FIN 281/381
Independent Study in Finance
FIN 301
Finance
(Prerequisites: FIN 201, FIN 202, EC 202, MA 208)
This course examines both the theoretical and applied foundations required to make decisions in financial management. The main areas covered include an overview of the financial system and the efficiency of capital markets, evaluation of financial performance, time value of money, analysis of risk and return, basic portfolio theory, valuation of stocks and bonds, capital budgeting, international financial management, capital structure management, and the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.
FIN 302
Financial Management
(Prerequisite: FIN 301)
This course builds on FIN 301 Finance and completes the overview of theoretical and applied foundations required to make decisions in financial management. The course focuses on the interpretation of financial data ratios, cost of capital and long-term financial policy, short-term financial planning and management, issues in international finance, and mergers and acquisitions.
FIN 312
Investment Analysis
(Prerequisite: FIN 301 )
This course concentrates on the operation and function of securities markets. It emphasizes basic techniques for investing in stocks and bonds. Technical analysis is introduced and portfolio theory discussed.
FIN 330
International Finance
(Prerequisite: FIN 301)
The course emphasizes the structure and analysis of international capital and financial markets, Euro-currency financing, and the financing of international transactions.
FIN 331
Portfolio Management
(Prerequisite: FIN 301)
This course provides a comprehensive overview of modern portfolio theory and management. It covers the measurements of risk and the implications of efficient diversification on portfolio risk including the Markowitz model, an introduction to simple index models, CAPM and APT, and the role of asset allocation in the risk-return profile of the portfolio. The management of fixed income portfolios is introduced, including the term structure of interest rates. The use of futures, options, and other derivative security markets is examined in the context of portfolio management and hedging strategies. The course also includes an introduction to portfolio performance evaluation as well as developing investment policy statements using the CFA® Institute's guidelines.
FIN 335
Entrepreneurial Finance
(Recommended: FIN 301 for Business, International Business, and Economics)
Entrepreneurial activity is a powerful engine for growth in today’s economy. The financial issues confronting entrepreneurial firms are drastically different from those faced by established companies; this course is designed to address those unique financial issues and develop a set of skills appropriate for such situations. The course will be articulated in three main parts: 1) investment analysis – understanding sources of value, reading financial statements and using pro-forma models in the context of acquisitions; 2) financing the entrepreneurial firm – various sources of capital, including seed and angel financing, crowdfunding, venture capital and strategic alliances; 3) harvesting – investment exit strategies including IPOs and acquisition by a third party.
NOTE: the course is opened to all students interested in entrepreneurship. While some prior knowledge of finance will be helpful, the basic concepts will be covered in the course.
FIN 340
Introduction to Derivatives
(Prerequisite: FIN 301)
Focusing on both theory and application, the course will cover forward, futures, swaps and options markets. Students will learn how derivatives markets operate, and how derivatives are priced and used, in order to understand the importance of derivative instruments in business and the economy. Special attention will be paid to the mechanics of derivative instruments and the markets in which they trade, using the Law of One Price and arbitrage forces to develop derivatives pricing models, applying derivatives pricing models using real world data, communicating derivative hedging strategies and applying speculative strategies using derivatives.
FIN 350
Fixed Income Analysis
(Prerequisite: FIN 301)
This course will cover the basics of fixed income analysis. The main topics covered are: features of fixed income securities and overview of bond sectors and instruments, risks associated with investing in bonds to include interest rate risk and credit risk, introduction to the valuation of fixed income securities to include valuing mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities and bonds with embedded options, study of yield measures, spot rates, and forward rates and the term structure and volatility of interest rates.
FIN 360
Mergers and Acquisitions
(Prerequisites: Junior Standing, FIN 201, FIN 202, FIN 301)
Despite the frequency and magnitude of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) activity, M&As have a poor track record of success. Building on the premise that what happens after the deal is signed is as critical as the deal-making itself, in this course the student will research general literature, case studies, and practitioner experiences to build the knowledge necessary to address the financial, strategic and organizational challenges of acquisitions, with a view to realizing the promise of value creation. Specifically, the course explores the role of M&As in corporate strategy, domestically, overseas and across borders. It also reviews the fundamental building blocks: identification, valuation, negotiation, due diligence, deal structuring, financing, and integration.
FIN 370
Behavioral Finance
(Prerequisite: FIN 301)
Behavioral Finance studies how individuals and firms make financial decisions, and how those decisions might deviate from those predicted by traditional finance or economic theory. Behavioral finance focuses on persistent decision-making biases that have been documented by psychologists. In fact, according to behavioral finance, many facts about asset prices, investor behavior, and managerial behavior are best understood in models where at least some agents are not fully rational. Therefore, this course introduces the theories developed by research into cognitive biases, individual emotions and other psychological effects of decision making, and explores the applications of these theories in finance, investment, and management. It also introduces students to behavioral and experimental methodologies used in finance, economics and other disciplines.
FIN 372
Financial Institutions and Capital Markets
(Prerequisite: FIN 301)
This course covers the structure and role of financial markets and institutions such as commercial banking, investment banking, and major equity, debt, and derivative markets and includes discussion of management, performance, and regulatory aspects. The course also examines the functions of central banks and monetary policy for these financial markets and institutions. Case studies and real life examples are also disseminated throughout the course to allow students the additional exploration of national and international implications of financial markets, including those concerning credit crisis, their causes, and the likely reverberations and regulatory reforms.
FIN 398
Internship: Finance Field
(Prerequisites: GPA of 3.0 or higher; Junior Standing; Internship in the field of Finance obtained through the Career Services Center)
The For Credit (FC) Internship course combines academic learning with a short-term (part-time with a minimum of 150 hours) internship. Field experience allows participants to combine academic learning with hands-on work experience. For-Credit internships are unpaid. The organization or firm must be sponsored by the JCU Career Services Center (CSC). After being selected for an internship and having the CSC verify the course requirements are met, the intern may enroll in the Internship course corresponding to the academic discipline of interest. Course requirements include attending the internship class which will is scheduled for 20 in-class hours over the semester or summer session, verification of the minimum number of hours worked in the internship by the CSC; completion of a daily internship log; in-depth interview with the internship sponsor or organization; and a 2500 to 3500 word “White Paper” presenting a position or solution to a problem encountered by their employer. This course is graded on a “pass/no pass” basis. During the Fall and Spring semesters the course will begin the 3rd week of classes; in Summer it begins the 1st week of classes and ends at end of the Summer II Mini session. Students will determine with the Registrar’s Office or their Advisor which semester corresponds most closely with the timing of their internship. This course may be taken only once for academic credit.
FIN 399
Special Topics in Finance
(Prerequisites: Junior Standing, FIN 301)
An in-depth treatment of a current area of special concern within the field of Finance. Topics may vary.
May be taken once for credit with different topics.
FIN/ACCT 311
Financial Statement Analysis
(Prerequisite: ACCT 201 with C or above)
This course is designed to prepare students to interpret and analyze financial statements in order to be able to assess the performance of the company, take investment decisions, financing decisions and other decisions that rely on financial data. The course focuses on how to interpret numbers of the financial statements included in the annual report. The course focuses on the evaluation of the performance of the company, investigating its profitability, liquidity and solidity analysis, to check the economic and financial conditions of the company. The course also investigates the intrinsic equity value of the firm, comparing it to its book value. The aim of this course is to provide the students with a framework for analyzing the company’s performance, estimating also its future possible outcome, and valuing its equity. The course combines topics that vary from accounting, finance, and business strategy and applies them to financial decision making.
