POSTGRADUATE
PROGRAMS
PROGRAMS
Postgraduate Programs 2025/26
Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy Programs in Carbon Neutrality and Climate Change
Award Title
Master of Philosophy in Carbon Neutrality and Climate Change
Doctor of Philosophy in Carbon Neutrality and Climate Change
Program Short Name
MPhil(CNCC)
PhD(CNCC)
Mode of Study
Both full- and part-time
Normative Program Duration
MPhil
Full-time: 2 years
Part-time: 4 years
PhD
Full-time: 3 years (with a relevant research master’s degree), 4 years (without a relevant research master’s degree)
Part-time: 6 years
Offering Unit
Carbon Neutrality and Climate Change Thrust Area
Society Hub
Program Advisor
PG Programs Coordinator:
Prof Luoye CHEN, Assistant Professor of Carbon Neutrality and Climate Change
Website
Enquiry
The Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy Programs in Carbon Neutrality and Climate Change offer specialized training to tackle and adapt to the challenges of climate change that arise due to the transition towards a low-carbon society. The energy shift necessitates the creation of a broad array of transitions which will require the development of an extensive range of new technologies, sustainable policies and innovative solutions. This huge change will have far-reaching implications for many areas over the coming decades. We seek to educate students and provide them with state-of-the-art knowledge and comprehension of carbon neutrality and how it relates to finance, policy and environmental science.
The programs focus on advanced research with an aim to place graduates in the academia, research institutes, and industrial jobs that appreciate research capability and quality.
The MPhil/PhD programs will furnish students with project-based training to prepare them for inclusion in an exclusive cohort of carbon and engineering professionals equipped with work readiness skills and a comprehension of the low-carbon economy. The programs’ credentials are comparable to those of MPhil/PhD programs offered by leading universities in Europe and the United States.
This MPhil/PhD(CNCC) program will be the first of its kind in Asia, emphasizing carbon neutrality and climate change. Students will gain the knowledge, expertise, and assurance necessary to emerge as pioneers in carbon neutral tactics and sustainable development.
On successful completion of the MPhil program, graduates will be able to:
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of the scientific, economic, and social factors affecting climate change and the shift toward low-carbon society;
- Design and execute research projects that utilize advanced methodologies to make a meaningful contribution to existing knowledge in the field of carbon neutrality and climate change;
- Effectively communicate research findings to specialized audiences such as policymakers, industry leaders, and academics;
- Engage in interdisciplinary collaboration to devise and test solutions for climate change mitigation and carbon neutrality, with a focus on stakeholder engagement; and
- Utilize the acquired knowledge to develop a foundational research portfolio suitable for further academic or industry research pursuits.
On successful completion of the PhD program, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate an in-depth and nuanced understanding of the scientific, economic, and social factors driving climate change and the transition to carbon neutrality at local, regional and global scales;
- Independently design, develop, and conduct complex research initiatives that employ cutting-edge methodologies, aiming to fill knowledge gaps and advance the field of carbon neutrality and climate change;
- Master the communication of research findings to a wide range of audiences, including policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and the general public;
- Lead interdisciplinary research teams to create innovative solutions for climate change mitigation and carbon neutrality, incorporating a broad array of stakeholder needs and perspectives;
- Analyze the ethical and social implications of different approaches to climate change adaptation and mitigation; and
- Develop a high level of expertise in addressing urgent challenges in climate change and sustainability, suitable for academic, governmental, or industrial research environments.
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Minimum Credit Requirement
MPhil: 15 credits
PhD: 21 credits -
Credit Transfer
Students who have taken equivalent courses at HKUST(GZ) or other recognized universities may be granted credit transfer on a case-by-case basis, up to a maximum of 3 credits for MPhil students, and 6 credits for PhD students.
PhD students who are HKUST(GZ) MPhil graduates may be granted credit transfer for all credits earned from the MPhil programs to the PhD programs, subject to prior approval of the Thrust.
- Cross-disciplinary Core Courses
2 credits
UCMP 6010
Cross-disciplinary Research Methods I
2 Credit(s)
Description
This course focuses on using various approaches to perform quantitative analysis through real-world examples. Students will learn how to use different tools in an interdisciplinary project and how to acquire new skills on their own. The course offers different modules that are multidisciplinary/multifunctional and generally applicable to a wide class of problems. May be graded PP.
UCMP 6020
Cross-disciplinary Research Methods II
2 Credit(s)
Description
This course focuses on using various approaches to perform quantitative analysis through real-world examples. Students will learn how to use different tools in an interdisciplinary project and how to acquire new skills on their own. The course offers different modules that are multidisciplinary/multifunctional and generally applicable to a wide class of problems.
