FIN 5509 Financial Management Credits: 3

An introduction to the role of financial management through the development of a conceptual framework appropriate for financial decision making. Generally, financial management is charged with the responsibility for obtaining and effectively utilizing the funds necessary for the operation of an enterprise. As such, the conceptual framework includes elements of financial planning (financial analysis, cash budgeting and profit planning), capital budgeting (rate of return and cost of capital), and basic considerations of alternative sources of funds.

Prerequisites: ACCTNG 5503.

FIN 5536 Corporate Financial Strategy Credits: 3

Focusing on critical developments in finance theory and practice from an upper-level or “boardroom” perspective. Emphasis is on the critical financial decisions made at the highest levels of an enterprise.

Prerequisites: Recommended preparation: FIN 5509

FIN 5550 Advanced Financial Management Theory And Policies Credits: 3

Advanced financial management covering topics such as working capital, financial structure, cost of capital, dividend policy and valuation. Discussions include both financial theory as well as financial policy. Includes exposure to literature central to the development of finance theory. Recommended preparation: FIN 325 or FIN 5509.

FIN 5552 Financial Markets and Institutions Credits: 3

This course introduces students to U.S. financial markets and institutions, explaining how they operate, how they promote economic growth and well-being, and how they malfunction in financial crises. Among the financial markets examined are those for short-term debt, mortgages, government and corporate bonds, and equity. Financial institutions studied include investment banks, commercial banks and savings institutions, pension plans, mutual funds, hedge funds, and private equity funds. The course also examines the role of the Federal Reserve in the financial system and the nature and purpose of financial regulation. Recommended preparation: FIN 325 or FIN 5509.

FIN 5553 Investment Analysis Credits: 3

Development of a theoretical framework applicable to the solution of problems related to creation and management of the investment portfolio. Consideration is given to the analysis of risk, functions of security markets, sources of information, evaluation of securities, and measurement of investment return. Recommended preparation: FIN 325 or FIN 5509.

FIN 5557 Derivative Securities Credits: 3

This course is designed to introduce students to the basic principles of financial risk management. The student should develop a working knowledge of issues regarding both the theoretical valuation and application of derivative securities. Applications will focus on techniques designed to manage financial risks in the corporate environment. Specifically, the course will focus on using futures, options, and swaps to hedge financial risks. Valuation issues will be explored to identify theoretical pricing fundamentals that can be applied toward valuing newly developed securities. Recommended preparation: FIN 325 or FIN 5509.

FIN 5560 Financial Modeling Credits: 3

The primary objective of this course is to introduce students to some of the fundamental quantitative methods used in investment analysis. The student should develop a working knowledge of measuring risk and return, probability theory, sampling and estimation, hypothesis testing, correlation analysis, regression and time series analysis, The course will emphasize experimental learning by applying these concepts to real data in a spreadsheet environment. Recommended preparation: FIN 325 or FIN 5509.

FIN 5561 Financial Statement Analysis Credits: 3

Students will take an in-depth look at the external financial statements that are prepared by corporations, including the tools needed to organize, summarize, and understand corporate financial data for use in decision making. Ratio analysis, trend analysis, earnings forecasting, bankruptcy predictors statistical methods important to finance, and financial data bases are among the topics that will be covered. Recommended preparation: FIN 325 or FIN 5509.

FIN 5562 Fixed Income Analysis Credits: 3

The primary objective of this course is to provide an overall view of the role of debt markets in the modern economy. The course will cover the characteristics of instruments traded in money and capital markets; determinants of and the relationships between different security prices; and international aspects of financial markets. Topics include: valuing fixed income securities, managing interest rate risk, interest rate theory, the organization of bond markets and the structure and pricing theory underlying the mortgage-related fixed income market. Recommended preparation: FIN 325 or FIN 5509.

FIN 5563 Valuation/Mergers and Acquisitions Credits: 3

The primary objective of this course is to introduce students to techniques used to value both exchange-traded and private firms. Students should apply these techniques to cases involving mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings private firm valuation and the valuation of a publicly traded stock. Recommended preparation: FIN 325 or FIN 5509.

FIN 5564 Portfolio Management Credits: 3

The primary objective of this course is to introduce students to some of the fundamental portfolio management tools used by practicing investment professionals. The student should develop a working knowledge of issues regarding portfolio construction, asset allocation, mean-variance optimization, performance measurement, and client relationship management. Recommended preparation: FIN 325 or FIN 5509.

FIN 5565 Alternative Investments Credits: 3

The primary objective of this course is to introduce students to investing in alternative assets. The student should develop a working knowledge of various types of alternative investments and how they impact the risk-return profile of a portfolio. The course will cover investments in hedge funds, private equity, real estate, commodities, real assets, energy, and infrastructure. Recommended preparation: FIN 325 or FIN 5509.

FIN 5567 Payment Systems Credits: 3

Payment systems are central to modern economies, underpinning nearly all economic exchange among consumers, businesses, and government entities. Payment systems in the U.S. have undergone fundamental changes recently. Yet, these systems are among the least studied and least understood components of our economy. The purpose of this course is to provide an in-depth knowledge of U.S. payment systems and an analytical framework for evaluating and responding to ongoing changes in the payments landscape.

FIN 5568 Organizational Finance Credits: 2

Organizational Finance covers the fundamentals of finance with an emphasis on learning how to critically think as a business leader with a financial mindset.

Prerequisites: Admission to the Executive MBA program.

FIN 5574 Applied Portfolio Management Credits: 3

Students will help actively manage our student investment fund portfolio and will be responsible for analyzing the investment policy statement, generating performance reports and identifying assets to recommend for the portfolio. During this time students will act as industry analysts for specific portions of the portfolio.

Prerequisites: FIN 5553 or equivalent.

FIN 5576 Fundamentals of Fintech Credits: 3

This course will introduce students to Fintech and provide an overview of the main areas in which it is disrupting finance. These areas include lending and equity investment (algorithmic lending, P2P lending and crowdfunding platforms); financial market infrastructure (cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology, smart contracts); portfolio management and financial advice (robo-investment); and financial trading (algorithmic trading, digital trading platforms). Students will learn how the new financial technologies work, how incumbents and new entrants might profit from the technologies, and how the technologies could affect the efficiency, accessibility, fairness, and security of the financial system.

Prerequisites: FIN 5509

FIN 5580 Advanced Topics in Finance Credits: 3

The course is an advanced finance elective and focuses on the primary valuation methodologies senior managers utilize in investment banking and corporate finance groups to value public and private companies. The tools learned would enhance senior management skills needed to implement strategic management techniques that benefit sales growth and profitability goals.

Prerequisites: Admission to Executive MBA program.

FIN 5582 Seminar In Finance Credits: 3

Advanced work in financial management, investment analysis, and financial markets and institutions will form the basis for the Seminar. Each topic selected will provide the opportunity for an investigative study on the part of the student. Major problems, hypotheses, and cases, together with the literature addressing the specific topic, will serve as the springboard for classroom activity. Both written and oral reports are required.

FIN 5587 Special Topics Credits: 3

Special topics in finance.

FIN 5595 Internship Credits: 1-3

An opportunity for students to integrate their academic studies via employment with a business/organization in the community.

Prerequisites: Departmental consent required.

FIN 5597 Independent Study Credits: 1-6

Independent study and research in areas of special interest under individual faculty direction.

Prerequisites: Departmental consent required.

FIN 5899 Required Graduate Enrollment Credit: 1