Environmental Management - Faculty of Science, HKU - The ...

The MSc(EnvMan) is an inter-faculty multi-disciplinary coursework programme. Theprogramme will involve part-time study for a period of two years or full-time study forone year. The programme provides comprehensive training in the field of environmentalmanagement, addressing both the major environmental problems and their social, legaland economic context. The contents of the programme have evolved as Hong Kongitself has changed, but the basic objective of providing a broad, integrated overview hasremained the same. The teachers are internationally-recognized experts in their fieldsand have many years of experience in Hong Kong. The programme started in 1989and its several hundred graduates are now pursuing successful careers in governmentdepartments, environmental consultancies, NGOs and various industries. For moreinformation about the programme, please visit the following website: http://www.hku.hk/science/prospectives/pg/coursework/envmgtAdmission in September 2012The MSc Programme in Environmental Managementhas been launched since 1989. There are more than 550graduates now pursuing successful careers in governmentdepartments, environmental consultancies, NGOs andvarious industries. The programme offers:• A multi-disciplinary coursework programme with mostteaching on weekday evening. The programme willinvolve part-time study for a period of two years or fulltimestudy for one year*.• An integrated overview of the field of environmentalmanagement, addressing both the major environmentalproblems and their social, legal, ecological and economiccontexts.• Course materials focused on Hong Kong, but with a stronginternational and comparative dimension.• Courses taught by ecologists, engineers, earth scientists,planners, economists, lawyers, and environmentalists fromHKU, as well as local practitioners in the field.* The new full-time mode is offered from 2012-13 and issubject to approval.

Programme Structure (2012-13)The list of courses and their contents may be changed from timeto time.First Year – Core courses (27 credits)ENVM7003 Introduction to ecology 3 creditsENVM7012 Environmental economics and analysis 3 creditsENVM7013 Sustainability, society and environmentalmanagement3 creditsENVM7014 Environmental quality management 6 creditsENVM7015 Research methods and report writing inenvironmental management3 creditsENVM7016 Environmental policy 3 creditsENVM7017 Environmental law in Hong Kong 3 creditsAnd select one course from the following list:ENVM7018 Environmental field studies 3 creditsENVM7019 Intensive residential field studies 3 creditsSecond Year – Core courses (12 credits)ENVM8004 Dissertation 9 creditsENVM8006 Environmental impact assessment 3 creditsSecond Year – Elective courses (15 credits)ENVM8003 Conservation biology and management 3 creditsENVM8010 Earth science andenvironmental management3 creditsENVM8011 Environmental auditing and reporting 3 creditsENVM8012 Environmental health andrisk assessment3 creditsENVM8013 Air and noise pollution controland management3 creditsENVM8014 Special topics inenvironmental management3 creditsENVM8015 Directed studies inenvironmental management3 creditsENVM8016 Conservation and managementof freshwater ecosystems3 creditsENVM8017 Conservation and managementof marine resources3 creditsENVM8018 Urban planning and environmentaimanagement3 creditsENVM8019 Corporate social responsibility 3 creditsCourse Contents (Provisional)First Year – Core CoursesENVM7003 Introduction to ecologyThis course deals with the ecological processes determiningthe distribution and abundance of organisms, and whichin turn govern the structure and function of communitiesand ecosystems. The focus of the course is on how anunderstanding of ecology is important for environmentalmanagement. Together with lectures and student-centredlearning, this course also incorporates a practical fieldworkcomponent based at the Swire Institute of Marine Science.ENVM7012 Environmental economics and analysisThe aim of this course is to equip students with the ability toundertake an economic analysis of the environment. It examinesthe environment in the context of the market mechanism andpolicies for improving environmental performance. There isan emphasis on market failure and strategies for internalizingthe external costs of environmental damage. A good deal ofattention is paid to cost-benefit analysis and methodologies forthe valuation of the environment. There is also a considerationof alternative policy instruments from an economic perspective.This course further examines means of managing resources ina way that is both economically and environmentally efficient.ENVM7013 Sustainability, society and environmentalmanagementThis course begins with the intellectual debates on thedefinitions, conceptions and different schools of thoughtof the notion of sustainable development. The coursethen moves on to exploring ways of analyzing sustainabledevelopment at the macro- and the micro- levels, rangingfrom governance issues, frameworks, policies to projects.A number of tools for sustainable development are alsoexplained including community engagement, sustainabilityassessment, life cycle assessment, etc. Each year there willbe a special focus on a thematic area such as