Finance (FIN)

FIN 100 Personal Financial Management (1 credit)

This course provides an overview of personal finance topics to help students set and work toward their particular financial goals. This course is designed for students of any major who want to be better prepared at managing their own financial affairs.*Does not satisfy any major or minor Finance, FPL, RMI, or REF requirement.

Attributes: Undergraduate

FIN 150 Finance through Movies (3 credits)

This First-Year Seminar is designed to introduce students to the field of finance through the lens of movies. Students will gain an understanding of a breadth of topics including corporate form of business entity, corporate governance, and role of a corporation in a society. We will also cover stock trading and role of information in stock trading. Finally we will discuss value creation through mergers and divestitures. Does not satisfy any major or minor Finance requirement. Does not satisfy any free elective credit.

Attributes: First-Year Seminar, Undergraduate

FIN 170 Special Topics in Finance (3 credits)

These courses are designed to give in-depth coverage to finance subjects that are not covered in great detail in other courses. The prerequisites and topics selected are at the discretion of the instructor.

Attributes: Undergraduate

FIN 200 Intro to Finance (3 credits)

This course provides a survey of financial theory and practice as it relates to the management and valuation of firms. Topics include: organizational forms, the role of capital markets, the determination of interest rates, financial statement analysis, the time value of money, stock and bond valuation, risk and return, and capital budgeting. This course is required for all business students and is a prerequisite for all other 200- to-400 level finance courses.

Prerequisites: ACC 101 and DSS 100 and ECN 101

Attributes: Undergraduate

FIN 201 Markets and Institutions (3 credits)

This course covers the role and workings of financial markets: money and capital markets, mortgage markets, bond markets, stock markets, foreign exchange markets, and derivative markets. Interest rate theory and the term structure of interest rates are studied. Functions of the Federal Reserve System along with the foundations of monetary theory and policy are studied. The course also examines the management of assets and liabilities by financial institutions including commercial banks, insurance companies, mutual funds, and investment banking.

Prerequisites: (FIN 200 or FIN 225)

Attributes: Undergraduate

FIN 202 Finance Practicum (1 credit)

This course enables students working in the financial industry over the course of a semester to earn one credit hour. Students are required to fulfill all job requirements and to submit an 8 - 10 page paper describing their work responsibilities and the finance-related skills they acquired. To apply, the student needs to submit a letter describing the proposed practical training opportunity; approval is at the discretion of the Finance Department chair. Student's major must be Finance. *Does not satisfy any major or minor Finance requirement. Does not satisfy any free elective credit. Grade will be Pass/Fail. May be repeated once if the student has attained a grade of Pass in a previous semester and supervising instructor approves.

Prerequisites: (FIN 200 (may be taken concurrently) or FIN 225)

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Finance.

Attributes: Undergraduate

FIN 225 Fund of Quantitative Finance (3 credits)

This course provides a mathematical approach to corporate finance and practice as it relates to financial analysis, investor decisions, risk management, and the valuation of firms. Topics include: the determination of interest rates, the time value of money, annuities, the raising of capital using debt and equity, debt and equity valuation techniques, risk and return, risk management, and capital budgeting. Because this course can be take in lieu of FIN 200 within the sequence of Business Foundation courses, a student may not receive credit for both this course and FIN 200. This course is also a substitute for FIN 200 when satisfying the prerequisite requirements for all other 200- to-400 level finance courses.

Prerequisites: ACC 101 and ECN 101 and (MAT 155 or MAT 161)

Attributes: Undergraduate

FIN 270 Special Topics in Finance (3 credits)

These courses are designed to give in-depth coverage to finance subjects that are not covered in great detail in other courses. The prerequisites and topics selected are at the discretion of the instructor.

Attributes: Undergraduate

FIN 300 Intermediate Finance (3 credits)

This course focuses on the financial management of fixed assets and long-term capital. Topics include capital budgeting, risk, CAPM, capital structure, cost of capital, dividend policy, asset valuation, and bankruptcy and reorganization.

