Finance (FIN)
Students majoring in Finance will explore, study, and analyze the global monetary marketplace. The study of finance emphasizes the need for analytic skills and interest in the inter-relationships between business, accounting and economics. Upon graduation, finance graduates may either pursue graduate studies or employment with a financial services company, a financial institution, or a publicly traded firm.
Students may be admitted to the Departmental Honors Program if they have attained junior standing and meet the other requirements. For details contact the Dean of the Frost School of Business.
Major Requirements for the B.S. in Finance
- Required Finance courses include ACCT 203-204, 311, FIN 201, 325, 329, 350, 426, 450, 460, and three hours to be selected from the following: ECON 411, ECON 340, ECON 343, ECON 452, ACCT 421, or ACCT 312.
- Supportive courses required are BUSN 321, 323, 346, 473, ECON 151, 303, 311, 312, 313, and MATH 109 or any other course in Calculus. Students must fulfill the college computer proficiency requirement. (These courses may not be taken Pass/Fail.)
- Prerequisites: ECON 151 is a prerequisite to all 300- and 400-level finance courses. Completion of ACCT 204 or concurrent enrollment in this course, is also a prerequisite to all 300- and 400-level finance courses. Persons who wish to take a minor or elect an upper level business course should consult the instructor before enrolling.
Minor Requirements in Finance
Students who desire to earn a minor concentration in Finance must satisfy the following requirements:
| ACCT 203-204 | Principles of Accounting I & II | 6 hours |
| FIN 201 | Consumer Finance | 3 hours |
| FIN 325 | Corporate Finance | 3 hours |
| FIN 426 | Investments | 3 hours |
| Electives in Finance (300 level or above) | 6 hours | |
| Total | 21 hours | |
201. Consumer Finance (3)
This practical course is open to all students and is designed to help students arrange their personal financial affairs. Topics include budgeting and planning management of financial and nonfinancial assets and obligations, taxes, insurance, and retirement/estate planning. Students will learn to budget disposable income in order to purchase autos, buy a home, construct a portfolio with a broker, and select insurance.
325. Corporate Finance (3)
Prerequisite: ACCT 204. An Introduction to the theory and practice of managing organizational resources. Emphasis placed on making and evaluating financial and investment decisions. Topics covered include: time value of money, risk and return relationships, capital budgeting, capital structure, financial statement analysis and security valuation. Fall.
329. Money and Banking (3)
The structure and operation of money and banking institutions, with emphasis on the role of money, banking, and monetary policy in the economic life of the community. Fall. (Same as ECON 329.)
350. Principles of Risk and Real Estate (3)
This survey course introduces different methods of addressing personal and business risks with insurance. Students study the hazards underlying property ownership and available risk reduction alternatives provided through multiple line insurance and corporate suretyship. The course also presents important investment, financing and tax concepts for property owners and investors. Tax planning for real estate ownership, closing costs and alternative financing are introduced. The study of mortgage financing, including sources of financing, mortgage instruments, the secondary mortgage market, and mortgage calculations is surveyed for personal and commercial property ownership. Spring.
400. Internship in Finance (4)
Designed to provide an opportunity for students to apply their theoretical knowledge in a practical business situation by first-hand experience in finance or treasury departments of public, private, or government entities. A written/and or oral report on the internship is required. Consent of the instructor is necessary before registration. Offered on demand. Restricted to finance majors.
426. Investments (3)
Prerequisite: ACCT 204, ECON 303 and ECON 313. A study of the principles and problems determining sound investment policy. Topics include the capital asset pricing model, arbitrage pricing theory, efficient market hypothesis and the option pricing model. A major component of the course involves analysis of the risk-return trade-off necessary to pursue efficient diversification of a portfolio using asset allocation. Fall.
450. Financial Institutions (3)
Prerequisite: ACCT 204. A survey of the markets in which funds are traded is presented with a survey of the lending and investing characteristics of selected financial institutions. The organization, operation, and management of commercial banks and credit unions are introduced with special emphasis on credit decision-making from the lender's viewpoint. Students will apply decision-making procedures to bank financial management situations, including evaluation of bank performance, capital acquisition, liquidity, and loans. Fall.
460. Advanced Investment Theory and Analysis (3)
Prerequisites: FIN 325 and FIN 426. An advanced course examining investment theory and management. Emphasis is placed on the practical application of recent academic research to the dynamic global investment environment. The course requires the students to work as a team to manage the Frost School of Business Student Managed Investment Fund and present the results of investment analysis to the SMIF Advisory Board. Spring.
491-496. Independent Study (3)
Prerequisites: Junior standing and consent of the instructor based on adequate preparation in finance, business, economics, and accounting. Research topics are jointly selected by the instructor and the student. A written research report and an oral presentation at the Centenary College Student Research Forum are required. Offered on demand.
Last updated May 23, 2007.