Postgraduate Courses
- MAFS 5010Stochastic Calculus[3-0-0:3]DescriptionRandom walk models. Filtration. Martingales. Brownian motions. Diffusion processes. Forward and backward Kolmogorov equations. Ito's calculus. Stochastic differential equations. Stochastic optimal control problems in finance.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Develop a rigorous probabilistic framework and lay a firm foundation for stochastic calculus.
- 2.Recognize the most important results, including Ito's Lemma, Girsanov change of measure.
- 3.Employ numerical PDE or Monte Carlo method to solve the stochastic differential equations.
- 4.Recognize the Black-Scholes models and more general diffusion models.
- 5.Apply the theory in stochastic calculus to financial problems, e.g. option pricing.
- MAFS 5020Advanced Probability and Statistics[3-0-0:3]BackgroundEntry PG level MATHDescriptionProbability spaces, measurable functions and distributions, conditional probability, conditional expectations, asymptotic theorems, stopping times, martingales, Markov chains, Brownian motion, sampling distributions, sufficiency, statistical decision theory, statistical inference, unbiased estimation, method of maximum likelihood.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Recognize fundamental concept of randomness and analyze it using probability framework.
- 2.Recognize the law of large numbers and the central limit theorem and their applications.
- 3.Evaluate the statistical procedure of data analysis.
- 4.Formulate the basic statistical problems from one sample problem to linear regression.
- 5.Apply methodology of statistical inference to solve practical problems.
- MAFS 5030Quantitative Modeling of Derivatives Securities[3-0-0:3]Exclusion(s)MATH 5510 (prior to 2018-19)BackgroundEntry PG level MATHDescriptionForward, futures contracts and options. Static and dynamical replication. Arbitrage pricing. Binomial option model. Brownian motion and Ito's calculus. Black-Scholes-Merton model. Risk neutral pricing and martingale pricing methodology. General stochastic asset-price dynamics. Monte Carlo methods. Exotic options and American options.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Formulate and evaluate pricing models for derivatives.
- 2.Analyze effectiveness of hedging strategies for monitoring risks in derivatives.
- 3.Make appraisal of the dynamics of stock prices and commodity prices.
- 4.Provide solution using structural derivatives in wealth management.
- MAFS 5040Quantitative Methods for Fixed-Income Instruments[3-0-0:3]Exclusion(s)MATH 5520BackgroundEntry PG level MATHDescriptionBonds and bond yields. Bond markets. Bond portfolio management. Fixed-income derivatives markets. Term structure models and Heath-Jarrow-Morton framework for arbitrage pricing. Short-rate models and lattice tree implementations. LIBOR Market models. Hedging. Bermudan swaptions and Monte Carlo methods. Convexity adjustments. Mortgage-backed securities. Asset-backed securities. Collateralized debt obligations.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Describe the operation of fixed-income markets and the roles of the fixed-income derivative.
- 2.Apply major mathematical tools for fixed-income modeling.
- 3.Formulate major classes of fixed-income models and apply them for fixed-income pricing and risk management.
- 4.Evaluate the effectiveness of popular models for different sectors of derivatives.
- 5.Analyze exotic derivatives and choose pricing models.
- MAFS 5110Advanced Data Analysis with Statistical Programming[3-0-0:3]DescriptionData analysis and implementation of statistical tools in a statistical program, like SAS, R, or Minitab. Topics: reading and describing data, categorical data and longitudinal data, correlation and regression, nonparametric comparisons, ANOVA, multiple regression, multivariate data analysis.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Identify and explain the core ideas on financial data analysis by using statistical models.
- 2.Apply rigorous, analytic, highly numerate approaches to analyze and solve problems in daily life and at work with SAS and R, especially in finance.
- 3.Carry out objective analysis and prediction of quantitative information in finance with independent judgment.
- 4.Communicate effectively about statistical results obtained from R and SAS to both lay and expert audiences utilizing appropriate information and suitable technology.