Prerequisites: (FIN 200 or FIN 225) and (DSS 210 or MAT 118 or MAT 128 or MAT 322)

Attributes: Undergraduate

FIN 301 Investments (3 credits)

This course will teach students how to evaluate the potential risks and returns of investments and portfolios; perform fundamental equity analysis using economic, industry, and discounted cash flow analysis; value bonds; compute the price sensitivities of assets; understand diversification and the basics of portfolio asset allocation; and evaluate portfolio performance. Students are strongly urged to complete FIN 201 before taking FIN 301.

Prerequisites: (FIN 200 or FIN 225) and (DSS 210 (may be taken concurrently) or MAT 118 or MAT 128 or MAT 322)

Attributes: Undergraduate

FIN 302 International Finance (3 credits)

This course focuses on the following topics: balance of payments, international flow of funds, foreign investment, governmental and international agencies, and trade theory.

Prerequisites: (FIN 200 or FIN 225) and (DSS 210 or MAT 118 or MAT 128 or MAT 322)

Attributes: Globalization Course, Undergraduate

FIN 303 Small Business Finance (3 credits)

This course focuses on critical strategic and operational issues facing a small firm: how to raise capital in non-public markets from a spectrum of sources from angel investors, private equity, and the SBA; estimating cost of capital, credit policy and terms, liquidity and liquidity management, bank relations, valuation of the business, and exit strategies. Students are required to manage online simulated competing small businesses in teams and make presentations regarding their strategies and results.

Prerequisites: (FIN 200 or FIN 225) and (DSS 210 or MAT 118 or MAT 128 or MAT 322)

Attributes: Undergraduate

FIN 304 Honors Research (1-3 credits)

FIN 305 Honors Research (1-3 credits)

FIN 310 Sustainable Finance (3 credits)

This course develops a holistic view of the finance function within our economy and society to facilitate progress towards meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Economic, environmental and social externalities will be discussed along with possible ways to internalize them. The importance of responsible and ethical financial decision-making by households, businesses, investors, and governments will be emphasized in a variety of contexts.

Prerequisites: (FIN 200 or FIN 225) and PHL 154

Attributes: Ethics Intensive, Undergraduate

FIN 370 Topics in Finance (3 credits)

These courses are designed to give in-depth coverage to finance subjects that are not covered in great detail in other courses. The prerequisites and topics selected are at the discretion of the instructor.

Attributes: Undergraduate

FIN 400 Mergers & Acquisitions (3 credits)

This course covers theory and evidence concerning mergers & acquisitions and corporate control. It examines the accounting and valuation aspect of mergers & acquisitions activities, the M&A process, and reviewing the relevant historical empirical evidence. Mergers and acquisitions activity is evaluated in terms of the strategic alternatives faced by the firm. Cases are used and a graded team buy and sell deal negotiation simulation is required.

Prerequisites: FIN 300 and (MAT 123 or MAT 155 or MAT 161)

Attributes: Undergraduate

FIN 401 Student Managed Funds (3 credits)

This course provides students an opportunity to manage investments. The objective is to earn risk-adjusted returns competitive with a benchmark index. The class decides early in the semester the style of investing and chooses the appropriate index for performance evaluation. Each student is a research analyst and a sector specialist, participates in the construction of the portfolio, and has a functional role. Each sector is represented by a sector team. FIN 402 Portfolio Management is highly recommended, but is not a required prerequisite for the course.

Prerequisites: FIN 301 and (MAT 123 or MAT 155 or MAT 161)

Attributes: Undergraduate

FIN 402 Portfolio Management (3 credits)

This course covers the fundamentals of portfolio management. Topics include asset allocation, portfolio construction, performance evaluation, creating and using indexes, stock valuation models, and hedging with options and futures. Asset pricing theories, market anomalies and different styles of investing are addressed. Market simulation, asset allocation software, databases, spreadsheet modeling, and optimization programs are used.

