Graduate Course Descriptions

Finance (FIN)

FIN 5305 Advanced Financial Analysis 3(3-0)
Pre-requisite: FIN 3301

This course is an application of financial analysis techniques to the managerial problems of financial institutions in the modern market environment. At a minimum, the following subjects will be discussed: funds flow analysis, aggregate financial asset analysis, money markets and interest rates, discounted cash flow techniques, corporate capital budgeting and valuation, investing under uncertainty, capital asset pricing, and market efficiency.

This is a Core Course for the MBA & MSCF program

FIN 5306 International Finance 3(3-0)
Pre-requisite: FIN 5305 or special permission

This course provides an overview of the management of international funds movement, including mechanisms of financing imports and exports, cash management, hedging and tax planning. At a minimum, the following subjects will be discussed: pricing in the foreign currency, use of forward exchange for hedging, market efficiency in international money markets, foreign currency options, international capital asset pricing, pricing of foreign currency bonds, foreign currency financing, cross-border financing decisions, and exposure management.

This is a Concentration Course in Finance & International Business for the MBA program
This is a Core Course for the MSCF program

FIN 5307 Management of Financial Institutions 3(3-0)
Pre-requisite: FIN 5305

This course applies the principles of financial management to financial institutions, especially commercial banks. The impact of monetary and fiscal policies and the changing regulatory, legislative, and technological environments are studied. Specific problem-solving techniques and decision-making are emphasized. Issues relating to efficient markets, dividend policy, capital structure, financing decisions, option pricing, leasing, and risk management are among the topics considered. In addition, special topics may include mergers and acquisitions, pension funds, and international financial management.

This is a Concentration Course in Finance for the MBA program

FIN 5308 Market Security Analysis and Portfolio Management 3(3-0)
Pre-requisite: FIN 5305

This course offers accurate and intuitive coverage of investments, with an emphasis on portfolio theory. It includes extensive discussion of capital asset pricing, arbitrage pricing, pricing of derivative securities, interest rates, and bond management. Stock valuation, estimating future earnings and dividends, and fixed income markets are examined closely. Major emphasis is on how global capital markets function and measurement of performance of investment portfolios. At a minimum, the following subjects will be discussed: global capital markets, organization of securities markets, investor behavior toward risk, security valuation, analysis and management of common stocks and fixed income securities, behavior of security prices, development of modern portfolio theory, and portfolio management.

This is a Concentration Course in Finance for the MBA program

FIN 5309 Financial Risk Management 3(3-0)
Pre-requisite: FIN 5305

This course will introduce students to the current debate concerning the appropriate level of volatility management for firms, before briefly describing the main tools available for financial risk management and the types of risks associated with these instruments. We shall then focus in detail on risk management for financial firms, in particular commercial and investment banks. This will include a discussion of the regulatory requirements for capital adequacy and the recent developments in the area of Value at Risk (VAR), in particular the use of J.P. Morgan's Risk Metrics and Credit Metrics, and more generally the trend towards the use of internal models for risk management.

This is a Concentration Course in Finance for the MBA program

FIN 5310 Derivative Securities Analysis 3(3-0)
Pre-requisite: FIN 5305

This course provides an analysis of commodity, futures, and options contracts and discusses theoretical and empirical methods of reducing financial risk. At a minimum, the following subjects will be discussed: spot and forward foreign exchanges, currency futures, interest-rate options, currency options, interest-rate swaps, currency swaps, commodity price risk, and risk-management methods.

This is a Concentration Course in Finance for the MBA program

FIN 5311 Money and Capital Markets 3(3-0)
Pre-requisite: FIN 5305

This course provides an examination of the current structure, pricing, competition and financial innovations in money and capital markets. Theory is coupled with contemporary events to study the impact of the secular rise and cyclical variability of interest rates, the proliferation of financial instruments, deregulation and the wider competition in financial markets. Individual segments of the money market such as the commercial paper and acceptances markets are examined, as are capital market segments such as the various bond markets, mortgages and derivative instruments.

This is a Concentration Course in Finance for the MBA program

FIN 5312 International Banking Operations 3(3-0)
Pre-requisite: FIN 5305

This course provides a clear understanding of the theory and practice of international banking and finance. It provides a solid grounding in the latest techniques in international lending and borrowing, asset and liability management and risk appraisal. At a minimum, the following subjects will be discussed: Foreign exchange: theory and practice, the international money market, the international capital market, risks in international banking, and regulation of international banking.

This is a Concentration Course in Finance & International Business for the MBA program

FIN 5313 Advanced Corporate Finance 3 (3-0)
Prerequisite: FIN 5305

The objective of the course is to enable the student to analyze practical financial situations and problems. The course is decision oriented and mainly based on case discussion and analysis. Topics include valuation, executive compensation using EVA, initial public offerings, merger and acquisition, innovations in securities markets, dividend distribution policy, the relationship between financial policy and corporate strategy.

This is a Concentration Course in Finance for the MBA program
This is a Core Course for the MSCF program

FIN 5314 Capital Budgeting 3 (3-0)
Pre-requisite: FIN 5305

The objective of this course is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the capital budgeting process (generating, evaluating, selecting and following up on capital expenditures) for making sound project investment decisions. After completing this course, participants will be able to: Apply capital budgeting decision rules to make sound financial choices and accurately analyze decisions and projects for financial soundness. At the minimum the following topics will be discussed: Strategic decision making in determining investments/expenditures, capital budgeting decision criteria, refinancing techniques and determination of capital structure.

This is a Concentration Course in Finance for the MBA program
This is a Core Course for the MSCF program