- MAFS 5130Quantitative Analysis of Financial Time Series[3-0-0:3]Co-list withMSBD 5006Exclusion(s)MSBD 5006, MSDM 5053BackgroundEntry PG level MATHDescriptionAnalysis of asset returns: autocorrelation, predictability and prediction. Volatility models: GARCH-type models, long range dependence. High frequency data analysis: transactions data, duration. Markov switching and threshold models. Multivariate time series: cointegration models and vector GARCH models.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Recognize market indexes, financial time series and their features.
- 2.Recognize the foundation of time series and basic time series models.
- 3.Formulate time series models to study financial data, including market returns and volatility.
- 4.Evaluate the relationships of different markets via the cointegration time series and ECM models.
- 5.Analyze the real financial data with the statistical techniques from this course via a course project.
- MAFS 5140Statistical Methods in Quantitative Finance[3-0-0:3]BackgroundUndergraduate level knowledge in probability and statisticsDescriptionThis course provides an introduction to statistical models used in financial data analysis. Students learn about various basic and advanced regression models, and techniques of data analysis. These statistical methods are applied in quantitative finance, including portfolio theory, asset pricing models and risk management.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Apply data analysis and statistical inference in financial applications.
- 2.Formulate the construction of the factor models and apply them in asset management and other applications.
- 3.Perform statistical analysis of investment models.
- 4.Analyze financial problems using the Bayesian methods and nonlinear regression models.
- 5.Evaluate the effectiveness of statistical trading strategies.
- 6.Design and evaluate statistical models of risk management and their implementation.
- MAFS 5210Mathematical Models of Investment[3-0-0:3]DescriptionUtility theory, stochastic dominance. Portfolio analysis: mean-variance approach, one-fund and two-fund theorems. Capital asset pricing models. Arbitrage pricing theory. Consumption-investment problems.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Apply investment models in financial applications.
- 2.Formulate quantitative investment with Mean-Variance Optimization and Black-Litterman models.
- 3.Analyze equity valuation using asset pricing models.
- 4.Evaluate the effectiveness of investment strategies.
- 5.Design and implement asset management strategies and structured solutions.
- MAFS 5220Quantitative Risk Management[3-0-0:3]DescriptionNature of risk and risk measures. Reduced form models including Hazard rates and calibration, Exponential models of defaults and Contagion models. Mixture models including Bernoulli mixture models and CreditRisk+ models. Structural models including Merton model and mKMV, CreditMetrics and Gaussian copula, Vasicek model and Hull-White model. Credit derivatives and counter party risks.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Analyze risk on derivatives and other financial products using quantitative and statistical methods.
- 2.Evaluate the price impact on financial products due to quantifiable risks.
- 3.Devise computer programs to compute the risk using numerical methods.
- 4.Analyze the capital requirements for financial institutions using quantitative and statistical methods.
- MAFS 5240Software Development with C++ for Quantitative Finance[3-0-0:3]BackgroundPrior programming experienceDescriptionThis course introduces C++ with applications in derivative pricing. Contents include abstract data types; object creation, initialization, and toolkit for large-scale component programming; reusable components for path-dependent options under the Monte Carlo framework.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Design and develop functions in C++ for financial applications.
- 2.Recognize the basic object oriented modeling and programming paradigm and its application on computational finance.
- 3.Translate financial models into C++ applications.
- 4.Handle the complexities in real world financial calculations.
- MAFS 5270Mathematical Market Microstructure[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)MAFS 6010GDescriptionThis course will study special classes of stochastic processes that can capture market behavior at micro level and their practical implications in algorithmic and low-latency trading. Topics covered include structural models of price formation process at microstructure level, information-based vs. inventory-based models, stochastic control and optimization in trading, and real time risk management.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Apply mathematical theory of market microstructure in trading risk management.
- 2.Conduct data analysis with computer programming languages such as R and/or Python.
- 3.Analyze problems with real industry data (such as tick market data and trading data).
- 4.Draw meaningful implications to capture market behavior at micro level in algorithmic and low-latency trading.
- 5.Conduct independent research to handle the complexities in real-world trading applications.
