Study Scheme
Students are required to complete 8 courses (or 24 credit units) for graduation. Two modes of study are offered:
* Part-time Mode Study Normative Study Period: 2 years
* Maximum Study Period: 4 years
* Full-time Mode Study Normative Study Period: 1 years
* Maximum Study Period: 3 years
Students are required to complete 8 courses (or 24 credit units) for graduation; at least 5 of which are offered by the Master of Science in Information Engineering programme (please click here for the complete course list); and 1 of which can be replaced by the following courses offered by the Information Engineering MPhil-PhD programme (conducted in weekday mornings):
* IEG4020 Telecommunication Switching and Network Systems (Not for students who have taken IEG7002)
* IEG4030 Optical Communications (Not for students who have taken IEG7005)
* IEG4100 Wireless Communication Systems (Not for students who have taken IEG7001)
* IEG4130 Information and Network Security
* IEG4140 Teletraffic Engineering
* IEG4160 Image and Video Processing
* IEG4180 Network Software Design and Programming (Not for students who have taken IEG7003)
* IEG4190 Multimedia Coding and Processing
* IEG4200 Channel Coding and Modulation
* IEG5124 Signal Analysis and Application
* IEG5154 Information Theory
* IEG5240 Applied Cryptography
* IEG5270 Advanced Topics in P2P Networks and Systems
* IEG5280 Mobile Networking
* IEG5290 Network Coding Theory
Student can select up to 3 courses from the following master of science programmes offered by the Faculty of Engineering at CUHK, including:
* Biomedical Engineering
* Computer Science
* E-Commerce and Logistics Technologies
* Systems Engineering and Engineering Management
Curriculum
The programme consists of foundation courses as well as courses in specialized fields. The foundation courses include those in Multimedia and Computer Networks, and the specialized fields include courses in business and management, networks and systems, and software and applications. Most courses are offered by the Department of Information Engineering, but students are free to select up to three courses from other MSc programmes in the Faculty of Engineering. More information is provided below:
Foundation
# Computer Networks
# Multimedia Technology and Applications
(Recommended courses:IEG7000,IEG7008)
Field of Specialization: Business and Management
# Innovation and Entrepreneurship
# Information Engineering and Technology Management
# Knowledge Management
# Supply Chain and Logistics Management
(Recommended courses:IEG7009, IEG7011, IEG7012, SEG7500*,SEG7580*)
Field of Specialization: Networks and Systems
# Wireless Communication Systems
# Optical Communication and Lightwave Networks
# Cryptography and Network Security
# Advanced Network Protocols and Systems
# System Administration and Network Security
(Recommended courses:IEG7006, IEG7010, IEG7015 IEG7017),
Field of Specialization: Software and Applications
# Software Engineering Practices
# Network Programming and System Design
# E-Learning Technologies, Pedagogies, and Practices
# Case Studies in IE Project
# Fundamentals of E-Commerce Technologies
# E-Commerce Data Mining Techniques
(Recommended courses: IEG7003, IEG7009, IEG7013, IEG7016, ECT7010*, ECT7110*)
Remark
* Offered by other programmes in Faculty of Engineening
Foundation Courses
IEG7000 Computer Networks
Overview of the OSI reference model; local area network; internetworking components (switches, bridges, routers, etc.); Internet protocols; socket interface; presentation and application protocols; network administration and management; network security; network system case studies.
Further description:
This course provides a fundamental overview on computer networks, including the OSI and the TCP/IP protocol suites reference models, local area network, internetworking components (switches, bridges, routers, etc), Internet Protocols, TCP and UDP, socket interface, presentation and application protocols, network administration and management, network security, and network system case studies.
IEG7008 Multimedia and Distributed Networks
Multimedia technology and trends, overview of compression techniques, multimedia storage server design, multimedia network architectures and protocols, operating system support for multimedia applications, multimedia traffic analysis, multimedia system design such as buffer design, traffic shaping, scheduling and congestion control. Advanced Internet protocols such as RSVP and RTP. Research papers on distributed multimedia and advanced Internet protocols.
Further description:
This course provides students up-to-date knowledge in multimedia technology and applications. Details cover multimedia development trends, overview of compression techniques, and multimedia systems and network architecture design. Application aspects such as new media and multimedia design principles will also be included.
Courses in Business and Management Field
IEG7009 Advanced Topics in Information Engineering
This course will introduce to the students advanced topics in information engineering. The detailed course contents may be changed from year to year depending on the current development and the teacher specialty.
Further description:
The topics offered in 2009 – 2011 include knowledge management and e-learning. Knowledge Management (KM) is an emerging strategy for many organizations. This course explores various concepts of KM. With a number of case studies, the course emphasizes a non-technical approach to application design and functionality. It will address the dependence on and integration of business processes in Knowledge Management System and provide an analysis and presentation of commercial programs and applications. (Please refer to Courses in Software and Application Field for e-Learning.)
IEG7011 Information Engineering and Technology Management
Human aspects: planning, staffing, organizing, motivating, leading and control. Technical aspects: planning, strategic and operational considerations, technology lifecycle and decision making. Management of research, engineering design, production functions, marketing and service support. Project screening and selection. Project structuring, scheduling and budgeting. Project control. Management of outsourcing and multi-team projects. Management styles. Career management. (Not for students who have taken SEG7430 or SEG7490.)
Further description:
This course aims at enhancing students’ knowledge in technology management and project management, including the human aspects and technical aspects. The following topics will be discussed: management of research, engineering design, production functions, marketing and service support; project screening and selection; project structuring, scheduling and budgeting; project control; management of outsourcing and multi-team projects; management styles; and career management. (Not for students who have taken SEG7430 or SEG7490)
Courses in Networks and Systems Field
IEG7006 System Administration and Network Security
This is a 10-12 week workshop for students to gain hands-on experience in system administration and network security. Students are expected to spend at least 3 hours per week on the experiments, and each student will be assigned a Linux-based computer. The computer can be accessed via Internet so that experiments can be carried out at home. Selected topics include the set up of DNS and mail servers, the set up of certificate and secured web server for e-commerce applications, the use of network monitoring tools such as SNMP, TOP, MRTG, and tepdump, the set up of firewall, intrusion detection, and hacking techniques. Prerequisite: IEG7000.
Further description:
This is a 10-12 week workshop for students to gain hands-on experience in system administration and network security. Students are expected to spend at least 3 hours per week on the experiments, and each student will be assigned a Linux-based computer. The computer can be accessed via Internet so that experiments can be carried out at home. Selected topics include the set up of DNS and mail servers, the set up of certificate and secured web server for e-commerce applications, the use of network monitoring tools such as SNMP, TOP, MRTG, and tcpdump, the set up of firewall, intrusion detection, and hacking techniques.
IEG7010 Cryptography, Information Security & Privacy
This course aims to enhance students’ knowledge in cryptography as well as information security and privacy, in both theoretical and practical ways. The course introduces cryptography at an elementary level, enabling students to appreciate on its application to information security and privacy. Daily applications of cryptography will be discussed, including digital certificate and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), Virtual Private Network (VPN), Digital Right Management (DRM), steganography and e-cash. Security of mobile and wireless systems will also be discussed.
Further description:
This course emphasizes both theoretical and practical aspects of cryptography, information security and privacy. In particular, security experts are invited to share their first hand knowledge and practices in information security assurance and information security governance, policies, and management. Fundamental concepts in Cryptography are also covered in this course so as to help students preparing for professional examinations.
IEG7015 Advanced Network Protocols and Systems
Selected topics on advanced Internet protocols, applications and systems. Case studies on topics such as MPLS, VPN, VoIP, 3G/4G, P2P networking, IETF processes, or recent trends in industry.
Further description:
This course covers selected topics on advanced Internet protocols, applications and systems. Case studies will be examined including those about MPLS, VoIP, 3G/4G, P2P networking, IETF processes, or recent trends in industry.
IEG7017 Advanced Communication Technologies
The course aims at providing a broad and up-to-date view of communication technologies for ICT professionals. It covers various topics such as those in wireless communications, mobile networking, optical communications, and high-speed switching/routing systems. Development trends, state-of-the-art, practical applications, and the impacts of these emerging communication technologies will also be discussed.
