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Course Descriptions — Finance (FINC)

FINC 310 Entrepreneurship and New Venture Planning (3)

(Formerly BMGT 330.) Recommended: BMGT 364. An overview of entrepreneurship and planning new business ventures for prospective entrepreneurs and managers. Topics include developing entrepreneurial ideas and innovations; strategic planning; marketing research, analysis, and planning; advertising, promotion, and sales; financial planning and financing; operations and services planning; human resources planning and management; analysis of risk; information management strategy and the Internet; legal aspects of new venture formation; and global venturing. Entrepreneurial theory, profiles and roles of entrepreneurs, business life cycles, entrepreneurial behavior, use of computer software to aid in planning, and entrepreneurial management and technology issues are explored. Discussion and group activities focus on development of a business plan, the factors that should be considered, and the entrepreneur’s role in developing and operating a new business. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 330, FINC 310, MGMT 330, or SBUS 200.

FINC 311 Managing New Ventures (3)

(Formerly BMGT 334.) Recommended: FINC 310 or BMGT 330. An exploration of the start-up and development of business ventures using an integrated approach to entrepreneurship, growth, and management. Topics include opportunities at different stages, legal structure, production of goods and services, marketing strategies, access to capital and capital formation, policy formation, and development of a management philosophy. Exploration also covers how entrepreneurs make decisions—on growth of the venture, organizational structure, information systems, software and hardware use, hiring key employees, and building of corporate culture. Problems and pitfalls to avoid, implementation and periodic review of the business plan, global issues, cultural diversity, and the use of new technologies are considered. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 334, FINC 311, or MGMT 334.

FINC 321 Fundamentals of Building Wealth (3)

(Formerly BMGT 342. For students majoring in both business and nonbusiness disciplines.) A practical overview of personal finance management and creation of wealth that blends financial theory and applications. The development of personal financial management skills (e.g., budgeting income and expenditures and planning for financial security and retirement) is encouraged, while an understanding of elements of the U.S. financial structure (including savings and investment alternatives, financing and credit sources, the role of insurance in protecting income and assets, and federal income tax issues) is provided. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 342, BMGT 388N, or FINC 321.

FINC 322 Personal Financial Management (1)

(Formerly BMGT 388F. For students majoring in both business and nonbusiness disciplines.) A practical overview of personal finance management that blends financial theory and applications. The development of personal financial management skills (e.g., budgeting income and expenditures, planning for financial security and retirement) is encouraged, while an understanding of elements of the U.S. financial structure (including savings and investment alternatives, financing and credit sources, the role of insurance in protecting income and assets, and federal income tax issues) is provided. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 342, BMGT 388F, BMGT 388N, FINC 321 or FINC 322.

FINC 330 Business Finance (3)

(Formerly BMGT 340.) Prerequisites: ACCT 221 and STAT 230. An overview of the theory, principles, and practices of financial management in a business environment. Topics include financial analysis and financial risk, characteristics and valuations of securities, capital investment analysis and decision making, the capital structure of the firm, financial leverage, and international finance. Emphasis is on the application of financial theory and methods for solving the problems of financial policy that managers face. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 340, FINC 330, MGMT 398D, or TMGT 320.

FINC 331 Finance for the Nonfinancial Manager (3)

(Formerly BMGT 341. May be used as either a stand-alone survey course in finance or an introduction to higher-level finance courses for those who wish to pursue the subject further. May not be substituted for FINC 330.) An introduction to the financial fundamentals needed by functional experts and upwardly mobile managers in human resources, marketing, production, and general management. Focus is on preparing to assume higher-level corporate positions or undertaking entrepreneurial activities that require a basic knowledge of finance. The world of finance and its argot and operations are presented in a simple, step-by-step manner. Topics include financial statements and forecasting, capital budgeting, project evaluation, working capital management, and international financial management. Emphasis is on practical applications more than theory. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 341 or FINC 331.

FINC 340 Investments (3)

(Formerly BMGT 343.) Prerequisite: FINC 330 or BMGT 340. An introduction to financial investments. Topics include securities and securities markets; the risks of investments, as well as returns and constraints on investments; portfolio policies; and institutional investment policies. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 343 or FINC 340.

FINC 350 Property and Liability Insurance (3)

(Formerly BMGT 345.) Prerequisites: ACCT 221 and STAT 230. Analysis of the major types of property and casualty insurance, including fire, indirect loss, crime, automobile, ocean and inland marine, and liability insurance. Discussion covers substandard, residual, and reinsurance markets and current issues. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 345 or FINC 350.

FINC 351 Risk Management (3)

(Formerly BMGT 346.) Prerequisites: ACCT 221 and STAT 230. A study focusing on recognizing and evaluating the pure risks facing organizations. Guides for risk-management decisions concerning the retention, control, and transfer of risk (including insurance) are discussed. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 346 or FINC 351.

FINC 352 Life Insurance (3)

(Formerly BMGT 347.) Prerequisite: ACCT 221. A study of the products and principles of life insurance and health insurance in financial planning for businesses. Topics include pension- planning strategies, such as deferred-compensation and profit-sharing plans; use of trusts in business and in planning individual estates; and comprehensive analysis of the effects of income taxes, estate taxes, and gift taxes on life-insurance programming and estate planning. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 347 or FINC 352.

