Finance
FSMA 210 INTRODUCTION TO FINANCE
Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours
This introductory course covers fundamental elements of business finance. Discussions include the concepts of financial analysis, time value of money, security valuations, risk and return, capital budgeting, and other issues in corporate decision-making.
Prerequisites: (CITA 108 or CITA 110) and (GER MATH or ACCT 101), or permission of instructor.
FSMA 220 INTRODUCTION TO INVESTMENTS
Spring, 3 credit hours
This course offers an introduction to investments including investment analysis, portfolio management, and capital markets. The course examines the basic concepts and principles of investing, investment policies, types of securities, factors that influence pricing changes, timing purchases/sales, preparing investment programs to meet objectives, investment risk and return, and portfolio balancing. Instruction also includes an overview of the securities markets and their behavior, including sources of information about the various instruments traded and procedure of trades.
Prerequisites: ACCT 101, ECON 101, and FSMA 210; or permission of the instructor.
FSMA 301 PERSONAL FINANCE
Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours
This course provides broad coverage of personal financial decisions. Topics covered includes basic financial planning, tax issues, managing savings and other liquid accounts, credit management, insurance, managing investments and retirement planning. Knowledge of financial products, analytical tools, and economic analysis are cultivated in the context of setting personal financial goals and measuring progress.
Prerequisites: Junior level status in Financial Services or permission of instructor.
FSMA 312 FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Spring, 3 credit hours
This course is a continuation of Introduction to Finance (FSMA 210). Topics on portfolio theory, efficient market theories, Capital Asset Pricing Model are further elaborated and applied to make capital budgeting, capital structure, and dividend policy decisions within corporations. Special topics on agency conflicts, and mergers and acquisitions and corporate risk management are also discussed.
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of C in Introduction to Finance (FSMA 210) is required or permission of instructor.
FSMA 315 GLOBAL INVESTMENT
Fall, 3 credit hours
The primary objectives of this course are to provide the students with a fundamental knowledge of domestic/international financial markets, financial securities and how they are valued and traded in order to achieve a desired investment objective, both in the theoretical perspective and in the perspective of the investment managers. Special attention is given to the application of the basic concepts to the three major capital markets: stock, bond and financial derivatives markets.
Prerequisites: Foundations of Financial Accounting (ACCT 101), Business Law I (BSAD 201), and Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON 101), or permission of instructor.
FSMA 320 INVESTMENT ANALYSIS & PORTFOLIO THEORY
Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours
The course provides a foundation for selecting financial assets and form sound investment decisions. Lectures cover both traditional and modern approaches to security selection, investment analysis and portfolio management, with emphasis on investment strategy and investment performance evaluation. The major topics to be covered include portfolio analysis, company/industry analysis, optimal portfolio selection, efficient transactions, performance evaluation and investment ethics. Current topics, such as options, futures, swaps and other financial instruments are also explored.
Prerequisites: Financial calculator, Introduction to Finance (FSMA 210), or permission of the instructor.
FSMA 325 FINANCIAL COMPLIANCE AND REGULATION
Fall, 3 credit hours
The role of regulatory and compliance professionals in the financial service industry is currently undergoing enormous change and development. This course takes an interdisciplinary approach incorporating economics, ethics, finance, law and public policy in surveying the specific goals and objectives of the financial regulatory and compliance function. The course is designed with the practitioner in mind with an emphasis on the anticipation and prevention of regulatory and compliance problems before they occur.
Prerequisites: Introduction to Finance (FSMA 210), Business Law I (BSAD 201), Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON 101), and Principles of Banking (BSAD 120), or permission of the instructor.
FSMA/ECON 330 FINANCIAL MARKETS AND INSTITUTIONS
Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours
This course provides an understanding of financial markets and financial institutions that operate within the financial markets. It introduces the financial markets where flow of funds occur through financial markets instruments, such as bonds, money markets, mortgage markets, foreign exchanges, stocks and derivatives (futures, forward, options, and swaps). It focuses on financial institutions, such as the Federal Reserve, commercial banks, thrifts, insurance companies, investment banks, finance companies, mutual funds, and pension funds. In addition, it provides a comprehensive introduction to risk management within the framework of financial services industry.
