DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY, HONG KONG BAPTIST UNIVERSITY

The Geography Department offers three undergraduate programs. The BSSc (Hons) in Geography course emphasizes balanced training in geographic techniques, environmental geography, and human and regional geography. The overall aim is to provide students a comprehensive and well-rounded knowledge of the discipline. The BSSc (Hons) in China Studies-Geography Option focuses on the study of China from a geographical perspective. The curriculum enables students to analyze the in-depth the complexities of the geography in contemporary China. The BSSc (Hons) in Geography and BEd (Hons) in Liberal Studies Teaching programme is a newly introduced four-year full-time programme leading to the award of two Honours degrees, i.e. Geography and Liberal Studies Teaching.

BSSc (Hons) in Geography (or the Geography Major)

Students enrolled in the BSSc (Hons) in Geography Course are required to complete 96 units to graduate, including 60 units in Major Subjects and 36 units in Complementary Studies Subjects. The 60 units of geography subjects provide students with a comprehensive training in the discipline, progressing from the introductory to the advanced levels, over a three-year period. The Complementary Studies subjects enable students to acquire an appreciation for other discipline outside of geography. The Honours Project, which is mandatory, enables students to complete a piece of significant, independent study on a geographic topic of their choice under the supervision of a faculty member in the Department. Moreover, all geography students must participate in the mandatory Field Camp of the Department, which is conducted during the second semester of Year II. This 7-9 day trip takes place outside of Hong Kong, and offers an invaluable learning experience for students.

BSSc (Hons) in Geography and BEd (Hons) in Liberal Studies Teaching

This is a four-year full-time programme leading to the award of Honours degrees in two distinct disciplines: Geography and Education Studies. The programme will provide students with knowledge and skills in the academic discipline of Geography and a recognized teaching qualification for teaching Geography and Liberal Studies in schools. Students are required to complete 131 units to graduate, including 51 units of Geography courses, 50 units of Education courses, 24 units of Complementary Studies courses, and 6 units for the Honours Project with a geographical theme. Students in this programme will be required to undertake periods of school experience and teaching practice. Moreover, they are also required to participate in the mandatory Field Camp of the Geography Department at the end of Year II.

BSSc (Hons) in China Studies (Geography Option)

The BSSc (Hons) in China Studies-Geography Option introduces students to the rapidly expanding horizons of the geography discipline and the study of China from a geographic perspective. The course is comprised of five components, namely Course General Requirement (1 unit), Complementary Studies subjects (24 units), Social Science Foundation subjects (9 units), Option Discipline subjects (36 units), and China Studies subjects (27 units), making up a total of 97 units required for graduation. A distinctive feature of the China Studies course is the Summer Sojourn Program in association with Tsinghua University in Beijing. Though it does not carry any units, it is mandatory for every student and takes place during the summer of Year II. During the 4-5 weeks at Tsinghua University, students receive intensive training in Putonghua, participate in field excursion in the Beijing area, attend seminars on topics concerning current issues in China, and visits to geographic research institutions in Beijing. In addition, all China Studies-Geography Option students must participate in the compulsory Field Camp of the Department, which is to be conducted during the second semester of Year II. The Field Camp lasts for 7-9 days, and takes place outside of Hong Kong. Moreover, students are required to complete an Honours Project for 3 units, which is a piece of independent study on a topic concerning China under the supervision of a faculty member of the Department.