Prerequisites: FIN 201 and FIN 301 and DSS 210 and PHL 154 and (MAT 119 or MAT 123 or MAT 155 or MAT 161)

Attributes: Ethics Intensive, Undergraduate

FIN 403 Derivative Securities (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the mathematical formulas and techniques used to value derivative securities including options forward and futures contracts, options on futures, swaps, and interest rate derivatives. Financial engineering and controlling risk are emphasized along with lessons learned from recent derivative- related losses.

Prerequisites: FIN 201 and FIN 301 and DSS 210 and (MAT 119 or MAT 123 or MAT 155 or MAT 161)

Attributes: Undergraduate

FIN 410 Fixed Income Analysis (3 credits)

This course shows students how to evaluate the risk and return characteristics of Fixed Income investments and portfolios of Fixed Income Securities. Students will learn how contractual bond provisions, interest rate movements, and the shape of the yield curve affect the value and volatility of both individual bonds and bond portfolios. Students will also be introduced to mortgage- and asset-backed securities and fixed income derivatives.

Prerequisites: FIN 301 and (MAT 123 or MAT 155 or MAT 161)

Attributes: Undergraduate

FIN 470 Advanced Topics in Finance (3 credits)

These courses are upper division courses designed to give in-depth coverage to finance subjects that are not covered in great detail in other courses. The topics and additional prerequisites are selected at the discretion of the instructor.

Prerequisites: (FIN 300 or FIN 301) and (MAT 123 or MAT 155 or MAT 161)

Attributes: Undergraduate

FIN 493 Independent Research I (3 credits)

Independent study may be approved to allow a student to pursue an in-depth study of a finance topic. Acceptable Independent Study topics include traditional research/reading programs, as well as rigorous pre- approved internship programs with an appropriate academic component as defined by the Department Chair.

Prerequisites: (FIN 200 or FIN 225) and DSS 210

Restrictions: Enrollment limited to students with a class of Junior or Senior. Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Finance.

Attributes: Undergraduate

FIN 494 Independent Research II (3 credits)

A second semester of independent study may be approved to allow a student to continue to pursue an in-depth study of a finance topic. Acceptable Independent Study topics include traditional research/reading programs, as well as rigorous pre- approved internship programs with an appropriate academic component as defined by the Department Chair.

Prerequisites: (FIN 200 or FIN 225) and DSS 210

Restrictions: Enrollment limited to students with a class of Junior or Senior. Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Finance.

Attributes: Undergraduate

FIN 509 Curricular Practical Training (1 credit)

FIN 550 Shareholder Value Management (3 credits)

This course covers the concepts and practices of value-based financial management. Topics include financial analysis and forecasting, application of time value of money, valuation and stock market signals to management, introduction to risk and modern portfolio theory, capital budgeting, options, cost of capital, and capital structure. This course emphasizes value creation and the role of domestic and international financial management in facilitating this process. ACC 550 and DSS 560 are highly recommended for traditional MBA students, but are not required prerequisites for the course.

Prerequisites: HSB Foundation with a score of FN500

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

FIN 551 Managerial Finance (2 credits)

This course picks up with a review of the WACC and applies this to the capital budgeting process. In this module, cash flow projections and initial outlay concepts are developed. The NPV and IRR rules are developed and extended to a general decision making framework. The last section of the module focuses on the concepts of firm valuation and the effects of leverage on the organization.

Prerequisites: FIN 504 or FIN 504 Waiver Score with a score of 1 or HSB Foundation with a score of FN504

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Pharm. Healthcare Business. Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

FIN 575 Fundamental Financial Analysis (3 credits)

This course explains how accounting information influences financial decisions. The course prepares students to interpret financial statements, evaluate the alignment between business strategies and financial performance, identify potential business risks, and compare the performance of different companies. The course highlights the role of historical financial information in the forecasting and valuation processes.

FIN 600 Fin Institutions & Capital Mkt (3 credits)

This course is designed to expose the student to the operations of financial markets and financial institutions which exist within the U.S. financial system. Topics include the financial markets, the properties of the major financial securities traded in these markets, the behavior of interest rates, key characteristics and regulations of major financial institutions, including their risk exposures and various strategies to manage these risks.