Prerequisites: Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON 101) or Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 103) and a minimum 45 credit hours, or permission of instructor.
FSMA 340 Real Estate Finance and Investment
Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours
This course provides an overview of the real estate finance and investment processes. Various concepts, principles, analytical methods, and tools used for making the decisions regarding real estate assets will be covered. Direct capitalization models and discounted cash flow models are introduced to determine the financial feasibility and values of proposed real estate projects and existing properties. The investment management considerations will also be discussed.
Prerequisites: Junior level status in Finance or permission of the instructor.
FSMA 415 GLOBAL FINANCE
Spring, 3 credit hours
This course covers issues related to both international financial markets and the financial operations of a firm within the international environment. Major topics include the international monetary systems, foreign exchange regime, and management of foreign exchange exposure, international financial management, taxation of international income, and international merger and acquisitions.
Prerequisites: Global Investments (FSMA 315) or permission of instructor.
FSMA 420 FINANCIAL DERIVATIVES
Spring, 3 credits
This course examines the dramatic growth of the derivatives markets in the last two decades. This growth, triggered by deregulation, globalization, increased uncertainty and volatility, has empowered enterprises to successfully manage their financial price risk. Topics to be covered include: the use of derivatives for risk protection, cash flow modification, arbitrage, and investment.
Prerequisite: junior level status in Financial Services or permission of instructor.
FSMA 422 RISK MANAGEMENT
Fall, 3 credit hours
The goal of this course is to provide students with a good conceptual framework for analyzing risk and making risk management decisions in a corporate setting. It focuses on the ways in which individuals and corporations assess, control, and transfer risk. Issues such as what risk is, how it can be measured and transferred, why individuals and corporations care about risk, and how effective risk management programs can be designed and implemented.
Prerequisite: Financial Derivatives (FSMA 420) or permission of instructor.
FSMA 429 ORIENTATION TO CULMINATING EXPERIENCE
Spring, 1 credit hour
This course is intended as the precursor to the senior culminating experience in the Financial Services bachelor’s program. Seniors meet with faculty on a weekly basis to discuss resume preparation, job interviewing techniques, identifying and securing internships, and internship requirements. This course is a pre-requisite to FSMA 480 Internship in Financial Services.
Prerequisite: senior level status in Financial Services program.
FSMA 460 SENIOR PROJECT
Fall/Spring, 3-15 credit hours
This course is an alternative to FSMA 480. It is designed for students who are unable to complete a 15-credit internship. Students complete a senior research project specifically addressing issues under the umbrella of financial services management. Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, the student submits a research proposal, conduct research, prepares a thesis style report, and presents a defense to a thesis committee. This course may be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 15 credit hours.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Introduction to Culminating Experience (FSMA 429) and senior level status in the Financial Services program or permission of instructor.
FSMA 480 FINANCE INTERNSHIP
Fall/Spring, 6-15 credit hours
Financial service internship is a culminating experience in which the student will be expected to integrate and apply concepts gained in previous course work to actual financial service area. In conjunction with a field supervisor at the host organization, the student performs prescribed work within an administrative setting. The internship is tailored to the individual student’s career interests and the needs of the supervisor and supervising organization. Such internship assignments may include, but are not limited to, information gathering, analysis, planning, implementation, evaluation, and other tasks and responsibilities as required by the sponsor. This course can be taken multiple times up to a maximum of 15 credit hours.
Prerequisites: Orientation to Culminating Experience (FSMA 429) and senior level status in the Financial Services program, or permission of instructor.
FSMA 291-295, 391-395, OR 491-495 SPECIAL TOPICS IN FINANCIAL SERVICES MANAGEMENT
Fall/Spring, 1-4 credit hours
Special Topics in Financial Services Management will generally include topics of current interest or topics not covered in courses currently offered by the department or in combinations not currently available.