Courses in Software and Application Field
IEG7003 Network Programming and System Design
Client-server system design; interprocess communication; sockets; blocking and nonblocking I/O; multi-threaded process; iterative and concurrent server designs; systemthroughput bottlenecks; object-oriented programming (Java); case studies: FTP, RPC, Web.
Further description:
This course studies the design and programming of network software applications and systems. Topics include network programming interfaces, I/O models, protocol design, server design, multithreading, object-oriented concepts, and case studies. Additional topics of current industry trends and technologies will also be introduced.
IEG7009 (Repeat) Advanced Topics in Information Engineering
This course will introduce to the students advanced topics in information engineering. The detailed course contents may be changed from year to year depending on the current development and the teacher specialty.
Further description:
The topics offered in 2009 – 2011 include knowledge management and e-learning. Since the invention of WWW, E-Learning has been used as a strategy for online education both in the commercial and education sectors. This course explores the technologies, pedagogies, and practices of E-learning. Topics covered include teaching and learning theory related to E-Learning, instructional design, E-learning framework, standards, Learning Management System (LMS), Learning Content Management System (LCMS), quality of E-Learning, and a number of cases. (Please refer to Courses in Business and Application Field for Knowledge Management.)
IEG7013 Cases in IE Project Planning I
This course offers students practical knowledge and insight in Information Engineering project planning through case studies of selected large scale IE infrastructural projects. Examples include financial institutions such as banks and stock exchange; corporate information/enterprise systems and networks. Guest speakers will be invited to share their knowledge and experience. Students shall participate in hypothetical case planning of selected IE infrastructural projects.
Further description:
This course offers students practical knowledge and insight in IE project planning and management through case studies of selected large scale IE infrastructural projects. Guest speakers will be invited to share their knowledge and experience. Examples are: financial institutions, banks, stock exchange, corporate information / enterprise management systems and networks. Students shall participate in hypothetical case planning of selected IE infrastructural projects.
IEG7016 Software Engineering Practice
Software life cycle, requirement analysis, specifications, system design and integration, object oriented design and development, basic web services technologies - XML, SOAP, WSDL and UDDI. software testing and maintenance, software quality and performance metric, documentation, CASE tools, software project planning and management.
Further description:
This course is designed to provide students various concepts in software engineering, including the software life cycle, requirement analysis, specifications, system design and integration, object oriented design and development, and basic web services technologies such as XML, SOAP, WSDL and UDDI. Other topics are also discussed including software testing and maintenance, software quality and performance metric, documentation, CASE tools, software project planning and management.
* Computer Science
Program Organization
Full-time students must complete 8 elective courses within 1 year and part-time students must complete 8 elective courses in 2 years. There are no compulsory courses and students can choose from the course list below. The offering of courses is subject to change, being determined by the Department based on students' preferences. Pending approval in 2009, students will be able to select courses from the department's graduate-level day courses as well as those from other departments in the Faculty of Engineering. More details are provided on the website.
Course List (2007-2009)
Course Code Course Title
CSC7110 Programming Languages: Theory and Implementation
CSC7111 Advanced Topics in Parallel/ Distributed Systems
CSC7112 Topics in Software Systems
CSC7120 Computational Complexity
CSC7121 Advanced Topics in Database Systems
CSC7122 Topics in Theoretical Computer Science
CSC7130 Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence
CSC7220 Advanced Computer Architecture
CSC7221 Advanced Topics in Internet Technologies
CSC7230 Object-Based Distributed Systems
CSC7231 Image Processing and Computer Vision
CSC7232 Computer Models for E-Business
CSC7233 IT Project Management
CSC7240 Multimedia Technology
CSC7241 Advanced Topics in Information Systems
CSC7242 Internet-based Virtual Reality
CSC7246** Service-oriented Computing
CSC7248** Introduction to computational finance
CSC7250 Seminar
CSC7251 Project I (must be paired with CSC7260)
CSC7260 Project II
CSC7270** Autonomous Agents & Multiagent System
CSC7272** Computer Crime and Forensics
CSC7274** Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery
CSC7276** On-demand Enterprise Computing
CSC7278** Computer And Network Security
CSC7280* Computer Game Software Production
CSC7281 Decision Analysis & Game Theory
*This course is approved by CEF. Students (HK) may claim max. HK$8,000 from the Continuing Education Fund of the HKSAR Government. Several other courses will be approved for the coming year.
**New courses are pending for University's approval.
Course List
CSC7110 Programming Languages: Theory and Implementation
This course focuses on the theory and implementation of modern programming languages. Topics include: logic, lambda calculus, type theory, domain theory, category theory, semantics, and implementation for languages of different paradigms.
CSC7111 Advanced Topics in Parallel/ Distributed Systems
This course covers selected topics in parallel/distributed systems. The detailed contents may be changed from year to year depending on the current development and the teacher specialty.
Special Topic for 2008-10: Service-Oriented Computing Service-oriented computing has become an important paradigm for building distributed applications. This course explores the current and future developments in the concepts, architectures and techniques of service-oriented computing. Key topics include basic web services, service selection and orchestration, semantics, transactions, processes, agents, quality of service, security, compliance and trust.
CSC7112 Topics in Software Systems
This course will introduce to students topics in software systems. Topics will be selected from theories, design and implementation methodologies, object technologies and software agent technologies. The detailed contents may be changed from year to year depending on the current development and available expertise.
Special Topic for 2007-09: Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems
Characteristics of autonomous agents- Agent architectures: BDI architecture, purely reactive architectures and hybrid architecture. Multiagent systems: speech acts theory, agent communication, and agent cooperation protocols. Agent-oriented programming. Distributed hierarchical planning. Distributed rational decision making: protocols and strategies, Nash equilibrium and Pareto optimality, auctions, voting, Clarke tax, OCSM-contracts. Argumentation and negotiation.
CSC7120 Computational Complexity
This course introduces advanced topics in computational complexity: relations between complexity classes, reduction and completeness, P vs NP, NP and coNp problems, approximability and parallel computation.
CSC7121 Advanced Topics in Database Systems
This course will introduce to students advanced topics in database systems including query languages, concurrency control, deadlock resolutions, recovery schemes, distributed database systems, and object-oriented approach.
Special Topic for 2007-09: Data Mining
Data Mining provides useful tools for the analysis, understanding and extraction of useful information from huge databases. Applications range from business, finance, medicine and engineering. This course will introduce the techniques used in data mining. Topics will include clustering, classification, estimation, forecasting, statistical analysis and visualization tools.
CSC7122 Topics in Theoretical Computer Science
This course will introduce to students topics in Theoretical Computer Science. The detailed contents may be changed from year to year depending on the current development and available expertise.
CSC7130 Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence
This course will cover selected topics from: advanced pattern recognition, neural networks, expert systems and fuzzy systems, evolutionary computing, learning theory, constraint processing, logic programming, probabilistic reasoning, computer vision, speech processing, and natural language processing.
CSC7220 Advanced Computer Architecture
This course explores current and future trends in the design of high-performance computing systems. Topics to be discussed will include: Pipelining, branch prediction, hardware/software techniques for exposing more parallelism, memory system design, interconnection networks, and clusters.
CSC7221 Advanced Topics in Internet Technologies
This course will cover advanced topics in Internet technologies. Topics will vary from year to year depending on the current research features. Sonic typical topics to be discussed will include: multimedia streaming, delivery and fault tolerance, content distribution network, peer-to-peer network and services, network economics and incentive, network security and distributed key management, service overlay network, routing and convergence.
CSC7230 Object-Based Distributed Systems
This course will provide students with understanding and awareness of the main advantages, challenges, design issues, and current techniques in the area of distributed systems and software, based on the object-oriented paradigm and middleware. Topics will include: architectural models for distributed systems, examples of servers such as file servers and name servers, remote procedure calls and multicast communication, Java RMI, emerging standards (CORBA, DCOM) and platforms (lona Orbix, Visigenix), the features of Unix which are geared towards distributed working, the relevance of concurrency control and transactions in the sharing of distributed data, reliability and security issues.
