Finance (FIN)

FIN 229. Corporate Finance. 3 Hours

Studies link between corporate finance, financial markets and stockholder gains or losses.

FIN 300. Survey of Financial Management. 3 Hours

Principles and techniques used by business firms in managing and financing their current and fixed assets; sources of funds within the capital markets; determinants of the financial structure; analytical techniques. Prerequisite(s): (ACC 200 or ACC 207 or [ACC 300A and ACC 300B]); (ECO 203 or 204); Non-business majors only.

FIN 301. Introduction to Financial Management. 3 Hours

Principles and techniques used by business firms in managing and financing their current and fixed assets; sources of funds within the capital markets; determinants of the financial structure; analytical techniques. Prerequisite(s): (BIZ 100 or BIZ 102 or BAI 151); (ACC 200 or ACC 207 or [ACC 300A and ACC 300B]); (ECO 203 or 204); business majors only.

FIN 315. Spreadsheet Modeling in Finance. 3 Hours

This lab course focuses on building financial models in Excel. Students will learn to construct models for practical, real-world applications that cover simple examples such as cash flow and ratio analysis to more complicated models of bond pricing, stock valuation and option pricing. In the process, students will master basic Excel skills and more advanced useful techniques. Prerequisite(s): FIN 300 or FIN 301.

FIN 330. Insurance & Risk Management. 3 Hours

Study of the basic concepts of business and personal risks from the standpoint of creation, identification, reduction, elimination, and evaluation of risks; the use of insurance in meeting problems of risk. Prerequisite(s): FIN 300 or FIN 301.

FIN 336. Principles of Real Estate. 3 Hours

Survey of real estate industry with emphasis on its structure, regulation, growth, needs, financing, and future. Analysis of the methods for determining land use and evaluation of the theories of city development. Prerequisite(s): FIN 300 or FIN 301.

FIN 340. Personal Financial Consulting. 3 Hours

This course introduces students to the concepts and practical implementation of professional financial planning, with a focus on the fundamentals of asset and income protection, capital accumulation, retirement planning, and estate planning. Emphasis is on integrating these elements into a comprehensive personal financial plan. The course also addresses client interactions, professional ethics and standards, the regulatory environment, and the business of financial planning. Prerequisite(s): FIN 300 or FIN 301.

FIN 360. Investments. 3 Hours

The principles and techniques used by the investor in selecting securities, emphasis on the stock and bond markets; security valuation methods leading to the selection of individual issues; portfolio theory. Prerequisite(s): FIN 300 or FIN 301, with minimum grade of C+.

FIN 371. Financial Markets & Institutions. 3 Hours

Study of financial markets and financial institutions, including the Federal Reserve, interest rate theories, money and capital market securities, interest rate futures, options and swaps, international financial markets, such as commercial banking, insurance, and investment banking. Prerequisite(s): FIN 300 or FIN 301, with minimum grade of C+.

FIN 401. Finance Capstone: Advanced Financial Analysis. 3 Hours

This course creates a capstone experience for finance majors interested in pursuing a career in corporate finance. Topics introduced in FIN301 and FIN360 (prerequisites) as well as in Accounting 207 and Economics 203 and 204, are integrated into the financial analysis required to successfully play the simulation FinGame5.0. Students run a single product firm and must analyze current and estimated quarterly data to make decisions about capital budgeting proposals (efficiency projects as well as capital expansion); production scheduling; product pricing; dividend policy; capital structure; and short term financing. Prerequisite(s): FIN 360.

FIN 402. Mergers, Acquisitions, Capital Restructuring & Corporate Governance. 3 Hours

In depth study of company valuation techniques and the influence of the governance structure - the CEO, President, and the Board of Directors - on company value. Prerequisite(s): FIN 360.

FIN 450. International Business Finance. 3 Hours

Introduction to problems facing financial management of international companies, including foreign exchange risk, working capital and capital budgeting decisions for multinational corporations, international financing, accounting and control. Prerequisite(s): FIN 300 or FIN 301.

FIN 460. Finance Capstone: Portfolio Management & Security Analysis. 3 Hours

Advanced valuation theory and security analysis; portfolio construction, evaluation, and management. Senior status required. Prerequisite(s): FIN 360.

FIN 470. Fixed Income Securities. 3 Hours

Introduction to the analytical/computational techniques for pricing fixed income securities, interest rate derivatives, and implementing effective portfolio strategies to control interest rate risk and enhance return. Prerequisite(s): FIN 360 or FIN 371.

