Bachelor of Science in Innovation and Technology
Innovation is a process that can only be mastered through practice. In BSc(I&T), you will practice this innovation process through four years of project experiences. Together with your teammates and mentored by our teachers, you will work closely with partners from different walks of life to co-develop solutions that address their needs.
To support your innovation journey, you will be taking foundational courses from the I-School that integrate theory with practical hands-on experiences across science, technology, design, and entrepreneurship. Beyond your project experience, you will also develop your own technology focus through a sequence of courses that build depth in a science or technology area that interests you.
With the co-op learning experience, you will be working full-time at a company, a startup, or even starting your own company to practice working in the fast-changing world with unknown challenges.
Finally, in your capstone project, you and your team will join hands to develop a solution to a substantial challenge, address a need in society, and demonstrate that you have become a true innovator ready to impact the world.
Who is BSc (I&T) for?
BSc (I&T) is best for students who are:
- Are Innovative
- Love To Solve Problems, Both Your Own Problems And Other People's Problems
- Love Science, Technology, Engineering, Math
- Love hands-on projects
- Are Not Afraid Of Failure
What makes BSc (I&T) unique?
Project-led Curriculum
The series of project workshops form the backbone of the BSc(I&T) curriculum. The integrative courses provide the theoretical and practical foundation on which innovative solutions to these projects can be developed. The projects also help you explore your own interests in science and technology to form your own Technology Focus.
Problem-based Learning
No two problems are the same, just as no two solutions are the same. In BSc(I&T), you learn through solving practical but ill-defined real world problems. The innovation process itself is the key: How to work with you partners to understand their needs? How to formulate an ill-defined problem into an addressable challenge? How to develop, prototype and refine the solution? How to communicate the solution? How to embrace the possibility of failure?
Bespoke
You learn to learn in BSc(I&T). In project workshop, you pick up new skills and learn about new technologies to solve the problems at hand with your mentors. You will also curate your own tailored Technology Focus that suits you.
What will I do after I graduate from BSc (I&T)?
Entrepreneur: You may start your own company, or join a startup company.
Intrapreneur: You may join large technology companies, non-profits, or many other forward-looking organizations to lead their innovation projects.
Post-graduate Study: You may continue to address deeper scientific and technological challenges with your innovative and entrepreneur mindset.
From foundational knowledge to hands-on project, you are covered
What courses am I going to take?
Project Workshops
In each project workshop, you will work in teams to address real-world challenges with innovation projects.
Foundation Courses
Integrating elements from engineering, science, design and business, these foundational courses will equip you with solid foundation in hands-on skill and knowledge base for your innovation advanture.
Tech Focus
Build up your depth of study in a science and technology area that fascinates you. Select courses from Engineering and Science to build up your expertise.
Co-op Experience
Spend 6 to 8 months working full time on an innovation project at a company, a startup, or a research lab, or even your own startup company. Immerse yourself in a work environment to experience all the ups and downs in addressing real-world challenges.
Capstone Project
Find the need, form your team, develop your solution and pitch your idea, you will experience the process of starting your own venture in this year-long capstone project. Perhaps it can turn to your first dream company after upon your graduation.
Free Electives
Select courses outside of the I-School to diversify your study at HKU.
Courses Offered
Year 1:
- Human-centred Innovation
- Physical Computing
- Computational Problem Solving
- Modelling the World 1
- Modelling the World 2
- Sensing the World
- Sciences and Technologies through Time
Year 2:
Innovations for the Future
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Making Sciences
Forms and Materials
Year 3:
Innovations for Social Impact
Co-op experience
Year 4:
Capstone Project
Sample Study Plan
(detailed curriculum subject to final approval)
Tailor-made Tech Focus
At I-School, we believe everybody’s innovation journey is different. With BSc(I&T), you will develop your depth of study in a science and technology area to form your technology focus with the help of your academic mentor. In your project studios, you will therefore be working with team members who may be a chemist, an electrical engineer, or even an ecologist!
I’m sold!
How do I join?
The BSc(I&T) programme places a heavy emphasis on the interview process to assess your aptitude and hands-on skills necessary for the programme. You will work on challenges similar to those of a hackathon, and an individual interview will be held, to which you are highly encouraged to join. See the admission page for more information.