UCMP 6030
Cross-disciplinary Design Thinking I
2 Credit(s)
Description
This course focuses on user-collaborative design methods for generating inclusive product solutions that integrate stakeholder and product functionality perspectives. Students will create specified product/process/policy/protocol/plan (5P) concept models through the use of recursive user feedback engagement methods, experimental prototyping, and divergent and convergent ideation strategies. Featured topics include design thinking; stakeholder research; concept development, screening, and selection; and interaction design.
UCMP 6040
Cross-disciplinary Design Thinking II
2 Credit(s)
Description
This course focuses on user-collaborative design methods for generating inclusive product solutions that integrate stakeholder and product functionality perspectives. Students will create specified product/process/policy/protocol/plan (5P) concept models through the use of recursive user feedback engagement methods, experimental prototyping, and divergent and convergent ideation strategies. Featured topics include design thinking; stakeholder research; concept development, screening, and selection; and interaction design.
UCMP 6050
Project-driven Collaborative Design Thinking
2 Credit(s)
Description
This course aims to familiarize students with the principles of design thinking and promote the adoption of a human-centered approach to problem-solving. Students will gain the ability to identify users' pain points, define problems, and develop creative and innovative solutions. By engaging in interdisciplinary collaboration, students will have the opportunity to apply their problem-solving skills to real-world projects. This course is divided into three modules, with each module being taken during one regular term. May be graded PP.
All MPhil students are required to complete UCMP 6050. All PhD students are required to complete either UCMP 6010 or UCMP 6030. Students may complete the remaining courses as part of the credit requirements, as requested by the Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee.
PhD students who are HKUST(GZ) MPhil graduates and have completed UCMP 6010, UCMP 6030 or UCMP 6050 before may be exempted from this requirement, subject to prior approval of the Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee, and be granted credit transfer for the respective courses, subject to prior approval of the Thrust.
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Hub Core Courses
4 credits
Students are required to complete at least one Hub core course (2 credits) from the Society Hub and at least one Hub course (2 credits) from other Hubs.
Society Hub Core Course
SOCH 5000
Technological Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship
2 Credit(s)
Description
This course discusses both opportunities and risks that technological breakthrough has brought to the human society. What would be the policy responses required to maximize its positive benefit and minimize its social costs? In particular, how could we utilize the technological advancement, entrepreneurial thinking to address the challenges our societies are facing, such as job loss/unemployment, income inequality and societal polarization, environmental degradation, health disparity, population aging, and among others. The course uses either case studies or cross-country and time-series data analyses to facilitate the discussion of various social issues and look for innovative solutions of in the real world.
Other Hub Core Courses
FUNH 5000
Introduction to Function Hub for Sustainable Future
2 Credit(s)
Description
This course covers background knowledge in the thrust areas of the Function Hub, including Advanced Materials, Sustainable Energy and Environment, Microelectronics, and Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences.
INFH 5000
Information Science and Technology: Essentials and Trends
2 Credit(s)
Description
This inquiry-based course aims to introduce students to the concepts and skills needed to drive digital transformation in the information age. Students will learn to conduct research, explore real-world applications, and discuss grand challenges in the four thrust areas of the Information hub, namely Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Analytics, Internet of Things, and Computational Media and Arts. The course incorporates various teaching and learning formats including lectures, seminars, online courses, group discussions, and a term project.
SYSH 5000
Model-Based Systems Engineering
2 Credit(s)
Description
Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) is a contemporary systems engineering methodology that uses conceptual models for communication between system architects, designers, developers, and stakeholders. Object-Process Methodology (OPM) is an MBSE language and methodology for constructing domain-independent conceptual models of all kinds of systems. The course provides students with basic knowledge and tools for MBSE, focusing on conceptual modeling of systems, giving learners a competitive advantage over their peers.
PhD students who are HKUST(GZ) MPhil graduates and have completed the required Hub core courses before may be exempted from this requirement, subject to prior approval of the Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee, and be granted credit transfer for the respective courses, subject to prior approval of the Thrust.
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Courses on Domain Knowledge
MPhil: minimum 9 credits of coursework
PhD: minimum 15 credits of coursework
Under this requirement, each student is required to take a required course and other elective courses to form an individualized curriculum relevant to the cross-disciplinary thesis research. To ensure that students will take appropriate courses to equip them with needed domain knowledge, each student has a Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee to approve the courses to be taken soonest after program commencement and no later than the end of the first year. Depending on the approved curriculum, individual students may be required to complete additional credits beyond the minimal credit requirements.