Special Topic for 2008-10: Modern Distributed System Applications
The course will illustrate how distributed system techniques can be applied in P2P architectures, Multimedia systems, Ubiquitous computing, Web services, and RFID technologies.
CSC7231 Image Processing and Computer Vision
This first part of the course includes funcamental topics in image processing, e.g. image enhancement techniques, color image processing, image segmentation, and image compression. The second part of the course focuses on topics concerning methodologies of recovering 3D information from 2D images. Specifically, techniques for camera calibration, stereoposis, motion analysis, pose estimation and structure from motion will be discussed. These techniques will have practical applications to virtual reality, model reconstruction and graphics.
CSC7232 Computer Models for E-Business
Models for e-Business, Customer Behavior Models, The Anatomy of e-Business Functions, Infrastructure for Electronic Business, A Qualitative Analysis of Authentication Services, A Qualitative Analysis of Payment Services, A Capacity Planning Methodology for e-Business, Performance Modeling Concepts, Solving Performance Models of e-Business Sites, Modeling Contention for Software Servers, Characterizing e-Business Workload.
CSC7233 IT Project Management
This course covers the key elements of the project management framework related to information technology. Topics include the identification of elements and processes of project management, processes involved in project integration management, project scope management, various tools and techniques used to develop project schedules and resource planning, processes of project quality management, project communications management, risk management, human resources management, and project procurement management. Experts from industry will also be invited to share their experience in the topics.
Special Topic for 2008-10:
Key topics include the introduction of project management framework, the identification of key elements and processes of project management, the familiarization with the tools and techniques for scheduling and resource planning, the discussion on the issues of risk management, human resources management, communications management, quality management, and procurement management. The students would gain experiences in applying project management processes and knowledge by working on a group project and through case discussion.
CSC7240 Multi-media Technology
This course will introduce to students advanced topics in multimedia technology. The detailed contents may be changed from year to year depending on the current development and the teacher specialty.
CSC7241 Advanced Topics in Information Systems
This course will introduce to students advanced topics in Information Systems. The detailed contents may be changed from year to year depending on the current development and the teacher specialty.
CSC7242 Internet-based Virtual Reality
This course introduces various user-computer interaction techniques and interface tools on internet. It will discuss the current R&D trends in virtual reality (VR) technology, especially internet-based VR technology applied to various applications including architecture modeling and navigation, virtual prototyping, 3D arts and design, multi-user real-time VR entertainment on Internet, virtual tourist, tele-medicine and distant learning, and interactive visualization.
CSC7250 Seminar
The seminar is a series of 12 sessions with speakers invited from academia or industry to present a range of current topics in computer science to widen the students’ horizon and perspectives.
CSC7251 / CSC7260 Project I and II
The Project provides a challenge for students to apply their computing knowledge and expertise to carry out independent research and development work in any area of Computer Science. A project report has to be written under the supervision of the lecturing staff.
CSC7280 Computer Game Software Production #
This course focuses on the programming issues in computer gaming software production, discusses the process in developing a game application and analyzes various considerations in technologies used. The main emphasis is on the real time performance requirement in computer game development. Indoor/outdoor rendering, networking, artificial intelligence, physics as well as the game design issues would be introduced. The students would further gain the production experience through the game development project in the course.
CSC7281 Decision Analysis & Game Theory
This course introduces decision theory and game theory used in computer science, in particular, artificial intelligence and multiagent systems. Topics include utility theory, decision under risk, decisions under uncertainty, social choices, strategic games and Nash equilibrium, extensive games and subgame perfect equilibrium, repeated games and folk theorems, and applications in computer science.
*E-Commerce and Logistics Technologies
Course Descriptions
Fundamentals of E-commerce Technologies - ECT7010
An overview of the principles of E-Commerce. The origin and growth of E-Commerce. Technologies that support the development of E-Commerce applications. Business models and strategies for E-Commerce. Legal issues related to E-Commerce such as privacy, consumer rights, and intellectual property. Information interchange and application sharing via extensible markup languages and web services to support logistics and operation management.
Electronic Payments Systems - ECT7020
This course covers various methods of transferring payments over the Internet and compares their functionality. Topics include electronic money, electronic contracts, micro-payments, authenticity, integrity and reliability of transactions, the encryption and digital signature techniques needed to support electronic cash, and the technologies available to support secure transactions on the Internet.
Logistics Management - ECT7030
The integrated logistics management concept. Customer service. Channels of distribution. Order processing. Transportation systems. Storage and material handling systems. Inventory management. Information systems for order processing & inventory tracking. Impact of Internet and electronic data intercharge (EDI) on order cycles, vendor-customer communications and inventory. Global logistics. Third-party logistics.
Cryptography, Information Security and E-Commerce - ECT7040
Symmetric cryptography. Asymmetric cryptography including integer factorization, discrete logarithm, and elliptic curve. Digital signature, one-way hashing, zero-knowledge proof, certificate and certificate authority. Secure information infrastructure, virtual private network (VPN), online shopping and payment systems, e-cash. Economic impact. Smart card, steganography, time stamping. Cryptanalysis technology. Authentication protocols, analysis, and evaluation.
E-Commerce Data Mining Techniques - ECT7110
Data mining provides techniques for the analysis, understanding and extraction of useful information from huge databases. These techniques are used in business, finance, medicine and engineering. This course will introduce the techniques used in data-mining for E-Commerce information. Topics will include clustering, classification, estimation, forecasting, statistical analysis and visualization tools.
Distributed and Mobile Systems - ECT7120
Distributed and mobile systems are the key framework for E-Commerce applications. This course covers the principles of distributed systems (including mobile applications) and software, and the engineering mechanisms for their specification, design, deployment, and evaluation. Topics include: architectural models for distributed systems, server techniques, remote procedure call and multicast communication, RFID technology, emerging standards and platforms, distributed transactions, concurrency control, reliability and security issues.
Network and Web Programming - ECT7130
This course addresses the techniques for programming in both low-level (Network) and high-level (Web) of internet. Network programs includes: Client-server system design; interprocess communication; sockets; blocking and nonblocking I/O; multithreaded process;iterative and concurrent server designs; Web programming includes: HTML, JAVA, Web page design and contruction.
Open Systems for E-Commerce - ECT7140
Introduction to open system standards and protocols. Transaction protocols. Electronic commerce applications using open system and artificial intelligence technologies. Application of intelligent agents for automated transaction processing. Integration of Web programming techniques with information and communication systems. Case studies for E-Commerce open system applications.
Mobile Commerce and Mobile Logistics - ECT7160
This course introduces key technologies and applications that support operation of mobile commerce and mobile logistics. Topics include security and communication protocols, mobile payment, location-based technologies and applications, RFID, as well as other new mobile commerce applications and solutions. Managerials issues, such as, regulation frameworks, business model, and revenue models, will also be discussed in this course. Mobile commerce applications that are important to Hong Kong, such as mobile tourism and mobile banking/trading will also be discussed through case studies.
Project I in E-Commerce and Logistics Technologies - ECT7150*
An individual or a team project on E-Commerce technologies.
Information Technology Management - ECT7210
The challenges, techniques and technologies associated with the management of information technology (IT) for logistics and supply chain operations. The linkage of IT to busines models and corporate strategies in logistics and supply chain industry. Information systems and technology planning, sourcing and acquisition, budgeting and deployment. Performance evaluation and audit. Standard, privacy and security polices.
Decision Methodology with Financial Application - ECT7220
Utility functions, and mean-variance theory. Probability models and price dynamics of securities. Financial analysis models including: Geometric Brownian motion,Ito's lemma, Black-Scholes model. Capital aset pricing. Models of risks. Risk hedging. Optimization techniques for investment and portfolio management.
Engineering Economics - ECT7230
Principles of engineering economy. Value and cost, cash flows. Economic analysis of alternatives, technological, social, and human factors. Models involving allocation and scheduling of resources. Analytical techniques for evaluating industrial projects. Relationship between economics of technical choice and industrial productivity. Basic financial accounting concepts, accounting cycle, financial statements.
