Current Students

Current StudentsUndergraduate Studies

Undergraduate Studies

Major Requirements

RSC Accredited Intensive Major

Minor Requirements

Capstone Courses

Course Descriptions

Timetable

Academic Advising

Experiential & Exchange Learning Opportunities

Scholarships

Basic Laboratory Techniques (Videos)

Chemistry Leaflet (2025-2026)

Chemistry Leaflet (2026-2027)

Chemistry Leaflet (2027-2028)

Course Selection Advice

Chemistry Major Requirements (96 credits)

2026-2027
2025-2026
2024-2025
2023-2024
2022-2023
2021-2022
2020-2021
2019-2020
2018-2019
2017-2018

Self Photos / Files - RSC-logoAccredited-degree

The Chemistry Intensive Major Curriculum (144 credits) has been accredited by Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). This curriculum is also called the RSC Accredited Chemistry Programme.

Chemistry Intensive Major Requirements (144 credits)

2026-2027
2025-2026
2024-2025
2023-2024
2022-2023
2021-2022
2020-2021
2019-2020
2018-2019
2017-2018

To Year 2 Chemistry Students - Advice on Course Planning for Taking the RSC Accredited Chemistry Programme / Intensive Chemistry-Major Curriculum (message posted on October 2026)

Requirements for Minor in Chemistry

2026-2027
2025-2026
2024-2025
2023-2024
2022-2023
2021-2022
2020-2021
2019-2020
2018-2019
2017-2018

Capstone Courses for Chemistry Majors (2026-2027) Eligibility: 24 credits of advanced level disciplinary core/elective chemistry courses in the Chemistry Major; no exemptions allowed

COURSE	CHEM3999 Directed studies in chemistry	CHEM4910 Chemistry literacy and research	CHEM4911 HKUtopia	CHEM4966 Chemistry internship	CHEM4999 FYP Chemistry project
Time	Sem 1 or 2	Sem 2	Summer	Sem 1, 2 or summer	Yearlong
Course objectives	Offers an early research experience	Offers opportunity to research, read and learn about one chemistry topic to gain expert knowledge on it	Offers a student-centered learning experience that requires working as a group on a project	Offers a professional, chemistry-related working experience as an employee of a company, or intern in a research group	Offers an intensive and comprehensive research experience
Course work & outcomes	A one-semester version of the FYP Chem project course Requires literature and lab work Assessed for research ability and quality of research work	May/may not involve related lab work Assessed for literature research ability, knowledge and depth of understanding of topic	Completion of a project under the theme “Chemistry for Better Living” Graded on project quality, participation and collaboration	Experience how chemistry learned is integrated into real-life work Allow students to better understand their strengths and weaknesses to prepare for future careers	Requires literature and lab work Recommended preparation for graduate studies Assessed for quantity and quality of research work
Intake guidelines	Good GPA in major courses Strong interest in research Acceptance by a supervisor	All GPA Interest in proposed topic Acceptance by a supervisor	All GPA Interest in working as a group	All GPA Interviews Acceptance by supervisor	Good GPA in major courses Strong research interest Intensive work expected · Acceptance by a supervisor
Assessed items	Written research report Oral presentation	Literature review article Oral presentation	Written report Presentation Peer evaluation Participation	≥ 160 h FT or PT work, evaluated by employer Short report Short presentation · Pass/Fail	Written thesis graded by 3 professors 30 min oral presentation graded by a panel
Teaching provided	Research arranged with proposed supervisor Regular meetings with supervisor expected	2 h lecture on literature searching at start of Sem 2 Other aspects arranged with supervisor	Consultation and planning with coordinator in June Other aspects arranged with proposed supervisor	Training arranged by employer Regular meetings with employer expected	Research arranged with proposed supervisor Regular meetings with supervisor expected
Application details	Add/Drop deadline of Sem 1/Sem 2, having already identified a supervisor	Add/Drop deadline of Sem 2, having already identified a supervisor	May 31, 2025 Applying as a pre-formed group is encouraged	Nov for Sem 1 internship Apr for Sem 2 internship Jul for summer internship	Add/Drop deadline of Sem 1, having already identified a supervisor
Additional info			https://hkutopia.hku.hk/	Enrollment form on Course Moodle page Work can be internal (department research group) or external (company or research group) Nature of Internship work must involve application of chemistry knowledge and skills—this should be clearly indicated on enrolment form
Coordinator	Prof. S K Lee	Prof. X D Li	Dr. T L Li	Dr. K K H Ng	Dr. J Y Tang

Course Descriptions (2026-27)

(Please note that some courses may not be on offer in 2026-27.)

