Elective Courses in General Education
Course Content
Preface
The essence of general education is to promote students’ comprehensive development, adapt to changing situations, and meet the needs of modern society. In contemporary society, what is needed are talented individuals with broad knowledge, strong character, and a balance of humanistic and scientific spirit. The general education curriculum system at the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) aims to cultivate high-quality, competitive talents, contributing to Macau’s economic development and social progress.
The general education curriculum is an essential part of MUST’s undergraduate education plan, designed to develop talents and enhance student quality. Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must complete a certain number of credits in both required and elective general education courses. In addition to the compulsory courses, the elective courses cover various subject areas within general education. Students choose courses based on the specific requirements of their respective faculties.
MUST’s general education elective courses are divided into three categories: Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Humanities and Arts. Generally, students must complete 2 credits in each of these categories, totaling 6 credits of general education electives (note).
Note: All students studying for a bachelor’s degree must take 6 credits of elective courses in general education (except for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery and individual programs)."
Each category of general education electives at MUST features renowned instructors, including faculty members and distinguished experts from various fields in China. Some are even Changjiang Scholars or lead the construction of national-level quality courses. For example, in the Science and Technology category, the ‘Masters Series of Science and Technology’ invites academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and the Academia Sinica (Taiwan) to deliver talks. The university aims to provide a diverse and high-quality general education curriculum for MUST students.
This overview introduces the courses in each category, allowing students to gain a comprehensive understanding of the general education offerings, course content, and information about instructors. It helps students make informed choices based on their specific circumstances when selecting suitable general education courses.
Department of General Education, Macau University of Science and Technology
June of 2024
The general education elective courses include
Science and Technology Category
Astronomy
Earth Science
Environmental Science
Life Science
Masters Series of Science and Technology
Special Topics in Science and Technology
Social Sciences Category
Sociology
Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Politics
Introduction to International Relations
Public Administration
Chinese History
History of Macao
Introduction to Philosophy
Global Issues
Special Topics in Social Science
Humanities and Arts Category
Films Appreciation
Selective Readings of Modern Chinese Literature
Appreciation of Traditional Chinese Poems
Selective Readings of Masterpieces in World Literature
Music Appreciation
Fine Arts Appreciation
World Culture Heritage
Appreciation of Culture and Arts
Special Topic in Language Learning
Special Topic in Humanities and Arts
Note1: The above stated courses are usually offered to undergraduate students admitted in and/or after 2019/2020. In addition to the courses listed above, the Department of General Education will also make available a great diversity of electives in the form of special topics based on the program curriculum.)
Note2: Bachelor’s degree programs in the School of Liberal Arts only comprise specialized subjects in the above categories.
Course Description:
Science and Technology Category
Astronomy
Course code: GSS001 Credits: 2
Course introduction
Astronomy is an important subject in the field of contemporary natural sciences. It involves studies on the Universe, as well as the various astronomical objects and materials in the Universe. In other words, it studies the origin, structure, material composition, movement patterns of the entire Universe and the various astronomical objects in the Universe, plus their relationships with the mankind.
This course has the following teaching objectives: to popularize the basic knowledge, basic theories, basic methodologies and development history of astronomy, and to introduce the latest information and accomplishments of development of astronomy as a field, including the frontier research orientations of astronomy and latest achievements in space exploration. It requires the students to grasp a certain amount of basic knowledge, understand some basic theories and basic methodologies, learn to apply the relevant knowledge to provide scientifically reasonable explanations for some astronomical phenomena, cultivate interests in astronomy, improve their own scientific and humanistic qualities, and build an advanced outlook on the Universe, be able to use sensible points of views to analyze the relationships between the mankind and nature, and use the right scientific values to guide their own behaviors and contribute to the coordinated development of nature and society.
This course acts on the principle of combining theories with practices, and adopts mainly lecturing, and extraordinary exercises so as to help students grasp the required knowledge.
