Master of Science in Finance

Course Descriptions

Foundation Courses:

For those students who have not completed a business undergraduate degree:

66-501 Financial Accounting (3)
This course provides the background for accounting in-formation and progresses to a basic level of financial statement analysis, interpretation and decision making. Equivalent: Three semester hours of Principles of Accounting I and three semester hours of Principles of Accounting II.

66-502 Business Economics (3)
In this introductory economics course, students will survey the general macro and micro economic environment in which a business operates. Equivalent: Three semester hours of Macroeconomics and three semester hours of Microeconomics

66-512 Financing the Business Enterprise (3)
This course introduces students to fundamental financial analysis techniques used in security valuation and capital budgeting. It also covers capital structure and issues related to dividend policy. Equivalent: Three semester hours of Business Finance. Prerequisite: 59-504 Quantitative Methods for Business

Core Courses:

66-550 Managerial Accounting (3)
This course focuses on identifying and utilizing relevant accounting and financial data for decision making in a variety of areas. Activity-based costing, financial statement analysis and cash flows are among the areas explored. The understanding of financial data and financial statements are a major focus of the course. The course utilizes the case-method approach. Prerequisite: 66-501 Financial Accounting.

66-554 Managerial Economics (3)
Upon completion of this course, students have a thorough understanding of the market system of resource allocation which forms the basis of the business environment. The course emphasizes the manner in which managers and firms make decisions within the system. Prerequisite: 66-502 Business Economics.

66-572 Managerial Finance (3)
Students apply corporate finance theory from a management perspective. Analysis of financial statements, mergers and acquisitions and leasing are emphasized. Prerequisite: 66-501 Financial Accounting, 66-504 Quantitative Methods for Business, and 66-512 Financing the Business Enterprise.

66-584 Futures and Options (3)
The use of futures, options, and swaps in hedging and speculation. Pricing theory, including the Black-Scholes model will be introduced. Prerequisite: 66-512 Financing the Business Enterprise.

66-585 Financial Management Strategies (3)
Case studies are utilized to study the integrative nature of financial decision making. The course emphasizes managerial applications of financial theory relating to working capital policy, capital budgeting and corporate control. Prerequisite: 66-512 Financing the Business Enterprise.

66-586 International Finance (3)
This course investigates many of the issues facing the international business firm. Topics covered include exchange rate determination, risk management and the interaction of foreign exchange and capital markets. Prerequisite: 66-512 Financing the Business Enterprise.

66-600 Portfolio Management and Investment Analysis (3)
Presented for student study in this course is an analysis of major types of securities with emphasis on institutional and individual strategies for portfolio selection, supervision and performance evaluation. Prerequisite: 66-512 Financing the Business Enterprise.

66-604 Quantitative Techniques for Financial Markets
Probability and statistical techniques as applied to financial markets. Topics will replicate those for the CFA® Level I program and typically include correlation and regression in the prediction and evaluation of investment performance. Prerequisite: None

66-602 Fixed Income Analysis
Evaluation of fixed income investments and interest rate fundamentals. Topics will replicate those for the CFA® Level I program and typically include evaluating risk, spot and forward interest rates, and bond interest rate sensitivity as measured by duration and convexity. Prerequisite: 66-512 Financing the Business Enterprise

66-603 Financial Statement Analysis
This course primarily covers the use of financial statements in analyzing a firm and its securities. Topics will replicate those for the CFA® Level I program and typically include cash flow analysis, earnings computations, and liability classifications including off-balance-sheet debt. Prerequisite: 66-512 Financing the Business Enterprise, 66-550 Managerial Accounting.

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