Energy/Environment in Science, Technology & Advanced Research (eSTAR)
- Introduction
- Components of “eSTAR”
- Emphasis of the Various “eSTAR” Tracks
- Admission Arrangements, Eligibility, and Majors Allocation
- Application by SEE Year 1 Students
- Curriculum
- Supplementary Information
Introduction
As an option for SEE undergraduate students under the University’s Talents Programme, “Energy/Environment in Science, Technology & Advanced Research (eSTAR)” is a stream introduced in our two existing undergraduate programmes, namely Bachelor of Engineering in Energy Science and Engineering (ESE) and Bachelor of Engineering in Environmental Science and Engineering (EVE), for implementation from Semester A 2021/22, applicable to normative 4-year degree students of the 2020/21 entry and thereafter. With the introduction of the stream, it is expected that students will be equipped with cutting-edge skills and knowledge in emerging fields.
Components of “eSTAR”
The “eSTAR” stream encompasses (i) ESE or EVE major; (ii) a research component, and (iii) minor study in one of the four designated areas, namely Computing, Data Science, Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship, and International Business. The research component is intended to provide students with opportunities to work with faculty members in a one-to-one setting to pursue advanced knowledge while the minor study is intended to complement student’s major study.
| Major | X | Y |
|---|---|---|
|
Energy Science and Engineering (ESE) |
Research |
Minor (take any one of the following programmes) |
Emphasis of the Various “eSTAR” Tracks
Students will pursue one of the following 8 tracks with various emphasis according to their own interests and needs.
| Track | Major | X | Y | Emphasis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ESE |
|
COMP | Energy in digital societies |
| 2 | ESE | DSC | Big data in energy efficiency | |
| 3 | ESE | IME | Energy innovation and entrepreneurship | |
| 4 | ESE | IB | Energy in global business | |
| 5 | EVE | COMP | Environment & sustainability in digital societies | |
| 6 | EVE | DSC | Big data in sustainable cities | |
| 7 | EVE | IME | Environment & sustainability innovation and entrepreneurship | |
| 8 | EVE | IB | Environment & sustainability in global business |
Admission Arrangements, Eligibility, and Majors Allocation
Students of 2020 Cohort and thereafter admitted to 4-year degree programmes offered by SEE and having met the following minimum requirements can opt for the stream “eSTAR” at the time of admission or after one year of study.
| Entrant Type | Minimum Requirements |
|---|---|
|
High School Entrants |
|
| SEE Year 1 Students |
|
High school entrants will declare major, i.e. either ESE or EVE, before selecting courses for their first year studies. SEE Year 1 students will declare major at the end of their first year studies.
Application by SEE Year 1 Students
- Upon successful completion of the first-year studies, eligible students will be invited for eSTAR application via email from the School in June.
- Eligible students who have missed the application period in their first year of study are given one more chance to opt for eSTAR. They are however required to indicate their interest in eSTAR by writing an email to the School at see.enquiry@cityu.edu.hk in Semester A of their second study year the latest (by end of November).
Curriculum (2023 Cohort)
Gateway Education Requirement (30 credit units, including 9 credit units for School-specified courses)
School-specified courses for fulfilling the Gateway Education requirement
| Course Code | Course Title | Level | Credit Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA1167 | Engineering Communication | B1 | 3 |
| SEE1003 | Introduction to Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering | B1 | 3 |
| SEE3002 | Energy and Environmental Economics | B3 | 3 |
NOTE: After passing the placement test or demonstrating adequate preparation, high school entrants will be exempted from the course SEE1003 Introduction to Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering. Instead, they are required to take any Level B1 to B4 course of 3 credit units in the 4 designated minor programmes.
