Graduate Bulletin

Courses in Finance

Fin 515 Economic Analysis (3)

Provides economic foundations for business management and fosters the development of sound economic reasoning. Relevant principles of macroeconomic and microeconomic theory will be related to specific business applications. A group project, involving a written and oral presentation is required. Prerequisite: one course in economics. S/U graded.

Fin 525 Financial Management (3)

The fundamental principles of modern financial economics. Demonstrates the most common applications of these ideas in the realm of corporate and individual financial decisions. The organization of the material follows the traditional lines of analysis in corporate finance and includes current notions of market behavior and efficiency. Prerequisites: Acc 512 or Acc 516 and 517, Fin 515, and Msi 512.

Fin 601 Corporate Financial Management (3)

Advanced course in corporate finance that builds on the tools and concepts taught in Fin 580; a mixture of lectures and applications of modern finance theory. Topics include capital budgeting, risk analysis, asset pricing models, agency theory and their application to corporate dividend policy, capital structure decisions and mergers/divestitures. Prerequisites: Fin 580 and permission of instructor.

Fin 602 Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management (3)

Study of basic theory of investments, including asset valuation models, fundamental analysis, technical and analysis and efficient markets hypotheses. Development of theoretical foundations of portfolio theory. Additional topics include the valuation of option and future contracts. Prerequisites: Fin 525 and permission of instructor.

Fin 603 Securities, Markets and Financial Institutions (3)

Examination of organization and functions of securities markets, with particular attention to the underlying factors that determine the structure of securities markets. Factors that determine the structure of interest rates examined in detail. Study of role of the Federal Reserve System and the function and operation of financial intermediaries. Offered fall semester. Prerequisites: Fin 525 and permission of instructor.

Fin 604 Advanced Topics in Finance (3)

In-depth coverage of selected topics in Finance. Specific topics determined at the time of offering. Prerequisites: Fin 525 and permission of instructor.

Fin 608 Capital Markets, Financial Intermediation, and Investment Analysis (3)

The course focuses on the role of capital markets in the efficient allocation of resources. Theories of interest rate determination are examined, as are the underlying economic factors that determine the organizational structure of capital markets. The structure and operations of the Federal Reserve System are discussed with particular attention on the impact of monetary policy actions on financial markets. The course will also examine the valuation of securities and the theory of portfolio management. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

Fin 610 Topics in Finance (3)

Analytical approach to the theory of finance including investments, capital markets, and corporate finance. Special emphasis is given to the investment, financing, and dividend decisions of firms, and to the reaction of investors in the capital markets. Prerequisite: Fin 525.

Fin 635 Corporate Financial Problems (3)

Case studies of structural topics such as long-term financing arrangements, recapitalizations; reorganizations; and mergers, acquisitions, and spin-offs; and of operational problems such as capital budgeting, dividend and reserve policies, pension funds, executive compensation, and relationships with investors and professional analysts. Prerequisite: Fin 525 or 6 credits of finance at the undergraduate level.

Fin 690 Field Study in Finance (3)

Field projects are conducted by students under faculty supervision in a variety of business and not-for-profit organizations. The projects provide students with an opportunity to apply and further develop their skills in financial management. Must be repeated for 3 credits. Prerequisites: Fin 525 and permission of the department chairperson.

Fin 695 Independent Study in Finance (1-3)

The student and instructor jointly develop a plan of independent study on an advanced topic in finance. The student is usually required to prepare a report or paper. May be repeated for a total of 3 credits. Prerequisites: Fin 525 and permission of instructor and department chairperson.

Fin 698 Research Project in Finance (3)

Supervised research on a topic involving accounting, finance, operations management, human resources management, and/or management information systems. Required of all part-time MBA program students. Prerequisite: Completion of at least 30 graduate credits. S/U graded.

Fin 698Q Research Project in Finance (4)

Supervised research on a topic involving accounting, finance, operations management, human resources management, and/or management information systems. Required of all part-time MBA program students. Prerequisite: Completion of at least 30 graduate credits. S/U graded.

Fin 700 Portfolio Management for Governmental and Non-Profit Organizations (4)

Examination of advanced topics in portfolio management, including duration and immunization analysis, the applications of options and futures to portfolio management, and other topics in managing and controlling interest rate risk. Theoretical background developed applied to current topics in treasury management and pension portfolio management. Public policy issues include the issues of "social investment;" the role of governmental investment in financial intermediaries; and pension funding. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

Fin 702 Debt Management and Capital Financing (4)

Examination of advanced topics in financial markets and investments, such as agency theory, risk analysis, and capital structure analysis. Theoretical background in this course applied to issues such as the design of public financial intermediaries; the development of liability management policies and systems; and credit risk analysis. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

Fin 750 Seminar in Public Finance (4)

In-depth study of selected topics in Public Finance. Specific topics determined at time of offering. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.