Programme Features
The BBiomedSc is global in outlook, with flexibility given to students to tailor their learning towards their area of interest, be it biomedical research, articulation to a healthcare profession, or innovation and entrepreneurship.
Biomedical sciences cover a wide range of scientific and allied disciplines, including molecular and cell biology, genetics and genome science, bioinformatics, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, biological and medicinal chemistry, immunology and microbiology, and public and environmental health. The study of biomedical sciences focuses on the relationships between humans, health, and disease, translating biomedical applications of basic sciences to the clinical practices of health services and the healthcare industry.
The 21st century is widely regarded as an age of ‘biomedicine’. With the foundation of its excellent track record in biomedical research and a strong team of biomedical scientists, the Faculty offers the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBiomedSc) programme with the aim of nurturing graduates with multidisciplinary knowledge across key biomedical disciplines. They will be well prepared for careers in the wide spectrum of biomedical science related areas. Such careers include research and development for the pharmaceutical, diagnostics, medical devices and laboratory instrumentation industries; research in universities, government and medical laboratories; management and entrepreneurship in the fast-changing healthcare-related economy; clinical trials management; healthcare media and communication; health promotion, hospital administration and healthcare planning. They will also have acquired an excellent foundation for articulation to medical, veterinary sciences and other health-related professional programmes through graduate entry, and for future MPhil/PhD studies.
The BBiomedSc curriculum is designed with a good balance of structure and flexibility, allowing students to plan their studies according to their individual and diverse interests. The focus of the Biomedical Sciences core courses is to cover:
- the structures and functions of the human body and the processes that are essential to life
- the basic principles of the processes, mechanisms, patterns of diseases and concepts of therapeutic strategies
- the essential analytical methodologies and the state of the art of contemporary information technology in the field of biomedical sciences
“As a student of biomedical sciences here at the University of Hong Kong, you will be equipped with core and broad knowledge of the biomedical disciplines, preparing you for the challenges in contemporary and innovative health delivery and research.”
Professor Danny Chan
Interim Director, School of Biomedical Sciences
Programme Structure
The BBiomedSc curriculum is designed with a good balance of structure and flexibility, allowing students to plan their study according to their individual interests. The focus of the Biomedical Sciences core courses is to cover:
- the structures and functions of the human body and the processes that are essential to life;
- the basic principles of the processes, mechanisms, patterns of diseases and concepts of diagnostics and therapeutics, and
- essential analytical methodologies and state-of-the-art contemporary information technology in the field of biomedical sciences
Students are required to complete a total of 240 credits of courses in the four-year curriculum, of which 96 credits are Biomedical Sciences major courses, 36 credits are Common Core courses, and 18 credits are Language Enhancement courses. The remaining 90 credits are for minor and electives.
“Active learning is a critical part of student learning – learning about DNA structure through building models is a great experience for the first year students.”
Professor Julian Tanner
Associate Director (Teaching & Learning), School of Biomedical Sciences
The introductory courses consolidate students’ knowledge of anatomy, human biology, human physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology which are all necessary to understand the basis of human biology and processes that are essential to life. Students are required to complete the following introductory courses:
- Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Perspectives in Biochemistry
- Biostatistics
- General Chemistry I/Foundations of Chemistry
- Basic Biomedical Laboratory Techniques
Example courses:
- Human Anatomy
- Biomedical Pharmacology
- Physiological Basis of Health and Disease
- Exercise Physiology
- Human Genetics
- Fundamentals of Clinical Trial Management
- Physical and Health Benefits of Exercise
- Research Methods in Medicine and Health Sciences
The advanced courses provide students with a foundation in the cellular, molecular and genetic basis of human diseases, as well as strategies for diagnosis. In the last year of study, students are required to undertake a Final Year Project or the Biomedical Innovation Team Project. The Final Year Project constitutes a capstone experience for students, allowing them to integrate their knowledge and apply experimental and informatics skills to solve defined problems by research. The Biomedical Innovation Team Project provides a capstone experience for students, allowing them to integrate their knowledge in biomedical sciences previously acquired, and knowledge in business and marketing introduced in this course to translate biomedical research to viable products.
Students are required to complete the following advanced courses:
- Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory
- Final Year Project/Biomedical Innovation Team Project
Plus any four of the following:
- Medical Microbiology
- Molecular Biology of the Cell
- Mechanisms and Pathology of Diseases
- Infection and Immunity
- Biomechanics and Biomedical Technologies
- Sequence Bioinformatics
- Biopharmaceutical Research and Development
- Emerging Infectious
- Molecular Neuroscience
- Biological Basis of Exercise and Health
- Exercise and Chronic Disease
Students can plan their study with the remaining 90 credits in various manners. They may opt to take a minor and/or electives offered within the BBiomedSc curriculum or offered in other curricula. The minor options offered in the BBiomedSc curriculum include:
Minor in Biotechnology & Clinical Research
Example courses:
- Contemporary Topics in Biomedical Technology
- Stem Cell Biotechnologies in Regenerative Medicine
- Business Aspects of Biotechnology
Minor in Kinesiology
Example courses:
- Exercise Physiology
- Biological Basis of Exercise and Health
- Physical and Health Benefits of Exercise
Minor in Genetics & Genomics
Example courses:
- Cancer Biology
- Genome Science
- Public Health Genetics
Admissions Information
For JUPAS Candidates
From 2022 onwards, the result of the Mathematics Extended Part (Modules 1 and 2) will be recognised as equivalent to that of a full elective.