Supply Chain Management - ECT7240
Management of moving raw materials, in-process inventory, and finished-goods; transferring information and payment. Topics include: electronic information and payment transfer and its impact, distribution, forecasting, inventory management, purchasing and supplier management, ERP systems supply chain integration and strategic partnering. Impacts of E-Commerce in supply chain management.
Project II in E-Commerce and Logistics Technologies - ECT7250*
An individual or a team project on E-Commerce technologies.
*Notes for Projects
Project I and Project II in E-Commerce and Logistics Technologies are designed to allow students to gain first-hand experience in studying and developing real-world systems for E-Commerce. These could be conducted either individually or by team work. It is expected that students will be involved in projects for the industrial "pilot programmes" of the Centre for Logistics Technologies and Supply Chain Optimization (LOGITSCO) at the Faculty of Engineering. Possible projects include, but are not limited to:
* On-Line Banking and Financial Systems
* Supply Chain Coordination and Synchronization
* Supply Contracting and Information Sharing
* Web-based Forecasting and Pricing
* Electronic Payment Systems
* Internet Shopping
* Virtual Store or Virtual Campus
* Electronic Office
* Open System Technologies
* Intelligent Agent Systems
* Multimedia Information Systems
* Data Mining Applications
* Virtual Reality Applications
* Cryptography Servers
* Security Fire Wall
* Network Management and Quality of Service
* Distributed System Technologies in CORBA or DCOM
*Systems Engineering and Engineering Management
Master of Science
Course Structure
A student is required to take a minimum of 8 postgraduate courses (24 credits in total), within a normal period of two years (Part-time mode) or one year (Full-time mode) of which 4 should be required courses and 4 elective courses. An exemption from a required course may be sought provided that the student has a sufficient background and knowledge in the required course. The exempted course must be replaced with an approved elective course. Other M.Sc. courses from the Faculty of Engineering may be taken as electives with the approval of the Division Head. A student shall be required to discontinue studies in the programme, if he has received failure grades in two or more courses.
The degree of Master of Science will be conferred upon students who have completed the prescribed coursework with a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or above.
Required Courses
SEG 7410 Principles of Engineering Management
This course is designed to provide fundamental principles of managing engineering and industrial organizations. The focus is on the application of quantitative and qualitative approaches in the practice of engineering management. Quantitative modelling and solution techniques for strategic and operational problems are discussed. The role of strategic management, strategy formulation, and strategy implementation are covered. Other strategic issues involving innovation and ethics are also addressed.
SEG 7430 Information Technology Management
The challenges, techniques and technologies associated with the management of information technology (IT) in a competitive environment. The linkage of IT to business strategy and business process re-engineering. Different types of information systems: MIS, DSS, TPS. Information technology concepts: networking, database, batch and distributed processing. Development Process. Information system planning. Systems project management and control. IT acquisition, budgeting and deployment. Performance evaluation and audit. Operations management, privacy and security.
SEG 7520 Models and Decisions with Financial Applications
Models of risks. Utility functions, and mean-variance theory. Probability models and price dynamics of securities. Geometric Brownian motion, Ito's lemma, Black-Scholes model. Capital asset pricing. Risk hedging. Optimization techniques. Applications to investment and portfolio management. The emphasis is on mathematical modelling, analysis, and computation.
SEG 7540 Financial Analysis and Security Trading (CEF No. 23Z02195-3)
Working knowledge of different financial markets. Equity risk, bond risk, FOREX risk, commodity risk and their corresponding risk management practices. The use of REUTER's, Bloomberg, Dow Jones, and TIBCO traders' terminals.
Elective Courses
4 courses from the following areas; no more than 2 from each area.
Area I: Engineering Management
Area II: Information Systems
Area III: Financial Engineering
Area I: Engineering Management
SEG 7420 Manufacturing and Service Operations Management
Topics in manufacturing operations management: forecasting, aggregate planning, inventory theory, manufacturing resource planning, Just-In-Time (JIT) production. Topics in service operations management: the framework to analyze service operations, methods for designing, evaluating and delivering services, locating service facilities, allocation of service resources, workforce management and quality management.
SEG 7440 Advanced Engineering Economics
Accounting income. Cash flow modeling. Depreciation and taxation. Overview of utility theory. Analysis of economic risk. Risk simulation. Decision tree analysis. Procedures for replacement analysis. Activity-based costing. Analytical hierarchy process. Economic optimization under constraints. Strategic investment analysis.
SEG 7480 Quality Assurance and Control
Review of basic probability concepts and statistical tools. Measuring and predicting part and system reliability. Quality function deployment. Failure mode and effect analysis. Statistical process control charts. Lot acceptance sample plans. Quality improvement processes. Design of experiments. ISO 9000.
SEG 7490 Project and Technology Management
Project screening and selection. Multiple-criteria methods for evaluation. Project structuring scheduling and budgeting. Resource management. Life-cycle costing. Project control. Computer support for project management. Forecasting of technology. Strategic and operational consideration of technology.
SEG 7500 Logistics Management
Logistics planning. Integrated logistics management concept. Customer service. Channels of distribution systems. Order processing and information systems. Logistics network design , location and layout planning. Distribution and delivery planning. Transportation systems. Storage and material handling systems. Warehousing. Global logistics. Third-Party Logistics.
SEG 7580 Supply Chain Management
This course introduces the key models and concepts in supply chain management. Topics include: demand forecasting, aggregate planning, supply management, inventory management, matching supply with uncertain demand, information distortion and demand management , information technologies for supply chain co-ordination, e-business models, etc.
SEG 7590 Economics of Information
Fundamentals in Game Theory, Introduction of Games with Asymmetric Information, Concept of Information Rent, Principal-Agent Models, Adverse Selection, Signaling Model, Moral Hazard， Incentive Schemes, Mechanism Design, Applications in Regulation and Procurement, Contract Design and Coordination in Supply Chain Management.
Area II: Information Systems
SEG 7450 Expert Systems and Decision Support
Overview of management support systems. Data and model management in decision support systems. Group decision process. Group decision support systems and distributed group decision support systems. Executive information and support systems. Applications of artificial intelligence methodologies in decision support. Integration of decision support technologies. Design and development of management support systems. Organizational and societal impacts.
SEG 7460 Client/Server Information Systems
Introduction to distributed computing. Client/Server theory and practice. Overview of major protocols and distributed system concepts. Management aspects: vision, priority and transition strategies, operational challenges.
SEG 7470 Open Systems and Electronic Commerce
Introduction to open system standards and protocols. Transaction protocols. Electronic commerce applications using open system and artificial intelligence technologies. Application of intelligent agents for automated transaction processing. Integration of HTML and JAVA with information and communication systems.
Area III: Financial Engineering
SEG 7530 Stochastic Investment Models
The focus of the course is on various stochastic models that support investment decisions. Overview of investment problems: pricing, hedging, portfolio selection, investment vs. consumption. Asset dynamics, binomial trees, Ito processes. Introduction to option pricing, Black-Scholes formula. Term structure, interest-rate derivatives. Portfolio optimization, optimal control models: Bellman equation and necessary conditions.
SEG 7550 Computational Intelligence in Financial Information Systems
Characteristics of financial data, patterns, and models, time-series representation and prediction. Limitations of classical systems identification for prediction problems. Nonlinear system modeling and learning using neural networks, multiple models, and chaotic pattern detection. Heuristic approaches of AI, genetic programming, and data mining in an integrated knowledge-based system for financial engineering applications.
SEG 7560 Data Analysis in the Financial Markets
This course emphasized on econometrics modeling and inference techniques. Topics include: OLS, GLS, maximum likelihood estimation, statistical hypothesis testing, GMM, ARFIMA model, GARCH model and Stochastic Volatility model, cointegration, common factors and common features, switching regime model and other nonlinearities, simulation and estimation of continuous diffusion process, the use of S-plus.
SEG 7570 Computational Finance
The course emphasizes the implementation of numerical algorithms applied to financial problems. The numerical methods include: binomial trees, Monte Carlo simulation, finite difference methods, among others. These methods will be applied to basic options, exotic options, futures, term structure, fixed income securities, dynamic trading strategies, and financial risk management.