- MAFS 5280Financial Markets in Hong Kong and China[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)MAFS 6010LDescriptionThe financial reforms in China have offered vast opportunities for companies to tap the onshore and offshore markets in financing, investment and risk management. This course introduces cross-border channels, structure products, and other emerging mechanisms for fund raising and risk hedging in Hong Kong and China. It also covers analyses of market players and the impacts on capital raising, investment strategies and FX hedging. Relevant current events and landmark deals are examined to illustrate teaching points.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Apply financial mathematical models in studying capital market transactions, especially for markets in greater China region.
- 2.Analyze cross-border financial transactions with real industry data at both macro- and micro-levels.
- 3.Apply risk models to assess and hedge currency exposure (in particular RMB/RMH).
- 4.Draw meaningful implications to tap the market opportunities in both onshore and offshore markets in financing, investment and risk management.
- 5.Conduct independent research to handle the complexities in real-world finance applications.
- MAFS 5310Portfolio Optimization with R[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)MAFS 6010RBackgroundLinear algebra and R programming (or similar)DescriptionThis course will explore the Markowitz portfolio optimization in its many variations and extensions, with special emphasis on R programming. Each week will be devoted to a specific topic, during which the theory will be first presented, followed by an exposition of a practical implementation based on R programming.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Apply mathematical theory of portfolio optimization in trading and risk assessment.
- 2.Implement different portfolio methods with the programming language R.
- 3.Execute realistic backtesting to assess strategies with real industry data (such as market price data).
- 4.Draw meaningful implications to capture market behaviors in trading.
- 5.Conduct independent research to handle the complexities in real-world trading applications.
- MAFS 5330Structured Products: Analysis and Pricing[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)MAFS 6010NBackgroundStochastic calculus, modelling for financial derivatives and Excel-VBADescriptionStructured solutions including payoff design / packaging / distribution / pricing / hedging / funding; The popular structures in practice across the asset classes (Equity, Funds, FX, Interest Rate, Credit and Commodities); The customized index business based on factors, portfolio theory and other trading models with up-to-date industry practices; Computational methods for derivatives and structured products, including lattice tree methods, finite difference approach for PDE, multi-dimensional and American Monte Carlo simulation.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Design computer algorithms for pricing structured derivatives.
- 2.Devise and compute hedging strategies for monitoring risks in derivatives.
- 3.Construct numerical algorithms for performing model calibration in pricing models of financial derivatives.
- 4.Provide solution using structural derivatives in wealth management.
- MAFS 5340Machine Learning and Its Applications[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)MAFS 6010SDescriptionThis course is designed for those who are interested in learning from data. It emphasizes the seamless integration of models and algorithms for real applications. Topics include linear methods for regression and classification, tree-based methods, kernel methods, expectation and maximization algorithm, variational auto-encoder, and generative adversarial networks. This course aims to make connections among these topics rather than treating them separately, laying a solid foundation for machine learning and its applications.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Describe and explain machine learning methods.
- 2.Conduct data analysis with computer programming languages such as R and/or Python.
- 3.Analyze problems with real industry data (such as trading data).
- 4.Interpret the data analysis results.
- 5.Derive machine learning algorithms.
- MAFS 5360Computing for Finance in Python[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)MAFS 6010WDescriptionThis course teaches Python programming techniques with a strong focus on using mini-projects with industry backgrounds in trading, aiming to equip students with solid program-solving skills in the following contexts: medium- and high-frequency multi-factor model development, OTC trading system development with block-chain technology applied, abnormal trading behavior detection, trading simulator design and development.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Apply mathematical theories to derive trading algorithms and implement using Python.
- 2.Conduct data analysis using Python.
- 3.Analyze problems with real industry data (such as trading data).
- 4.Draw meaningful implications to capture market behaviors in trading.
- 5.Conduct independent research to handle the complexities in real-world trading applications.
