SDST4603 Current topics in risk management (6 credits) Academic Year 2025
Offering Department SCDS (Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science) Quota ---
Course Co-ordinator Dr O T K Choi, SCDS (Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science) < ochoi@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Dr O T K Choi,Statistics & Actuarial Science)
Course Objectives - This course aims to broaden students' knowledge in risk management theories through in-depth financial case studies analysis.
- The various risk measures are demonstrated and discussed with the application of the financial theories covered in the core courses.
- The topics offered each year depend on current financial issues related to the risk management’s perspective.
- To strengthen presentation skills in public speaking and presentation; quick response to dynamic financial news and be able to process risk management analysis. Students work in rotating groups to prepare and present cases.
Course Contents & Topics - Introduction to the financial services sector. Students will learn a full picture of the structure of a typical financial firm. Discuss how the financial sector serves to provide free flow of capital and liquidity in the market place and hence drives the economic growth.
- Foundation of risk management and models
- Risk measurement process and quality control
- Enterprise risk management
- Cutting edge risk analytics and innovations in risk management
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 gain insights into current advances in risk management
CLO 2 understand current risk management pitfalls and development
CLO 3 make effective use of models and techniques for managing various kinds of risk
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in (SDST3618 or FINA2322)
Only for students admitted in 2025 and thereafter.
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2U000C00 Course not offered under any Major/Minor/Professional core
2024 Major in Risk Management ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Minor in Risk Management ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Risk Management ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Minor in Risk Management ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Risk Management ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Minor in Risk Management ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Risk Management ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Minor in Risk Management ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2024 Major in Risk Management < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6 >
2023 Major in Risk Management < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6 >
2022 Major in Risk Management < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6 >
2021 Major in Risk Management < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6 >
Offer in 2025 - 2026 Y        1st sem    Examination No Exam     
Offer in 2026 - 2027 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrate thorough mastery at an advanced level of extensive knowledge and skills required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Show strong analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, with evidence of original thought, and ability to apply knowledge to a wide range of complex, familiar and unfamiliar situations. Apply highly effective organizational and presentational skills.
B Demonstrate substantial command of a broad range of knowledge and skills required for attaining at least most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to familiar and some unfamiliar situations. Apply effective organizational and presentational skills.
C Demonstrate general but incomplete command of knowledge and skills required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to most familiar situations. Apply moderately effective organizational and presentational skills.
D Demonstrate partial but limited command of knowledge and skills required for attaining some of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some coherent and logical thinking, but with limited analytical and critical abilities. Show limited ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Apply limited or barely effective organizational and presentational skills.
Fail Demonstrate little or no evidence of command of knowledge and skills required for attaining the course learning outcomes. Lack of analytical and critical abilities, logical and coherent thinking. Show very little or no ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Organization and presentational skills are minimally effective or ineffective.
Communication-intensive Course Y
Course Type Lecture-based course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Lectures 36.0
Tutorials 12.0
Reading / Self study 100.0
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Assignments 2 assignments 20.0 1,2,3
Presentation Weekly class presentations + Final project presentation 30.0 1,2,3
Project reports Project proposal + Final project written report 20.0 1,2,3
Test Class test 30.0 1,2,3
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 - Hull, J. C. (2015). Risk Management and Financial Institutions (4th Edition). Wiley.
- Jorion, P. (2007). Value at Risk: The New Benchmark for Managing Financial Risk (3rd Edition). McGraw-Hill.
- Jorion, P. (2011). Financial Risk Manager Handbook (6rd Edition). Wiley.
- Dowd, K. (2005). Measuring Market Risk (2nd Edition). Wiley.
- Basel Committee on Banking Supervision: Basel III: International Framework for liquidity risk measurement, standards and monitoring (BIS, 2010)
Course Website http://moodle.hku.hk
Additional Course Information NIL