Students are required to complete 8 courses (or 24 credit units) for graduation. Two modes of study are offered:
* Part-time Mode Study Normative Study Period: 2 years
* Maximum Study Period: 4 years
* Full-time Mode Study Normative Study Period: 1 years
* Maximum Study Period: 3 years
Students are required to complete 8 courses (or 24 credit units) for graduation; at least 5 of which are offered by the Master of Science in Information Engineering programme (please click here for the complete course list); and 1 of which can be replaced by the following courses offered by the Information Engineering MPhil-PhD programme (conducted in weekday mornings):
* IEG4020 Telecommunication Switching and Network Systems (Not for students who have taken IEG7002)
* IEG4030 Optical Communications (Not for students who have taken IEG7005)
* IEG4100 Wireless Communication Systems (Not for students who have taken IEG7001)
* IEG4130 Information and Network Security
* IEG4140 Teletraffic Engineering
* IEG4160 Image and Video Processing
* IEG4180 Network Software Design and Programming (Not for students who have taken IEG7003)
* IEG4190 Multimedia Coding and Processing
* IEG4200 Channel Coding and Modulation
* IEG5124 Signal Analysis and Application
* IEG5154 Information Theory
* IEG5240 Applied Cryptography
* IEG5270 Advanced Topics in P2P Networks and Systems
* IEG5280 Mobile Networking
* IEG5290 Network Coding Theory
Student can select up to 3 courses from the following master of science programmes offered by the Faculty of Engineering at CUHK, including:
* Biomedical Engineering
* Computer Science
* E-Commerce and Logistics Technologies
* Systems Engineering and Engineering Management
Curriculum
The programme consists of foundation courses as well as courses in specialized fields. The foundation courses include those in Multimedia and Computer Networks, and the specialized fields include courses in business and management, networks and systems, and software and applications. Most courses are offered by the Department of Information Engineering, but students are free to select up to three courses from other MSc programmes in the Faculty of Engineering. More information is provided below:
Foundation
# Computer Networks
# Multimedia Technology and Applications
(Recommended courses:IEG7000,IEG7008)
Field of Specialization: Business and Management
# Innovation and Entrepreneurship
# Information Engineering and Technology Management
# Knowledge Management
# Supply Chain and Logistics Management
(Recommended courses:IEG7009, IEG7011, IEG7012, SEG7500*,SEG7580*)
Field of Specialization: Networks and Systems
# Wireless Communication Systems
# Optical Communication and Lightwave Networks
# Cryptography and Network Security
# Advanced Network Protocols and Systems
# System Administration and Network Security
(Recommended courses:IEG7006, IEG7010, IEG7015 IEG7017),
Field of Specialization: Software and Applications
# Software Engineering Practices
# Network Programming and System Design
# E-Learning Technologies, Pedagogies, and Practices
# Case Studies in IE Project
# Fundamentals of E-Commerce Technologies
# E-Commerce Data Mining Techniques
(Recommended courses: IEG7003, IEG7009, IEG7013, IEG7016, ECT7010*, ECT7110*)
Remark
* Offered by other programmes in Faculty of Engineening
Foundation Courses
IEG7000 Computer Networks
Overview of the OSI reference model; local area network; internetworking components (switches, bridges, routers, etc.); Internet protocols; socket interface; presentation and application protocols; network administration and management; network security; network system case studies.
Further description:
This course provides a fundamental overview on computer networks, including the OSI and the TCP/IP protocol suites reference models, local area network, internetworking components (switches, bridges, routers, etc), Internet Protocols, TCP and UDP, socket interface, presentation and application protocols, network administration and management, network security, and network system case studies.
IEG7008 Multimedia and Distributed Networks
Multimedia technology and trends, overview of compression techniques, multimedia storage server design, multimedia network architectures and protocols, operating system support for multimedia applications, multimedia traffic analysis, multimedia system design such as buffer design, traffic shaping, scheduling and congestion control. Advanced Internet protocols such as RSVP and RTP. Research papers on distributed multimedia and advanced Internet protocols.
Further description:
This course provides students up-to-date knowledge in multimedia technology and applications. Details cover multimedia development trends, overview of compression techniques, and multimedia systems and network architecture design. Application aspects such as new media and multimedia design principles will also be included.
Courses in Business and Management Field
IEG7009 Advanced Topics in Information Engineering
This course will introduce to the students advanced topics in information engineering. The detailed course contents may be changed from year to year depending on the current development and the teacher specialty.
Further description:
The topics offered in 2009 – 2011 include knowledge management and e-learning. Knowledge Management (KM) is an emerging strategy for many organizations. This course explores various concepts of KM. With a number of case studies, the course emphasizes a non-technical approach to application design and functionality. It will address the dependence on and integration of business processes in Knowledge Management System and provide an analysis and presentation of commercial programs and applications. (Please refer to Courses in Software and Application Field for e-Learning.)
IEG7011 Information Engineering and Technology Management
Human aspects: planning, staffing, organizing, motivating, leading and control. Technical aspects: planning, strategic and operational considerations, technology lifecycle and decision making. Management of research, engineering design, production functions, marketing and service support. Project screening and selection. Project structuring, scheduling and budgeting. Project control. Management of outsourcing and multi-team projects. Management styles. Career management. (Not for students who have taken SEG7430 or SEG7490.)
Further description:
This course aims at enhancing students’ knowledge in technology management and project management, including the human aspects and technical aspects. The following topics will be discussed: management of research, engineering design, production functions, marketing and service support; project screening and selection; project structuring, scheduling and budgeting; project control; management of outsourcing and multi-team projects; management styles; and career management. (Not for students who have taken SEG7430 or SEG7490)
Courses in Networks and Systems Field
IEG7006 System Administration and Network Security
This is a 10-12 week workshop for students to gain hands-on experience in system administration and network security. Students are expected to spend at least 3 hours per week on the experiments, and each student will be assigned a Linux-based computer. The computer can be accessed via Internet so that experiments can be carried out at home. Selected topics include the set up of DNS and mail servers, the set up of certificate and secured web server for e-commerce applications, the use of network monitoring tools such as SNMP, TOP, MRTG, and tepdump, the set up of firewall, intrusion detection, and hacking techniques. Prerequisite: IEG7000.
Further description:
This is a 10-12 week workshop for students to gain hands-on experience in system administration and network security. Students are expected to spend at least 3 hours per week on the experiments, and each student will be assigned a Linux-based computer. The computer can be accessed via Internet so that experiments can be carried out at home. Selected topics include the set up of DNS and mail servers, the set up of certificate and secured web server for e-commerce applications, the use of network monitoring tools such as SNMP, TOP, MRTG, and tcpdump, the set up of firewall, intrusion detection, and hacking techniques.
IEG7010 Cryptography, Information Security & Privacy
This course aims to enhance students’ knowledge in cryptography as well as information security and privacy, in both theoretical and practical ways. The course introduces cryptography at an elementary level, enabling students to appreciate on its application to information security and privacy. Daily applications of cryptography will be discussed, including digital certificate and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), Virtual Private Network (VPN), Digital Right Management (DRM), steganography and e-cash. Security of mobile and wireless systems will also be discussed.
Further description:
This course emphasizes both theoretical and practical aspects of cryptography, information security and privacy. In particular, security experts are invited to share their first hand knowledge and practices in information security assurance and information security governance, policies, and management. Fundamental concepts in Cryptography are also covered in this course so as to help students preparing for professional examinations.
IEG7015 Advanced Network Protocols and Systems
Selected topics on advanced Internet protocols, applications and systems. Case studies on topics such as MPLS, VPN, VoIP, 3G/4G, P2P networking, IETF processes, or recent trends in industry.
Further description:
This course covers selected topics on advanced Internet protocols, applications and systems. Case studies will be examined including those about MPLS, VoIP, 3G/4G, P2P networking, IETF processes, or recent trends in industry.
IEG7017 Advanced Communication Technologies
The course aims at providing a broad and up-to-date view of communication technologies for ICT professionals. It covers various topics such as those in wireless communications, mobile networking, optical communications, and high-speed switching/routing systems. Development trends, state-of-the-art, practical applications, and the impacts of these emerging communication technologies will also be discussed.