Earth Science
Course code: GSS002 Credits: 2
Earth Science is another important category in contemporary natural sciences, which involves the position of the Earth in the Universe, its origin, structure, composition, and movement patterns, as well as the relationship between the mankind and the Earth.
This course aims to popularize the basic knowledge, theories and methodologies in relation to earth science, and introduce the latest information and achievements of Earth science as a field. It requires students to grasp a certain amount of basic knowledge, understand some basic theories and methodologies, learn to apply the relevant knowledge to explain certain Earth science phenomena scientifically, grow an advanced value system on the Earth and the Universe, be able to use reasonable points of views to analyze the relationship of mankind and the Earth, guide their own behaviors with scientific principles and contribute to the coordinated development of nature and society.
This course acts on the principle of combining theories with practices, adopts the combined methodologies of lectures, in-class discussions, in-class experiments and outdoor internship, and aims to help students to grasp the necessary knowledge and improve abilities.
Environmental Science
Course code: GSS003 Credits: 2
Course Introduction
As an emerging comprehensive subject, Environmental Science aims to reveal environmental patterns, that is, the basic rules and patterns of human-environment interactions. This course has generalized the basic environmental patterns to consist of environmental diversity, human-environment harmony, rules and patterns, and synergy of five fundamental rules, i.e., natural rules, societal rules, economic rules, technology rules and environmental rules, based on which the course proposes four basic principles. The course incorporates the research findings of environmental science in recent ten years, takes revealing the basic environmental patterns as its main line, and approaches to interactions between human beings and environment with respect to population and environment, atmospherical environment, water environment, soil environment, physical environment, biological environment, living environment, landscape environment, and sustainable development.
This course integrates PPT slides, pictures, with lectures so as to give vivid direct illustrations to the points addressed by the lecturers, and thus helps the students to grasp the knowledge points more easily.
Life Science
Course code: GSS004 Credits: 2
Course introduction
Life Science is another important subject in the field of contemporary natural sciences. It has also been the most rapid developing subject over the past twenty years, involving molecule composition of life and its patterns, construction of molecules and their functions, structural composition of cells and sub cells and their functions, structures and functions of tissues and organs, tissues and organs and occurrences and development of individuals, forms, structures and functions of individuals and tissues, individuals and collective groups and their relationships with the environment.
This course aims to popularize the basic knowledge, basic theories and basic methodologies of life science, and introduces the latest information and newest findings of life science. It requires students to grasp the basic knowledge, basic theories, and basic research instruments and methodologies, learn to use the relevant knowledge of life sciences to provide reasonable scientific explanations for phenomena relating to life, aging, diseases, and death and ecological environment, set up advanced values of the world and methodological theories, learn to use right points of views to analyze life phenomena, understand the links of life sciences with other natural sciences and social science, establish a guided positive life attitude, and contribute to the coordinated development of nature and society.
This course adopts integrated teaching and lecturing methodologies, subjects complex microbiological world of life to lectures using plain and succinct language, acts on the principle of combining theories with practices, and helps students to grasp knowledge and improve abilities.
Masters Series of Science and Technology
Course code: GMST001 Credits: 2
Course introduction
This course is a lecture series that commands great masters of science and technology in various technology fields to introduce to students the newest research findings or developments in their fields, guide the students to understand the development patterns of contemporary science and technology, improve their scientific qualities and adapt to the evolving time.
Please refer to the “ Masters Series of Science and Technology” posters, which would be posted prior to each lecture.
Brief introduction of the lecturers
All the speakers at the lecture series are renowned accomplished individuals in their own fields, including academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and the Academia Sinica of Taiwan, or top scientists equivalent to academicians in various science and technology fields.
Special Topic in Science and Technology
Credits: 2
Course introduction
This course will adopt an integrated approach combing lectures, practices, talks and guided tutorials to address special topics in relation to science and technology. By engaging students in discussions and research, the course helps students to broaden their knowledge span in science and technology.
