Earth System ProgrammeScience

Faculty of Science |

Earth System Science (ESSC) studies the dynamics of the Earth as an integrated system that includes the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere and hydrosphere, as well as human impacts. Studying how our planet Earth works as a system constitutes the intellectual core and knowledge base for probing and solving many critical issues of public concern, such as global climate change, air and water pollution, natural hazards, biodiversity, energy resources, and sustainability. Major advances in our fundamental understanding of these issues have derived from scientific research that integrates traditional disciplines such as geology, meteorology and oceanography. With this in mind, the ESSC curriculum has been developed to educate a new generation of students under this interdisciplinary framework of “Earth System Science”. Our programme equips students with the necessary knowledge, analytical and quantitative skills, as well as research experience to tackle the major challenge of the 21st century, namely, our sustainable existence on this planet via a balanced and rational management of the environment and natural resources.

Our curriculum emphasizes basic sciences of the Earth System. Adoption of a system approach facilitates a fundamental understanding of various components of the Earth System and their complex interactions including the causes, effects and feedbacks within a unified framework. Students have ample opportunities to participate in externally funded research projects related to basic and applied problems in Earth System Science. To enhance students’ experience beyond a campus setting, internships and field trips are integral components of the curriculum.

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Faculty Staff (2016-2017)Teng-fong WONG, Professor & Program DirectorPh.D., Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyAreas: Earthquake mechanics, Rock physics applied to natural resources, Environmental hydrogeology

Andie Y. M. AU-YEUNG, Assistant LecturerPh.D., City University of Hong KongAreas: Tropical cyclone simulations, Regional climate Simulations, Tropical meteorology

Arthur C. H. CHENG, Adjunct ProfessorSc.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology Areas: Rock physics, Quantitative reservoir characterization, Acoustic logging, Geomechanics

Lin LIU, Assistant ProfessorPh.D., U. of Colorado, Boulder; George Thomson Postdoctoral Fellow, StanfordAreas: Remote sensing applied to earth system science, Evolution of cryosphere, Global environmental change

Gabriel N. C. LAU, Director, CUHK Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability; Professor by CourtesyPh.D., U. of Washington; Professor, GFDL/PrincetonAreas: Dynamics of atmospheric circulation, Atmosphere-ocean interactions, Model simulations of atmospheric variability, Impacts of climate change

Amos P. K. TAI, Assistant ProfessorPh.D., Harvard; Croucher Postdoctoral Fellow, MITAreas: Atmospheric chemistry and physics, Climate-chemistry-biosphere interactions, Agriculture-environment interactions, Impacts of global environmental change

Man-nin CHAN, Assistant ProfessorPh.D., Caltech; Postdoctoral Fellow, Lawrence Berkeley Nat. Lab.Areas: Atmospheric chemistry, Composition and chemistry of organic aerosols, Aerosol instrument techniques

Francis C. Y. TAM, Assistant ProfessorPh. D., Princeton UniversityAreas: Climate dynamics, Tropical meteorology, Seasonal climate prediction, Impact of climate change, Statistical and dynamical downscaling

Tammy P. Y. TAM, LecturerPh. D., The University of Hong KongAreas: Metamorphic petrology, Metamorphic P-T evolution, Geochronology, Hong Kong Geology

Hongfeng YANG, Assistant ProfessorPh.D., Saint Louis UniversityAreas: Subduction zone dynamics and megathrust earthquakes, High-resolution imaging of crustal fault zones and subsurface structure, Earthquake detection and location, Earthquake source mechanics

Earth SystemScience Programme

Amos P. K. TAI, Assistant ProfessorPh.D., Harvard; Croucher Postdoctoral Fellow, MITAreas: Atmospheric chemistry and physics, Climate-chemistry-biosphere interactions, Agriculture-environment interactions, Impacts of global environmental change

Man-nin CHAN, Assistant ProfessorPh.D., Caltech; Postdoctoral Fellow, Lawrence Berkeley Nat. Lab.Areas: Atmospheric chemistry, Composition and chemistry of organic aerosols, Aerosol instrument techniques

Francis C. Y. TAM, Assistant ProfessorPh. D., Princeton UniversityAreas: Climate dynamics, Tropical meteorology, Seasonal climate prediction, Impact of climate change, Statistical and dynamical downscaling

