Finance Concentration
The curriculum in the finance concentration emphasizes technical skills directly related to real–world situations. Graduating students will have a working knowledge of risk management, investments, portfolio management, derivative securities, capital markets, capital budgeting, and other highly marketable skills. The concentration is designed to elevate students to the top levels of corporate finance and investments.
MBA 681 – Investments
Through an in-depth study of portfolio theory and asset-pricing models, students acquire the analytical skills necessary to conduct valuations of equities, fixed-income securities, and alternative investments. This exploration leads to an understanding of the concept of portfolio management and the importance of diversification in controlling portfolio risk. The course uses the theoretical concepts learned in Corporate Financial Theory (MBA680) and applies them to the practice of portfolio management. New concepts are also introduced and explained in the context of security valuation and portfolio management. The final goal is to teach students how financial theory is applied in the practice of investment analysis and portfolio management.
MBA 682 – Cases in Finance
By employing a case study approach focusing on complex problems, students gain a deeper understanding of corporate forecasting, capital budgeting, cost-of-capital analysis, and the financing of capital investments. The impact of financial decisions on strategic investment completes the course. The course combines a theoretical approach to the understanding of finance with examples of how this theoretical knowledge is applied in practical situations. Through such key concepts as cost of capital, term structure of interest rates, capital budgeting, optimal capital structure, and maximization of shareholder value, students learn the analytical techniques necessary to make rational financial decisions
MBA 683 – Financial Engineering
Students gain a thorough understanding of options, futures, and other financial instruments. Skills are developed in basic pricing analysis, use of pricing models, and trading and hedging strategies. The primary method for teaching these points follows a two-step approach. First, the student will be introduced to standard techniques for pricing, hedging, and other analysis. Second, techniques will be applied through a variety of real world strategies. The end goal is to develop skills which the students can apply in derivative markets.
