Programme Introduction
Decision Analytics provides solid training in strategic data-driven decision-making. Built upon synergy between data science and statistical reasoning, it strives to enrich artificial intelligence with strong touch of human intelligence.
Risk Management focuses on theory and methodology behind the scientific process of risk management, with applications to quantitative modelling, financial risk analysis, etc. It provides solid training in concepts, models, methods and practice of risk management.
Statistics is characterized by development and applications of analytical tools which involve logical thinking, problem formulation, intensive data analyses and reasoning. It emphasises both analytical and computational skills for decision-making.
Decision Analytics: concepts and methodologies underlying statistical modelling and analysis, machine learning, data visualization, data structuring, and database systems. Elective courses focus on diverse techniques and multidisciplinary applications.
Risk Management: concepts and nature of risk assessment, management and governance, developed from different standpoints. Elective courses extend knowledge and skill sets to specialised disciplines: e.g. credit and market risk analysis, data mining, stochastic calculus, and financial time series.
Statistics: mathematical foundation, probability modelling, statistical inference and methodology, with emphasis on both theory and applications. Elective courses cover diverse topics: e.g. stochastic process, survey sampling, survival analysis, time series and Bayesian learning.
Overall, the programme emphasises, and strives to reinforce, human’s reasoning power, an essential weapon which will remain irreplaceable despite breathtaking advances being made in technology and artificial intelligence. Statistical decision sciences enable us, as humans, to stay invulnerable amid a rapidly changing world.
HKU has been awarded the status of an Accredited University by the Royal Statistical Society (RSS), UK. The RSS accreditation provides reassurance that the teaching, learning and assessment within the accredited programmes is of high quality and meets the needs of students and employers.
Graduates from one of the three Professional Cores, namely Decision Analytics (DA), Risk Management (RM) and Statistics (ST) under the BStat degree are qualified to become a Graduate Statistician (GradStat) designated by RSS. Upon passing certain courses, students are also deemed to have met the academic requirements of the RSS Data Analyst award.
In addition, the School will be applying for Professional Risk Managers’ International Association (PRMIA) accreditation to further strengthen the programme’s comprehensiveness and competitiveness, allowing our graduates to get exemptions from the PRM exams.
Decision Analytics: as data scientists, career spectrum covers data analytics, strategic planning, policy making and others. Graduates also pursue further studies in data science, statistics or computer science.
Risk Management: career prospects lie mainly in financial industry, leading to senior management positions after accumulating experiences in risk analysis in investment, banking and financial institutions. Those with entrepreneurship may engage in risk consulting, financial services, etc.
Statistics: graduates in great demand for jobs requiring quantitative mindset and analytical ability: e.g. government, marketing, finance, banking, public health, media, ESG, etc. Graduates also pursue further studies, entering academia as professors or researchers.
