HKUST Business School - Department of Economics
Course Outline
ECON 4999G – Topics in Business Data Analysis (Spring 2015)
Lecture Time:
Venue:
Course Website:
Thursday 9 to 11:50am
G021 (Computer Lab), Lee Shau Kee Business Building
http://lmes.ust.hk
Instructor:
Office:
Email / Phone:
Office Hours:
SIU, Kam Wing (蕭錦榮)
Room 6054, Lee Shau Kee Business Building
eckwsiu@ust.hk / (852) 2358-7617
By appointment
Teaching Assistant
Office:
Email / Phone:
Office Hours:
Jeremy TO
Room 6066 (Computer Lab), Lee Shau Kee Business Building
ecjeremy@ust.hk / (852) 2358-7629
By appointment
A. Course Description
This course puts statistical and econometrics theories and models students learnt into
practice by working with data and cases, students need to write their own program with
STATA to do data analysis. The main objective of the course is to help students develop
skills in working with data to support a better business decision or analysis. Prerequisite:
ECON 3334 or equivalent. Please note that this is a three-credit course.
B. Textbook:
There is no assigned textbook for this course. Lecture materials will be mainly based on
Course PPT and assigned readings. Course PPTs would be posted in advance on the
Course Website.
C. Learning Outcome – Program Intended Learning Outcomes (“PILOs”):
1. To apply statistical and econometric theories and models in business environment
2. To develop skills in working with data to support a better business decision or
analysis.
3. To achieve fundamental understanding of the STATA platform, including: familiarizing
STATA working environment, performing data management with STATA, using
graphic functions for presentation, writing STATA do-file for specific research projects
4. To enhance report writing and presentation skills
D. Course Format / Teaching Approach:
This course is delivered through (1) lectures, (2) in-class computer exercises, (3) stimulated
consulting project and in-class presentation
Teaching & Learning
Activities
Lectures
In-class programming
exercises
Stimulated Consulting
Project + Presentation
Roles in the Course
Explain key concepts and applications;
Examples to enhance student’s understanding
Having hand-on experience to familiarizing the
STATA platform
Applying materials covered in the course;
Building up analytical and problem-solving
ability; Enhancing writing and presentation skills
1 PILO
Addressed
1,2, 3
1,2, 3
1,2,3, 4
We will meet once (each meeting lasts for two hours and fifty minutes) every week for the
discussion of the course materials and in-class computer exercises.
E. Course Website
Course materials and announcements will be posted on the Course Website
(http://lmes.ust.hk). It is YOUR responsibility to check for the latest information.
F.
Assessment:
1. Midterm (30%):
In an individual basis, you are required to complete your midterm exam in class (date to be
confirmed). The midterm exam will include STATA programming questions.
2. Stimulated Consulting Project (40% + 10% + 5%):
In a group basis, you are required to work on a stimulated consulting project, to present your
findings in class and to submit your written report. Please note that data analysis techniques
adopted in your course project should be related to those covered in this course. You will be
assigned two projects of your classmates and you have to provide comments and suggest
solution for them.
3. Problem Sets (15%)
In an individual basis, you are required to submit your work on Problem Sets assigned.
G. Academic Honesty and Integrity:
Academic integrity and honesty are key values at HKUST. Please read the information on
academic integrity carefully. It is your responsibility to be familiar with the Academic Honor
Code and the content on the Academic Integrity website. The address is:
http://tl.ust.hk/integrity/student-1.html
Plagiarism and copying will be STRICTLY punished. I will report any cases to the University
WITHOUT EXCEPTIONS.
H. Course Outline (Tentative):
Please refer to “ECON4999G - Content & Schedule.xls” in the Course Website
I.
Classroom Etiquette
You are expected to arrive for lecture on time and I will start and end the lecture on time.
You should demonstrate respect for the others during lecture time. Especially, please try to
avoid side conversations when your classmates raise questions or give comments. You are
welcome to bring your laptop or other devices to lectures to take notes or perform
calculations.
Surfing the internet, checking email or instant-messaging are to be done outside classroom.
Please visit the following site for general guidelines on proper classroom behavior:
http://tl.ust.hk/conduct/good_learning_experience.pps
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