Tammy P. Y. TAM, LecturerPh. D., The University of Hong KongAreas: Metamorphic petrology, Metamorphic P-T evolution, Geochronology, Hong Kong Geology

Hongfeng YANG, Assistant ProfessorPh.D., Saint Louis UniversityAreas: Subduction zone dynamics and megathrust earthquakes, High-resolution imaging of crustal fault zones and subsurface structure, Earthquake detection and location, Earthquake source mechanics

Course Structure (4-year BSc Programme in Earth System Science)

The Atmospheric Science and the Geophysics Streams are two study schemes within ESSC which provide opportunities for more in-depth studies in one of these sub-disciplines. Atmospheric Science StreamStudents in the Atmospheric Science Stream will take advanced undergraduate level courses such as Atmospheric Dynamics, Ocean and Climate, Numerical Methods and other meteorology-related courses.

Geophysics Stream Geophysics is a sub-field in Earth System Science with a focus on studying the Earth using gravity, magnetic, electrical, and seismic methods. The Geophysics Stream aims to equip students with solid physical and mathematical foundations and a quantitative understanding of the solid Earth: its surface and internal structures, its movement, geohazards and mitigation, exploration of mineral and resources.

Year 1 - 2

• Introductory ESSC 6 units

• Foundation Science 15 units

• Basic Programming 3 units

Year 4

• Capstone project 6 units

• ESSC elective 3 units

• Other ESSC or supporting 9 units science electives

Year 2 - 3

• ESSC 18 units

• One area of supporting ≥8 units science

• Other supporting science 3 units

Admission Starting from 2016, JUPAS applicants could become a ESSC student at CUHK through one of the following two paths:

• Earth System Science Programme (Atmospheric Science/Geophysics) (JUPAS Code: JS 4633)

• Science – Broad-based Admission Scheme under the Faculty of Science (JUPAS Code: JS 4601)

Interested student please visit ESSC website for detailed information of admission requirements.

http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/sci/essc/ug_prg.html

The ESSC major adopts a three-layered curriculum structure that emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of the programme. The foundation layer consists of two introductory courses that provide an overview of Earth System Science, together with a broad foundation on the basic sciences and computing skills. The intermediate layer comprises a group of eight courses on four focus areas of the Earth System. A student must select at least six of these courses (with at least one from each focus area), supplemented by a choice of science courses that facilitate a deeper understanding of the Earth System. The top layer is a group of electives, including upper-level Earth System Science and relevant courses from other programmes, plus a required capstone research project. Students are required to complete 72 units of courses as follows:

Hightlights of ESSC Courses

Geoscience Field Course Kristy LO – We had outings every day during daytime, and discussion sessions afterwards. Not only were we equipped with practical field work skills, the application of knowledge learned in classroom allowed us to consolidate our understanding of the theories.

Introductory Courses• Exploring the Earth System• Solid Earth Dynamics• Climate System Dynamics• Geoscience Field Study• Biosphere, Climate and the Environment• Environmental Engineering

Intermediate-Level Courses• Structural Geology• Physics of the Earth• Atmospheric Dynamics• Atmospheric Chemistry• Ocean and Climate• Hydrogeology• Understanding Our Biosphere• Global Environmental Change

Upper-Level Courses• Continuum Mechanics• Geoscience Field Course• Engineering Geology• Petrology• Geomorphology• Seismology• Marine Geology and Geophysics• Boundary Layer Dynamics• Tropical Meteorology• Aerosol Physics and Chemistry• Air Pollution Science• Statistical Data Analysis• Numerical Methods and Modeling• Geospatial Information Management and Analysis• Remote Sensing — Principles and Applications

Victor, Dr. Tammy, Kristy and Gabriel

Exploring the Earth System provides an interdisciplinary platform for students to navigate the Earth System Science curriculum. In addition to attending lectures, students will undertake visits to the Hong Kong Observatory, Museum of Climate Change and a geological field trip.

Climate System Dynamics presents an integrated introduction to the climate system, emphasizing the dynamics of the atmosphere and its physical and chemical interactions with other Earth System components. It applies basic scientific and mathematical principles to explain the history, current state and future of weather and climate, natural hazards, and climate change under natural variability and anthropogenic influence.

Under the scientific framework of the plate tectonics theory, Solid Earth Dynamics explores the physics and chemistry, earthquakes and volcanoes, mysteries of minerals and rocks, the use of earthquakes waves to probe into the Earth’s centre, and many geological phenomena over a broad spectrum of temporal and spatial scales.