Courses in Software and Application Field
IEG7003 Network Programming and System Design
Client-server system design; interprocess communication; sockets; blocking and nonblocking I/O; multi-threaded process; iterative and concurrent server designs; systemthroughput bottlenecks; object-oriented programming (Java); case studies: FTP, RPC, Web.
Further description:
This course studies the design and programming of network software applications and systems. Topics include network programming interfaces, I/O models, protocol design, server design, multithreading, object-oriented concepts, and case studies. Additional topics of current industry trends and technologies will also be introduced.
IEG7009 (Repeat) Advanced Topics in Information Engineering
This course will introduce to the students advanced topics in information engineering. The detailed course contents may be changed from year to year depending on the current development and the teacher specialty.
Further description:
The topics offered in 2009 – 2011 include knowledge management and e-learning. Since the invention of WWW, E-Learning has been used as a strategy for online education both in the commercial and education sectors. This course explores the technologies, pedagogies, and practices of E-learning. Topics covered include teaching and learning theory related to E-Learning, instructional design, E-learning framework, standards, Learning Management System (LMS), Learning Content Management System (LCMS), quality of E-Learning, and a number of cases. (Please refer to Courses in Business and Application Field for Knowledge Management.)
IEG7013 Cases in IE Project Planning I
This course offers students practical knowledge and insight in Information Engineering project planning through case studies of selected large scale IE infrastructural projects. Examples include financial institutions such as banks and stock exchange; corporate information/enterprise systems and networks. Guest speakers will be invited to share their knowledge and experience. Students shall participate in hypothetical case planning of selected IE infrastructural projects.
Further description:
This course offers students practical knowledge and insight in IE project planning and management through case studies of selected large scale IE infrastructural projects. Guest speakers will be invited to share their knowledge and experience. Examples are: financial institutions, banks, stock exchange, corporate information / enterprise management systems and networks. Students shall participate in hypothetical case planning of selected IE infrastructural projects.
IEG7016 Software Engineering Practice
Software life cycle, requirement analysis, specifications, system design and integration, object oriented design and development, basic web services technologies - XML, SOAP, WSDL and UDDI. software testing and maintenance, software quality and performance metric, documentation, CASE tools, software project planning and management.
Further description:
This course is designed to provide students various concepts in software engineering, including the software life cycle, requirement analysis, specifications, system design and integration, object oriented design and development, and basic web services technologies such as XML, SOAP, WSDL and UDDI. Other topics are also discussed including software testing and maintenance, software quality and performance metric, documentation, CASE tools, software project planning and management.
* Computer Science
Program Organization
Full-time students must complete 8 elective courses within 1 year and part-time students must complete 8 elective courses in 2 years. There are no compulsory courses and students can choose from the course list below. The offering of courses is subject to change, being determined by the Department based on students' preferences. Pending approval in 2009, students will be able to select courses from the department's graduate-level day courses as well as those from other departments in the Faculty of Engineering. More details are provided on the website.
Course List (2007-2009)
Course Code Course Title
CSC7110 Programming Languages: Theory and Implementation
CSC7111 Advanced Topics in Parallel/ Distributed Systems
CSC7112 Topics in Software Systems
CSC7120 Computational Complexity
CSC7121 Advanced Topics in Database Systems
CSC7122 Topics in Theoretical Computer Science
CSC7130 Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence
CSC7220 Advanced Computer Architecture
CSC7221 Advanced Topics in Internet Technologies
CSC7230 Object-Based Distributed Systems
CSC7231 Image Processing and Computer Vision
CSC7232 Computer Models for E-Business
CSC7233 IT Project Management
CSC7240 Multimedia Technology
CSC7241 Advanced Topics in Information Systems
CSC7242 Internet-based Virtual Reality
CSC7246** Service-oriented Computing
CSC7248** Introduction to computational finance
CSC7250 Seminar
CSC7251 Project I (must be paired with CSC7260)
CSC7260 Project II
CSC7270** Autonomous Agents & Multiagent System
CSC7272** Computer Crime and Forensics
CSC7274** Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery
CSC7276** On-demand Enterprise Computing
CSC7278** Computer And Network Security
CSC7280* Computer Game Software Production
CSC7281 Decision Analysis & Game Theory
*This course is approved by CEF. Students (HK) may claim max. HK$8,000 from the Continuing Education Fund of the HKSAR Government. Several other courses will be approved for the coming year.
**New courses are pending for University's approval.
Course List
CSC7110 Programming Languages: Theory and Implementation
This course focuses on the theory and implementation of modern programming languages. Topics include: logic, lambda calculus, type theory, domain theory, category theory, semantics, and implementation for languages of different paradigms.
CSC7111 Advanced Topics in Parallel/ Distributed Systems
This course covers selected topics in parallel/distributed systems. The detailed contents may be changed from year to year depending on the current development and the teacher specialty.
Special Topic for 2008-10: Service-Oriented Computing Service-oriented computing has become an important paradigm for building distributed applications. This course explores the current and future developments in the concepts, architectures and techniques of service-oriented computing. Key topics include basic web services, service selection and orchestration, semantics, transactions, processes, agents, quality of service, security, compliance and trust.
CSC7112 Topics in Software Systems
This course will introduce to students topics in software systems. Topics will be selected from theories, design and implementation methodologies, object technologies and software agent technologies. The detailed contents may be changed from year to year depending on the current development and available expertise.
Special Topic for 2007-09: Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems
Characteristics of autonomous agents- Agent architectures: BDI architecture, purely reactive architectures and hybrid architecture. Multiagent systems: speech acts theory, agent communication, and agent cooperation protocols. Agent-oriented programming. Distributed hierarchical planning. Distributed rational decision making: protocols and strategies, Nash equilibrium and Pareto optimality, auctions, voting, Clarke tax, OCSM-contracts. Argumentation and negotiation.
CSC7120 Computational Complexity
This course introduces advanced topics in computational complexity: relations between complexity classes, reduction and completeness, P vs NP, NP and coNp problems, approximability and parallel computation.
CSC7121 Advanced Topics in Database Systems
This course will introduce to students advanced topics in database systems including query languages, concurrency control, deadlock resolutions, recovery schemes, distributed database systems, and object-oriented approach.
Special Topic for 2007-09: Data Mining
Data Mining provides useful tools for the analysis, understanding and extraction of useful information from huge databases. Applications range from business, finance, medicine and engineering. This course will introduce the techniques used in data mining. Topics will include clustering, classification, estimation, forecasting, statistical analysis and visualization tools.
CSC7122 Topics in Theoretical Computer Science
This course will introduce to students topics in Theoretical Computer Science. The detailed contents may be changed from year to year depending on the current development and available expertise.
CSC7130 Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence
This course will cover selected topics from: advanced pattern recognition, neural networks, expert systems and fuzzy systems, evolutionary computing, learning theory, constraint processing, logic programming, probabilistic reasoning, computer vision, speech processing, and natural language processing.
CSC7220 Advanced Computer Architecture
This course explores current and future trends in the design of high-performance computing systems. Topics to be discussed will include: Pipelining, branch prediction, hardware/software techniques for exposing more parallelism, memory system design, interconnection networks, and clusters.
CSC7221 Advanced Topics in Internet Technologies
This course will cover advanced topics in Internet technologies. Topics will vary from year to year depending on the current research features. Sonic typical topics to be discussed will include: multimedia streaming, delivery and fault tolerance, content distribution network, peer-to-peer network and services, network economics and incentive, network security and distributed key management, service overlay network, routing and convergence.
CSC7230 Object-Based Distributed Systems
This course will provide students with understanding and awareness of the main advantages, challenges, design issues, and current techniques in the area of distributed systems and software, based on the object-oriented paradigm and middleware. Topics will include: architectural models for distributed systems, examples of servers such as file servers and name servers, remote procedure calls and multicast communication, Java RMI, emerging standards (CORBA, DCOM) and platforms (lona Orbix, Visigenix), the features of Unix which are geared towards distributed working, the relevance of concurrency control and transactions in the sharing of distributed data, reliability and security issues.