Social Science Category
Sociology
Course code: GSH009 Credits: 2
Course introduction
This course gives a general introduction to the development history and research methodologies in relation to sociological theories, on top of which it gives a systematic illustration of a series of important theoretical and practical topics such as socialization, social roles, social interactions, way of life, groups, communities, marriage, family, social hierarchy, order, violation of order, social problems, social security, social evolution, industrialization and urbanization, modernization and globalization, and depicts the future of sociological studies.
Introduction to Psychology
Course code: GSH024 Credits: 2
Course introduction
Introduction to Psychology is a general course aiming to help students understand and grasp the basic concepts, theories and relevant knowledge of psychology. Its teaching objectives are to enable students to familiarize with the basic knowledge and basic theories of psychology, understand fundamental psychological processes, have a scientific understanding of the essential nature of psychological phenomena and the general patterns of occurrence, development and evolution of such phenomena, and apply psychological knowledge to analyze, and predict psychological phenomena in real life, train and improve students’ abilities in analyzing and solving real-life problems correctly, improve the overall psychological qualities of college students, help students to achieve better self-awareness, self-improvement, and adaptability. The lectures will go along a main line of special topics, including career planning, interpersonal communication, stress resistance, self-exploration and leadership, helping students to understand the basic theories and in the meantime connect the theories with real-life problems.
Introduction to Politics
Course code: GSH031 Credits: 2
Course introduction
Political science is an important category in contemporary social sciences. It addresses mainly the patterns of human politics in terms of its occurrence, evolution and development, involving the nature of political life, composition of political systems, evolution of political formations, political entities and their behaviors, political structures and systems, political operational processes, political development and international politics.
The teaching objectives of this course are to popularize and discuss the basic knowledge, basic theories and basic methodologies in relation to political interests, political power, political structures and political systems, and introduce the latest development, information and achievements of contemporary political sciences. Students are required to grasp a number of basic knowledge, understand some basic theories and methodologies, learn to apply the relevant knowledge to provide reasonable explanations for Chinese and world political phenomena and political events, set up a sensible and scientific political outlook, learn to apply right points of view to defend his/her lawful political rights and guide his/her behaviors, and strive to contribute to political reform and develop democratic politics.
This course acts on the principle of combining theories with practices, takes a teaching approach that integrates class lectures, in-class discussions, extracurricular reading and investigation so as to help students to grasp knowledge and improve abilities.
Introduction to International Relations
Course code: GSH033 Credits: 2
Course introduction
The essence of international relations research lies in observations and considerations of the general status and evolving patterns of global political and economic relations. The purpose of the course is to guide students to understand and analyze international affairs, help students to cultivate an international outlook and knowledge of international relations, and provide a general introduction for major topics in relation to international relations.
Public Administration
Course code: GSH020 Credits: 2
Course introduction
In terms of contents, this course adopts the approaches of systematic analysis and process-based research, addresses the theoretical methodologies, components and systems and operational processes of public administration, provides a thorough three-layer depiction and interpretation to modern public administrative activates, and helps students to construct a knowledge system of modern public administration.
In terms of teaching methodologies, this course adopts another three-layer approach featuring a preview by students of electronic materials, in-class demonstrations, illustrations and case analyses by the teacher, and post-class assignments requiring students to write up notes and reviews or special-topic reports. The course encourages interactions, aims to stimulate students’ interests in public administration, improve their knowledge accumulation of public administration and abilities in observing and research of public administration.
Chinese History
Course code: GSH022 Credits: 2
Course introduction
1. History of Pre-Qin, Qin, and Han dynasties: research on socioeconomic structures, state forms and thoughts and cultures in Pre-Qin, Qin, and Han times, which involves discussions on major topics such as the origin of Chinese civilization, the Pre-Qin etiquette and ritual system, the Pre-Qin Hundred Schools of Thought, and the evolution of Han society.