Gabriel FAN – Professors at Peking U. are all experts in the field and are all welcoming to share and discuss with students at the field.

Victor YAU – The friendly visit to the Seismological Centre broadened my views on the research field of our solid Earth system.

Student Sharing CHENG Ka Yan / 2016Studying in Earth System Science is always joyful and exciting. Knowledge taught in lectures is closely related to our daily life. Apart from lectures, we can go outside the classroom and prove whether the things we have learnt are correct. Through exploring different parts of the Earth system such as the atmosphere and lithosphere, I get the whole picture of Mother Earth in different dimensions – to recreate the past, understand the present and predict the future. It seems like watch-ing a non-stop drama that I never get bored. I have learnt a lot with great fun here. When we look at the sky, I can tell you how tall the cloud is. When we hold a rock, I can tell you the message hidden in it. That’s just cool, isn’t it? I am very grateful for being here.

Student Exchange Danny LEUNG / 2015Working at Harvard last year was an amazing and fruitful experience. I worked on the effect of climate change on ozone air quality in China, in which I acquainted myself with various data analysis skills as well as techniques of compiling and running earth system models. I adapted myself to the atmosphere of research among my seniors, inspired by their experiences and entertained by the anecdotes of groupmates which were fun and valuable. They bolstered my project by acknowledging my hard work and offering me much technical support. I acquired much knowledge and broadened my horizons and I'm now more enthralled in the field of Earth system research. Thanks for their encouragements and support, and this was an invaluable research experience in my life!

Placement Programme at the HKO Every year we send out a few qualified students to the Hong Kong Observatory for a fascinating internship opportunity to not only embark on weather and climate research, but also allow the students to experience first-hand the nature and routines of meteorological services. Both one-year and summer placements are available.

Mannie KAM / 2014Being able to work in the Hong Kong Observatory was one of the unexpected yet fruitful experience in the 4-year curricula (now 5) in CUHK. I still remember the nervousness of my first day of work, having no previous experience in a workplace. The colleagues there were very friendly and willing to guide me throughout the placement. During the internship I was responsible for mapping the monthly rainfall data in Hong Kong by using different interpolation methods. This opportunity has given me a handful experience in doing research and knowing my strength and weakness in solving a scientific problem.

Outside the working hours, the staff in HKO has kindly guided us in several outing tours like the King’s Park Meteorology Station and the office in Air Traffic Control tower. I have gained more insight about the tasks of the observatory and would strongly recommend people who are interested in this field to participate in this placement.

Tommy CHAN / 2014My research at HKO focused on using statistical methods to extract information about climate extremes in China from different data sources including model outputs, field observations and reanalysis of data. The ultimate goal was to detect, attribute and project regional changes in extreme events in China, which still remain largely uncertain. The major difficulties of the project included data incoherence and the significant effect of natural variability on extreme events. I explored different statistical tools to tackle the problems. Meanwhile, I contributed various data processing programs to my colleagues. Working at HKO was enjoyable. I met an excellent mentor, many friendly colleagues and student interns. All in all, I have learnt a lot of things which cannot be found in conventional curricula.

Sanders Theatre - Harvard University

Undergraduate Research Programme We offer research programme, in which students will have opportunity to work in a research group, laboratory, or field to explore interesting and challenging questions related to global environmental change, atmospheric science, and geosciences.Students: Louis CHAN, Gabriel FAN and Mannie KAMSupervisor: Prof. LIU LinHaving a chance to work as a team to practically utilize the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) on 3D modelling by structure from motion technique is a precious experience in our undergraduate study. We all had time to take the control of the plane and fly it over and around designed targets, taking photos with appropriate angles, distance intervals and route. Then, the Pix4D drone mapping software can help us generate a high resolution computer model. After consecutive trials, we have produced a manual on detail procedures on creating a model with high quality. This UAV will be used for outbound geological field excursions to simulate larger scale geologic structures. 3D Model of The Gate

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

Ground Penetrating Radar System for field investigation of subsurface objects and structures

Constant Aerosol Output Atomizer for generation of submicron sized particulate matter for laboratory study

PM Particle Counter for monitoring real time aerosol mass concentration

Graphics converted from raw meteorological Data

Analyzing Meteorological Data for Extreme Weather Events in Hong KongStudent: Perry MASupervisor: Prof. TAM Chi Yung FrancisThe project provides opportunities to apply knowledge learnt in several atmospheric science courses. The major task is to extract and analyse meteorological data in order to understand the initiation of the cold surge and possible reasons for extreme cold weather in Hong Kong early this year. It was a bit challenging but I felt so excited when I could handle it myself.

