Chemical Pathology focuses on the study of molecular, biochemical and immunological changes that occur as part of a disease process. The Department of Chemical Pathology has academic interests in several fields of study as listed below.

The Department is well funded and supported by the most competitive level of research funding in Hong Kong, namely the UGC Areas of Excellence programme and the RGC Theme-based Research Scheme. The Department is well equipped with state-of-the-art research equipment, including next-generation sequencers, digital polymerase chain reaction platforms, flow cytometers, as well as bioinformatics and stem cell research facilities. The Department has a world-leading programme in plasma DNA-based molecular diagnostics, especially for non-invasive prenatal testing and cancer detection.

The programme is research-oriented and will involve a series of investigations with original study design, experimentation and data interpretation. Part of the programme involves the delivery of seminar presentations. Each student has an opportunity to participate in one international conference during the course of study. Students will be required to submit a written research thesis and pass an oral examination for graduation.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong places very high importance on honesty in academic work submitted by students, and adopts a policy of zero tolerance on cheating in examinations and plagiarism. Any related offence will lead to disciplinary action including termination of studies at the University.

Although detected cases of cheating in examinations or plagiarism are rare at the University, everyone should make himself/herself familiar with the content of this website and thereby help avoid any practice that would not be acceptable.