Undergraduate Courses 2026-27
WBBA
SF Program in World Business
- WBBA 2000Special Topics in World Business0-4 Credit(s)DescriptionThis Special Topics course offers students a comprehensive understanding of various topics in world business, enhancing their knowledge and proficiency in international business. The course explores emerging and popular subjects in international business that are not currently covered in existing WBBA courses. Students may repeat the course for credit if the topics studied are different. The course is graded with a letter grade or P/F, depending on the specific offerings. For WBB students and students with instructors' approval only.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Equip with board and useful knowledge to various topics which are not covered by existing courses.
- 2.(Each offering under the umbrella will have specific learning outcomes.)
- WBBA 2030Effective Communication in Business3 Credit(s)DescriptionWhether making a presentation, creating and executing an integrated persuasive appeal, or engaging in group problem solving - students should be able to convey ideas and feelings to their audience clearly, accurately, and persuasively. The course is designed to provide second-year WBB students with the necessary communication skills to analyze and convincingly present solutions to the type of real-world problems that they will face as managers in their career. They will learn the necessary skills they need to solve business problems and make professional presentations. At the end of this course, students will be a more articulate and influential business communicator, and their existing skills as a strategic thinker, writer, and speaker will be sharpened. For WBB students in their second year of study.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Demonstrate proficiency in applying structured problem-solving techniques to address business challenges effectively.
- 2.Develop ability to create compelling and evidence-based business recommendations in PowerPoint, with a logical storyline and high-quality charts.
- 3.Demonstrate the capability to engage and persuade audiences through the delivery of compelling, insightful analyses with confidence, skill, and authority.
- 4.Enhance collaborative skills through effective teamwork practices.
- WBBA 2050Global Financial Markets and Institutions3 Credit(s)DescriptionThis course aims to provide students with basic and practical knowledge in the structure and function of the financial system and the financial institutions active in them. Topics covered include: the fundamentals of interest rates and basic pricing of financial assets, including basic concepts such as the time value of money and the risk-return tradeoff; basic notions of market efficiency and derivatives; the structure and function of the financial system, the role and the types of financial institutions and financial intermediaries. There will be a strong focus on financial institutions, understanding the role that the different types of firms play and how they interact. Current events, such as the impact of technology changes on financial institutions, will be discussed in class. Special attention will be given to the Asian markets. For WBB students in their second year of study.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Understand and apply basic interest rate concepts in particular DCF.
- 2.Be able to calculate interest on basic financial instruments.
- 3.Apply simple pricing theories such as the DDM.
- 4.Broaden and deepen their understanding of finance, in particular students should be able to explain the function and organization of financial markets and institutions and the interactions between them.
- 5.Understand ethical and professional responsibility of finance professionals through the discussion of current social responsibility and ethical issues in finance during class.
- WBBA 2080Doing Business in Asia3 Credit(s)DescriptionThis course explores the way key business and managerial practices play out in an Asian context. To be a successful business leader, students must possess not only the technical skills and knowledge, but also be able to deal with regional and international business issues independently. Therefore, this course provides a big-picture overview of the business framework in Asia, a platform for students to interact with leading business leaders to learn from their professional experience and obtain first-hand information of the market, as well as practical training on evaluating challenges and opportunities in doing business in Asia through a cross-disciplinary approach. This course intends to cover topical issues in marketing, management, accounting, information systems, economics, finance, etc. Through experiential exercises, case studies and class presentations, students are expected to apply their business knowledge to tackle global and regional business problems with a critical eye.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Communicate ideas persuasively to inform and convince others.
- 2.Demonstrate an
a.Understanding into how culture impacts business decisions in China
b.Understanding into how to derive and evaluate entry strategies into an emerging market
c.Ability to apply tools for market segmentation in China’s emerging economy and to understand the impact of business model in marketing decisions
d.Understanding the key challenges in entering frontier markets particularity with regard to access to information
e.Understanding and insight into how the global finance industry works and impacts global business decisions
f.Understanding of the role played by managers in ensuring the integrity of the firm and maintaining appropriate levels of social responsibility
g.In addition, although not explicitly taught, students will develop their knowledge and skills in the following areas through case practice. - 3.Develop their “business sense” in the solution of practical business problems in real world settings.
- 4.Apply their understanding of ethical behavior to the solution of real-world business problems.
- 5.Collaborate positively by actively seeking, and engaging in discussion of the views of others while showing sensitivity to opposing views.
- 6.Contribute to the successful and timely completion of a group project in line with their roles in teams.
- 7.Approach business problems from alternative perspectives and with unconventional concepts or solutions.
- WBBA 4010Capstone Project4 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)WBBA 2080DescriptionFor WBB students only. This course is designed to provide final year WBB students with an opportunity to pursue business studies above and beyond the normal course offerings of HKUST Business School. Students will work on a challenging individual or team capstone project which allows them to 1) conduct empirical research, and 2) synthesize skills and knowledge learned from the program.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Select a business topic that merits further investigation.
- 2.Actively work with a faculty supervisor and apply guidance given by that supervisor.
- 3.Schedule and complete academic research and writing to meet milestones and delivery dates.
- 4.Select current, scientifically valid academic resources to support a thesis.
- 5.Perform effective analysis of data and information resources.
- 6.Organize and write a rigorous academic paper with ample supporting research.
- WBBA 4900Independent Study1-3 Credit(s)DescriptionIndependent study project under the directed guidance of a faculty advisor on an international business topic not covered in other courses. The course aims to broaden and deepen the students' grasp of knowledge on the chosen topic as identified by the faculty advisor and the student. The course culminates in a final paper and oral presentation. Enrollment in the course requires prior approval of the course instructor, and credits assigned depend on the workload. May be repeated for credits if different topics are taken. Graded by letter or DI/PA/F subject to different offerings. For WBB students only in their second year of study or above.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Demonstrate an in-depth and substantial understanding of the chosen topic on international business through independent research and literature review.
- 2.Apply and integrate suitable business theories and framework from diverse fields to collect, analyze and evaluate data relevant to the chosen topic.
- 3.Generate insights and support evidence-based conclusions.
- 4.Present findings and insights professionally and effectively in both written and oral forms.
