FUNDAMENTALS OF RISK AND INSURANCE
3 credits

Introduction to the underlying principles, practices, and the legal aspects of insurance; discussion of industry structure and company operations; and survey of personal lines (auto, homeowners, and life) and commercial lines coverages.

FIN 304 (F, S)

  

FINANCIAL DECISION-MAKING
3 credits

This course focuses on how managers can construct a decision-making process and manage the creation of shareholder value. As the majority of financial decisions require an estimate of future events, we will spend considerable time investigating how to achieve the above objectives, subject to the constraints of an uncertain future. Outside readings, case studies, and text material will be used to integrate current financial theory with pragmatic financial decision making. Prerequisites: BUS 202, 206, and 208.

THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY
3 credits

An examination of the firms, such as banks, insurance companies, finance companies, securities firms, and mutual funds, that provide financial services to consumers and businesses. Topics include the domestic and international financial environment in which financial service firms operate; financial market risk and its management; ethical and legal issues; and managerial problems specific to each service firm. Prerequisite: BUS 202, 206, 208.

FINANCIAL SERVICES MARKETING
3 credits

Financial Services Marketing is cross-listed with the Marketing Department. The course focuses on how financial institutions design and market their services and products. The marketing mix for financial services, consumer and commercial markets, and their buying behavior are also studied. The impact of regulatory factors on marketing financial services and products is studied. This course is designed especially for marketing and/or finance majors contemplating careers in financial services marketing; it is required for dual finance and marketing majors. Prerequisites: BUS 204, 206, 208.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANNING
3 credits

A study of the nature and operation of employer-sponsored benefit plans offered in a complex socioeconomic and political environment. Topics include mandated benefits such as Social Security, workers compensation, and unemployment insurance, as well as a more in-depth examination of group life, health, disability, and qualified and non-qualified retirement plans. Emphasis is on benefit plan design, administration, cost, funding, and regulation as viewed from a benefit manager’s financial perspective. Same as RMI 313. Prerequisite: BUS 208.

RISK MANAGEMENT
3 credits

Designed to acquaint the student with the nature of risk management and the role of the risk manager in business or governmental organizations. Emphasis on the risk management process of identification and measurement of loss exposures and selection of treatment techniques, including finance and control techniques from a holistic perspective. Same as RMI 314. Prerequisite: BUS 202, 208.

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION (JUNIOR STANDING)
3 credits

This is a full-time, paid, approximately four-month assignment in a cooperating firm. Involves job-related learning under faculty supervision.The position must be approved by the department; consult the Experiential Education Adviser in the Finance Department for registration information. A co-op counts as a free elective and not as a course in the major. Grading for co-ops is on a pass/fail basis (grading for internships is on a letter grade, i.e., not pass/fail, basis); the faculty member who is supervising the experience has the discretion as to whether to roster it as a co-op or internship. Students in the Business Scholars Co-op Program must take it pass/fail. Prerequisites: 2.5 minimum GPA (higher for students in the Business Scholars Co-op Program) and completion of BUS 206 or 208.

PART-TIME INTERNSHIP IN FINANCE
3 credits

Part-time, generally non-paid,employment in a financial/insurance setting to provide on-the-job training.

Involves appropriate job-related learning assignments under faculty supervision. The position must be approved by the department; consult the Experiential Education Adviser in the Finance Department for registration information. An internship counts as a free elective and not as a course in the major. Grading for internships is on a letter grade, i.e., not pass/fail, basis. The number 360 is used if taken in junior year and 460 if taken in senior year. Prerequisites: 2.5 minimum GPA and completion of BUS 206 or 208.

FULL-TIME INTERNSHIP IN FINANCE
3 credits

Full-time, paid employment in a financial/insurance setting to provide on-the-job training.

Involves appropriate job-related learning assignments under faculty supervision. The position must be approved by the department; consult the Experiential Education Adviser in the Finance Department for registration information. An internship counts as a free elective and not as a course in the major. Grading for internships is on a letter grade, i.e., not pass/fail, basis (grading for co-ops is on a pass/fail basis); the Experiential Education Advisor in the Finance Department has the discretion as to whether to roster it as a co-op or internship. The number 365 is used if taken in junior year and 465 if taken in senior year. Prerequisites: 2.5 minimum GPA and completion of BUS 206 or 208.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS
3 credits

Financial Statement Analysis focuses on the interpretation and use of financial statements for decision-making by investors, creditors, and internal management. Financial statements provide users with a scorecard of historical performance and the ability to look forward and project likely future financial performance. Outside readings, case studies, and text material will be used to integrate current financial statement guidelines with financial statement analysis. This course is required for dual accounting and finance majors. Prerequisite: BUS 208.

INVESTMENT ANALYSIS
3 credits

Focuses on current practice and recent theoretical developments in the securities market. Special emphasis on the stock and bond markets. Deals with the characteristics of individual securities and portfolios. Also criteria and models for alternative portfolio composition, and criteria for evaluation and measurement of portfolio performance, all in a global context. Prerequisites: BUS 202, 206, 208.

FIN 403 (F, S)

  

INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
3 credits

The study of multinational business practice, direct foreign investment, and managerial challenges in operating abroad. Foreign exchange markets, exchange rate determination, forecasting and hedging, and other contemporary issues in global finance. Prerequisite: BUS 202, 206, 208.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF THE INSURANCE FIRM
3 credits

A functional course emphasizing the interrelationships among underwriting, investment, regulation, and other aspects of insurance company and insurance agency operations. Spreadsheets are used to demonstrate effective financial management of the insurance firm. Same as RMI 420. Prerequisite: BUS 202, 206, 208.

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION (SENIOR STANDING)
3 credits

This is a full-time, paid, four- to eight-month assignment in a cooperating firm.

Involves job-related learning under faculty supervision. The position must be approved by the department; consult the Experiential Education Adviser in the Finance Department for registration information. A co-op counts as a free elective and not as a course in the major. Grading for co-ops is on a pass/fail basis (grading for internships is on a letter grade, i.e., not pass/fail, basis); the faculty member who is supervising the experience has the discretion as to whether to roster it as a co-op or internship. Students in the Business Scholars Co-op Program must take it pass/fail. Prerequisites: 2.5 minimum GPA (higher for students in the Business Scholars Co-op Program) and completion of BUS 206 or 208.

SELECTED TOPICS IN FINANCE
3 credits

Selected topics in finance studied in depth under the direction of faculty. Prerequisite: senior standing.

SENIOR SEMINAR
3 credits

Designed as the capstone course for the Investment and Financial Analysis track. In-depth coverage of issues in financial analysis, such as ethics, financial reporting, equity investments, portfolio management, fixed income investments, derivatives, and others. Course includes mock exams for the CFA I exam, and students agree to sit for the actual CFA I exam in June. Prerequisites: Senior standing; completion of FIN 304, 375, 401, and either FIN 306 or 420; grade of B or better in BUS 101, BUS 202, BUS 207, BUS 208, and all FIN courses (or a combined GPA in these courses of 3.25 or higher); or permission of the instructor.