SDST4902 Selected Topics in Actuarial Science (6 credits) Academic Year 2026
Offering Department SCDS (Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science) Quota ---
Course Co-ordinator TBC, SCDS (Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science) < ugenq@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved
Course Objectives This course is an advanced course in actuarial science which discusses selected topics which potential graduate students will find useful. It focuses on tools that are in the frontier of actuarial risk management with examples on applications.
Course Contents & Topics The contents will be chosen from the following topics:
Enterprise risk management; Risk identification and taxonomy; Copulas; Extreme value theory; Applications to risk management with emphasis in insurance; Other topics as determined by the instructor
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 understand, identify and classify different types of risks
CLO 2 understand and apply copula to model risk dependence
CLO 3 understand and apply extreme value theory
CLO 4 explain approaches for managing risks
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in SDST3906
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
2026 BSc in Actuarial Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 BSc in Actuarial Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2026 BSc in Actuarial Science < PLO 1,3,4,5 >
2025 BSc in Actuarial Science < PLO 1,3,4,5 >
Offer in 2026 - 2027 N        Examination
Offer in 2027 - 2028 N
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 3 assignments 15.0 1,2,3,4
Presentation Oral presentation 20.0 3,4
Project reports Written report 20.0 3,4
Test Midterm 45.0 1,2,3,4
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 - Financial Enterprise Risk Management, Sweeting P., (Cambridge University Press, 2017, 2nd edition)
- Actuarial Theory for Dependent Risks, Denuit M., Dhaene J., Goovaerts M., Kaas R., (Wiley, 2005, 1st edition)
- Loss Models: Further Topics, Klugman S.A., Panjer H.H., Willmot G.E., (Wiley, 2013, 1st edition)
Course Website http://moodle.hku.hk
Additional Course Information NIL