FIN 471. Management of Financial Institutions. 3 Hours

Integrated and comprehensive analysis of financial institutions that include depository institutions, insurance companies, securities firms, and investment companies. Prerequisite(s): FIN 371.

FIN 475. Commercial Bank Management. 3 Hours

Explores the environment in which banks must operate, the financial statements of banks, and a thorough study of bank management topics which include: asset-liability management, the investment portfolio, sources of funds, and the loan portfolio. Prerequisite(s): FIN 360 or FIN 371.

FIN 479. Seminar in Bond Portfolio Management. 3 Hours

Theory and practice in active bond portfolio management. Literature and practical issues related to managing a bond fund. Seminar format; students are divided into teams, each responsible for a specific sector of the fixed income market. Prerequisite(s): FIN 360 or FIN 371.

FIN 480. Options & Futures Markets. 3 Hours

Study of options, futures, and other derivatives fundamentals, trading strategies, hedging, speculation, and arbitrating, pricing theories, and market regulations. Prerequisite(s): FIN 360 or FIN 371.

FIN 481. Introduction to Technical Trading. 3 Hours

The art and science of speculative foreign exchange trading, focusing on spot trading of Euros. Students implement a trading plan in a real foreign exchange environment under a set risk management policy. Students learn to watch the market, analyze profitable situations, and produce winning trades. Prerequisite(s): FIN 360.

FIN 482. Energy Markets. 3 Hours

Energy market portfolio skills: physicality of natural gas market, natural gas pricing, natural gas portfolio transactions including hedging, basic risk management. VaR simulation produced, power pricing and risk management, weather hedging, credit derivatives and their use in energy. Oil basics and pricing a tolling agreement. Prerequisite(s): FIN 360.

FIN 484. Advanced Trading Techniques. 3 Hours

Topics include appropriate leverage, when to take profits, when to have a stop loss, and hedging strategies. Students will learn to write short-term trading plans encompassing fundamental news events and technical charting, then implement a longer view. Each student is expected to open a real micro account from $300-$500. Prerequisite(s): FIN 481.

FIN 490. Special Topics in Finance. 3 Hours

Subject varies from time to time. May be taken more than once if the topic changes. Prerequisite(s): FIN 301.

FIN 491. Honors Thesis. 3 Hours

Selection, design, investigation, and completion of an independent original research thesis under the guidance of a departmental faculty member. Restricted to students in the University Honors Program with permission of the director of the program and the departmental chairperson.

FIN 492. Honors Thesis. 3 Hours

Selection, design, investigation, and completion of an independent original research thesis under the guidance of a departmental faculty member. Restricted to students in the University Honors Program with permission of the director of the program and the departmental chairperson.

FIN 493. Seminar in Investments. 3 Hours

Application of investment theory and techniques in a real-world setting. Students manage a funded portfolio in terms of establishing objectives, selecting securities to buy (sell), and evaluating portfolio performance. Emphasis is placed upon attempting to identify undervalued common stocks. Admission to the course is limited and must be approved by the instructor. Prerequisite(s): FIN 360 and permission of department chair.

FIN 494. Sem-Comm, Drvt&Eq Trad. 3 Hours

Application of derivatives trading strategies and financial data mining techniques based on equity, futures, options, and swaps in a real-world setting. Simulated derivatives trading using professional trading platform and strategies. Admission to the course is limited. Prerequisite(s): FIN 301.

FIN 496. Cooperative Education. 3 Hours

Optional full-time work period off campus alternating with study period on campus. (See Chapter X; consult Cooperative Education Office for details.) Does not count toward finance major. Finance majors only. Prerequisite(s): Permission of department chairperson.

FIN 497. Internship for General Elective Credit. 1-3 Hours

Practical work experience associated with career development and career exploration relating to the student's major. Permission of department chair or designee required. Does not replace finance courses for the finance major. Finance majors only. Prerequisite(s): Forty-five semester hours of credit.

FIN 498. Independent Study in Finance. 1-6 Hours

Directed readings and research in selected fields of finance. The number of semester hours will depend on the amount of work chosen. The course will involve periodic discussions with other students and faculty in the program. May be taken more than once for additional credit. Prerequisite(s): 3.0 GPA in Finance; minimum of nine semester hours in Finance; nomination by faculty; permission of department chairperson.