faculty members. In either case, the proposed dissertation title must be submitted for approval by June 1 of the first year of their study. Normally, the student develops the research outline in collaboration with his or her faculty advisor and then collects data, carries out analysis and writes the report between June and May (i.e., during the summer and most of the second year of the programme). The deadline for submission of the dissertation is June 1 of the second year of the programme.

98206. Pollution studies II: air and noise pollution control

Micrometeorology ¡X mixing height, lapse rate, stability classification; air dispersion modelling ¡X gaussian model, wind-tunnel model, plume rise; source control of air pollutants ¡X cyclones, electrostatic precipitators, wet scrubbers, absorbers; sources of noise ¡X vibration and sound generation; noise transmission ¡X air borne and structure borne; noise pollution modelling ¡X computer models, noise abatement ¡X vibration control and absorption; legislative control ¡X local and international.

98207. Pollution studies II: water pollution control

Water treatment for potable supplies ¡X catchments, reservoirs, treatment plants, pipes and tanks; treatment of waste water ¡X screening, coagulation/flocculation, sedimentation, activated sludge, trickling filters and RBC, anaerobic processing, sludge digestion, disinfection, tertiary treatment, final sludge disposal; industrial wastewater treatment; modelling and dispersion; ecological impact of treated effluent discharges.

98208. Pollution studies II: solid waste pollution control

Agricultural waste disposal; sewage sludge and marine dumping; collection and transportation of solid wastes; treatment ¡X mechanical, biological, thermal, chemical and physical; final disposal of wastes; management of landfill sites; restoration of degraded land; the ecology of reclamation.

98209. Earth science and environmental management

This course will examine major issues of earth science of relevance to environmental management. Case studies based on past experiences with application to Hong Kong and other major coastal cities will be emphasized. Topics include: chemical composition of earth materials; geochemical surveys; environmental application of isotopes; geological and geochemical aspects of human health; geological record of environmental change with special reference to the Quaternary period; fluvial processes and flood management; coastal processes and coastal management; environmental impact of mining and dredging; geological aspects of land use planning, of water resource management, and of waste disposal.

98210. Conservation biology and management

This course is concerned with biodiversity issues in environmental management. The major topics covered will include: the nature and value of biological diversity; global and local patterns of biodiversity; current threats to global biodiversity; the design and management of nature reserves; conservation genetics; ex situ conservation; methods for the assessment of the conservation value of a site; conservation of terrestrial and marine biodiversity in Hong Kong.

98212. Soils and the environment

This course has been designed to encompass the essential ingredients of soil science in relation to vegetation and conservation relevant to landscape, planning and environment practices. Topics will include: soil organic matter; structure and tillage; fertility and pollution; drainage; irrigation; erosion; non-agricultural applications; urban soils; turfgrass and soil.