Semester Hours:2Periodically
Basics of personal finance. Types of savings and investments available and their relative merits. A survey of investment principles and problems from the point of view of personal finance. Analysis of real estate, insurance and estate planning. A discussion of charge accounts, installment accounts and various types of credit cards.
Prerequisite(s)/Course Notes: No credit will be applied to the finance major or minor requirements. (Formerly Personal Financial Planning, 3 s.h.)
FIN 101 - Introduction to Finance, Financial Markets and Institutions
Semester Hours:3Fall, Spring
An introductory course in finance. Topics include the time value of money, risk and return, valuation of securities, the functions, organization, structure and regulation of financial institutions and markets. Overview of the globalization process, ethical, political and social, and demographic issues that apply to financial markets and institutions.
Prerequisite(s)/Course Notes: Sophomore class standing or above. (Students who have completed 24 s.h. or above may seek a waiver from the department chairperson.) ECO 001; ACCT 101; BAN 001; MATH 040 or 045 or 050 or 061 or 061A or 071.
Semester Hours:3Fall, Spring
A study of the theoretical principles and analytical techniques used for the financial evaluation of capital budgeting, capital structure and dividend policy decisions under conditions of uncertainty. Evaluation of corporate acquisitions; financial statement analysis and overview of working capital management; and study of the international dimensions of corporate finance. Overview of the influence of the globalization process, legal and regulatory, political and social, and environmental forces on corporate finance decisions and practices. Discussion of the ethical perspectives of corporate financial decisions.
Semester Hours:3Once a Year
Analysis of the short-term sources and uses of funds with primary emphasis on the management of short-term assets and liabilities. Topics include credit and collections, the role of banks, inventory control procedures, financial analysis, cash forecasting, payables, and investing excess cash. Impact of technology, regulations and globalization on working capital management is discussed.
Semester Hours:3Fall, Spring
The role of money and financial institutions within the financial system. Determination of interest rates. Goals and operations of the Federal Reserve System, and the U.S. Treasury and their impact on the financial system. Study of the framework and the management of banking and nonbank financial intermediaries. Issues pertaining to the regulation, innovation, competition, and internationalization of financial institutions.
Semester Hours:3Periodically
Financing new enterprises through venture capital or private equity is presented from the entrepreneur’s perspective. Emphasis will be placed on the process of evaluating investment opportunities, structuring financing, developing and implementing the financial component of a business plan, and harvesting the venture’s success. The institutional and regulatory environment of entrepreneurial finance will be presented.
Semester Hours:3Fall, Spring
A study of the theories and analytical techniques used to value financial securities and assets in the markets they are traded. Valuation principles and models for securities including options and futures contracts. Theories of equilibrium asset pricing and the efficient capital markets hypothesis are discussed. Fundamental and technical analysis compared. Overview of the role of computer and information technology for investment evaluation and related securities markets. Discussion of the ethical, global, regulatory, environmental and demographic issues which impact the analysis and valuation of investments by individuals and institutional investors.
Prerequisite(s)/Course Notes: FIN 110. (Formerly Security Analysis.)
Semester Hours:3Once a Year
A course in modern portfolio theory and its applications. Efficient diversification, portfolio construction and evaluation procedures. Management of equity and bond portfolios and risk hedging techniques. Portfolio practices and strategies for institutional and individual investors. Impact of globalization, ethics, regulations, social and international dimensions are incorporated into specific topics. Computer applications and hypothetical portfolio construction and performance evaluation are required in this course.
Semester Hours:3Once a Year
Analysis of options and futures contracts traded worldwide. Topics include the organization and structure of markets in which they are traded; ethical considerations faced by market participants; effect of recent computer advances on futures and options markets; pricing futures and options; hedging applications; the role of price discovery; and speculative strategies. Although particular emphasis is on financial futures and options, commodity futures and options are also discussed.
Semester Hours:3Fall, Spring
An in-depth analysis of the structure of domestic and international money and capital markets and the role the government plays in these markets. The role of investment bankers, brokers, and dealers in the financial markets. The characteristics of different financial instruments traded in the money and capital markets, including their relevant risk and yields. Issues pertaining to ethics, innovation, competition, and globalization of financial markets.
Semester Hours:3Fall, Spring
This course will focus on the financial management and regulation of financial institutions, with a primary focus on commercial banks. Students should be able to comprehend the various forms of risks faced by intermediaries and the trade-offs required in order to balance risks and returns. The focus will be on the modern techniques of asset, liability and risk management, with an emphasis on the regulatory issues of capital adequacy, and risk-shifting as they affect the safety and soundness of the financial system. Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be fluent in all major sources and kinds of risks faced by large financial institutions.