Special Topic for 2008-10: Modern Distributed System Applications
The course will illustrate how distributed system techniques can be applied in P2P architectures, Multimedia systems, Ubiquitous computing, Web services, and RFID technologies.
CSC7231 Image Processing and Computer Vision
This first part of the course includes funcamental topics in image processing, e.g. image enhancement techniques, color image processing, image segmentation, and image compression. The second part of the course focuses on topics concerning methodologies of recovering 3D information from 2D images. Specifically, techniques for camera calibration, stereoposis, motion analysis, pose estimation and structure from motion will be discussed. These techniques will have practical applications to virtual reality, model reconstruction and graphics.
CSC7232 Computer Models for E-Business
Models for e-Business, Customer Behavior Models, The Anatomy of e-Business Functions, Infrastructure for Electronic Business, A Qualitative Analysis of Authentication Services, A Qualitative Analysis of Payment Services, A Capacity Planning Methodology for e-Business, Performance Modeling Concepts, Solving Performance Models of e-Business Sites, Modeling Contention for Software Servers, Characterizing e-Business Workload.
CSC7233 IT Project Management
This course covers the key elements of the project management framework related to information technology. Topics include the identification of elements and processes of project management, processes involved in project integration management, project scope management, various tools and techniques used to develop project schedules and resource planning, processes of project quality management, project communications management, risk management, human resources management, and project procurement management. Experts from industry will also be invited to share their experience in the topics.
Special Topic for 2008-10:
Key topics include the introduction of project management framework, the identification of key elements and processes of project management, the familiarization with the tools and techniques for scheduling and resource planning, the discussion on the issues of risk management, human resources management, communications management, quality management, and procurement management. The students would gain experiences in applying project management processes and knowledge by working on a group project and through case discussion.
CSC7240 Multi-media Technology
This course will introduce to students advanced topics in multimedia technology. The detailed contents may be changed from year to year depending on the current development and the teacher specialty.
CSC7241 Advanced Topics in Information Systems
This course will introduce to students advanced topics in Information Systems. The detailed contents may be changed from year to year depending on the current development and the teacher specialty.
CSC7242 Internet-based Virtual Reality
This course introduces various user-computer interaction techniques and interface tools on internet. It will discuss the current R&D trends in virtual reality (VR) technology, especially internet-based VR technology applied to various applications including architecture modeling and navigation, virtual prototyping, 3D arts and design, multi-user real-time VR entertainment on Internet, virtual tourist, tele-medicine and distant learning, and interactive visualization.
CSC7250 Seminar
The seminar is a series of 12 sessions with speakers invited from academia or industry to present a range of current topics in computer science to widen the students’ horizon and perspectives.
CSC7251 / CSC7260 Project I and II
The Project provides a challenge for students to apply their computing knowledge and expertise to carry out independent research and development work in any area of Computer Science. A project report has to be written under the supervision of the lecturing staff.
CSC7280 Computer Game Software Production #
This course focuses on the programming issues in computer gaming software production, discusses the process in developing a game application and analyzes various considerations in technologies used. The main emphasis is on the real time performance requirement in computer game development. Indoor/outdoor rendering, networking, artificial intelligence, physics as well as the game design issues would be introduced. The students would further gain the production experience through the game development project in the course.
CSC7281 Decision Analysis & Game Theory
This course introduces decision theory and game theory used in computer science, in particular, artificial intelligence and multiagent systems. Topics include utility theory, decision under risk, decisions under uncertainty, social choices, strategic games and Nash equilibrium, extensive games and subgame perfect equilibrium, repeated games and folk theorems, and applications in computer science.
*E-Commerce and Logistics Technologies
Course Descriptions
Fundamentals of E-commerce Technologies - ECT7010
An overview of the principles of E-Commerce. The origin and growth of E-Commerce. Technologies that support the development of E-Commerce applications. Business models and strategies for E-Commerce. Legal issues related to E-Commerce such as privacy, consumer rights, and intellectual property. Information interchange and application sharing via extensible markup languages and web services to support logistics and operation management.
Electronic Payments Systems - ECT7020
This course covers various methods of transferring payments over the Internet and compares their functionality. Topics include electronic money, electronic contracts, micro-payments, authenticity, integrity and reliability of transactions, the encryption and digital signature techniques needed to support electronic cash, and the technologies available to support secure transactions on the Internet.
Logistics Management - ECT7030
The integrated logistics management concept. Customer service. Channels of distribution. Order processing. Transportation systems. Storage and material handling systems. Inventory management. Information systems for order processing & inventory tracking. Impact of Internet and electronic data intercharge (EDI) on order cycles, vendor-customer communications and inventory. Global logistics. Third-party logistics.
Cryptography, Information Security and E-Commerce - ECT7040
Symmetric cryptography. Asymmetric cryptography including integer factorization, discrete logarithm, and elliptic curve. Digital signature, one-way hashing, zero-knowledge proof, certificate and certificate authority. Secure information infrastructure, virtual private network (VPN), online shopping and payment systems, e-cash. Economic impact. Smart card, steganography, time stamping. Cryptanalysis technology. Authentication protocols, analysis, and evaluation.
E-Commerce Data Mining Techniques - ECT7110
Data mining provides techniques for the analysis, understanding and extraction of useful information from huge databases. These techniques are used in business, finance, medicine and engineering. This course will introduce the techniques used in data-mining for E-Commerce information. Topics will include clustering, classification, estimation, forecasting, statistical analysis and visualization tools.
Distributed and Mobile Systems - ECT7120
Distributed and mobile systems are the key framework for E-Commerce applications. This course covers the principles of distributed systems (including mobile applications) and software, and the engineering mechanisms for their specification, design, deployment, and evaluation. Topics include: architectural models for distributed systems, server techniques, remote procedure call and multicast communication, RFID technology, emerging standards and platforms, distributed transactions, concurrency control, reliability and security issues.
Network and Web Programming - ECT7130
This course addresses the techniques for programming in both low-level (Network) and high-level (Web) of internet. Network programs includes: Client-server system design; interprocess communication; sockets; blocking and nonblocking I/O; multithreaded process;iterative and concurrent server designs; Web programming includes: HTML, JAVA, Web page design and contruction.
Open Systems for E-Commerce - ECT7140
Introduction to open system standards and protocols. Transaction protocols. Electronic commerce applications using open system and artificial intelligence technologies. Application of intelligent agents for automated transaction processing. Integration of Web programming techniques with information and communication systems. Case studies for E-Commerce open system applications.
Mobile Commerce and Mobile Logistics - ECT7160
This course introduces key technologies and applications that support operation of mobile commerce and mobile logistics. Topics include security and communication protocols, mobile payment, location-based technologies and applications, RFID, as well as other new mobile commerce applications and solutions. Managerials issues, such as, regulation frameworks, business model, and revenue models, will also be discussed in this course. Mobile commerce applications that are important to Hong Kong, such as mobile tourism and mobile banking/trading will also be discussed through case studies.
Project I in E-Commerce and Logistics Technologies - ECT7150*
An individual or a team project on E-Commerce technologies.
Information Technology Management - ECT7210
The challenges, techniques and technologies associated with the management of information technology (IT) for logistics and supply chain operations. The linkage of IT to busines models and corporate strategies in logistics and supply chain industry. Information systems and technology planning, sourcing and acquisition, budgeting and deployment. Performance evaluation and audit. Standard, privacy and security polices.
Decision Methodology with Financial Application - ECT7220
Utility functions, and mean-variance theory. Probability models and price dynamics of securities. Financial analysis models including: Geometric Brownian motion,Ito's lemma, Black-Scholes model. Capital aset pricing. Models of risks. Risk hedging. Optimization techniques for investment and portfolio management.
Engineering Economics - ECT7230
Principles of engineering economy. Value and cost, cash flows. Economic analysis of alternatives, technological, social, and human factors. Models involving allocation and scheduling of resources. Analytical techniques for evaluating industrial projects. Relationship between economics of technical choice and industrial productivity. Basic financial accounting concepts, accounting cycle, financial statements.
