Programme Features
The Bioinformatics programme at HKUMed nurtures the next generation of global leaders in biomedical data science and digital healthcare technology, who are well equipped to excel in diverse career paths in the healthcare sector, public health services, innovative entrepreneurship, and research.
Bioinformatics cover a wide range of high-impact biomedical big data applications, including genomics, precision medicine, single-cell analysis, multi-omics systems biology, digital health technology, mobile health, artificial intelligence (AI) analysis of medical imaging data, electronic health record analysis, and global health & epidemiology.
The design of this BSc(Bioinformatics) curriculum recognises the wide spectrum of personal interests and diversity in career aspirations of a modern bioinformatics practitioner. It is well suited for students with an interest in both biomedical/health sciences and quantitative disciplines such as mathematics and computing, opening up to careers ranging from biomedical scientists who are skilled at performing analysis with bioinformatics tools, to computational biologists who can perform large-scale data analyses to solve biological questions (bioinformatics scientists), to software developers who build innovative computational or statistical tools for biomedical applications (bioinformatics engineers).
This programme is centred around a series of anchoring courses across the four-year curriculum. These anchoring courses enable vertical and horizontal integration of various courses from diverse disciplines across different year levels. The flexible design of the curriculum allows students to take a multitude of disciplinary elective courses in biomedical sciences, statistics, computer science, and biomedical engineering. The programme focuses on essential statistical data analysis skills, key algorithms for biomedical informatics, and fundamental concepts in modern genomic and health technology.
Programme Structure
Core Courses for Bioinformatics Major
Students are required to complete 240 credits of courses in the four-year curriculum, of which 96 credits are major courses, 36 credits are Common Core courses, and 18 credits are Language Enhancement courses. The remaining 90 credits are for minors and electives.
The core courses are divided into anchoring, foundation, project and disciplinary elective courses.
Anchoring Courses
Three anchoring courses are the centre-piece of the programme. It is expected that one anchoring course is taken in each of Year 1, 2 and 3/4 of the programme. These courses adopt a case-based problem-solving approach to support interdisciplinary integration of subject-specific content at each year level (horizontal integration), and provide a consistent backbone for the curriculum across different year levels (vertical integration). Students are required to complete the following anchoring courses:
- Introduction to Biomedical Data Science
- Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
- Big Data Biomedical Informatics
Foundation Courses
These courses, mostly to be taken in Year 1 and 2 of the programme, focus on concepts and practical skills in fundamental topics in bioinformatics, such as biochemistry, mathematics, statistics, and computer programming. Students are required to complete the following foundation courses:
- Perspectives in Biochemistry
- Computer Programming
- University Mathematics II
- Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra
- Probability and Statistics I
- Probability and Statistics II
Project: Capstone Experience
Each student is required to carry out an in-depth year-long research project in a specialised field of bioinformatics under the guidance of a supervisor who will provide continuous assessment of the student’s performance.
Disciplinary ‘Data Science Lab’ Courses
Taking an experiential learning approach, two innovative ‘Data Science Laboratory’ courses are offered to allow students to acquire hands-on computer programming and data analysis skills, and reinforce the underlying principles of mathematical, statistical, and algorithmic concepts through tailored dry-lab practical classes in genomics and digital health.
Students are required to complete one or both of the following courses:
- Genome Sequencing and Analysis
- Digital Health
Disciplinary Elective Courses
A wide range of specialised courses in bioinformatics, biomedical sciences, statistics and computer science can be chosen to fulfil the disciplinary elective courses. Students are required to take 3 to 4 courses from over 20 courses. Some example bioinformatics courses include:
- Structural Bioinformatics
- Biomedical Software Systems
- Global Health Informatics
- Biomedical Image Informatics
Minor Options & Electives Courses
Students can plan their studies with the remaining 90 credits in various manners. They may opt to take a minor and/or electives offered within the BSc(Bioinformatics) curriculum or in other curricula. The minor options offered in the BSc(Bioinformatics) curriculum include:
Minor in Digital Health
Example courses:
- Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
- Digital Health
- Biomedical Signals Processing and Modelling in Biomedical Applications
Minor in Biomedical Data Science
Example courses:
- Sequence Bioinformatics
- Global Health Informatics
- Statistical Machine Learning
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; and Mathematics 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
Fulfill 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
Fulfill 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 at Higher Level; and Mathematics at 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
Fulfill ONE of the requirements here
Second Language Requirement
Grade 4 in a language other than English;
or
Fulfill 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.
Professional Recognition & Career Prospects
BSc(Bioinformatics) graduates will be equipped with practical and transferable skills applicable to a rapidly maturing interdisciplinary field that is of high demand in research, hospital and industry, both locally and internationally. There is a strong growing demand for biotechnology and big data expertise in local/internationally research centres, as well as growing demand in the hospital and healthcare sector in analysis of clinical and public health data.
Some examples of tasks that graduates would be able to do include:
- Interpreting genetic testing results from patients and reporting findings to help clinicians to make treatment decisions.
- Identify patterns in epidemic outbreak-based electronic records of passengers on public transport in order to guide pandemic prevention strategies.
- Predicting how novel compounds interact with proteins to help identify new targeted therapies for diseases