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6779 Statistical Decision Sciences
Programme Highlights and Key Features
Statistical Decision Sciences (programme code: 6779)^ offers the choices of three professional degree programmes, namely: (1) Bachelor of Science in Decision Analytics [BSc(DA)], (2) Bachelor of Science in Risk Management [BSc(RM)], and (3) Bachelor of Science in Statistics [BSc(ST)]). Students admitted to 6779 Statistical Decision Sciences are free to choose (i.e., no quota limit applies) one of the aforesaid programmes*.
Humans form opinions and make decisions every day, often amid a world of uncertainties. Statistical Decision Sciences provide a scientific framework and reasoning toolkit for humans to make sense of real-life observations, whether in the form of small or big data, in their endeavour to live and think wise. It aims to provide comprehensive training to students in the area of quantitative analysis and statistical modelling, with an emphasis on both theory and practice, equipping students to master problem solving skills and data science techniques.
^New programme subject to the University’s approval
*Students shall make a preliminary choice as an indication of their preferences; and they may freely choose the final programme by the end of their first year.
Professional Recognition
HKU has been awarded the status of an Accredited University by the Royal Statistical Society (RSS), UK since December 2023. 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.
In connection with this, the School has taken the opportunity to restructure the three disciplines, Decision Analytics, Risk Management and Statistics from originally majors into professional degree programmes. The new curricula are more comprehensive and are able to cover many recent developments that have found wider applications important for students’ future career.
Graduates from either of the three programmes, Decision Analytics (DA), Risk Management (RM) and Statistics (ST) are qualified to become a Graduate Statistician (GradStat) designated by RSS (click here for details). Upon passing certain courses, students are also deemed to have met the academic requirements of the RSS Data Analyst award (click here for details).
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.
Admissions Requirements
6779 Statistical Decision Sciences 統計決策科學
| Programme Name | Statistical Decision Sciences [SDS] 統計決策科學 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specialized Degree Programme (students can choose by the end of Year 2) |
Bachelor of Science in Decision Analytics [BSc(DA)] 理學士(決策分析學) Bachelor of Science in Risk Management [BSc(RM)] 理學士(風險管理學) Bachelor of Science in Statistics [BSc(ST)] 理學士(統計學) |
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Academic Spectrum of 6779 Statistical Decision Sciences
Inspiring Innovation, Shaping the Future
Bachelor of Science in Decision Analytics [BSc(DA)]
You have selected Bachelor of Science in Decision Analytics. Select other options to view other undergraduate programme.
Curriculum Map
1
2
3
4
Decision Analytics Core (Foundation)
42 Credits
Decision Analytics Core (Advanced)
36 Credits
Capstone
Internship or Project
6 Credits
Mathematics Electives
12 Credits
Decision Analytics Electives
24 Credits
Free Electives / 2nd Major / Minor(s)
66 Credits
University Requirements
Common Core, Language Enhancement
54 Credits
Programme Features
-
1
Accreditation by the Royal Statistical Society (RSS)
-
2
High-performance analytics
-
3
Statistical & computational methods
-
4
Practical applications to different industries
-
5
Internship & industry exposure
The Bachelor of Science in Decision Analytics programme aims to equip students with the skills and expertise in leveraging and managing big data in real time. With an emphasis on statistically guided AI techniques, it provides students with solid training in making digitised information a strategic part of critical decision-making and resource allocation at high levels of clarity and accuracy. Built upon a synergy between data science and statistical reasoning, the programme strives to enrich artificial intelligence with a strong touch of human intelligence.
Decision Analytics students are trained with both rigorous statistical concepts and computational skills in data analytics. They are educated with problem-solving skills to provide optimized solutions to real life problems with big data.
Graduates from the Decision Analytics programme can go on a career path as a data scientist or pursue further studies in statistics or computer science. Their career prospects are not limited to the field of data analytics but also cover strategic planning, policy making and others.
The Bachelor of Science in Decision Analytics programme aims to equip students with the skills and expertise in leveraging and managing big data in real time. With an emphasis on interpretable machine learning, it provides students with solid training in making digitized information a strategic part of critical decision-making and resource allocation at high levels of clarity and accuracy. Built upon a synergy between data science and statistical reasoning, the programme strives to enhance artificial intelligence with a strong touch of human intelligence. Core courses in the curriculum emphasize the fundamental concepts and methodologies of decision analytics which include but not limited to statistical analysis, machine learning and data visualization, programming, data structuring, mathematical and statistical modelling and implementation of database systems. Elective courses focus on diverse and applied techniques of decision analytics in multidisciplinary fields.
There is no better training than obtaining solid hands-on experience in the real workplace. Our Internship Programme serves precisely this purpose. As an intern, the student will gain insight into the challenging world and daily activities of a data analyst, a risk manager and a statistician while strengthening his/her technical, analytical and communication skills.