Supply Chain Management - ECT7240
Management of moving raw materials, in-process inventory, and finished-goods; transferring information and payment. Topics include: electronic information and payment transfer and its impact, distribution, forecasting, inventory management, purchasing and supplier management, ERP systems supply chain integration and strategic partnering. Impacts of E-Commerce in supply chain management.
Project II in E-Commerce and Logistics Technologies - ECT7250*
An individual or a team project on E-Commerce technologies.
*Notes for Projects
Project I and Project II in E-Commerce and Logistics Technologies are designed to allow students to gain first-hand experience in studying and developing real-world systems for E-Commerce. These could be conducted either individually or by team work. It is expected that students will be involved in projects for the industrial "pilot programmes" of the Centre for Logistics Technologies and Supply Chain Optimization (LOGITSCO) at the Faculty of Engineering. Possible projects include, but are not limited to:
* On-Line Banking and Financial Systems
* Supply Chain Coordination and Synchronization
* Supply Contracting and Information Sharing
* Web-based Forecasting and Pricing
* Electronic Payment Systems
* Internet Shopping
* Virtual Store or Virtual Campus
* Electronic Office
* Open System Technologies
* Intelligent Agent Systems
* Multimedia Information Systems
* Data Mining Applications
* Virtual Reality Applications
* Cryptography Servers
* Security Fire Wall
* Network Management and Quality of Service
* Distributed System Technologies in CORBA or DCOM
*Systems Engineering and Engineering Management
Master of Science
Course Structure
A student is required to take a minimum of 8 postgraduate courses (24 credits in total), within a normal period of two years (Part-time mode) or one year (Full-time mode) of which 4 should be required courses and 4 elective courses. An exemption from a required course may be sought provided that the student has a sufficient background and knowledge in the required course. The exempted course must be replaced with an approved elective course. Other M.Sc. courses from the Faculty of Engineering may be taken as electives with the approval of the Division Head. A student shall be required to discontinue studies in the programme, if he has received failure grades in two or more courses.
The degree of Master of Science will be conferred upon students who have completed the prescribed coursework with a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or above.
Required Courses
SEG 7410 Principles of Engineering Management
This course is designed to provide fundamental principles of managing engineering and industrial organizations. The focus is on the application of quantitative and qualitative approaches in the practice of engineering management. Quantitative modelling and solution techniques for strategic and operational problems are discussed. The role of strategic management, strategy formulation, and strategy implementation are covered. Other strategic issues involving innovation and ethics are also addressed.
SEG 7430 Information Technology Management
The challenges, techniques and technologies associated with the management of information technology (IT) in a competitive environment. The linkage of IT to business strategy and business process re-engineering. Different types of information systems: MIS, DSS, TPS. Information technology concepts: networking, database, batch and distributed processing. Development Process. Information system planning. Systems project management and control. IT acquisition, budgeting and deployment. Performance evaluation and audit. Operations management, privacy and security.
SEG 7520 Models and Decisions with Financial Applications
Models of risks. Utility functions, and mean-variance theory. Probability models and price dynamics of securities. Geometric Brownian motion, Ito's lemma, Black-Scholes model. Capital asset pricing. Risk hedging. Optimization techniques. Applications to investment and portfolio management. The emphasis is on mathematical modelling, analysis, and computation.
SEG 7540 Financial Analysis and Security Trading (CEF No. 23Z02195-3)
Working knowledge of different financial markets. Equity risk, bond risk, FOREX risk, commodity risk and their corresponding risk management practices. The use of REUTER's, Bloomberg, Dow Jones, and TIBCO traders' terminals.
Elective Courses
4 courses from the following areas; no more than 2 from each area.
Area I: Engineering Management
Area II: Information Systems
Area III: Financial Engineering
Area I: Engineering Management
SEG 7420 Manufacturing and Service Operations Management
Topics in manufacturing operations management: forecasting, aggregate planning, inventory theory, manufacturing resource planning, Just-In-Time (JIT) production. Topics in service operations management: the framework to analyze service operations, methods for designing, evaluating and delivering services, locating service facilities, allocation of service resources, workforce management and quality management.
SEG 7440 Advanced Engineering Economics
Accounting income. Cash flow modeling. Depreciation and taxation. Overview of utility theory. Analysis of economic risk. Risk simulation. Decision tree analysis. Procedures for replacement analysis. Activity-based costing. Analytical hierarchy process. Economic optimization under constraints. Strategic investment analysis.
SEG 7480 Quality Assurance and Control
Review of basic probability concepts and statistical tools. Measuring and predicting part and system reliability. Quality function deployment. Failure mode and effect analysis. Statistical process control charts. Lot acceptance sample plans. Quality improvement processes. Design of experiments. ISO 9000.
SEG 7490 Project and Technology Management
Project screening and selection. Multiple-criteria methods for evaluation. Project structuring scheduling and budgeting. Resource management. Life-cycle costing. Project control. Computer support for project management. Forecasting of technology. Strategic and operational consideration of technology.
SEG 7500 Logistics Management
Logistics planning. Integrated logistics management concept. Customer service. Channels of distribution systems. Order processing and information systems. Logistics network design , location and layout planning. Distribution and delivery planning. Transportation systems. Storage and material handling systems. Warehousing. Global logistics. Third-Party Logistics.
SEG 7580 Supply Chain Management
This course introduces the key models and concepts in supply chain management. Topics include: demand forecasting, aggregate planning, supply management, inventory management, matching supply with uncertain demand, information distortion and demand management , information technologies for supply chain co-ordination, e-business models, etc.
SEG 7590 Economics of Information
Fundamentals in Game Theory, Introduction of Games with Asymmetric Information, Concept of Information Rent, Principal-Agent Models, Adverse Selection, Signaling Model, Moral Hazard， Incentive Schemes, Mechanism Design, Applications in Regulation and Procurement, Contract Design and Coordination in Supply Chain Management.
Area II: Information Systems
SEG 7450 Expert Systems and Decision Support
Overview of management support systems. Data and model management in decision support systems. Group decision process. Group decision support systems and distributed group decision support systems. Executive information and support systems. Applications of artificial intelligence methodologies in decision support. Integration of decision support technologies. Design and development of management support systems. Organizational and societal impacts.
SEG 7460 Client/Server Information Systems
Introduction to distributed computing. Client/Server theory and practice. Overview of major protocols and distributed system concepts. Management aspects: vision, priority and transition strategies, operational challenges.
SEG 7470 Open Systems and Electronic Commerce
Introduction to open system standards and protocols. Transaction protocols. Electronic commerce applications using open system and artificial intelligence technologies. Application of intelligent agents for automated transaction processing. Integration of HTML and JAVA with information and communication systems.
Area III: Financial Engineering
SEG 7530 Stochastic Investment Models
The focus of the course is on various stochastic models that support investment decisions. Overview of investment problems: pricing, hedging, portfolio selection, investment vs. consumption. Asset dynamics, binomial trees, Ito processes. Introduction to option pricing, Black-Scholes formula. Term structure, interest-rate derivatives. Portfolio optimization, optimal control models: Bellman equation and necessary conditions.
SEG 7550 Computational Intelligence in Financial Information Systems
Characteristics of financial data, patterns, and models, time-series representation and prediction. Limitations of classical systems identification for prediction problems. Nonlinear system modeling and learning using neural networks, multiple models, and chaotic pattern detection. Heuristic approaches of AI, genetic programming, and data mining in an integrated knowledge-based system for financial engineering applications.
SEG 7560 Data Analysis in the Financial Markets
This course emphasized on econometrics modeling and inference techniques. Topics include: OLS, GLS, maximum likelihood estimation, statistical hypothesis testing, GMM, ARFIMA model, GARCH model and Stochastic Volatility model, cointegration, common factors and common features, switching regime model and other nonlinearities, simulation and estimation of continuous diffusion process, the use of S-plus.
SEG 7570 Computational Finance
The course emphasizes the implementation of numerical algorithms applied to financial problems. The numerical methods include: binomial trees, Monte Carlo simulation, finite difference methods, among others. These methods will be applied to basic options, exotic options, futures, term structure, fixed income securities, dynamic trading strategies, and financial risk management.