- MAFS 5370Reinforcement Learning with Financial Applications[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)MAFS 6010YBackgroundEntry PG level MATHDescriptionWith the application of artificial intelligence (AI) growing rapidly in finance industries and related sectors, this course introduces the use of reinforcement learning techniques in financial applications. Topics include finite action space and finite state space problem, classical RL algorithms, Q learning, policy gradient methods, and deep Q learning.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Apply mathematical theories to derive models of reinforcement learning in finance applications.
- 2.Apply programming techniques in implementing the reinforcement learning models.
- 3.Analyze problems with real industry data (such as trading data).
- 4.Draw meaningful implications to capture market behaviors in trading.
- 5.Conduct independent research to handle the complexities in real-world trading applications.
- MAFS 5380Entrepreneurship in Fintech[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)MAFS 6010XDescriptionThe course covers how to identify and evaluate business opportunities in the fintech context, formulate the business model and strategy, and how to raise venture capital (VC). The financial issues confronting fintech startups are different from traditional financing approaches. The course will discuss in detail on preparing an effective pitch deck, the key terms of VC financing, and initial public offering (IPO).Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Conduct independent research to handle the complexities in emerging trading applications and finance technologies.
- 2.Analyze problems with real industry data (such as trading data and market data).
- 3.Apply financial mathematical theories to assess the values for fintech startups and new ventures.
- 4.Draw meaningful implications to capture market behaviors and make forecasting.
- 5.Develop an effective pitch deck and present to VC investors.
- MAFS 6000Capstone Project in Financial Mathematics[3 credits]Previous Course Code(s)MAFS 6010QDescriptionIn this course, financial firms will be invited to offer projects covering a broad range of essential topics for the training of professionals in quantitative finance. The capstone projects involve a combination of quantitative skills (e.g., mathematical models, statistical analysis, machine learning techniques, etc.) and emerging technologies adopted in the field of financial mathematics. Students will be working in a group of 2 to 4 to complete a project. The normal duration of a project is one regular term.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Develop and evaluate quantitative models/strategies for emerging financial technologies.
- 2.Perform effective scenario simulations using statistical techniques in financial mathematics.
- 3.Program and develop applications for analysis of financial data and design numerical methods for calibration of model parameters from market data.
- 4.Analyze problems from finance in quantitative terms and develop strategies for effective solution of the problems.
- MAFS 6001Capstone Project in Financial Mathematics II[3 credits]Previous Course Code(s)MAFS 6010TDescriptionIn this course, financial firms will be invited to offer projects covering a broad range of essential topics for the training of professionals in quantitative finance. The capstone projects involve a combination of quantitative skills (e.g., mathematical models, statistical analysis, machine learning techniques, etc.) and emerging technologies adopted in the field of financial mathematics. Students will be working in a group of 2 to 4 to complete a project. The normal duration of a project is one regular term.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Develop and evaluate quantitative models/strategies for emerging financial technologies.
- 2.Perform effective scenario simulations using statistical techniques in financial mathematics.
- 3.Program and develop applications for analysis of financial data and design numerical methods for calibration of model parameters from market data.
- 4.Analyze problems from finance in quantitative terms and develop strategies for effective solution of the problems.
- MAFS 6010Special Topics in Financial Mathematics[2-4 credits]BackgroundEntry PG level MATHDescriptionSelected special topics in Financial Mathematics of current interest but not covered by existing courses.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Identify and apply the theories and methods related to the course topic.
- 2.Recognize the major issues and updated development in the area of the course topic.
- 3.Relate the concepts and methodologies in the course topic to practical implementation in the financial industries.
- MAFS 6100Independent Project[3-6 credits]DescriptionCompletion of an independent project under the supervisor of a faculty in financial mathematics or statistics. Scope may include (i) identifying a non-reference problem and proposing the methods of solution, (ii) acquiring a specific research skill.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Critically analyze a selected topic to identify and formulate practical problems in financial mathematics.
- 2.Recognize the key issues analyzed in the models and their limitations.
- 3.Design effective analytical and computational solution methodologies to solve the formulated models.
- 4.Provide quantitative interpretations of various financial phenomena in the formulated problems from the numerical results.
- 5.Communicate solution concepts and methods effectively to a range of audiences, both orally and in writing.