Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Environment and Resources Management

Programme Director: Prof OWEN, R Bernhart

The Bachelor of Social Sciences (Hons) in Environment and Resources Management is a full-time programme for graduates of Associate Degree or Higher Diploma (See requirement). The programme focuses on human interactions with the environment by emphasizing the management of natural resources. The programme explores the key issues that shape the outlook for world environment and the sustainable ways by which natural resources can be utilized. It aims to enable students to gain and apply technical knowledge within a multi-disciplinary systems paradigm to address complex natural and anthropogenic problems that impact the environmental condition. Special emphasis will be placed on habitat and resources management, renewable energy, carbon audit and management, green business, climate change, as well as practical skills in ecology and environmental assessment.

Specifically, the programme aims to:

1. Provide students with a foundational knowledge in both the natural and social sciences in order to apply interdisciplinary approaches in studying and analysing environmental issues;
2. Deepen students’ appreciation of natural environment and understanding of healthy ecological systems and a sustainable environment;
3. Develop students’ familiarity with and ability to utilize environmental research methodologies, ecological field skills and statistical tools to identify and critically analyse environmental and conservation issues in the local, regional and global contexts;
4. Heighten students’ sensitivity to conflicts and challenges in current issues concerning environmental conservation, urban development and resource management; and
5. Sharpen students’ understanding of the contents and impacts of specific environmental policies and legislations and planning requirements pertaining to environmental management.

The structure of the curriculum is as follows:

* subject to unit transfer

Requirements

This programme requires students to complete a total of 128 units, including Major Required Courses and Honours Project (39 units), Major Electives Courses (27 units), General Education Courses and Free Elective Courses (62 units). This programme is designed primarily for graduates of Associate Degree or Higher Diploma in the environmental conservation and related disciplines who wish to continue on to a Bachelor’s degree in Environment and Resources Management. They will normally be admitted directly into the third year of the programme, with the first and second years of study being exempted. Students who do not meet HKBU’s General Education and programme prerequisite course requirements are required to take make-up courses and to fulfil all course requirements as set for the first and second year studies of the programme. Associate Degree or Higher Diploma graduates in non-environmental disciplines may also be required to take additional units in environmental fields and/or General Education Courses.

The following are the titles and units for the various courses: