Bulletin Number Four 1985

Depa r tmen t o f B i o l ogy Biology is the branch o f science which deals w ith living things, from viruses to man. It is concerned w ith the structure, physiology, genetics and behaviour o f individual species o f living organisms, the inter­ actions among different species and their interactions w ith the environment. In addition to its intrinsic importance, biology is basic to agriculture, industry, fisheries, medicine, environmental protection and biotechnology. In some universities there are separate depart­ ments o f Botany, Microbiology and Zoology, which are concerned respectively w ith plants, microorgan isms arid animals. This University has chosen an integrated approach to the subject w ith 'botanists', 'microbiologists' and 'zoologists' working together in the same Department; so that staff members w ith different academic backgrounds can complement one another in both research and teaching at the molecular, cellular, organismic and population levels. The Department is fortunate in sharing alarge modem Science Centre w ith other science Departments (Biochemistry, Chemistry, Electronics, Physics, Mathematics and Statistics), and in having the Basic Medical Sciences Building (where the Pre-clinical Medical Departments are accommodated) only a few metres away. In addition, the Department operates a Marine Science Laboratory, which is located on the western shore o f Tolo Harbour, about one km away from the University Science Centre and a mushroom house, which is located on the Chung Chi campus for experimental cultivation o f edible fungi. Curriculum Undergraduate Programmes o f Studies The undergraduate programme takes four years, and students are required to select a major and a minor subject. Since 1983 ， freshmen who wish to study Biology as their major (or minor) subject w ill have some choice among their first-year courses dealing w ith the development o f life , microorganisms, human biology and environmental studies. A t the beginning o f the second year, students majoring in Biology can select their minor subjects and Biochemistry, Geography or Psychology are most frequently selected. The second-year courses aim to consolidate the students' knowledge o f the main groups o f living things through a study o f form and function. The third and fourth years form a coherent unit leading to the degree examinations. A t the beginning o f the third year, every student selects an area o f specialization or ‘stream' . The streams are Physiology, Ecology andMarine Biology, Microbiology and Genetics, Developmental Zoology and Plant Science. In addition, every student must prepare a Senior Seminar based on original research or a literature review under the close supervision o f a member o f the academic staff. Much o f the work is done during the summer vacation between the third and fourth years, and there are regular tutorial meetings w ith the Supervisor throughout the fourth year. An oral presentation is made early in January o f the fourth year as part o f a departmental scientific conference, and a written report is submitted before the end o f the fourth year. Postgraduate Programmes o f Studies The PhD programme was started in 1981. This research-oriented programme normally takes three years to complete, but those w ith a Master's degree from this University may take two years. Students may be required to take courses, tutorials etc., and are required to present seminars on topics to be approved by his Supervisor. A t the end o f the final year, a thesis must be submitted and an oral exam ination attended. The MPhil programme was introduced in 1972, replacing the one-year MSc programme. Students are required to take courses, present seminars and 12 RECENT DEVELOPMENTS