2. Wei, Jin, South, North, Sui and Tang dynasties: research on the politics, economy and culture of the Wei, Jin, South, North, Sui and Tang dynasties, which involves in-depth discussions on the then lords’ systems, land systems and tax systems, as well as cross-national integration and evolution of societal customs, metaphysical studies in Wei and Jin, and cultural exchanges in Tang.
3. Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties: research on social structures, economic systems, political systems and thoughts and cultures in Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, so as to reveal the developmental path and patterns of the later development of the Chinese feudal society.
History of Macao
Course code: GSH021 Credits: 2
Course introduction
1. Introduction of the course of historic development, major events and special figures in history of Macao in Chinese and western narratives since its opening
2. Introduction of basic line of research for history of Macao, the history of Macao history studies, and the construction and interpretations of the knowledge system of Macaology, which is based on the history of culture of Macao
3. Macao history under the perspective of global history, and relation of “Macao model” and development of human civilizations
Introduction to Philosophy
Course code: GSH035 Credits: 2
Course introduction
This course is a general course open to non-philosophy major undergraduate students. It introduces the basic methodologies and concepts of philosophy. Taking a topic-based approach, the course is divided into two units. Each unit consists of topics deriving from major fields of contemporary philosophies, for example, epistemology (how can we get to know the world and acquire knowledge), the philosophy of mind (what’s the essence of mind? How is the mind related to the body?), and ethics (what is ethic? And what are its foundations?). By engaging in discussions involving such topics following modern and contemporary scholars, students would be able to understand traditional philosophical problems and the most up-to-date resolutions proposed to such problems.
Global Issues
Course code: GSH025 Credits: 2
Course introduction
Global Issues aim to study the historic origins and development directions of the political, economic and social problems at home and abroad facing the modern-day human society. The course addresses regional problems (for example, Mid-East problems, Korean nuclear issues, and AIDs epidemics in Africa), world problems with global attention (for example, environmental problems, anti-terrorist wars, and population issues), and cross-regional comparative research. The course will employ lectures, discussions, reading and writing assignments to stimulate students to conduct critical and systematic thinking over the problems in politics, society, economy and security, and therefore help students to have a better understanding of international affairs and their various societal and regional impacts.
Special Topic in Social Science
Course introduction
This course will adopt an integrated approach combing lectures, practices, talks and guided tutorials to address special topics in relation to social science. By engaging students in discussions and research, the course helps students to broaden their knowledge span in the relevant fields.
Humanities and Arts Category
Films Appreciation
Course code: GSA046 Credits: 2
Course introduction
This course approaches to films first from contemporary well-known films, introduces the works of famous directors, Chinese and non-Chinese, analyzes the personal signature styles and creators’ styles, which are embodied in the mixed use of images and sounds. In addition to regular analyses of stories and themes, analyses will also be conducted of the forms of presentation, guiding students to switch from a passive role of being an observer to an active role of being a participant, get close to the work, and relate back to life and engage in discussions, thus avoiding empty general discussions that have no substance. What’s more, a moderate addition of knowledge of the film industry will also enable students to have a basic understanding of the operation and development of the film industry so as to achieve a better understanding of the film products.
Selective Readings of Modern Chinese Literature
Course code: GSA047 Credits: 2
Course introduction
This course aims to introduce the creative landscape of Chinese literature in the 20thcentury. By reading the 20thcentury Chinese literature classics, and analyzing the thoughts and ideas behind the works and the artistic achievements, the course aims to demonstrate muti-perspective approach to interpretation of literature, discuss the interaction between literature and time, and society and cultural trends, and in particular place emphasis on training of literature appreciation abilities.
With regard to contents, the course is designed to be topic-based involving an approach to works from the perspectives of thoughts and culture, and interpretations of individual writers and specific works, and extends to humanistic spirits. The five lectures addresses Lu Xun and the May Fourth enlightenment spirit, Zhang Eileen and the Hai School Culture, Pai Hsien-yung and the writing of history of the Republic of China, Wang Zeng Qi and the secular spirit in Chinese literature, and Gao Xing Jiang and the overseas schools literature, respectively.