sustainableenergy, low carbon living, or planning for sustainable cities,to illustrate the challenges of implementing both local andglobal sustainability.ENVM7014 Environmental quality managementThis course introduces students to the types, sources and effectsof environmental pollution and some of the key principlesand strategies used in combating pollution and managingenvironmental quality. Topics include water and air qualitymanagement, solid waste management and noise pollutioncontrol, with an emphasis on the situation in Hong Kong. Aspectsof pollution control legislation and its enforcement, environmentaleducation and conservation will also be covered.ENVM7015 Research methods and report writing inenvironmental managementThis course is intended both as preparation for the dissertation,which forms a major part of the second year of theprogramme, and as a general introduction to writing reportson environmental issues. It is taught as a series of lectures,seminars and workshops. Subjects covered include: selectinga topic; the scientific method; asking questions; searching forinformation; surveys and interviews; the case study approach;formats, styles and presentation; avoiding plagiarism; citingsources; giving oral presentations; dealing with the media;basic data processing and data analysis.ENVM7016 Environmental policyThis course focuses on processes of environmental policymaking: how policy agendas emerge and evolve, the driversand barriers influencing policy development, institutionalstructures for environmental policy making, stakeholder

engagement, and the implementation of environmentalpolicy. Theories of policy making are explored in relation to theenvironment and sustainable development. Environmentalpolicy making systems and outcomes are reviewed throughlocal and international case studies.ENVM7017 Environmental law in Hong KongThis course focuses on the statutory interpretation of the fourprincipal Ordinances and subsidiary legislation dealing withpollution in Hong Kong; namely the Water Pollution ControlOrdinance, the Air Pollution ControlOrdinance, the Noise Control Ordinanceand the Waste Disposal Ordinance. Someconsideration will also be given to theDumping at Sea Ordinance, the RadiationOrdinance, the Merchant Shipping(Prevention and Control of Pollution)Ordinance, the Environmental ImpactAssessment Ordinance, the Ozone LayerProtection Ordinance and internationalconventions effecting the law. Students will study the natureof environmental offences, including the requirement forproving “mens rea” (intent) in order for certain offences tobe successfully prosecuted. Students will also be introducedto the principles of judge made law (the Common Law) andwill learn to read and interpret relevant case law in order tobetter understand the current sentencing policies towardsenvironmental offenders, both locally and in other CommonLaw jurisdictions.ENVM7018 Environmental field studiesThis is an experiential learning course. This course aims tobroaden students’ horizon and knowledge base on key aspectsof environmental management and natural conservationthrough a series of field studies and visits to local and overseasorganizations. Topics include conservation and biodiversitymanagement, waste and wastewater treatment processes,water treatment processes, and corporate environmentalmanagement in practices. Field studies will be conductedin form of guided visits, field work, and invited lectures orforums according to the topics involved. Study trips outsideHong Kong such as Macau, Mainland China and Taiwan maybe considered. Students are required to attend at least 50%of all field trips organized over the two years of study period.ENVM7019 Intensive residential field studiesThis is an experiential learning course. This course aims to teachstudents with the field survey and study skills in biodiversityassessment through an intensive residential field course.Students taking this course have to conduct hands on fieldsurveys of common plant and animal groups in Hong Kongsuch as vascular plants, mammals, birds, amphibians, reptilesand butterflies. Overseas field trip may be arranged for extrapractices in field surveys.Second Year – Core CoursesENVM8004 DissertationThe dissertation is an individual, independent research projectcarried out under the supervision of one or more Facultymembers. Students may propose their own topics andapproach possible supervisors, or they may consider thosetopics suggested by faculty members. Normally, the studentdevelops the research outline in collaboration with his or herFaculty advisor(s) and then collects data, carries out analysis andwrites the report prior to the research colloquium where thestudent will present his/her work. The candidate shall makea formal presentation on the subject of his/her dissertation asrequired by the programme organizers, during the final semesterof the teaching programme.ENVM8006 Environmental impact assessmentEnvironmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is one of the mostimportant contemporary instruments of environmentalmanagement. Used widely around the world to identify theimpacts of development projects as well as strategic plans andpolicies, EIA plays a key role in many regulatory systems for theenvironment. This course reviews the development of