FINC 410 Managing Entrepreneurial Ventures (3)

(Formerly BMGT 436.) Prerequisite: FINC 310 or BMGT 330. An exploration of entrepreneurial management and strategies in various competitive situations and stages of development. Topics include the development of partnerships, joint ventures, strategic alliances, and licensing. Issues regarding management, financing, marketing, production, administration, human resources, and growth of the business are analyzed. Discussion covers strategies and tactics using environmental scanning, analysis, and planning and decision making (including reviewing relevant options and opportunities, forecasting demand and sales, estimating costs, and developing pro forma financial statements). Potential business opportunities are assessed using exercises, case studies, and research related to new technologies, innovation, competition, economic and social change, governmental regulation and laws, major product and service features, organizational and human resource issues, information management, global issues, financial management, marketing, operations, and customer

FINC 430 Financial Management (3)

(Formerly BMGT 440.) Prerequisite: FINC 330 or BMGT 340. Analysis and discussion of the financial decisions of national and multinational corporations, based on case studies and reading. Financial principles and concepts are applied to solve financial problems and make financial and corporate policy at the executive level. Topics include assessment of the financial health of the organization, short- and long-term financial management, project and company valuation, cost of capital, risk analysis, investment decisions, and capital markets. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 440 or FINC 430.

FINC 440 Security Analysis and Valuation (3)

(Formerly BMGT 443.) Prerequisite: FINC 340 or BMGT 343. A study of concepts, methods, models, and empirical findings. Theory is applied to the analysis, valuation, and selection of securities, especially common stock. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 443 or FINC 440.

FINC 441 Futures Contracts and Options (3)

(Formerly BMGT 444.) Prerequisite: FINC 340 or BMGT 343. A study of institutional features and the economic rationale underlying markets in futures and options. Topics include hedging, speculation, structure of futures prices, interest-rate futures, efficiency in futures markets, and stock and commodity options. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 444 or FINC 441.

FINC 450 Commercial Bank Management (3)

(Formerly BMGT 445.) Prerequisite: FINC 330 or BMGT 340. An analysis and discussion of cases and readings in commercial bank management. Discussion covers the loan function and the management of liquidity reserves, investments for income, and sources of funds. The objectives, functions, policies, organization, structure, services, and regulations of banks are considered. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 445 or FINC 450.

FINC 460 International Finance (3)

(Formerly BMGT 446.) Prerequisite: FINC 330 or BMGT 340. Analysis and discussion of financial management issues from the perspective of the multinational firm. Topics include the organization and functions of foreign exchange and international capital markets, international capital budgeting, financing foreign trade, and designing a global financing strategy. Emphasis is on how to manage financial exchange and political risks while maximizing benefits from global opportunities faced by the firm. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 446 or FINC 460.

FINC 486A Internship in Finance Through Co-op (3)

Prerequisite: Formal admission to the Coop program (program requirements are listed on p. 246). An opportunity to combine academic theory with new, career-related experience in finance. At least 12 hours per week must be devoted to new tasks for a minimum of 180 hours during the Co-op session; four new tasks must be delineated in the Learning Proposal; and the course requirements must be completed. May be repeated upon approval of a new Learning Proposal that demonstrates new tasks and objectives related to accounting and that continues to advance application of academic theory in the workplace. Students may earn up to 15 credits in all internship coursework through Co-op toward a first bachelor’s degree and up to 9 credits toward a second bachelor’s degree. Co-op credits may not be used for general education requirements and, unless otherwise specified, no more than 6 Co-op credits may be used in the academic major and minor (combined).

FINC 486B Internship in Finance Through Co-op (6)

Prerequisite: Formal admission to the Co-op program (program requirements are listed on p. 246). An opportunity to combine academic theory with new, career-related experience in finance. At least 20 hours per week must be devoted to new tasks for a total of 300 hours during the Co-op session; five to eight new tasks must be delineated in the Learning Proposal; and the course requirements must be completed. May be repeated upon approval of a new Learning Proposal that demonstrates new tasks and objectives related to accounting and that continues to advance application of academic theory in the workplace. Students may earn up to 15 credits in all internship coursework through Co-op toward a first bachelor’s degree and up to 9 credits toward a second bachelor’s degree. Co-op credits may not be used for general education requirements and, unless otherwise specified, no more than 6 Co-op credits may be used in the academic major and minor (combined).

FINC 495 Contemporary Issues in Finance Practice (3)

Intended as a final capstone course to be taken in the student’s last 15 credits.) Prerequisites: FINC 340 (or BMGT 343), 430 (or BMGT 440), and 460 (or BMGT 446). A study of finance that integrates knowledge gained through previous coursework and experience and builds on that conceptual foundation through integrative analysis, academic research, practical application, and critical thinking. Emerging issues in finance and business are considered. Individual and group case studies and research papers are used to integrate key financial knowledge in the areas of financial analysis, investments, business valuation, risk and insurance, and international finance. Advanced quantitative financial software models are introduced. Assignments include a three-week comprehensive group case study designed to demonstrate mastery of key finance knowledge and its application. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 495 or FINC 495.