More about HKUST(GZ)
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Program Name
- Master of Philosophy in Carbon Neutrality and Climate Change
- Doctor of Philosophy in Carbon Neutrality and Climate Change
Program Short Name
- MPhil(CNCC)
- PhD(CNCC)
Mode of Study
- Full-time
- Part-time
Normative Program Duration
-
MPhil
Full-time: 2 yearsPart-time: 4 years
-
PhD
Full-time: 3 years (with a relevant research master’s degree), 4 years (without a relevant research master’s degree)Part-time: 6 years
Tuition Fees
-
Research Postgraduate Programs (with PGS) Full-time
CNY 40,000 per academic year
-
Research Postgraduate Programs (self-financing) Full-time/Part-time
CNY 150,000 per academic year
Program Advisor
- PG Programs Coordinator: Prof Luoye CHEN
Introduction
The MPhil/PhD program in Carbon Neutrality and Climate Change (CNCC) will offer specialized training to tackle and adapt to the challenges of climate change that arise due to the transition towards a low-carbon society. The energy transition calls for a comprehensive array of transformations that requires deep integration of AI+ science and engineering, social science and humanities, to create intelligent and innovative solutions. This huge change will have far-reaching implications for many areas over the coming decades. We seek to educate students and provide them with state-of-the-art knowledge and comprehension of carbon neutrality and how it relates to finance, policy and AI+ environmental science.
The program focuses on in-depth integration of multiple fields of humanities and social science with AI+ science and engineering. The course design emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach, which covers key areas such as low-carbon technologies, carbon neutrality economics and policies, green investment and financial strategies, and the integration of AI+ technologies. It aims to cultivate urgently needed, highly skilled, versatile talent who are competent in “dual carbon” work and can lead industry development. The program focuses on advanced research with an aim to place graduates in academia, research institutes, and industrial jobs that appreciate research capability and quality.
The MPhil/PhD program will furnish students with project-based training to prepare them for inclusion in an exclusive cohort of carbon and engineering professionals equipped with work readiness skills and a comprehension of the low-carbon economy. The program’s credentials are comparable to those of MPhil/PhD programs offered by leading universities in Europe and the United States.
This MPhil/PhD(CNCC) program will be the first of its kind in Asia, emphasizing carbon neutrality and climate change. Students will gain the knowledge, expertise, and assurance necessary to emerge as pioneers in carbon-neutral tactics and sustainable development.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the MPhil program, graduates will be able to:
MPhil
01
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the scientific, economic, and social factors affecting climate change and the shift toward low-carbon society.
02
Design and execute research projects that utilize advanced methodologies to make a meaningful contribution to existing knowledge in the field of carbon neutrality and climate change.
03
Effectively communicate research findings to specialized audiences such as policymakers, industry leaders, and academics.
04
Engage in interdisciplinary collaboration to devise and test solutions for climate change mitigation and carbon neutrality, with a focus on stakeholder engagement.
05
Utilize the acquired knowledge to develop a foundational research portfolio suitable for further academic or industry research pursuits.
On successful completion of the PhD program, graduates will be able to:
PhD
01
Demonstrate an in-depth and nuanced understanding of the scientific, economic, and social factors driving climate change and the transition to carbon neutrality at local, regional and global scales.
02
Independently design, develop, and conduct complex research initiatives that employ cutting-edge methodologies, aiming to fill knowledge gaps and advance the field of carbon neutrality and climate change.
03
Master the communication of research findings to a wide range of audiences, including policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and the general public.
04
Lead interdisciplinary research teams to create innovative solutions for climate change mitigation and carbon neutrality, incorporating a broad array of stakeholder needs and perspectives.
05
Analyze the ethical and social implications of different approaches to climate change adaptation and mitigation.
06
Develop a high level of expertise in addressing urgent challenges in climate change and sustainability, suitable for academic, governmental, or industrial research environments.
Note:
For MPhil in CNCC, please visit https://vptlo.hkust-gz.edu.cn/rbm/ or contact rbm@hkust-gz.edu.cn for details.