Programme Learning Outcomes

Major in Chemistry

Major in Chemistry (Intensive)

Course list

CHEM1011	CHEM1041	CHEM1042	CHEM1043	CHEM1044
CHEM2241	CHEM2341	CHEM2441	CHEM2442	CHEM2541
CHEM3141	CHEM3143	CHEM3144	CHEM3241	CHEM3242
CHEM3341	CHEM3342	CHEM3441	CHEM3442	CHEM3443
CHEM3445	CHEM3541	CHEM3542	CHEM3999	CHEM4142
CHEM4144	CHEM4145	CHEM4147	CHEM4148	CHEM4241
CHEM4242	CHEM4341	CHEM4342	CHEM4441	CHEM4443
CHEM4444	CHEM4542	CHEM4543	CHEM4910	CHEM4911
CHEM4966	CHEM4999

2026 - 2027 Timetable (Semester 1)
2026 - 2027 Timetable (Semester 2)
To Year 2 Chemistry Students - Advice on Course Planning for Taking the RSC Accredited Chemistry Programme / Intensive Chemistry-Major Curriculum (message posted in July 2023)
To Year 2 or above Chemistry Students - Minor changes in Timetable for some CHEM courses in 2023-24 (message posted in July 2023)

Course Selection Advisers (2026-2027) Jul 2026

Prof. AU-YEUNG, Ho Yu	Office: Rm 503, Chong Yuet Ming Chemistry Building Tel: 3917 4697 Email: hoyuay@hku.hk
Dr. YUEN, Angela Mai Yan	Office: Rm 602, Chong Yuet Ming Chemistry Building Tel: 3917 6077 Email: maiyan@hku.hk
Prof. TSE, Edmund Chun Ming	Office: Rm 403, Chong Yuet Ming Chemistry Building Tel: 3917 8943 Email: ecmtse@hku.hk
Dr. NG, Kenneth King Hei	Office: Rm 407, Hui Oi Chow Science Building Tel: 3917 5747 Email: kkn3@hku.hk

