Executive Master of Science in Finance

* 10 of these courses are offered in Executive Programs.

* Curriculum is subject to change by school.

CORE COURSES (4 Courses will be Required)

·   Corporate Financial Theory and Applications (FIN 9771)

This course offers an introduction to corporate finance, with a strong emphasis on fundamental principles. Topics include capital budgeting under certainty and uncertainty, capital structure, dividend policy, external financing, financial distress, and the use of financial engineering to raise capital.

 ·   Quantitative Tools for Finance (FIN 9772)

This is a course in applied financial econometrics. The course will familiarize students with a number of tools needed to statistically analyze financial data and expose students to a number of important financial databases. The use of spreadsheets to facilitate analysis will be developed. Tests of asset pricing models will be discussed.

 ·   Investment Theory and Applications (FIN 9773)

A variety of financial instruments and their valuation will be explored. Topics include the basis of financial engineering, dividend discount models, modern portfolio theory, bond valuation, and the management of interest rate risk. Concepts such as no-arbitrage pricing and diversification will be developed and applied.

·   Managerial Economics (ECO 9705)

Application of basic economic concepts to the decision problems of the firm. Demand, supply, cost and profit functions, and capital budgeting are analyzed conceptually and with the use of quantitative tools to give them empirical content.

Or… 

·  Analysis of Industrial Securities (FIN 9789)

This course will explore the valuation of publicly traded firms, private firms going public, and corporate divisions for sale or purchase. Topics include equity management styles, the analysis of financial ratios, valuing private firms, value enhancing strategies, and options pricing.

 APPLIED COURSES

Six advanced courses from the following list will be selected by the Department of Economics and Finance, in consultation with International Executive Programs:

 ·  Mergers and Acquisitions (FIN 9759)

Why and how firms merge and restructure and the effects on stock prices, capital structure (debt versus equity), and market power. The legal, ethical, and regulatory aspects of mergers will also be considered.

 ·  International Financial Markets (FIN 9786)

Covers such topics as foreign exchange markets and their role in international movements of funds; Eurocurrency; Eurobonds; international stock markets, interaction among and integration of national and international money and stock markets; and regulation of Eurocurrency markets and flow of funds.

 ·  Advanced Managerial Finance (FIN 9792)

Advanced analysis of special problems of financial management with particular emphasis on decision making under uncertainty. Applicable articles, problems, and cases will be assigned.

 ·  Advanced Investment Analysis (FIN 9793)

Security valuation and portfolio management and analysis, empirical evidence, imperfections, and institutional implications. Applicable articles, cases, and problems will be assigned.

 ·  Options Markets (FIN 9797)

Study of options, including the following topics: the structure and operation of organized exchanges, investment strategies under different market scenarios, arbitrage pricing, the valuation of options as a mechanism to price corporate securities, portfolio insurance as a trading strategy, and recent developments in the options markets.

 ·  Risk Management and Control: (INS 9720)

The course begins with an examination of the various types of bonds that can be purchased or issued and their characteristics. Calculation of price and yield are covered next. The implied forward curve is examined for indications of the direction interest rates will be moving and identifying the appropriate strategy for the interest rate forecast. The course splits into controlling risk in floating rate notes and then fixed rate notes. Libor based derivatives are applied to controlling interest rate risk. Then credit spread derivatives are applied to control credit premia risk and default risk. Emphasis next turns to the fixed rate bond and how to control interest rate risk using Treasury futures and Futures options. Lastly focuses turns to the possibility of international investments, and the need for currency hedging.

 ·  Selected Topics in Investment: Financial Statement  and Analysis (FIN 9983)

In-depth study of the analysis and interpretation of financial statements by external decision makers. The course includes measures of liquidity, solvency, capital structure, return on investments, and operating performance. The impact of accounting conventions and alternative standards on analytical measures is also explored.