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Finance

FSMA 201 INTRODUCTION TO FINANCIAL PLANNING

Fall semester, 3 credit hours

This course is an introduction to personal finance planning covering the personal financial planning process. Topics covered will include: developing and analyzing financial statements, plans and budgets; the notion of time value of money; money and credit management; fundamentals of taxes, insurance, investments, retirement planning, major asset accumulation, and estate planning. Three hours lecture per week.

Prerequisites: Expository Writing (ENGL 101) or Oral & Written Expression (ENGL 102), Foundations of Financial Accounting (ACCT 101), and Microeconomics (ECON 103), or permission of instructor.

FSMA 210 INTRODUCTION TO FINANCE

Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours

This introductory course covers fundamental elements of business finance. Discussions will include the concepts of financial analysis, time value of money, security evaluations, risk and return, capital budgeting, and other issues in corporate decision making. Three hours lecture per week.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Information Technology (CITA 110), GER Math OR Foundations of Financial Accounting (ACCT 101), or permission of instructor.

FSMA 301 PERSONAL FINANCE

Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours

This course will provide 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 will be cultivated in the context of setting personal financial goals and measuring progress. Three lecture hours per week.

Prerequisites: General Education Requirement for Math or Math of Finance (MATH 108) and Foundations of Financial Accounting (ACCT 101) or permission of instructor.

FSMA 312 FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Spring, 3 credit hours

This course is a continuation of Introduction to Finance (FSMA 210). Portfolio theory, efficient market theories, and Capital Asset Pricing Model will be further elaborated and applied to make capital budgeting, capital structure, and dividend policy decisions within corporations. Special topics on agency conflicts, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate risk management will also be discussed. Three hours lecture per week.

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, from both a theoretical perspective and the perspective of investment managers. Special attention is given to application of the basic concepts to the three major capital markets: stock, bond and financial derivatives markets. Three lecture hours per week.

Prerequisites: Foundations of Financial Accounting (ACCT 101), Business Law I (BSAD 201), and Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON 101), or permission of instructor.

FSMA 320 ANALYSIS AND PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

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 will 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. Three lecture hours per week.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Finance (FSMA 210) or permission of 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 will take 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 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 415 GLOBAL FINANCE

Spring, 3 credit hours

This course will cover 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, management of foreign exchange exposure, international financial management, taxation of international income, and international merger and acquisitions. Three hours lecture per week.

Prerequisites: Global Investments (FSMA 315) or permission of instructor.

FSMA 420 FINANCIAL DERIVATIVES

Spring, 3 credits

This course will examine 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. Three hours lecture per week.

Prerequisite: junior level status in Financial Services or permission of instructor.

FSMA 422 RISK MANAGEMENT

Fall, 3 credit hours

Proactive management of financial price risk has become possible through the dramatic growth of the derivatives markets. Beginning in the early 1980’s, the ability to create new financial products utilizing derivatives inaugurated the process now referred to as Financial Engineering. Through Financial Engineering, risks to the firm can be largely mitigated or reduced using derivatives to offset price, commodity, and cash flow risks. Three hours lecture per week.

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 Finance, BBA program. Seniors will meet with faculty on a weekly basis to discuss resumé preparation, job interviewing techniques, identifying and securing internships and internship requirements. This course is a prerequisite to Finance Internship (FSMA 480). Fifteen lecture hours to include: lecture, discussion, internship preparation and review.

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 will complete a senior research project specifically addressing issues under the umbrella of financial services management. Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, the student will submit a research proposal, conduct research, prepare a thesis style report, and present a defense to a thesis committee. This course may be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 15 credit hours. 37.5 project hours per credit hour.

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

In conjunction with a field supervisor at the host organization, the student will perform prescribed work within an administrative setting. This is a culminating experience in which the student will be expected to integrate and apply concepts gained in previous course work to actual situations. The internship will be tailored to the individual student’s career interests and the needs of the 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. Fifteen weeks; 37.5-40 hours per week, as required.

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.