Finance Minor for Non-business Majors

ACC 210 Introduction to Accounting 3 Credits

This course provides an introduction to basic principles and methods of accounting essential to preparation, understanding and interpretation of financial statements. Topics include accounting for merchandising concerns, current assets, long-term assets, liabilities and equity accounts. A brief overview of internal control is also covered.

ECO 201 Principles of Microeconomics 3 Credits

Market price systems are analyzed. The nature and characteristics of consumer and producer behavior, the theory of pricing in competitive and noncompetitive markets, and determination of the distribution of output a re evaluated. Welfare, social control, monopoly, and income inequality a re explored in the light of price theory. The role of the United States in the world economy is explored.

Prerequisite(s): Place into MSD 105 based on SAT or ACT Score, OR place into MSD 105/MTH 102 by passing College Placement, OR passing MSD 104, OR having transferred in any college level MSD or MTH class.

FIN 220 Introduction to Finance 3 Credits

An introduction to the environment, concepts, and techniques of financial management. Topics include forms of business organization, taxes, analysis of financial performance, financial planning, financial markets and interest rates, time value of money, bond and stock valuation, risk and return, capital budgeting, cost of capital, and international financial management.

Prerequisite(s): ACC 210 and ECO 201.

FIN 305 Personal Financial Planning 3 Credits

This course focuses on practical issues and problems involving personal financial budgeting, use of credit, selection of banking services, insurance needs, real estate, investments, tax planning, and retirement planning. An important objective of the course is to provide the student with the tools that are utilized in making personal financial decisions and how to apply those tools for a variety of financial needs.

Prerequisite(s): FIN 220.

FIN 307 Financial Markets & Institutions 3 Credits

This course provides an introduction to the organization and behavior of financial markets and institutions in the economy. The factors determining security prices and interest rates in the money and capital markets are analyzed. An overview of all major financial institutions is presented. In addition, market returns, the regulatory environment, and monetary policy are examined.

Prerequisite(s): FIN 220.

FIN 309 Intermediate Corporate Finance 3 Credits

This course builds on and extends the concepts of financial management learned in FIN 220. The course examines long-term corporate financing and investment decisions and how those decisions interface with each other. Topics covered include: cost of capital, financial planning and analysis, capital budgeting, capital structure and dividend policy.

Prerequisite(s): FIN 220.

FIN 308 International Finance 3 Credits

Financial management in the international environment. Topics include balance of payments, foreign exchange markets, arbitrage, hedging of currency risk, country risk management, and the evaluation of foreign investment opportunities.

Prerequisite(s): FIN 220.

FIN 312 Investments 3 Credits

The fundamentals of investing in stocks, bonds, and other negotiable instruments are covered. Major topics include trading on securities markets, mutual funds, international investing, margin accounts, short sales, determinants of securities prices, and investment risks. Stock options, financial futures, convertible securities, and implications of taxes on investment decisions are also discussed.

Prerequisite(s): FIN 220.

FIN 315 Financial Modeling 3 Credits

Provides instruction in computer use beyond what is available in other finance courses. Topics include more sophisticated applications of computers in financial management, investments, and other areas of finance and business. Students work on cases and projects which require more advanced usage of spreadsheets and other software and databases.

Prerequisite(s): CIS 185 and FIN 220.

FIN 350 Entrepreneurial Finance 3 Credits

This course covers the techniques for acquiring financial resources as a firm advances through successive business stages: seed, start-up, struggling, growing, and stable. In addition, it examines recent trends in credit markets and the latest financial innovations as they impact the process of financing the venture’s growth.

Prerequisite(s): FIN 220.

FIN 405 Private Wealth Management 3 Credits

This course utilizes the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) curriculum and focuses on private asset management for high-net-worth investors. A wide range of topics including managing individual investor portfolios, taxes, estate planning, concentrated single-asset positions and individual risk management will be covered via lecture discussions. The main objective for the course is to help students develop the skills for a career in wealth management.

Prerequisite(s): FIN 305.

FIN 412 Investment Analysis 3 Credits

Real-world application of the concepts and techniques of investment analysis and portfolio theory introduced in FIN 312. Students interact with and make recommendations to professional portfolio managers. Topics include analysis and forecasts of business conditions, market interest rates, international opportunities, and corporate profits. Emphasis is placed on the valuation of securities, stock selection, investment timing, technical analysis, and management of portfolio risk with options, futures, and other tools.

Prerequisite(s): FIN 312 or permission of instructor.