PHD PROGRAM SPECIFICS
Program Progression
First Year coursework
PhD Qualifying Exam
Written exam + oral exam
PhD candidacy
Other required coursework
Thesis and oral defense
PhD degree conferred
Curriculum
Minimum Credit Requirement
MPhil: 15 credits
PhD: 21 credits
* Credit Transfer: Students who have taken equivalent courses at HKUST or other recognized universities may be granted credit transfer on a case-by-case basis, up to a maximum of 3 credits for MPhil students, and 6 credits for PhD students.
1
Cross-disciplinary Core Courses
2 Credits
All students are required to complete either UCMP 6010 or UCMP 6030. Students may complete the remaining courses as part of the credit requirements, as requested by the Program Planning Committee.
2
Hub Core Courses
4 Credits
Students are required to complete at least one Hub core course (2 credits) from the Society Hub and at least one Hub core course (2 credits) from other Hubs.
Society Hub Core Course
Other Hub Core Courses
Students are required to complete at least one Hub core course (2 credits) from the Society Hub and at least one Hub core course (2 credits) from other Hubs.
3
Courses on Domain Knowledge
MPhil: minimum 9 credits of coursework
PhD: minimum 15 credits of coursework
Required Course List
Sample Elective Course List
To meet individual needs, students will be taking courses in different areas, which may include but are not limited to courses and areas listed below.
4
Additional Foundation Courses
Individual students may be required to take foundation courses to strengthen their academic background and research capacity in related areas, which will be specified by the Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee. The credits earned cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
Unless clearly demonstrating sufficient knowledge in the area, students entering the MPhil or PhD Program are required to take the following course in the first regular term of study:
5
Graduate Teaching Assistant Training
All full-time RPg students are required to complete PDEV 6800. The course is composed of a 10-hour training offered by the Institute of Educational Innovation and Practice (IEIP), and session(s) of instructional delivery to be assigned by the respective departments. Upon satisfactory completion of the training conducted by IEIP, MPhil students are required to give at least one 30-minute session of instructional delivery in front of a group of students for one term. PhD students are required to give at least one such session each in two different terms. The instructional delivery will be formally assessed.
6
Professional Development Course Requirement
Students are required to complete PDEV 6770. The 1 credit earned from PDEV 6770 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
PhD students who are HKUST(GZ) MPhil graduates and have completed PDEV 6770 or other professional development courses offered by the University before may be exempted from taking PDEV 6770, subject to prior approval of the Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee.
Students are required to complete SOCH 6780. The 1 credit earned from SOCH 6780 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
PhD students who are HKUST(GZ) MPhil graduates and have completed SOCH 6780 or other professional development courses offered by the University before may be exempted from taking SOCH 6780, subject to prior approval of the Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee.
7
English Language Requirement
Full-time RPg students are required to take an English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) Speaking Test administered by the Division of Language Education before the start of their first term of study. Students whose ELPA Speaking Test score is below Level 4, or who failed to take the test in their first term of study, are required to take LANG 5000 until they pass the course by attaining at least Level 4 in the ELPA Speaking Test before graduation. The 1 credit earned from LANG 5000 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
Students are required to take DLED 5001. The credit earned cannot be counted toward the credit requirements. Students can be exempted from taking this course with the approval of the Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee.
8
Postgraduate Seminar
CNCC 6900 and CNCC 6910 will be offered in different terms. Students are required to complete CNCC 6900 and CNCC 6910 in two terms. The credits earned cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
9
PhD Qualifying Examination
PhD students are required to pass a qualifying examination to obtain PhD candidacy following established policy.
10
Thesis Research
MPhil:
- i.Registration in CNCC 6990; and
- ii.Presentation and oral defense of the MPhil thesis.
PhD:
- i.Registration in CNCC 7990; and
- ii.Presentation and oral defense of the PhD thesis.
11
Remarks
All MPhil students will be admitted through the University-based MPhil Program (General) to facilitate students’ research under a project-based active learning model. Students will take cross-disciplinary core courses, seminars, field trips and other transferrable skill-enhancement activities. Students will declare to enter one of the MPhil programs under the Thrusts at the end of the first term, and follow the curriculum of the respective Program.
PHD ADMISSION
Admission Requirements