Prerequisite(s)/Course Notes: Prerequisite: FIN 101. Corequisite: FIN 110. (Formerly Commercial Bank Administration, Policies and Practices.)
Semester Hours:3Periodically
An advanced in-depth treatment of special topics. Current topics are explored
through a variety of methods, such as lectures, projects and case studies.
Prerequisite(s)/Course Notes: FIN 110, and any additional prerequisites as stated in the course schedule. As
individual subjects are selected, each is assigned a letter (A-Z) which is affixed
to the course number. Students may take up to two of these courses to fulfill
their major requirements so long as each seminar has a different letter designation. Specific titles and course descriptions for special topics courses are available in the online class schedule.
Semester Hours:3Fall, Spring
An in-depth study of financial theory and analysis used to evaluate and set corporate financial policy in the areas of capital budgeting, capital structure, dividend distribution, corporate restructurings, and working capital management. Discussion of the role of the various firm stakeholders in influencing financial policy. The ethical, global, social and political, regulatory, and environmental issues related to corporate financial policy are also discussed.
Semester Hours:3Once a Year
Emphasizes hands-on applications of modeling in corporate finance, investments, derivatives and risk management. Provides the student with a thorough understanding of application of quantitative models in finance. Examines different approaches to building financial models through the use of real financial data. Exposes students to various sources and uses of financial data, financial information resources, and technology as they relate to financial modeling applications. Utilizes various financial software applications.
FIN 165 - Principles of International Financial Management
Semester Hours:3Fall, Spring
Principles of financial management of firms operating in the global market. The parity relationships between interest rates, exchange rates and inflation rates are defined and emphasis placed on the techniques employed by multinational firms to borrow short and long term capital, evaluate projects on a global basis and hedge anticipated cash flows and profits against adverse exchange rate risks. The dilemma and ethical, environmental and legal issues encountered because of the divergence of goals and needs between parent and subsidiaries and between local and host governments are also examined.
Fall, Spring
Study of the structure and operations of the global credit and equity markets and their use in international corporate finance and portfolio investments. Global financial markets include foreign exchange markets, international bond and stock markets, international loan markets, currency derivative markets and emerging securities markets. Innovation and evolution of financial instruments in markets worldwide and the role of private and government institutions in fostering their development. Analysis of financial instruments such as Eurodollar bonds, forward spread agreements, currency swaps and currency options and futures.
Prerequisite(s)/Course Notes: FIN 110. (Formerly International Financial Markets and Investments.)
Semester Hours:3Once a year
Basic principles underlying the field of insurance and risk management including the financial, economic, social, ethical and political ramifications of decision making in this area. An analysis of the institutional aspects of risk management, which will enable the individual or business to lessen financial loss from fortuitous causes.
Semester Hours:1-3Fall, Spring
Actual practical experience in an approved setting open to junior and senior finance majors. Students work a minimum of 40 hours for 1 credit or a minimum of 80 hours for 2 credits or a minimum of 120 hours for 3 credits in a structured finance program offered by a for-profit or not-for profit organization.
Prerequisite(s)/Course Notes: Permission of department chairperson, a minimum grade point average of 2.5 in finance courses and 2.5 overall, FIN 101, junior class standing or above. NOTE: Students may take this course for 1, 2, or 3 s.h., and may take the course more than once, with a maximum of 3 s.h. earned. Credits earned count toward general degree requirements but do not satisfy finance major requirements.
Semester Hours:3Fall, Spring
Evaluation of real estate financing and the mechanics of the mortgage market. The role of regulation, government agencies and the banking system as vehicles in promoting real estate activity. Analysis of real estate investments, property valuation, leases and types of tenancy.
Semester Hours:3Fall, Spring
A work-study program open to senior finance majors. Students work a minimum of 120 hours in a structured finance training program offered by a for-profit or not-for-profit organization.
Prerequisite(s)/Course Notes: Permission of department chairperson, a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in finance courses and 3.0 overall, FIN 110. Corequisite: related course in the area of the internship. (Students who do not meet these requirements, see FIN 174.)
Semester Hours:3Fall, Spring
Research for the writing of a substantial essay in the field of finance. Students will present their research to an ad hoc faculty committee upon completion of the course work. Open only to senior finance majors who are eligible for and desire to graduate with departmental honors and who secure, before registration, written permission of the department chairperson.
Prerequisite(s)/Course Notes: FIN 110, six additional credit hours in finance, and a minimum grade point average of 3.5 in finance and 3.4 overall.