Under the Internship Programme, students admitted to 6779 Statistical Decision Sciences or who declare Decision Analytics / Risk Management / Statistics as their First Major are eligible to use the School’s Internship / Job Online-application System, where related internships and other job openings including graduate positions will be posted. Our alumni may wish to know that normally they will still be eligible to use the System after graduation from our School.
The Internship Programme assists students by advertising part-time, summer, temporary and full-time internship positions, sending the CVs of interested students to employers, and arranging interviews for shortlisted students.
For details about our Internship Programme, please visit: https://saasweb.hku.hk/teaching/internship-details.php
Bachelor of Science in Risk Management [BSc(RM)]
You have selected Bachelor of Science in Risk Management. Select other options to view other undergraduate programme.
Curriculum Map
1
2
3
4
Risk Management Core (Foundation)
30 Credits
Risk Management Core (Advanced)
48 Credits
Capstone
Internship or Project
6 Credits
Mathematics Electives
12 Credits
Risk Management Electives
24 Credits
Free Electives / 2nd Major / Minor(s)
66 Credits
University Requirements
Common Core, Language Enhancement
54 Credits
Programme Features
-
1
Accreditation by the Royal Statistical Society (RSS)
-
2
Quantitative analysis
-
3
Investment & risk modelling
-
4
Entrepreneurship
-
5
Internship & industry exposure
The Bachelor of Science in Risk Management programme aims to provide students with the skills and expertise in the theory and methodology behind the scientific process of risk management, with application to quantitative modelling, financial risk analysis, statistics and other related areas of interest. It is designed to provide solid training in the concepts of the risk management process, statistical models and methods of risk management, and good risk management practice.
Risk Management students are well equipped with quantitative analytical skills in statistical modelling and modern exposure in risk analysis. The curriculum is closely related to the content of various professional qualifications in investment, finance and risk management, allowing students to better prepare for these credentials before their graduation. They may also establish their start-up companies for risk consulting, financial services and related areas.
The Bachelor of Science in Risk Management programme aims to provide students with the skills and expertise in the theory and methodology behind the scientific process of risk management, with application to quantitative modelling, financial risk analysis, statistics and other related areas of interest. It is designed to provide solid training in the concepts of the risk management process, statistical models and methods of risk management, and good risk management practice. Core courses in the curriculum emphasize fundamental concepts and nature of risk assessment, risk management and governance from different standpoints while elective courses provide either training in specific Risk Management disciplines or an extension of knowledge aiming to give students more modeling, technical and analytical skills in risk management, including data mining, stochastic calculus, and financial time series modeling. In addition, the School will be applying for Professional Risk Managers’ International Association (PRMIA) accreditation to further strengthen the programme’s comprehensiveness and competitiveness.
There is no better training than obtaining solid hands-on experience in the real workplace. Our Internship Programme serves precisely this purpose. As an intern, the student will gain insight into the challenging world and daily activities of a data analyst, a risk manager and a statistician while strengthening his/her technical, analytical and communication skills.
Under the Internship Programme, students admitted to 6779 Statistical Decision Sciences or who declare Decision Analytics / Risk Management / Statistics as their First Major are eligible to use the School’s Internship / Job Online-application System, where related internships and other job openings including graduate positions will be posted. Our alumni may wish to know that normally they will still be eligible to use the System after graduation from our School.
The Internship Programme assists students by advertising part-time, summer, temporary and full-time internship positions, sending the CVs of interested students to employers, and arranging interviews for shortlisted students.
For details about our Internship Programme, please visit: https://saasweb.hku.hk/teaching/internship-details.php
Bachelor of Science in Statistics [BSc(ST)]
You have selected Bachelor of Science in Statistics. Select other options to view other undergraduate programme.
Curriculum Map
1
2
3
4
Statistics Core (Foundation)
30 Credits
Statistics Core (Advanced)
42 Credits
Capstone
Internship or Project
6 Credits
Mathematics Electives
12 Credits
Statistics Electives
30 Credits
Free Electives / 2nd Major / Minor(s)
66 Credits
University Requirements
Common Core, Language Enhancement
54 Credits
Programme Features
-
1
Accreditation by the Royal Statistical Society (RSS)
-
2
Foundation of statistical methodologies
-
3
Training for research skill/research study
-
4
Practical applications to different industries
-
5
Internship & industry exposure
The Bachelor of Science in Statistics programme focuses on the study of statistics, a scientific discipline characterised by the development and applications of analytical and quantitative tools which involve logical thinking, problem formulation, probability reasoning and intensive data analyses. The programme aims to equip students with powerful mathematical, analytical and computational skills, which are in great demand in practical areas where data are obtained for the purpose of extracting information in support of decision making. It gives students a strong background in statistical concepts and provides broad and solid training in applied statistical methodologies.
The statistical skills acquired by our Statistics graduates empower them to play a crucial role in many important job positions requiring quantitative mindset and analytical ability. Some of our graduates had worked in government bodies as Statisticians, Research Managers, as well as in the commercial sectors as Statistical Analysts, Marketing Associates, and Associate Officer (Business Intelligence).
