Finance

Finance Program

General Education Program: Credits 38

  • Curriculum Area 1: Arts and Humanities (6 credits)
  • Curriculum Area 2: Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credits)
  • Curriculum Area 3: Biological and Physical Sciences (7 credits)
  • Curriculum Area 4: Mathematics (3 credits)
  • Curriculum Area 5: English Composition (9 credits)
  • Curriculum Area 6: Institution-Specific Courses (7 credits)

Foundation Knowledge: Credits 43

  • ACCT 201 Introductory Financial Accounting (Credit: 3)
  • ACCT 202 Introductory Corporate & Managerial Accounting/Hybrid (Credit: 3)
  • BUAD 200 Business Ethics (Credit: 3)
  • BUAD 222 Principles of the Scientific Method in Business (Credit: 3)
  • BUAD 233 Business Communications (Credit: 3)
  • BUAD 242 The Legal Environment for Business (Credit: 3)
  • BUAD 252 Calculus with Business and Management Applications (Credit: 3)
  • BUAD 253 Business Statistics I (Credit: 3)
  • BUAD 302 Management and Organizational Behavior (Credit: 3)
  • BUAD 354 Business Statistics II (Credit: 3)
  • BUAD 495 Strategic Management (Credit: 3)
  • BUED 101 Sophomore Professional Development (Credit: 0.5)
  • BUED 102 Junior Professional Development (Credit: 0.5)
  • FINA 101 Financial Literacy (Credit: 3)
  • FINA 340 Financial Management (Credit: 3)
  • MKTG 308 Principles of Marketing (Credit: 3)

Major Requirements: Credits 21

  • BUAD 305 Business Analytics (Credit: 3)
  • BUAD 364 Managerial Economics (Credit: 3)
  • BUAD 414 Business Law II (Credit: 3)
  • FINA 341 Investment and Security Analysis (Credit: 3)
  • FINA 342 Money, Banking and The Economy (Credit: 3)
  • FINA 440 Advanced Financial Management (Credit: 3)
  • FINA 446 Personal Finance (Credit: 3)

Major Electives: Credits 18

  • Six courses in any FINA 300 or 400 level course for which the student has the required prerequisites.

Finance Courses

FINA  101 – FINANCIAL LITERACY (3 crs.)

This financial literacy course is designed to provide students with basic financial knowledge critical in making informed and effective consumer-related financial decisions. Students will explore the basics of financial literacy, including one’s relationship with money, how financial choices influence occupational options and future earnings; the art of money making, budgeting, spending, saving, using credit, borrowing money and consumer protection. The course content is also designed to provide students with the skills they need to manage their resources effectively. 

FINA  200 – FUNDAMENTALS OF FINANCE (3 crs.)

This course exposes students to the fundamentals of finance including markets, financial assets, time value of money, financial analysis, net present value and the cost of capital. Prerequisites: None

FINA 340/H Financial Management/Honors (3 crs.)

The course is designed to provide a basic understanding of principles and practices in the area of business finance as an integral part of the business enterprise. It deals with sources and allocation of funds, channels and procedures of financing in the capital market, internal and external financing and inter-firm relations, corporate finance and international capital markets, and public regulations by government and non-government agencies. Prerequisites: ACCT 202, ECON 201, and ECON 202.

FINA 341/H Investment and Security Analysis/Honors (3 crs.)

The course involves financial analysis of investment alternatives available to individual and institutional investors. Security analysis is employed in the allocation and evaluation of specific investments and in dealing with the problems of changing economic and financial conditions. Prerequisite: FINA 340.

FINA  342 – MONEY, BANKING AND THE ECONOMY (3 crs.)

This course seeks to broaden students’ understanding of the abstract concept of money while increasing their familiarity with current financial data. It deals with issues such as fiat currency, paper money, legal tender, intrinsic value and their key purposes. An important part of the course seeks to inculcate students the arcane of financial markets’ functioning while weighing heavily on the role of money and banks in the economy. It surveys the historical role and the evolution of banking in the economy. It combines the role of the Federal Reserve in managing monetary policy and overseeing the banking system with that of money in fueling the economy. Traditional monetary policy tools used by the Fed along with unconventional policy tools are of particular importance for this course. Prerequisites: ECON 201 and FINA 340.

FINA 440/H Advanced Financial Management/Honors (3 crs.)

The course is designed to develop analytical and decision-making abilities of students in relation to varied problems that normally confront financial management. Problem areas include financial planning and control of current operations and long-term capital commitments, income management, evaluation of income- producing property, and expansion through merger and consolidation. Prerequisite: FINA 340.

FINA 441 Insurance and Business Risks (3 crs.)

The course deals with the study of risks and the methods of meeting them through the insurance mechanism. Basic principles and types of coverage for social business relations, and principles and types of coverage for social business risks are studied. Special emphasis is placed on business risks, coverage, and problems of risk management. Prerequisite: FINA 340

FINA 442 Principles of Real Estate (3 crs.)

The course is designed to study the principles, techniques and legal implications of acquiring and selling real estate. Areas covered include the factors influencing real values of residential, commercial and industrial properties, and relevant laws governing contracts, agency, brokerage, listings, agreements, deeds, titles, mortgage instruments, liens, landlord and tenant relationships, settlements, appraisal, real estate financing, real estate licensing laws, and ethics. Prerequisites: ACCT 202, ECON 201, ECON 202 or consent of instructor

FINA 443 Futures and Options (3 crs.)

The focus of this course is the understanding of options and futures. Theoretical issues as well as practical matters will be discussed. Emphasis will be on the valuation of derivatives and applications to the management of financial risk. Techniques for managing both individual and corporate investment risk will be examined. Speculation strategies will also be discussed. Prerequisite: FINA 341

FINA 444 Entrepreneurial and Small Firm Finance (3 crs.)

The focus of this course is the assessment of the financial needs and sources of funds for new firms based on forecasting cash flows. Topics for discussion will include the value of the endeavor to the entrepreneur, strategic issues such as the tradeoffs between alternative financing choices, and issues of financial flexibility and control. While the primary focus will be new ventures, discussion of the financing of existing small firms will be included. Prerequisite: FINA 340

FINA 445 – FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND MARKETS (3 crs.)

The focus of this course is the role of institutions in the flow of funds in the economy. The banking sector, from the Federal Reserve to local retail banks, will be thoroughly examined. The development and regulatory issues of financial markets will be discussed. The course will include the theoretical underpinnings of financial markets as well as practical issues relating to money. Prerequisites: ECON 201 and 202

FINA 446 Personal Finance (3 crs)

The focus of this course is the management of an individual’s money. Topics will include saving, investing, cash management, and credit. Discussion will focus on decision making and the acquisition of relevant information. Prerequisite: Junior Standing.

FINA 490 Senior Seminar in Finance (3 crs.)

This course provides the opportunity for advanced study of topics in finance; offerings to be announced prior to registration. Will satisfy elective requirement in Finance Concentration program. Prerequisite: Senior standing.

FINA 491/H Research Methods in Finance/Honors (3 crs.)

The focus of this course is the planning and execution of a research project, including the collection, analysis and interpretation of data on a topic in Finance. A completed research report is required. Prerequisite: Senior standing.

FINA 498 Independent Study in Finance (3 crs.)

The hours for this course are by arrangement with designated or individual faculty. Under the guidance of the faculty member, students conduct an intensive investigation of a topic within the field of finance. A written proposal is required for approval. Projects typically include library research, interviews with operating and/or staff managers, and other requirements appropriate to the topic. One of the products of this project is a report. Prerequisites: BUAD 302 and consent of instructor.