UGEB2289
From Sky to Earth: A Natural Tale of the Greater Bay Area

Course Description

The Earth is an intricate and fragile system. Slight differences in the terrain of neighbouring areas on the Earth can lead to variations in climate, geology, and marine resources. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is located in the southern coastal area of China and has a subtropical climate influenced by the East Asian Monsoon. Two cities of the GBA, Hong Kong and Shenzhen, are geographically neighbours on the eastern side of the Pearl River estuary. Still, the interaction of oceanic, geologic, and atmospheric systems has shaped their local weather patterns and influenced the availability and distribution of natural resources.

This course highlights the geophysics, macroclimate, and marine science of the GBA and the microclimate in Hong Kong’s and Shenzhen’s areas. It aims to engage students in exploring the interconnectedness of the Earth and the sky through interdisciplinary subjects, thereby reflecting on human responsibilities to the natural environment, including the conservation of terrestrial ecosystems and the sustainable use of marine resources. The topics to be covered include the physics of meteorology, the principles of geology, astronomical relevance to climate, human influence on long-term climate, and natural disasters. Additionally, the course includes visiting meteorological institutions, geoparks, and high-tech marine companies.

No. of units

3

Medium of Instruction

The course will be delivered in English. The medium of instruction during visits and field trips may be Cantonese or Putonghua.

Fee

A deposit of HKD 1,000 is required but will be fully refunded upon completing the course and all related activities.

Application

Students must have completed or enrolled in at least one of the two GE Foundation courses (UGFH1000 or UGFN1000) at the time of application. Students should complete an online application form by 5:00 pm on 7 March 2025, uploading a personal statement and a copy of an updated academic transcript at CUHK. The personal statement will serve as an important reference for selecting students for the course. Students may explain their motivation for taking the course and personal expectations. It should be no longer than 500 words in Chinese or English.

Important Dates

Notes

Organising a summer course involves extensive planning and coordination in advance. Therefore, the course will not follow the regular schedule of course enrollment. Once the admission results are announced, shortlisted students will be required to indicate their acceptance of the offer and pay a caution deposit of HKD 1,000 as soon as possible. The deposits will be fully refundable on the successful completion of the course. The Office of University General Education will then proceed with the course enrollment on CUSIS. Once successfully enrolled, students will not be allowed to drop the course except under special circumstances.

• The course is not open to students majoring in Environmental Science (ENSC) or Earth and Environmental Sciences (EESC).
• Students should have completed or enrolled in at least one of the two GE Foundation courses (UGFH1000 or UGFN1000).
• Participants should possess valid travel documents for travel to mainland China.

Enquiry

For any queries, please email: natalieli@cuhk.edu.hk