differentapproaches to EIA, basic analytical principles, administrative andlegal systems for EIA, assessments at the project and strategiclevels (SIA), and case study applications in Hong Kong.Second Year – Elective CoursesENVM8003 Conservation biology and managementConservation biology is the essential scientific element in biodiversityconservation. The course will cover the basic principles and methodsof conservation biology in a non-technical way. In reality, successfulbiodiversity conservation projects often require an integration ofthe welfare of local communities. As such, practical examples fromHong Kong and elsewhere will be used as case studies to illustratethe importance of different elements in conserving our biodiversity.ENVM8010 Earth science andenvironmental managementThis course examines major issues of earth science of relevanceto environmental management. Case studies based on pastexperiences with application to Hong Kong and other major coastalcities are emphasized. Topics include: chemical composition ofearth materials; geochemical surveys; aspects of human health;quaternary record of environmental change; aspects of waterresource management; natural and human-induced hazards; coastalmanagement; aspects of waste disposals, etc.ENVM8011 Environmental auditing and reportingThis course is dedicated to the construction of an integratedenvironmental management system (EMS). The course considersthe design of the EMS, its implementation and issues ofcontinuous improvement. Environmental auditing is dealt with inthe context of the systems-based approach. This course examinesaudit methodology, measurement and quality assurance. Theapproach is extended to the auditing of supply chains (particularlyin China). Emphasis is placed on practical approaches to improvingenvironmental performance over time. Methods and techniquesof reporting on systems and auditing include both environmentalreports as well as social and sustainable development reports.ENVM8012 Environmental health and risk assessmentEnvironmental Risk Assessments (ERAs) are a tool to determinethe likelihood that contaminant releases, either past, current,or future, pose an unacceptable risk to human health orthe environment. Currently, ERAs are required under variousregulations in many developed countries so as to supportdecision-makers in risk characterization or the selection ofcost-effective remedial cleanup. This course introduces thetheory and practice of human and ecological risk assessments.Students completing the course will gain a sound knowledgeof the concepts and principles of ERAs, management andcommunication as applied in practice; understand the basicrisk assessment tools (i.e. prospective, retrospective and tieredapproaches) to environmental risk management; be able to selectand apply the simpler tools to tackle risk issues; and appreciatethe interpretations of risk and its role in environmental policyformulation and decision making.

Programme Duration and Class SchedulesThis programme will involve part-time study for a period oftwo years or full-time study for one year*. Teaching takesplace mainly on weekday evenings, but there may be a fewsessions on Saturday, as well as a small number of field trips.All lectures are given in English.* The new full-time mode is offered from 2012-13 and issubject to approval.Targeted StudentsMost students who enter the programme have experiencein one of the relevant sub-disciplines – engineering, ecology,environmental chemistry, teaching, planning, journalismetc. However, the MSc is also suitable for fresh graduatesand people working in other areas who intend to pursuea career in environmental management, or simply want toenhance their understanding of the field.AssessmentCourses in the programme are assessed in a variety of ways,by written coursework, examinations, or both. A dissertationon a topic of the student’s choice forms a major part ofthe second year.PrizesEach year Ada and Arthur Hill Prize in EnvironmentalManagement and Fred Kan and Co Prize are awarded tomeritorious students.RequirementsA Bachelor’s degree with Honours in any field. Workexperience is useful but not essential.ApplicationApplication will be considered from March 1, 2012 until allplaces are filled.Course details can be downloaded fromhttp://www.asa.hku.hk/admissions/tpg/prospectusor http://www.scifac.hku.hk/pg/prospective/tpgOnline application can be accessed viahttp://www.asa.hku.hk/admissions/tpgProgramme DirectorDr Kenneth M Y LeungAssociate Prefessor, School of Biological SciencesTel: 2299 0607 Email: kmyleung@hku.hkTuition FeesThe composition fee for the full-time programmeis HK$100,000 # for the 2012 intake and that forthe part-time progamme is HK$50,000# per yearfor two years. The fee shall be payable in twoinstalments over one year for full-time study or infour instalments over two years for part-time study.In addition, students are required to pay CautionMoney (HK$350, refundable on graduation subject tono claims being made) and Graduation Fee (HK$350).For occasional students, the tuition fee is HK$2,000 #per credit.# Subject to approvalFaculty of ScienceThe University of Hong Kong12 Chong Yuet Ming Physics Building, Pokfulam Road, Hong KongTel: 2241 5287 Fax: 2858 4620 Email: science@hku.hk http://www.scifac.hku.hk/pg/prospective/tpg