School Requirement (18 credit units)
| Course Code | Course Title | Level | Credit Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM1200 | Discovery in Biology | B1 | 3 |
| CHEM1300 | Principles of General Chemistry | B1 | 3 |
| Select either MA1200 or MA1300 | |||
| MA1200 | Calculus and Basic Linear Algebra I | B1 | 3 |
| MA1300 | Enhanced Calculus and Linear Algebra I | B1 | 3 |
| Select either MA1201 or MA1301 | |||
| MA1201 | Calculus and Basic Linear Algebra II | B1 | 3 |
| MA1301 | Enhanced Calculus and Linear Algebra II | B1 | 3 |
| PHY1201 | General Physics I | B1 | 3 |
| SEE1002 | Introduction to Computing for Energy and Environment | B1 | 3 |
| SEE2000 | Professional Development I | B2 | 0 |
| SEE4000 | Professional Development II | B4 | 0 |
NOTE: After passing the placement test or demonstrating adequate preparation, high school entrants will be exempted from the courses, namely CHEM1200 Discovery in Biology, CHEM1300 Principles of General Chemistry, MA1200 Calculus and Basic Linear Algebra I / MA1300 Enhanced Calculus and Linear Algebra I, MA1201 Calculus and Basic Linear Algebra II / MA1301 Enhanced Calculus and Linear Algebra II, and PHY1201 General Physics I.
Major Requirement
- Energy Science and Engineering (ESE) (73 credit units)
- Environmental Science and Engineering (EVE) (74 credit units)
X Component: Research (7 credit units or above)
|
Research Seminar (Course Coordinator: Prof. Yun Hau NG) |
1 credit unit |
|
Guided Study and Special Project (Course Coordinator: Prof. Jason LAM)
|
6 credit units |
|
MSc- or PhD-level Courses |
Optional |
| Total: | 7 credit units or above |
Guidelines and Assessment Forms
| Course | Guidelines | Assessment Forms (for supervisor's completion) |
|---|---|---|
| SEE4993 Research Seminar |
|
|
| SEE4994 / SEE4995 Guided Study in Energy and Environment | ||
| SEE4998 / SEE4999 Special Project in Energy and Environment |
Y Component: Minor (15 credit units or above)
Students may take one of the following minor programmes:
- Computing (COMP) – 15 credit units
- Data Science (DSC) – 18 credit units
- Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship (IME) – 15 credit units
- International Business (IB) – 15 credit units
NOTE: The courses (11 credit units in total), namely CS2311 Computer Programming, MA2503 Linear Algebra, and MA2506 Probability and Statistics, must be completed before taking DSC minor core courses.
Supplementary Information
Study Planning
- Students are required to consult their Major Leader to design a customized study plan after enrollment in the stream “eSTAR”.
- Students may be required to enroll in courses during the summer semesters to ensure adequate progress in their study.
Maximum and Minimum Number of Credit Units Required for the Award
- Students of “eSTAR” stream are expected to complete more credit units than regular ESE or EVE students. Nonetheless, the total number of credit units will not exceed 144.
- According to AR4.7.3 of Academic Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, double counting of courses is permissible between the College/School-specified courses under the Gateway Education requirement and the requirement of (i) minor, or (ii) second major, or (iii) double degree. However, the credit units would count only once toward the total credits attained by the student, regardless of the number of requirements the course serves to fulfil. In this connection, the minimum number of credit units required for the award for students of “eSTAR” stream is 125 (for ESE) and 126 (for EVE) respectively instead of 128 (for ESE) and 129 (for EVE), as course of 3 credit units to be taken in minor programme would be counted for fulfilling both GE requirement (School-specified course) and minor requirement.
Threshold for Studying under “eSTAR” Stream
Students are required to maintain a CGPA of 3.40 every semester throughout the study under the “eSTAR” stream. Those who are unable to achieve a CGPA of 3.40 will (i) be removed from studying under the “eSTAR” stream, and (ii) need to make up the 18 credit units of the exempted first-year courses by taking non-GE courses of 2000-level or above as approved by the Major Leader.
“Opt-out” from “eSTAR” Stream
Students are given choice of opting out but they are not allowed to be re-admitted to the “eSTAR” stream. In this regard, those who wish to opt out have to (i) consult the Major Leader, and (ii) make up the 18 credit units of the exempted first-year courses by taking non-GE courses of 2000-level or above as approved by the Major Leader.