FIN - Finance   

FIN 300 - Special Topics in Finance   (3 Credits)
   This course is designed to provide in-depth study of one particular component of Finance.  Topics may vary from year to year.
   Prerequisite: FIN 333

FIN 316 - Personal Finance and Wealth Building   (3 Credits)
   Personal Finance & Wealth Building develops a set of usable personal financial management skills that will enable students to successfully plan and manage their personal financial resources so as to achieve financial and life goals. This course focuses on principles and skills that can be applied immediately in the student's career and for the rest of the student's life.
   Prerequisite: FIN 333

FIN 333 - Financial Management   (3 Credits)
   Financial Management develops a market-oriented framework for analyzing firms' financial decisions thereby enabling students to think critically about the essential features, assumptions, and implications of valuation and financing decisions. Major topics include financial analysis, risk and return, time value of money, planning and forecasting, valuation methodologies, multinational finance, and capital budgeting. Cases provide students an opportunity to apply financial principles to actual business decision-making situations.
   Prerequisites: ECO 201, ECO 202, ACC 207

FIN 344 - Financial Institutions and Markets (3 Credits)
   An integration three key components of the U. S. Financial System: financial markets, institutions, and instruments. The course builds a framework for comprehending and thinking critically about financial markets and institutions, and it focuses on the management of financial institutions in an environment characterized by rapid change. The course helps prepare students for a career in financial services by exploring topics such as intermediaries and banking, central banking credit and risk management, and financial innovation.
   Prerequisite: FIN 333

FIN 400 - Independent Study in Finance   (4 Credits)
   Students with a special interest in a particular topic or area may apply to study under the individual direction of a faculty member.  Independent study applicants must submit an application, including an outline of the proposed budget, to the appropriate faculty member.  All independent studies must be approved by the Academic Dean and are restricted to Juniors or Seniors.

FIN 452 - Investment and Portfolio Management   (3 Credits)
   This course provides a rigorous introduction to the fundamental concepts of investment valuation and selection in competitive markets. Students are introduced to fundamental investment concepts and a  variety of analytical methodologies including different schools of analysis such as technical and fundamental.  Students apply state-of-the-art computer technology to actual investment data to test hypotheses, measure performance, and make asset selections.  Students study the valuation of various types of securities including fixed income and equity securities, and derivative securities such as options, futures, and mortgage-backed instruments.  Key topics include statistical analysis of risk and return, modern portfolio theory and management, hedging risk, performance measurement, asset allocation, and the development of dynamic asset trading strategies.
   Prerequisite: FIN 333, FIN 344 recommended.

FIN 456 - 457 - Finance Internship   (3 Credits each)
   Internships with participating companies provide students with the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in their field of study.  This practicum encourages students to utilize their acquired knowledge and skills in the working world.  Enrollment is restricted to Juniors and Seniors with proven academic success.   Students must submit an application to the Director of Career Services who is responsible for coordinating the work assignment.  Approval is granted by the Academic Dean who is responsible for reviewing the term paper and who is responsible for submitting the course grade. Course evaluation is on a pass/fail basis.
   Prerequisite: FIN 333

FIN 460 - Entrepreneurship   (3 Credits)
   Entrepreneurship focuses on providing students with the information and methodologies they need to turn inspiration and dedication into a successful business.  In a sense, this is a capstone course in that it draws upon the student's learning from other disciplines and courses.  Specifically, the course focuses on methods and examples of how to write a business plan, research a market, keep accounting records and pay taxes, manage finances, lead employees, and be socially responsible.  It is a guide to entrepreneurship.  The course consists of readings, group activities and discussion, lectures, student presentations, in-depth casework using mostly real-world examples, and guest lecturers.  Students are expected to develop at least one personal career option by finding, screening, evaluating, and qualifying a viable venture opportunity.
   Prerequisites: FIN 333, MGT 303, MKT 305

FIN 477 - International/Applied Topics in Finance   (3 Credits)
   This course provides students with practical opportunities to apply basic and advanced financial management principles and methodologies in actual decision making situations using cases. Students are guided through a challenging set of comprehensive cases representing a broad range of industries and situations involving varying degrees of complexity. Topics include capital structure, corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, LBOs and bankruptcy, e-finance, and risk management with a special focus on international applications.
   Prerequisites: FIN 333, MGT 303, MKT 305