Required Course List
CNCC 5100
Carbon Neutrality and Climate Change
3 Credit(s)
Sample Elective Course List
To meet individual needs, students will be taking courses in different areas, which may include but are not limited to courses and areas listed below.
CNCC 5200
Climate Change: Science and Governance
3 Credit(s)
CNCC 5300
Policy and Technology for Carbon Neutrality
3 Credit(s)
CNCC 5400
Environmental Economics and Sustainable Development
3 Credit(s)
CNCC 5500
Carbon Capture and Removal Technologies
3 Credit(s)
CNCC 5600
Energy Economics and Policy
3 Credit(s)
CNCC 5700
Energy Systems and Policy
3 Credit(s)
CNCC 5800
Climate Innovation: Policy and Development
3 Credit(s)
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Additional Foundation Courses
Individual students may be required to take foundation courses to strengthen their academic background and research capacity in related areas, which will be specified by the Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee. The credits earned cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
Unless clearly demonstrating sufficient knowledge in the area, students entering the MPhil or PhD Program are required to take the following course in the first regular term of study:
CNCC 5120
Data Science for Carbon Neutrality Studies
3 Credit(s)
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Graduate Teaching Assistant Training
PDEV 6800
Introduction to Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
0 Credit(s)
All full-time RPg students are required to complete PDEV 6800. The course is composed of a 10 hour training offered by the Institute of Educational Innovation and Practice (IEIP), and session(s) of instructional delivery to be assigned by the respective departments. Upon satisfactory completion of the training conducted by IEIP, MPhil students are required to give at least one 30-minute session of instructional delivery in front of a group of students for one term. PhD students are required to give at least one such session each in two different terms. The instructional delivery will be formally assessed.
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Professional Development Course Requirement
PDEV 6770
Professional Development for Research Postgraduate Students
1 Credit(s)
Students are required to complete PDEV 6770. The 1 credit earned from PDEV 6770 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
PhD students who are HKUST MPhil graduates and have completed PDEV 6770 or other professional development courses offered by the University before may be exempted from taking PDEV 6770, subject to prior approval of the Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee.
SOCH 6780
Professional Development in Innovation, Technology, and Social Responsibility
1 Credit(s)
Students are required to complete SOCH 6780. The 1 credit earned from SOCH 6780 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
PhD students who are HKUST(GZ) MPhil graduates and have completed SOCH 6780 or other professional development courses offered by the University before may be exempted from taking SOCH 6780, subject to prior approval of the Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee.
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English Language Requirement
LANG 5000
Foundation in Listening & Speaking for Postgraduate Students
1 Credit(s)
Full-time RPg students are required to take an English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) Speaking Test administered by the Pillar of Language Education before the start of their first term of study. Students whose ELPA Speaking Test score is below Level 4, or who failed to take the test in their first term of study, are required to take LANG 5000 until they pass the course by attaining at least Level 4 in the ELPA Speaking Test before graduation. The 1 credit earned from LANG 5000 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
PLED 5001
Communicating Research in English
1 Credit(s)
Students are required to take PLED 5001. The credit earned cannot be counted toward the credit requirements. Students can be exempted from taking this course with the approval of the Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee.
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Postgraduate Seminar
CNCC 6900
CNCC Program Seminar I
1 Credit(s)
CNCC 6910
CNCC Program Seminar II
1 Credit(s)
CNCC 6900 and CNCC 6910 will be offered in different terms. Students are required to complete CNCC 6900 and CNCC 6910 in two terms. The credits earned cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
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PhD Qualifying Examination
PhD students are required to pass a qualifying examination to obtain PhD candidacy following established policy.
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Thesis Research
CNCC 6990
MPhil Thesis Research
0 Credit(s)
CNCC 7990
Doctoral Thesis Research
0 Credit(s)
MPhil:
i. Registration in CNCC 6990; and
ii. Presentation and oral defense of the MPhil thesis.
PhD:
i. Registration in CNCC 7990; and
ii. Presentation and oral defense of the PhD thesis.
Last Update: 28 March 2025
To qualify for admission, applicants must meet all of the following requirements. Admission is selective and meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
1. General Admission Requirements of the University
Please refer to Admission Requirements.
2. English Language Admission Requirements
Please refer to Admission Requirements.
Admission to HKUST(GZ)
Apply online before the application deadlines.
Application Fee
RMB 150
Application Open On 2 April 2025
* All international students are required to obtain a student visa (X visa) for studying in China's mainland. For details on student visa (X visa) requirements, please click here.
