School of Undergraduate Studies

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Finance

Students may seek either an academic major or minor in finance.

The finance major combines a foundation in the principles of business, economics, and accounting with an in-depth focus on issues and knowledge in the areas of finance and financial management. It includes the study of business finance, financial management, investments, and security analysis and valuation. The finance major prepares graduates for career opportunities in the global business community, with emphasis on careers in financial analysis and management, investment analysis and portfolio management, commercial and investment banking, insurance, risk management, and international finance.

Objectives

The student who graduates with a major in finance will be able to

Identify the most current methods for analyzing, interpreting, and reporting financial information.
Develop, integrate, and apply information to assess the present and future financial status of an organization.
Use current analytical tools to measure and control the risk of an investment portfolio or a business.
Estimate short- and long-term financing needs.
Prepare and analyze capital budgeting projects.
Determine the value of potential acquisitions and analyze competitors.
Determine the role of derivatives in the financial process.
Describe the different dimensions of international finance.
Use effective written and oral communication skills consistent with the business and professional environment.
Think critically, analyze information, and solve problems related to complex financial issues.
Use computers, financial software, and databases for advanced financial analysis and presentation.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in finance requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 36 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements; and 43 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 18 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Finance Major - Course Requirements

Coursework for a major in finance includes the following:

Required foundation courses (15 credits): ACCT 220 and 221, STAT 230 (or 200), BMGT 364, and MRKT 310
Required core courses (12 credits): FINC 330, 340, 430, and 440
Supplemental major courses (6 credits): Chosen from any FINC courses and ECON 305, 306, and 430
Required capstone course (3 credits): FINC 495
Required related courses (9 credits), which may be applied anywhere in the degree: ACCT 326 (or IFSM 300) and ECON 201 and 203

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the BS in finance. Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.

Coursework for the major is indicated by ‡

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

EDCP 100 Principles and Strategies of Successful Learning (3) (strongly recommended as first course)
LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)
WRTG 101/101X Introduction to Writing (3)
MATH 106 Finite Mathematics (3) or higher-level math course
BMGT 110 Introduction to Business and Management (3) (strongly recommended elective for students with no prior business experience)

Introductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)

‡ ACCT 220 Principles of Accounting I (3)
ECON 201 Principles of Macroeconomics (3) (related requirement for the major; also fulfills the first behavioral and social sciences requirement)
NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3) and NSCI 101 Physical Science Laboratory (1) or other course(s) to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory requirement
WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ writing requirement
IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3) or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software
PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3) or a foreign language course or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, or literature course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement

Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)

‡ STAT 230 Business Statistics (3) or STAT 200 Introduction to Statistics
PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3) or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology or other course to fulfill the second behavioral and social sciences requirement (discipline must differ from first)
‡ ACCT 221 Principles of Accounting II (3)
BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3) or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy or other course to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture requirement
ECON 203 Principles of Microeconomics (3) (related requirement for the major)
HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3) or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865 or other ARTH or HIST course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement in historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3) or WRTG 390 Writing for Managers or other course to fulfill the communications/writing or speech requirement
IFSM 300 Information Systems in Organizations (3) or ACCT 326 Accounting Information Systems (related requirement for the major; also fulfills the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement)
‡ BMGT 364 Management and Organization Theory (3)

Additional Required Courses (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

‡ FINC 330 Business Finance (3)
‡ MRKT 310 Marketing Principles and Organization (3)
‡ FINC 340 Investments (3)
WRTG 394/394X Business Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ upper-level intensive writing requirement
‡ ECON 430 Money and Banking (3) or other supplemental major course
‡ FINC 430 Financial Management (3)
‡ FINC 440 Security Analysis and Valuation (3)
‡ FINC 460 International Finance (3) or other supplemental major course
BMGT 392 Global Business Management (3) (recommended elective)
BMGT 496 Business Ethics (3) (recommended elective)

Capstone Course for Major (to be taken in the last 15 credits)

‡ FINC 495 Contemporary Issues in Finance Practice (3)

Minor and/or Elective Courses (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) 28

Recommended Minors

Human resource management, marketing, or other business-related minor