In addition to satisfying the University entrance requirements, candidates for admissions shall satisfy all of the following requirements in HKDSE:
b) attain at least level 3 in two electives, one of which must be:
(i) Biology or
(ii) Chemistry or
(iii) Combined Science with Biology as one of the components or
(iv) Combined Science with Chemistry as one of the components
Scoring Formula
The best 6 subjects of HKDSE will be taken into consideration for admissions.
Consideration of Other Factors
- Interview performance
- Student learning profile
Consideration of HKDSE Combined Results & Penalty for HKDSE Repeaters
- Latest results in 2 or more sittings of HKDSE
- Penalty will be imposed on subjects which were retaken
Interview
Before release of HKDSE results
- Jun 2023
After release of HKDSE results
- Jul 2023
For Non-JUPAS Candidates
Expected Lower Boundary for Admissions ^
3A (excluding Chinese and English language subjects)
Subject Requirements
Biology or Chemistry at A Level
English Language Requirement
(a) Grade C in English Language at GCSE/GCEO;
(b) Grade C in English First Language at IGCSE;
(c) Grade B in English as a Second Language at IGCSE;
(For GCSE/IGCSE which uses the new 9-1 grading system, Grade 5 will be taken as equivalent to Grade B and Grade 4 will be taken as equivalent to Grade C, for the purpose of satisfying (a), (b) or (c) above)
(d) Grade C or better in English Language or English Literature at GCE AS/AL;
(e) Level C1 or an overall score of 180 in Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English;
(f) Grade C or an overall score of 180 in Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English;
or
Fulfil ONE of the requirements here
Second Language Requirement
Grade E in a language other than English;
(For GCSE/IGCSE which uses the new 9-1 grading system, Grade 3 will be taken as equivalent to Grade E, for the purpose of satisfying the above)
or
Fulfil ONE of the requirements here
Additional Requirements
Preference for First Choice Applicants
Interview
Dec 2022 – Apr 2023
Advanced Standing
Applicants with GCE A-Level, Cambridge Pre-U or IB Diploma qualifications and at least seven years of secondary education at the time of being admitted to the University will be granted 18 credits of Advanced Standing. These are made up of 6 credits for Core University English course and 12 credits of the Common Core courses provided that students take one Common Core course in each Area of Inquiry.
Advanced Standing will be granted automatically and separate application is not required. You will be contacted by the Faculty Office should Advanced Standing be granted.
Kindly contact medfac@hku.hk for any enquiries.
^Each programme sets the Expected Lower Boundary for Admissions at what is deemed to be a competitive level. Please note that achieving a score higher than the lower boundary does not guarantee admission to the programme.
Expected Lower Boundary for Admissions ^
36
Subject Requirements
Biology or Chemistry in Higher Level
English Language Requirement
(a) Grade 4 in HL/SL English Language A: Language and Literature;
(b) Grade 4 in HL/SL English Language A: Literature;
(c) Grade 4 in SL English – Text and Performance;
(d) Grade 4 in SL English – Literature and Performance (A1 syllabus);
(e) Grade 4 in HL English Language (B Syllabus);
(f) Grade 5 in SL English Language (B Syllabus);
(g) Grade 4 in HL/SL English Language (A1 or A2 Syllabus);
Note:
“Higher Level” is referred to as “HL”, and “Standard Level” as “SL”
or
Fulfil ONE of the requirements here
Second Language Requirement
Grade 4 in a language other than English;
or
Fulfil ONE of the requirements here
Additional Requirements
Preference for First Choice Applicants
Interview
Dec 2022 – Apr 2023
Advanced Standing
Applicants with GCE A-Level, Cambridge Pre-U or IB Diploma qualifications and at least seven years of secondary education at the time of being admitted to the University will be granted 18 credits of Advanced Standing. These are made up of 6 credits for Core University English course and 12 credits of the Common Core courses provided that students take one Common Core course in each Area of Inquiry.
Advanced Standing will be granted automatically and separate application is not required. You will be contacted by the Faculty Office should Advanced Standing be granted.
Kindly contact medfac@hku.hk for any enquiries.
^Each programme sets the Expected Lower Boundary for Admissions at what is deemed to be a competitive level. Please note that achieving a score higher than the lower boundary does not guarantee admission to the programme.
Possible Articulation Pathways
Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (4 years)
+3 Years
Veterinary Surgeon
at The University of Edinburgh
+1.5 Years
Diagnostic Radiographer
at The University of Sydney
+4 Years
Medical Doctor
at The University of Hong Kong
Professional Recognition & Career Prospects
Biomedical Sciences graduates will be equipped with practical and transferable skills applicable to a wide range of areas in both public and private sectors. Major employment areas include research in university and government laboratories; medical development and management for the pharmaceutical, diagnostics, medical devices industries; and hospital and healthcare planning. BBiomedSc students can participate in overseas exchange and/or articulation programmes in the third year of study for obtaining professional qualification after graduation.
“Science is more that just knowledge, but the art of questioning the world. BBiomedSc provides a variety of articulations, encouraging students to explore the meaning of life beyond textbooks and lectures, equipping them to question the world, pursue their dreams, and strive for excellence.”
Fong Hoi Chun
BBiomedSc 2019
“Through the biomedical sciences curriculum, we aim to encourage more students to find and develop their passion for research and innovation and nurture an entrepreneurial mindset to translate biomedical research finds into clinical applications that can benefit society.”
Dr Stephanie Ma
Associate Professor, School of Biomedical Sciences