Professionals from institutions and organisations including the Census and Statistics Department, Hospital Authority, various financial and education institutions are the prestigious alumni of our Statistics programme.
The Bachelor of Science in Statistics programme focuses on the study of statistics, a scientific discipline characterized by the development and applications of analytical and quantitative tools which involve logical thinking, problem formulation, probability reasoning and intensive data analyses. The programme aims to equip students with powerful mathematical, analytical and computational skills, which are in great demand in practical areas where data are obtained for the purpose of extracting information in support of decision making. It gives students a strong background in statistical concepts, and provides broad and solid training in applied statistical methodologies. The curriculum is constantly revised to meet a steadily rising demand for specialist statisticians or quantitative analysts in government, business, finance, industry, as well as in research and teaching in local and overseas institutions.
There is no better training than obtaining solid hands-on experience in the real workplace. Our Internship Programme serves precisely this purpose. As an intern, the student will gain insight into the challenging world and daily activities of a data analyst, a risk manager and a statistician while strengthening his/her technical, analytical and communication skills.
Under the Internship Programme, students admitted to 6779 Statistical Decision Sciences or who declare Decision Analytics / Risk Management / Statistics as their First Major are eligible to use the School’s Internship / Job Online-application System, where related internships and other job openings including graduate positions will be posted. Our alumni may wish to know that normally they will still be eligible to use the System after graduation from our School.
The Internship Programme assists students by advertising part-time, summer, temporary and full-time internship positions, sending the CVs of interested students to employers, and arranging interviews for shortlisted students.
For details about our Internship Programme, please visit: https://saasweb.hku.hk/teaching/internship-details.php
Career Prospects
Graduates will acquire a competitive advantage in becoming vital assets of any organisations which requires high-performance analytical skills in assisting their decision-making and problem-solving related to, for example, science, social sciences, information systems, business and quantitative finance, just to name a few. They often play important roles in large-scale, multidisciplinary projects involving data analytics, providing guidance on all aspects of data collection and producing objective findings.
Our graduates are also sought after by top graduate schools and research firms worldwide, and readily find employment in various sectors, including but not limited to the government, banking, finance, risk management, insurance, IT, marketing research, healthcare, hospitals, environmental protection, scientific research, academia and other related sectors in which statistical and analytical expertise is needed due to the data-driven environment nowadays.
| Programme | Gross Monthly Income of Fresh Graduates in 2023* | Examples of positions held by our students in relevant fields | Job Prospects |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSc(DA) | Average:
$32,618
Maximum: $63,333 |
Data Scientist, Data Governance Officer, Data Analyst, Technology Consultant, Software Engineer, R&B Engineer, Big Data Analytics Modelling Analyst (Betting), Developer, etc. | Data Scientist, Policymaker, Strategic Planning
Decision Analytics students are trained with both rigourous statistical concepts and computational skills in data analytics. They are educated with problem-solving skills to provide optimized solutions to real life problems with big data.
Graduates from our Decision Analytics programme will consider a career path as a data scientist, or pursue further studies in statistics or computer science. |
| BSc(RM) | Average:
$22,400
Maximum: $30,000 |
Director (specializing in FP&A), Associate Director in Global Markets, Personal Banking Officer, Corporate Banking Analyst, Consultant Banker, Insurance Data Analyst, Business Control and Research Manager, Operation Officer, Risk Management Officer, Investment Analyst, Business Specialist, Compliance Officer, Treasury Product Specialist, Government Executive Officer, Administrative Officer, Statistical Officer, etc | Professionalism, Quantitative Financial Risk Modelling, Entrepreneurship
Risk Management students are well equipped with quantitative skills in statistical modelling and modern exposure in risk analysis. Most of them will work in the financial industry with further professional qualifications, and end up with senior management position after gaining years of experiences in risk analysis and training in investment, banking and financial institutions.
Some of our Risk Management graduates with entrepreneurship established their start-up companies for risk consulting, financial services and related areas. |
| BSc(ST) | Average: ^
$23,667
Maximum: ^ $40,000 |
Chief Health Statistician, Senior Statistician, Statistical Analyst, Research Manager, Trader, Financial Data Analyst, Marketing Analyst Associate, Associate Officer (Business Intelligent), Research Officer, Global Data Analyst, Operation Engineer, Client Reporting Analyst, Index Analyst, Global Supply Planning Data Analyst, Client Due Diligence Specialist, Customer Service Officer, Assistant Environmental Consultant, Management Information System Analyst | Strong Theoretical Background with Knowledge and Skills in Mathematical Statistics
Statistics students with strong theoretical background in statistical analysis and research potential are ready to apply quantitative skills in further study in diverse areas like medical study, social sciences, economics and others.
Government officials from Census and Statistics Department, Hospital Authority, etc. are the prestigious alumni of our Statistics programme. |
^ Data in 2022, as data from 2023 is not available because of low response rate
* According to a survey conducted by the University