Prerequisites: FIN 550

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

FIN 601 Personal Financial Planning (3 credits)

Personal Financial Planning is designed to provide those students who will be dealing with individuals rather than a business entity as a career, an understanding of the problems and concerns that arise in an individual's life cycle. Students will learn how to reach appropriate decisions regarding the allocations of personal wealth between current consumption and future consumption. Current consumption decisions would include discussions of metrics covering the optimal consumption pattern for major purchases, e.g. houses and automobiles, more routine purchases, such as insurance coverage. In addition, the course will examine the appropriate use of credit, either through standard loan contracts or the use of credit cards. There will also be a discussion of the existing consumer protection laws and their effect on individual consumption patterns. Future consumption allocations will include a discussion of metrics involved in reaching optimal decisions regarding long-term health care, retirement, and estate planning.

Prerequisites: FIN 550 (may be taken concurrently)

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

FIN 602 Portfolio Management (3 credits)

This course covers the theory and practice of portfolio management. Topics include asset allocation, capital market models, risk assessment, performance evaluation, mutual funds, international diversification, and managing risk with derivative securities. Recent empirical evidence is also covered. FIN 600 is highly recommended, but is not a required prerequisite for the course.

Prerequisites: FIN 550

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

FIN 603 Tax Plan Mgmt Decision Making (3 credits)

This course identifies the tax considerations inherent in many, if not most, personal and business financial decisions. The material covered in this course will allow students to (1) gain an appreciation for the operation and complexity of the federal tax system; (2) achieve a working knowledge of essential tax concepts and terminology; and (3) develop a basic understanding of the role taxation plays in the everyday conduct of an individual's personal financial affairs and/or the operation of a business enterprise.

Prerequisites: FIN 550 (may be taken concurrently)

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

FIN 604 Personal Insurance Planning (3 credits)

This course is an introductory course in risk management and insurance. It covers the insurance component of the financial planning track. The focus of the course is to introduce the students to the terminology of insurance, reviews contract law, agency relationships, and an overview of the financial services industry. The course then examines personal property and liability insurance, commercial property and general liability insurance. In addition, there will be a discussion of employee benefits, medical plans, and social insurance programs.

Prerequisites: FIN 550 (may be taken concurrently)

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

FIN 605 Pensions & Benefits Admin (3 credits)

This course is intended to provide students with a basic understanding of the various pension and employee benefit plans available in the workplace. Emphasis will be placed on preparing professionals to make informed decisions about what types and designs of plans are best for their company or client and about how they can best administer their chosen benefit package. Cross-Listed as FPL 300 for Undergraduate FPL Majors (Classes of 2018, 2019, or 2020, or students who declared the Financial Planning major in 2015 or 2016. Requires permission from the Finance Department Chair.)

Prerequisites: FIN 550 (may be taken concurrently)

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

FIN 606 Estate Planning (3 credits)

This course will begin with an overview of basic gift, estate, and generation-skipping-transfer tax law. Fundamental topics of estates and gifts will be covered as well as basic estate planning documents and estate devices. The student will explore how to apply these topics through real-life cases. The second half of the course will be a more in-depth examination of the tools and techniques of estate planning based on the transfer tax rules taught in the first half of the course. This course will cover in great detail the estate planning techniques for lifetime gifts as well as life insurance planning and estate planning for qualified plans and IRAs. Other areas to be discussed will include ownership of family business entities and limited liability companies.

Prerequisites: FIN 550 (may be taken concurrently)

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

FIN 607 Risk Management (3 credits)

This course is designed to apply the theories and techniques taught in Finance to the complex and specific needs of managing financial risk in the financial services industry. The course will provide an overview of the banking and insurance markets and their products. In addition, several valuation and risk management tools and models designed to measure and manage equity risk, interest-rate risk, and default risk in the financial services sector of the economy will be introduced and implemented.

Prerequisites: FIN 550

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

FIN 608 Advanced Financial Management (3 credits)

This course covers the theory and practice associated with the management of long-term assets and long-term capital. Topics include single-period and multi-period evaluation of investment opportunities under certainty and uncertainty, risk analysis, capital structure, dividend policy, cost of capital, and firm valuation.

