FAQ

Q. How should I prepare for this course if I plan to apply for graduation in Winter or Summer terms?

A. This course is offered in Fall and Spring semesters ONLY. Students who plan to apply for graduation in Winter or Summer terms should pass this course in the prior Fall or Spring semester.

Q. While I am currently on the HKUST outbound exchange program, I would still like to know if I could register for online workshops to gain points for my FINA 3001.

A. Since you are on exchange and not enrolled in FINA 3001, in general no credits can be earned. So you may have to earn the points when you are back to UST.

Q. I enroll to FINA 3830 Thomson Reuters Analytics which is a zero credit course in learning how to use Thomson Reuters Eikon API and Python to retrieve pricing and reference data and news. Is this course counted towards the “Learning” section?

A. There can be no double counting for the course work. So FINA 3830 cannot be counted as Learning activities in FINA 3001.

Q. I didn’t get to enroll in FINA 3001 this summer term but I am doing a UROP this summer and I want to ask if it can be counted or not.

A. FINA 3001 is not offered in summer/winter terms. But the activities you did in these terms can be counted in the following semester that you are enrolled in.

Q. May I know my internship experience in Summer/Winter could be counted?

A. If students are enrolled in FINA 3001 in Fall term, the immediate past Summer term is counted. If students are enrolled in FINA 3001 in Spring term, the immediate past Winter term is counted.

Q. Does non-finance related internship count towards "Apply and Practice"?

A. All fields will be counted. We encourage interdisciplinary experience.

Q. I’m taking a gap this semester and I’m wondering if I can still enroll in FINA 3001 when I’m back next September?

A. Yes, you will need to, as FINA 3001 is a FINA major graduation requirement.

Q. Will online workshops/seminars count for FINA 3001 in Spring and Summer 2020?

A. For online workshops/seminars, only those offered by HKUST units will be counted towards Learning activities, and a maximum of 3 hours (3 points) for the online seminar/webinar during Spring and Summer 2020 can be claimed. Students must use their ITSC to register for and login to join the whole session. After completion of the workshop, students are required to submit the assessment form (NO host signature is required) on Canvas. Topics related to business/technology or personal development are all fine.

Q. Is the passing criteria fulfilling minimum hours for all three categories, without having other criteria such as attaining a minimum amount of combined hours counted e.g. all 3 categories combined to have at least 30 points?

A. To pass the course, students are required to:
1. Earned at least 30 points for the total course
2. Earned 4-10 points in Learning
3. Earned 4-10 points in Engagement
4. Earned 10-20 points in Apply and Practice

Q. I declared in Finance in my 3rd year as the additional major. I conducted activities for the student ambassador program in my first and second years. Could I count that for engagement activities even if I was not enrolled in the course?

A. As this course requires acquiring more advanced skills and experience after your enrollment into FINA major, only activities during your enrollment period will be counted.

Q. May I know if being the helper of Bizkathon (organized by SBM) and graduation ceremony count?

A. Yes, these will be counted as “Engagement” activities.

Q. For "Engagement", can I get points if I was a committee member of an HKUSTSU’s society when I was in Year 2, and I can get written endorsement from the present Executive Committee?

A. In general, activities beyond the third semester (starting from the fourth semester) of your study will be counted. As FINA 3001 is for students to further engage and develop their skills in their senior years (year 3 and 4), so at the most we can only accept activities in the fourth semester. You may have your committee member's contribution in the 4th semester counted. In that case, please specify the roles and activities that you were involved in during your 4th semester.

Q. Can I join the same competition to earn more points?

A. Students can rejoin the competition, but it must be for other topics, or with significant changes and updates on the work chosen last time. The maximum points students can earn would be 20 in Apply and Practice.

Q. I am studying a course in Coursera, can I use it to count for FINA 3001? Which category can I claim for?

A. Yes. For courses with assessment, we will count 1 point for each contact hour and up to 10 points in Learn.

Q. Do I need to register for the course beforehand to record the activities I have participated in?

A. Yes.  You will be pre-registered in the course once you are FINA major.

Q. If I register for the course in a semester, is the 1 credit only count for the registered semester, or the 1 credit will be kept there in the next 3 semesters until I pass the course?

A. Yes, the 1 credit will only show up in the first semester that you enroll in this course.  Afterwards, it will show as 0 credit till you pass the course.