Finance (390)

53:390:506 Financial Management (3) Valuation as the unifying principle of finance. Topics include forms of business ownership, firm and project cash flows, time value of money, bond and stock valuation, capital budgeting, operating and financial leverage, risk and diversification, and the cost of capital.

53:390:513 Advanced Financial Management (3) Advanced issues in business investment, financing, and cash distributions with emphasis on corporations. Likely topics include asset replacement policy, optimal investment horizon, investment under taxes and inflation, financial leverage policy, buy-or-lease decision, earnings distribution policy, and intercompany investments and acquisitions. Prerequisite: 53:390:506.

53:390:514 Multinational Financial Management (3) Financial skills required for effective management of companies engaged in international business. Topics include exchange rates and the balance of payments, the international monetary system, measuring and managing foreign exchange risk exposure, multinational capital budgeting, financing of international trade and investment projects, political risk management, taxation, and international transfer pricing. Prerequisite: 53:390:506.

53:390:521,522 Directed Study in Finance (3,3) A faculty-directed individual study requires the approval of two finance faculty members: the area coordinator and the associate dean of graduate studies. Prerequisite: As determined by faculty.

53:390:530 Fixed-Income Security Analysis (3) An introduction to fixed-income securities and interest rate derivatives. This course describes important securities and their markets, and develops the analytical tools to value those securities, understand their investment characteristics, and manage interest rate risk. Prerequisite: 53:390:506.

53:390:540 Investment and Portfolio Management (3) This course explores recent innovations in the practice of private wealth management. It provides comprehensive coverage of structured products, also known as equity-linked derivatives. Such products combine traditional securities and derivatives to create securitized financial instruments that facilitate the achievement of highly customized risk-return objectives. The course also touches on the rise of automated investment advisers and the role of cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Etherium, in building comprehensive diversified portfolios. Prerequisite: 53:390:506.

53:390:545 Private Wealth Management (3) Students learn a unified framework that will help them put the often bewildering array of investment choices into comprehensive plans for achieving the overall financial and personal goals of high net-worth individuals and families. Topics explored include the nature and objectives of private wealth management, basic investment planning and strategies, investment asset classes, income tax planning, retirement planning, insurance and risk management, and estate planning. Prerequisites: 53:390:540

53:390:546 Innovations in Wealth Management (3) This course explores recent innovations in the practice of private wealth management. It provides comprehensive coverage of structured products, also known as equity-linked derivatives. Such products combine traditional securities and derivatives to create securitized financial instruments that facilitate the achievement of highly customized risk-return objectives. The course also touches on the rise of automated investment advisers and the role of cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Etherium, in building comprehensive diversified portfolios. Prerequisite: 53:390:545.

53:390:565 Mergers and Acquisitions - Financial Analysis (3) The financial analysis of merger and acquisition (M&A) opportunities, applying the valuation methodologies currently used on Wall Street. Use of the Bloomberg terminal is an integral part of the course. Qualitative dimensions, such as deal structure, form of financing, and acquisition strategies, are incorporated into the M&A analysis. Prerequisite: 53:390:506.

53:390:570 Statistical Financial Analysis (3) Model-building and analysis of financial data using statistical techniques and computer software such as SAS or SPSS. Topics include predicting business failures and corporate acquisitions, evaluating consumer and business loans, estimating portfolio inputs and evaluating portfolio performance, forecasting sales and earnings, and analyzing time-series of financial data. Prerequisite: 53:390:506.

53:390:580 Fintech and Financial Innovation (3) The course provides a comprehensive overview of new financial technologies. Such technologies combine traditional investment practice with the ever increasing power of computation to facilitate the achievement of highly customized objectives. The course covers the rise of big data analytics (artificial intelligence and machine learning) as well as the rise of automated investment advisers and algorithmic trading. We also discuss the role of the Blockchain in cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, and their implications for investment management practice and financial services.

53:390:581 Financial Data Analytics (3) This course provides a broad and practical introduction to the modern methods of financial data analysis. The course emphasizes the use of modern analytical techniques to extract insights from the most commonly used financial data. Using a hands-on approach, students will develop deep practical intuition into the nature of financial returns, bond valuation, and stock pricing. Using a programming language such as R, students will build financial models using a mix of market and accounting information, build optimally weighted portfolios, learn the basics of risk management, and learn simulation techniques such as Bootstrap and Resampling. Prerequisite: 53:390:506.

52:390:582 Investment Management and Machine Learning (3) This course provides a broad and practical introduction to the modern methods of investment management. The course emphasizes the use of big data and modern analytical techniques of machine learning and artificial intelligence to improve the performance of investment management. We start with the introduction to Python and financial data. We then apply Python and machine learning algorithms to the fundamental topics of investment management, such as bond valuation, stock pricing, derivative pricing, portfolio construction and optimization, international asset allocation, Monte Carlo simulation, and performance measurement. Prerequisite: 53:390:506.

53:390:597 Internship in Finance (BA) An internship provides real-world experience to those looking to explore or gain the relevant knowledge and skills within the finance field. Credits will be applied by arrangement. By permission only. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor or associate dean for graduate programs.

53:390:670, 671 Special Topics in Finance (3) Topics vary from semester to semester. Consult the associate dean of graduate studies for specific content each semester. Students may enroll in more than one special topics course. Prerequisite: As determined by instructor.