The Department of Biology offers a three-year undergraduate programme in Applied Biology, with two interdisciplinary concentrations of Biotechnology and Environmental Science, leading to the degree of BSc (Hons) in Applied Biology. Courses are offered on a unit-based system. The course of study in the first and second years is compulsory. In the final year, students will be required to take up individual final year projects, in which they can gain in-depth knowledge, basic research techniques and training in writing theses. Students are trained for careers in agriculture, fisheries, biotechnology, biomedical science, nature conservation, environment management, pollution control, environmental assessment and restoration.

MPhil and PhD research degrees are an integral part of our academic ethos. Many of our higher degree projects are related to environmental issues of regional importance or current developments in a particular scientific field. In recognition of the scientific standing and expertise in the department, many research projects are jointly undertaken with institutes and universities, either overseas or from mainland China. The Department of Biology actively interacts with public organizations and industry to whom we provide expert advice and technical support. We have a wide range of sophisticated analytical instruments in our laboratories to facilitate these functions. This commitment to the community has been culminated through the formation of the Croucher Institute for Environmental Sciences to develop and integrate our collaborative research and scientific exchange programmes.