Appreciation of Traditional Chinese Poems
Course code: GSA048 Credits: 2
Course introduction
This course is devoted to guide students to feel and experience the aesthetic standard of Chinese classic poetries, improve students’ abilities in appreciating and understanding literature art, broaden students’ knowledge span, and help train students’ humanistic qualities and rational intelligence.
Selective Readings of Masterpieces in World Literature
Course code: GSA049 Credits: 2
Course introduction
This course aims to enrich students’ knowledge in foreign literature and cultures, improve students’ abilities in appreciating world literature classics, and improve students’ humanistic qualities and humanistic compassions.
Music Appreciation
Course code: GSA050 Credits: 2
Course introduction
(1) This course gives lectures on the origins and schools of western music, introduces the various schools and traditions, times regional characteristics, and the seminal works of great masters, interprets the internal properties of music, placing emphasis on the post-Renaissance 17th-20thcentury western music, including various forms of performance music, modern and post-modern music.
(2) This course acts on the principle of combining theories with practices, integrates the lectures with appreciation of representative folk music pieces, proceeds gradually from surface to depth, fully employs multimedia teaching instruments, introduces Chinese folk music to students, enables students to be able to appreciate the beauty of Chinese folk music, train students’ enthusiasm in Chinese folk music culture, and enhance national dignity and sense of pride.
Fine Arts Appreciation
Course code: GSA051 Credits: 2
Course introduction
This course aims to train students artistic appreciation abilities, build some basic knowledge on the formulation and development of Chinese and western fine arts, formulates a basic understanding of major artistic styles, artists and artworks, stimulates students’ interests and passion for art, expands students’ horizons, and guides students to engage in cross-disciplinary thinking and cultivate interests in cross-disciplinary studies.
World Culture Heritage
Course code: GSA053 Credits: 2
Course introduction
This course selects some representative Chinese and foreign world heritages to introduce students to tangible and non-tangible cultural heritages, demonstrates the glorious ancient material and spiritual civilizations, and reveals the excellent traditional culture and humanistic qualities embodied in the heritages.
Appreciation of Culture and Arts
Course code: GSA052 Credits: 2
Course introduction
Appreciation of Culture and Arts brings to students a diverse series of Chinese and foreign classic concerts played by various famous bands, performers, and conductors with different styles, enables students to feel and experience the atmosphere of live shows and the stereo effects, experience the richness of vocals and variation of power shown in the music works by appreciating the passionate performances by different orchestras and conductors, helps students to formulate a deeper understanding of the music pieces, engage in interactions with the artists, and fulfill a recreation of the music pieces with the performers and the audience. In the meantime, the course takes students on visits to the art collections and special topic exhibitions of Macao Art Museum, and enables students to appreciate the appeals of art works from different times and of different styles, have a direct visual experience of the artistic impacts and effects of the richness of the art works, and improve their cultural artistic qualities and artistic visions.
This course acts on the principle of combining theories with practices, takes the form of real-site lectures at the venues of in and out of university art events, organizes students to observe the shows, provide necessary pre-show illustrations and tutorials before concerts and exhibitions.
Special Topic in Language Learning
Credits: 2
This course will adopt an integrated approach combing lectures, practices, talks and guided tutorials to address special topics in relation to language learning. By engaging students in discussions and research, the course helps students to stimulate students’ interest in learning, and broaden their knowledge spans in the relevant fields.
Special Topic in Humanities and arts
Credits: 2
This course will adopt an integrated approach combing lectures, practices, talks and guided tutorials to address special topics in relation to humanities and arts. By engaging students in discussions and research, the course helps students to stimulate students’ interest in learning, and broaden their knowledge spans in the relevant fields.
