Research Project in Quantitative Analysis and Management Science

Course Coordinator: Dr Andrew Wu, BEng (Hons) UNSW, MSc (EEE) HKU, PhD HKU; MIEEE, MIET

This course is a project course in the Master of Science in Quantitative Analysis and Computational Mathematics. You will work under the supervision of a lecturer who will guide you throughout the project. This course integrates the core ideas of statistics and mathematics as they apply to the use of quantitative models to represent real-world problems. The process of mathematically modelling the real world will form part of your study. This research project is an interdisciplinary study of problem solving and decision making with strong links to economics, business, engineering, financial analysis, and other sciences disciplines. You will use various scientific research-based principles, strategies, and quantitative methods including statistical and mathematical modelling, numerical analysis, etc. You will work in groups to create quantitative models and to complete related modelling activities. If the extent of your knowledge is perceived to be inadequate for you to pursue the course efficiently, you may be required to complete a specified course of study prior to undertaking STATS 822F. Check with the Course Coordinator to make sure that you are sufficiently prepared before enrolling in the course.

Aims
This course aims to:

1. Provide an opportunity for students to apply their previously acquired quantitative skills to a student-initiated research project in the area of management science.

2. Prepare students to devise a set of objectives for the project and develop an appropriate methodology and model(s)to analyze real-life problems;

3. Create an environment in which students will demonstrate their ability to:
   • identify problems from a given area of study and apply realistic strategies or approach to resolve and improve them;
   • select relevant quantitative tools and information from previous knowledge and experience to tackle the specific project issues;
   • derive a range of strategic developments and planning processes, and set up appropriate methods and models for solving problems;
   • integrate research findings in a structured way.

Contents
The course has no conventional course materials. You may be required to read certain scientific materials available in journals and reference books recommended by the supervisor. This course will enable you to solve real-life problems using quantitative models and analysis, and then to use the corresponding research output to draw appropriate conclusions. You may also choose to conduct a work-related project. Each project must, however, be appraised by the Statistics and Mathematics course team for its technical content, availability of supervisory support and appropriate lab facilities before it can be approved.

Learning support
There will be a number of three-hour PC Laboratory sessions spread throughout the course. The study time is expected to be 300 hours, but because of the stop-start nature of the project work it is inevitable that you will take more time or less time than this. The lectures are pedagogically designed to help you formulate/model your self-initiated problems and document your project findings. You will be assigned a project supervisor, and you should schedule regular meetings with him/her. You will be required to learn some specific techniques independently with minimal guidance from the supervisor.

Assessment
There is no formal examination in this course. In order to complete the course assessments, you are required to complete various modelling activities and three reports:

• Modelling activities: A group of students work together on a modelling problem while developing the skills of collective problem-solving.

• Project proposal: This should define the project proposal and project background, and include a literature review. A detailed project plan should also be created.

• Interim report: This should outline progress made and elaborate on the project plans and methods of investigation. A brief outline of the final report should also be given.

• Final report: This should give full details of the project results, conclusions and the importance of these conclusions.

• Project presentation: There is also a project presentation at the end of the course, which will be counted towards the continuous assessment portion of the course.

Online requirement
This course is supported by the Online Learning Environment (OLE). You can find the latest course information from the OLE. Through the OLE, you can communicate electronically with your tutor and the Course Coordinator as well as other students. To access the OLE, students will need to have access to the Internet. The use of the OLE is required for the study and the assessment of this course.

Set book(s)
There are no set books for this course.

Students with special educational needs
Depending on the nature of the project, a particular special educational need may affect the ability of the student to successfully and efficiently carry out the project. Students are requested to seek the advice of the Course Coordinator before enrolling in the course.