Professor Francis Tam, my supervisor, has helped me a lot throughout the project. We have regular meetings few times a month to discuss the progress of the project. He has provided me several advices for my reasoning when interpreting the data. The project is still on going. The effect of the El Niño will be further investigated. The project is a brilliant experience for me to explore more in academic research. I wish that interesting and useful results can be obtained after the project is done.

Research Activities The ESSC programme hosts a team of dynamic and outstanding faculty members. Their research agenda encompasses a broad spectrum of scientific areas in Earth System Science, including atmospheric chemistry and physics, climate system dynamics, meteorology, earthquake mechanics, hydrogeology, geophysics, geodesy, glaciology, rock physics, seismology, and structural geology. These interdisciplinary research fields are of fundamental importance for addressing critical global change issues such as climate change, ecosystem health, sea level rise, air pollution, energy resources, natural hazards, and sustainable development. We tackle these problems using state-of-the-art laboratory experiments and analysis, field studies, and supercomputers.

Our faculty members have been highly effective in developing research endeavours and published their research advances in high-impact journals such as Nature Climate Change, Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, Climate Dynamics, Geophysical Research Letter, and Journal of Geophysical Research. Many of the ESSC research studies have been cited by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment Report. Their research results and discoveries were also reported in local and international media, including the New York Times, Reuters, USA Today, South China Morning Post, and Ming Pao.

Seismometer and a monitor showing real time ground velocities (ground movement) recorded

Prof. Amos P.K. Tai (right), the first Hong Kong scientist to receive the WMO Research Award for Young Scientists

Weather in a Tank for geophysical fluid dynamics (GFD) experiment using a rotating tank

In recognition of their achievements, our faculty members received Best Young Researcher Award in Regional Air Quality Management, Hong Kong Research Grant Council Early Career Award, World Meteorological Organization Research Award for Young Scientists, and Outstanding Reviewer Award of Geophysics. Lastly but not the least, ESSC undergraduate students have been actively conducting research projects under close guidance from the faculty members, through which students have received rigorous training and gained valuable research experience. We also host visiting undergraduates from Mainland China, Taiwan, and Japan to conduct summer research.

Petrographic Microscope for identifying rocks and minerals in thin sections

Our faculty members have established an outstanding record in obtaining research funding. Each year, the ESSC programme attracts more than 4 million HKD from external funding sources. Current research projects investigate a wide range of frontier research problems, for example, ammonium sulfate particles, climate change impacts on potential storm surges in Hong Kong, ozone-mediated ecosystem changes, Tibet permafrost, porous sandstone properties, and megathrust slip, etc. We have established research collaborations with top universities and research institutes worldwide, including Caltech, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, University of California Berkeley, and many others in Mainland China, Europe, Japan, Korea, UK, and US.

Career Prospects Students who graduate with the ESSC degree will be well qualified for postgraduate work in any of the sub-disciplines in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, or in one of the many Earth System Science programmes that are emerging at institutions worldwide. The interdisciplinary nature of the ESSC major makes it an excellent preparation for employment in one of many environmental, climate, energy and geotechnical careers in both the private and government sectors. Graduates may embark on careers in education, research (e.g., climate modeling, weather forecasting, remote sensing, environmental protection, urban development), natural hazard reduction and risk management (e.g., at NGOs, government agencies, insurance companies), weather services, environmental consulting, and careers that require the skills of data mining, IT and GIS applications. Most importantly, the programme delivers the knowledge, skills, and values that are essential for an educated and responsible citizenry.

Copyright © 2016 Earth System Science Programme, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. All Rights Reserved.

Earth System Science Programme | Phone: (852) 3943 9624 Fax: (852) 3942 0970 Email: essc@cuhk.edu.hk Website: www.cuhk.edu.hk/sci/essc/

Postgraduate Programme ESSC is offering a graduate programme on Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EASC) at M.Phil. and Ph.D. levels. EASC is an interdisciplinary graduate programme and provides opportunities to students who are interested in conducting researches on fundamental and applied sciences of the geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and the interactions between them.

EASC Summer Workshop