Office Hours for Student Consultation

Academic Staff	Day & Time	Office Location	Teaching - Chemistry courses
Prof. AU-YEUNG, Ho Yu	[Please make appointment in advance via email]	CYC 503	CHEM2341
Prof. CHE, Chi Ming	Please make appointment in advance via email	CYC 505	CHEM4341
Prof. CHEN, Aspen Xiaoyang	Please make appointment in advance via email	CYC 606	CHEM2441 CHEM3144
Prof. CHEN, Guanhua	Please make appointment in advance via email	CYC 605	CHEM3541 CHEM4543
Prof. CHU, Ivan Keung	Please make appointment in advance via email	CYC 502	CHEM2241 CHEM3241 CHEM4241
Prof. GUO, Zheng Xiao	Please make appointment in advance via email	HOC 108
Prof. HE, Jian	Please make appointment in advance via email	CYC 501	CHEM3445 CHEM4342 CHEM4441
Prof. HUANG, Zhongxing	Friday 9:00 am - 10:00 am [Please make appointment in advance via email]	CYC 601	CHEM3441 CHEM4443
Prof. JIANG, Haibo	Monday 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm [Please make appointment in advance via email]	CYC 603	CHEM4241 CHEM4242
Prof. LEE, Seungkyu	Please make appointment in advance via email	CYC 302	CHEM1043 CHEM2441 CHEM3999
Prof. LI, Philip Yongxin	Monday 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm [Please make appointment in advance via email]	CYC 305	CHEM3141 CHEM3442
Prof. LI, Xiang	Wednesday 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm [Please make appointment in advance via email]	KA 8N-12	CHEM3441 CHEM4148 CHEM4910
Prof. LI, Xiaoyu	Please make appointment in advance via email	G01C, KA 8N-22	CHEM3441
Prof. LI, Xuechen	[Please make appointment in advance via email]	CYC 405	CHEM4145 CHEM4444
Prof. LI, Ying	Friday 11:00 pm – 12:00 pm [Please make appointment in advance via email]	CYC 406	CHEM3241 CHEM4145
Prof. LIU, Junzhi	Monday 11:00 am – 12:00 nn [Please make appointment in advance via email]	HOC 405	CHEM3443 CHEM4342
Dr. NG, Kenneth King Hei	Wednesday 9:00 am – 10:00 am [Please make appointment in advance via email]	CYP 418C	CHEM3144 CHEM3242 CHEM4142 CHEM4966
Prof. OKURO, Kou	Please make appointment in advance via email	CYC 401	CHEM3445 CHEM4144 CHEM4147
Prof. PHILLIPS, David Lee	Please make appointment in advance via email	HOC 104	CHEM1043 CHEM4543
Prof. SUN, Hongzhe	Please make appointment in advance via email	CYC 304	CHEM3342 CHEM4341
Prof. TANG, Jinyao	Thursday 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm [Please make appointment in advance via email]	CYC 402	CHEM2541 CHEM4148 CHEM4999
Prof. TOY, Patrick Henry	Please make appointment in advance via email	CYC 404	CHEM2442 CHEM3442 CHEM4145
Prof. TSE, Edmund Chun Ming	Monday 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm  [Please make appointment in advance via email]	CYC 403	CHEM2241 CHEM4142 CHEM4144
Prof. WANG, Yufeng	Monday 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm [Please make appointment in advance via email]	HOC 408	CHEM3143 CHEM4147
Prof. YAM, Vivian Wing Wah	Please make appointment in advance via email	CYC 504	CHEM3341 CHEM4341
Prof. YAM, Chi Yung	Please make appointment in advance via email		CHEM3541
Dr. YAN, Xiaohui (Visiting Professor)	Please make appointment in advance via email
Prof. YANG, Jun	Thursday 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm [Please make appointment in advance via email]	HOC 409	CHEM3542 CHEM4542
Dr. YUEN, Angela Mai Yan	Tuesday 10:00 am – 11:30 am [Please make appointment in advance via email]	CYC602	CHEM1041 CHEM1044 CHEM2341 CHEM3341 CHEM3443
Dr. LI, Arnold Tin Lok	Monday 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm [Please make appointment in advance via email]	HOC227	CHEM1041 CHEM1042 CHEM1043 CHEM3342

Academic staff members are available for student consultation at the above specified periods. Students are most welcome to contact them either by email or by making an appointment in advance. Email addresses of academic staff can be located on the Department’s website at chemistry.hku.hk.

The University of Hong Kong as part of its emphasis on internationalization in education to nurture globally-minded thinkers and leaders, aims to provide opportunity for students to gain exceptional learning experiences outside Hong Kong. In the Department of Chemistry we encourage students to apply for various funding, exchange and experiential learning opportunites offered by the University. In addition the Department has arranged for some chemistry-specific experiences. Explore what programs have been arranged in the past and the upcoming opportunities.

A number of Scholarships/Prizes for outstanding students in chemistry are offered:

Dick Arthur Memorial Prize in Chemistry
Douglas Payne Prizes in Chemistry
G.T. Byrne Memorial Prize in Chemistry
Cheung King Pak Memorial Scholarship
Dorothy Collins Memorial Scholarships
Mak Kai Hung Memorial Scholarships
Norman Chui Scholarship
Rayson Huang Scholarships
Vacoas II Trust Scholarships

For details, please go here.

Videos on Chemistry Laboratory techniques, HKU Online Learning

Title 1: Must-read Information: Laboratory Safety

Title 2: Cleaning Laboratory Glassware

Title 3: Weighing on an Electronic Balance

Title 4: Measuring Liquids

Title 5: How to do a titration

Title 6: Filtration

Title 7: Solvent Extraction

Title 8: How to use a melting point apparatus

Title 9: How to do a TLC analysis

Title 10: How to use a colorimeter

Chemistry Leaflet (2025 – 2026)

Chemistry Leaflet (2026 – 2027)

Chemistry Leaflet (2027 – 2028)

Course Selection Advice

About HKU Chemistry
Curriculum and Course Structure of the BSc. Chemistry Major and BSc. Chemistry (Intensive) Major
Course enrolment guideline for Chemistry Major & Chemistry (Intensive) Major Students