Prerequisites: FIN 550

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

FIN 609 International Finance (3 credits)

This course describes and analyzes the structure and function of international money and capital markets with special consideration for the economics of foreign exchange markets, export/import finance, international financial institutions, Euromarkets, alternative forms of international monetary structure and comparative financial structures.

Prerequisites: FIN 550

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

FIN 610 Security Analysis & Investment (3 credits)

This course examines security valuation techniques. Topics include fundamental and technical analysis of stocks, bonds, and derivative securities; earnings estimation, risk assessment, and valuation of individual securities.

Prerequisites: FIN 550

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

FIN 611 Mergers and Acquisitions (3 credits)

This course will cover the theory and evidence concerning mergers and acquisitions and the market for corporate control. It will examine the accounting and evaluation aspect of merger and acquisition activities, discuss the alternative theories of mergers and acquisitions, and review the relevant empirical tests. Mergers and acquisitions activity is evaluated in terms of the strategic alternatives faced by the firm. Restructuring, leveraged buyouts, share repurchases, and takeover defenses etc. are also studied from both a finance and a strategic perspective.

Prerequisites: FIN 550

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

FIN 612 Derivative Markets (3 credits)

Derivatives are financial instruments whose returns are derived from those of other financial instruments. Derivatives can be based on real assets, such as agricultural commodities, metals, and sources of energy, or financial assets, such as stocks. This course is designed to have students learn about the characteristics of the institutions and markets where these instruments trade, the manner in which derivative prices are determined, and the strategies for the effective use of the instruments.

Prerequisites: FIN 550

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

FIN 613 Applied Investment Management (3 credits)

Applied Investment Management provides students with a practical, hands-on education, and an opportunity to manage a live portfolio. The course emphasizes the valuation principles and modern portfolio theory learned in prior classes. This course is taught using a combination of lectures, videos, case studies, readings, and research reports. It is taught over 16 weeks, meeting on a bi-weekly basis, to provide students with the opportunity to analyze the market over a longer period of time. During the course, students work on teams to construct a portfolio through the selection and allocation of equities, write an analyst report, and make a presentation. Short-term trading is not emphasized during the semester.

Prerequisites: FIN 610

FIN 614 Acct, Fin, & Econ Health Care (3 credits)

In this case-based course, students will improve their decision-making abilities through the logical applications of accounting, financial and economic concepts of health care. Topics covered will include external financial reporting, management control decisions, cash flow management, operational budgeting and comparative analysis of various health care systems. The non-profit and international health care viewpoints will also be explored.

Prerequisites: FIN 550

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

FIN 620 Fin Plan Dev&Presentn Capstone (3 credits)

This course will require students to synthesize and apply comprehensive financial planning concepts and techniques to client circumstances. The course will require students to perform all functions of the financial planning process. This course is part of the course sequence that fulfills the education requirements to sit for the CFP® certification examination and is especially beneficial for those individuals who are pursuing the CFP® certification. Cross-Listed as FPL 495 for Undergraduate FPL Majors (Classes of 2018, 2019, or 2020, or students who declared the Financial Planning major in 2015 or 2016. Requires permission from the Finance Department Chair.)

Prerequisites: FIN 601 and FIN 605

Restrictions: Enrollment limited to students in the MSFINS program.

FIN 624 Intro to Markets & Investments (2 credits)

The main objective of this course is to provide the student with a sound understanding of both the theory and practice associated with Investments. Topics included in this course are Financial Markets and Instruments, Risk and Return, Efficient Diversification, Capital Asset Pricing Theory, Arbitrage Pricing Theory, Performance Evaluation and Active Portfolio Management, and Efficient Markets. In addition, the course looks to improve your use of technology in an investment analysis setting by spending time in the trading room working with multiple financial data packages.

FIN 770 Special Topics in Finance (3 credits)

The topics course covers subjects of current interest in the field of finance. Specific topics will be announced in the course schedule.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

FIN 773 Internship (3 credits)