Common Core CurriculumThe Common Core Program is a key part of the undergraduate education, complementing studies in specialist disciplines and other learning opportunities. Since the last implementation of the Common Core Program in 2012, there have been speedy changes in global technology trends, and the rising importance of cross-disciplinary studies. In this context, the objectives, structure, and implementation of the Common Core Program and its components are revised to adequately equip students for future challenges. The new framework will take effect from the academic year 2022-23. All undergraduates admitted from 2022-23 and thereafter will follow the new 30-credit program framework. The new 30-credit Common Core framework adopts a scaffolding structure with 3 tiers of common core groups (i.e., Foundations group, Broadening group, and Experiencing group) which provide students with more inter‐disciplinary and experiential learning opportunities. A new competency framework is introduced to help students acquire, develop, and practice competencies that are essential for their study and future. The table below shows the common core groups, common core areas and requirements: 
Requirements
The Foundations group includes the Chinese Communication, English Communication, Cognitive Foundations of University Education: Critical Thinking and Data Literacy (CTDL), and Behavioral Foundations of University Education: Habits, Mindsets, and Wellness (HMW). These courses aim at providing the core skillsets and mindsets training to students. Students are recommended to take them preferably in Year 1. Students may take one course from the Broadening group to substitute for course in CTDL area. Transferred credits granted in any common core area in Broadening group cannot be used to fulfill credit requirement of CTDL area. For Broadening group, students from different major programs will have different minimum credit requirement for each area in the Broadening group. In general, students should fulfill program-specific credit requirement so as to achieve the Broadening requirement. However, if student wish to take course(s) in the Broadening group to substitute for courses in CTDL/UxOP areas, they can take any course from the Broadening group at HKUST regardless of their major program. Transferred credits granted in any common core area in Broadening group cannot be used to fulfill credit requirement of CTDL/UxOP areas. Students are required to take and complete one common core course in E-Comm area at HKUST before taking any common core courses in Broadening group. Please refer to following paragraphs to identify which E-Comm course to be taken. Students who have not granted transferred credits in E-Comm course are required to complete either CORE 1401 Intensive English Language for University Studies or CORE 1402 English Language for University Studies before taking any common core courses in Broadening group. Students who have granted transferred credits in CORE 1402 English Language for University Studies are required to complete either CORE 1403 Academic English for University Studies or CORE 1404 Advanced Academic English for University Studies before taking any common core courses in Broadening group. The Experiencing group will require students to choose any one out of the four structured programs offered as the Undergraduate experiential Opportunities Programs (UxOP):
Each UxOP will have a different focus but they will all be experiential, inter-disciplinary, and involve communications with stakeholders outside the student’s home discipline. Alternatively, students may take one course from the Broadening group to substitute for courses in UxOP area. Transferred credits granted in any common core area in Broadening group cannot be used to fulfill credit requirement of UxOP area. |
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