ENG-1987 — Page 146

114

EDUCATION

The Division of Health and Social Studies comprises the Departments of Applied Social Studies, Diagnostic Sciences, Health Sciences, and Rehabilitation Sciences. The Division of Mathematical and Computing Studies comprises the Departments of Computing Studies, and Mathematical Studies.

The polytechnic offers a wide range of courses to meet the demands of commerce, industry and the community. For 1987-8, 200 courses were being offered in different modes of attendance, namely full-time, sandwich, part-time day release, part-time evening, mixed-mode and self-study. Successful completion of these courses leads to the awards of degree, associateship, professional diploma, higher diploma, diploma, post-registration diploma and certificate, endorsement certificate, higher certificate, certificate and certificate of proficiency.

Degree programmes offered in the 1987-8 academic year include: BA(Hons) in Business Studies; BA(Hons) in Computing Studies; BA in Design; BA in Language and Com- munication; BA(Hons) in Textile and Clothing Marketing; BEng(Hons) in Building Services Engineering; BEng(Hons) in Civil Engineering; BEng(Hons) in Electrical En- gineering; BEng(Hons) in Electronic Engineering; BEng(Hons) in Manufacturing Engi- neering; BEng(Hons) in Mechanical Engineering; BSc in Building Technology and Management; BSc(Hons) in Combined Studies in Mathematics and Science; and Bachelor of Social Work. The Bachelor of Social Work was offered in both the full-time mode and mixed-mode.

During the year, the polytechnic accepted the first batch of candidates for registration on Master of Philosophy programmes. The period of registration for research degree can- didates is normally two years on a full-time and three years on a part-time basis.

Since 1981, the polytechnic has conducted a phased schedule of discontinuing the bulk of its diploma and certificate level work as corresponding courses are offered by the technical institutes. This phased schedule reflects the polytechnic's move towards a greater propor- tion of higher level academic work.

The polytechnic also offers short full-time and extension courses to meet the needs of the community. A total of 487 students enrolled on short full-time courses and 10 887 students enrolled in the extension courses in 1986–7.

In 1985, the polytechnic embarked on the development of complementary studies in the form of voluntary extra-curricular programmes for its full-time students. These pro- grammes help students to broaden their intellectual outlook, develop their knowledge and skills in areas that are useful to their profession or desirable for adult life and to enhance their understanding of society and sense of civic responsibility. In 1986–7, 107 complemen- tary studies courses were offered, with 9 246 students competing for 3 275 places.

The polytechnic continued to establish new contacts and maintain close liaison with academic, research and professional institutions in China and overseas.

Liaison and cooperation with the City Polytechnic of Hong Kong further developed during the year. From 1987-8, the Hong Kong Polytechnic invited applications jointly with the City Polytechnic of Hong Kong. Applicants were required to complete only one application form and could indicate a maximum of two choices of programmes in each polytechnic. The subsequent selection of candidates was conducted by the two polytechnics independently.

Research activities continued to grow significantly, with the research grant in 1986-7 being increased by 50 per cent over the previous year. Funds were allocated to support 41 new research projects and 42 on-going projects. The major areas of research included environmental studies, immunoassay techniques, offshore engineering, CAD/CAM, electric