Course Descriptions
FINC—025. Personal Finance
3 credits
Analysis of the problems involved in efficient handling of personal finance and consumption expenditures, including: consumer protection, taxation, insurance, home financing, real estate, budgets and methods of borrowing and investing money. FINC—025 is restricted to non-business majors, except those seeking teaching certification in Business and Distributive Education. (ATTR: BUS)
FINC—212. Money and Banking
3 credits
This course is designed to develop the student’s understanding of the structure and function of our banking system and the role of monetary policy in determining economic activity. Topics included are: the nature of money, the term structure of interest rates, the regulation of commercial bank activity, and the macro-monetary models used to predict future economic conditions. Prerequisite: ECON—102. (Same as ECON—210.) (ATTR: BUS, ISP)
FINC—215. Introduction to Institutions and Investments
3 credits
A survey course designed to help students recognize the interrelationship between human behavior and firm performance in the valuation of stocks and bonds. The central theme of this course will be how and why forces in the economy (both behavioral and economic) lead to the establishment of stock prices. Through projects and simulations, students will explore the interrelationships between financial institutions, financial policies and stock market valuations. Prerequisites: ECON--101, ECON—102; ACCT--200 (may be taken concurrently). (ATTR: BUS)
FINC—301. Managerial Finance I
3 credits
An introduction to the principles of financial management. This course emphasizes an understanding of the role of finance within the firm. Topics covered include the elements of financial planning, valuation, cost of capital, and capital budgeting under conditions of certainty and risk. Prerequisites: ECON--101, ECON—102, QBUS—110 or MATH--110, ACCT--205 (may be taken concurrently), or permission.
(ATTR: BUS, ISP)
FINC—302. Managerial Finance II
3 credits
This course is a continuation of Managerial Finance I. Topics covered include working capital management, the use of long-term financing and leverage. It will also deal with the special topics of mergers or international finance. Prerequisites: ACCT—205, FINC—301. (ATTR: BUS, ISP)
FINC—315. Advanced Investments: Theory and Practice
3 credits
Through focusing on the development of the Markowitz Procedure, Capital Asset Pricing Model, Arbitrage Pricing and other theories, this course seeks to familiarize students with the theory underlying the practice of Finance. In addition, this course will also familiarize students with the inherent problems associated with these models as well as their strengths. Prerequisites: FINC—215, FINC--301, QBUS--200. (ATTR: BUS)
FINC—340. Insurance and Risk Management
3 credits
A study of the potential economic loss from personal, property and liability risks to which all individuals and organizations are exposed. The methods by which these risks are identified and evaluated will be explored, together with methods for retaining and transferring these risks. Prerequisites: FINC—301 or permission of instructor. (ATTR: BUS)
FINC—341. Life and Health Insurance
3 credits
Modern approaches to its various uses, including investment aspects of life insurance, types of contracts, the beneficiary clause and settlement options. Includes analysis of the life and health insurance contracts, types and organization of companies, investment policy, underwriting and marketing, and rate-making principles and techniques, including reserves and surrender values. Prerequisites: FINC--301, FINC--340. (ATTR: BUS)
FINC—345. Estate Planning
3 credits
An introduction to and examination of estate planning. Wills, trusts, estates, gift taxes and responsibilities of estate administrators will be analyzed. Prerequisite: FINC–301. (ATTR: BUS)
FINC—353. Real Estate Finance and Investment
3 credits
The objective of this course is to familiarize the student with the methods, trends, and policies involved in financing real estate transactions, as well as with the investment features of real estate. It includes topics such as the legal aspects of financing, permanent and construction lending, alternative sources of financing real property, investment analysis, yield on investment, and real estate and income taxes. Prerequisites: FINC–301. (ATTR: BUS)
FINC—413. International Finance
3 credits
By expanding the student’s understanding of the financial system to include an international perspective, this course introduces the student to the role of international considerations within the development of corporate policy. The course examines the determination of exchange rates and operation of exchange markets. The application of these ideas will be extended to the firm’s management of foreign exchange exposure, cash management, and capital budgeting. Multinational banking and political risk management will also be studied. Prerequisites: FINC—212 or FINC—215 and FINC—301. (ATTR: BUS, ISP)
FINC—418. Case Problems in Financial Management
3 credits
This course consists of selected case studies to be presented in class by student teams. The objective is to encourage the students to develop the ability to identify problems, and through applying the tools of finance, evaluate alternatives and arrive at viable solutions to the problems in each case. Prerequisites: FINC—302, QBUS 200, ACCT--305 (may be taken concurrently). Open to senior School of Business students only. (ATTR: BUS)
FINC—421. Business Financial Forecasting
3 credits
This course explores the nature of fluctuations in aggregate business activity and the technique used to forecast. To gain an understanding of these techniques, and the usefulness of forecasts, students will prepare forecasts and explore their application to firm decision making. (Same as ECON—420.) Prerequisite: QBUS—200. (ATTR: BUS)
FINC—422. Public Finance
3 credits
Public finance focuses upon the rationale and impact of the government’s collection of revenue and its expenditures. Topics to be covered include the budget system, principles of taxation, tax incidence, the principles of expenditures, the impact of spending on private behavior, as well as the ability of the process to produce appropriate decisions. (Same as ECON—320.) Prerequisite: FINC—212, FINC—215 or permission of instructor. (ATTR: BUS)
FINC—424. Working Capital Management
3 credits
The theory and practice of financial management as applied to working capital accounts will be examined. The course will focus on corporate cash management, the design of collection and disbursement systems and the management of credit and inventory as it relates to the treasury function. The international dimension will be considered throughout the course. Prerequisites: FINC—212 or FINC—215, and FINC—302. (ATTR: BUS)
FINC—430. Derivative Securities
3 credits
A study of options, futures, convertibles, warrants, and other innovative derivatives and swap-like securities. Various trading and hedging strategies, option valuation models, and general market structures will also be covered in this course. This course requires oral and written presentations of computer enhanced research projects. Prerequisite: FINC—315. (ATTR: BUS)
FINC—431. Securities Analysis
3 credits
This course is a quantitative approach to security analysis, including the theory of financial statement analysis and valuation of the firm. The course also includes analysis of business and economic conditions, industry analysis, and ratio analysis. An oral and written presentation of computer based research projects is required. Prerequisites: FINC—215, FINC–302, FINC—315. (ATTR: BUS)
FINC—432. Portfolio Management
3 credits
Advanced study in the area of investment management with the emphasis on analysis of modern portfolio theories and advanced investment strategies. This course takes a quantitative approach in the decision-making process and requires an oral and written presentation of computer based research projects. Prerequisite: FINC—315. (ATTR: BUS)
FINC—490. Seminar in Finance
3 credits
This course will consider a specific topic selected for intensive scrutiny and discussion as a foundation for student research projects, critical analyses, or topical reviews. Consult Fall and Spring schedules for specific topics. May be taken more than once with different contents. Prerequisites: FINC—215, 302, 315, or permission of instructor. (ATTR: BUS)
FINC—499. Independent Study 1
3 credits
A student may work independently on a topic of special interest. In a research paper prepared under faculty supervision, the student is expected to demonstrate familiarity with the methods and tools basic to his study. Prerequisite: Permission of the Department Head. Independent study may be taken twice for credit. (ATTR: BUS)
