Courses in Finance/Financial Analysis

B Fin 300 Financial Management (3)

Introductory course that covers the basic concepts essential to a comprehensive understanding of financial management. Topics to be covered include valuation models, financial statement analysis, operating and financial leverage, capital budgeting, cost of capital, and working capital management. Prerequisite(s): B Acc 211.

B Fin 301 Corporate Financial Policy and Strategy (3)

Continuation of B Fin 300, focusing on financial statement analysis and various investment and financing decisions of the firm. Topics include financial analysis, risk measurement, and capital budgeting, capital structure, and dividend policy decisions made in an environment of uncertainty. Case course supplemented with a text and extensive computer spreadsheet assignments. Prerequisite(s): B Fin 300; not open to students who are concurrently registered for or who have completed B Fin 400.

B Fin 333 Investment Management (3)

Development of the fundamental approach to the valuation of equity securities. Examines the institutional environment in which investment decisions are made. Reviews the concept of portfolio theory, and contrasting theories of the behavior of equity securities prices. Develops various models for the pricing of common stock and equity derivative instruments. Term project requiring written and oral presentation of a securities analysis. Extensive computer spreadsheet assignments. Prerequisite(s): B Fin 300 and 301; not open to students with concurrent enrollment in B Fin 380 or who have successfully completed B Fin 380.

B Fin 375 Money and Capital Markets (3)

Rigorous examination of the U.S. financial system, stressing the importance of financial markets, financial securities, and market participants. Emphasizes the factors that influence the level and structure of interest rates, including monetary policy actions of the Federal Reserve System and financial regulation. Develops models for the pricing and analysis of bonds and various fixed income derivative instruments. Extensive computer spreadsheet assignments. Prerequisite(s): B Fin 300. Offered spring semesters only.

B Fin 380 Investment Valuation and Analysis (3)

Intensive course in valuation of fixed income, equity, and derivative securities, and principles of portfolio management. Topics include bond pricing and yield analytics, various forms of equity valuation, option pricing, hedging, and speculation methods, creation of investment policy statements, construction of performance benchmarks, performance attribution methods, and development of effective regulatory compliance procedures.
Skills such as the use of financial modeling software, teamwork, and oral and written communication are emphasized heavily. Prerequisite(s) B Fin 300. Open only to students whose concentration is �Financial Analysis.�

B Fin 400 Financial Case Problems (3)

Intensive case analyses of and discussions about organizations facing a variety of financial issues, including value maximization, measurement of cost of capital, analysis of capital projects, evaluation of merger opportunities, capital structure and dividend decisions, and risk management, among others. Skills such as the use of spreadsheet macros and user-defined functions, teamwork, and oral and written communication are emphasized heavily. Prerequisite(s): B Acc 312, B Fin 380. Open only to students whose concentration is �Financial Analysis.�

B Fin 436Z International Financial Management (3)

Designed to expose students to the problems faced by financial managers of multinational firms. The basics of currency risk will be discussed with emphasis on exchange rate determination and hedging practices. Elements of working capital management, capital budgeting, and financing aspects will be discussed in an international context. Includes lectures and case studies. Students will be required to prepare a paper dealing with an important aspect of international financial management. Prerequisite(s): B Fin 300 and 301. [WI]

B Fin 470Z Special Topics in Finance (3)

Integrates the tools and concepts developed in preceding finance courses. Topics vary by semester and instructor., and may include equity and fixed income analysis, derivatives, portfolio management, investment banking, financial case studies, or bank management, among others. Heavy emphasis on computer applications of financial concepts. Prerequisite(s): B Fin 333, 375. May be repeated once for credit when topic is different. [WI]

B Fin 475Z Management of Financial Institutions (3)

Comprehensive examination of the major financial institutions that comprise the U.S. financial system. The course focuses on the management concepts and issues central to all financial institutions, including asset-liability management, liquidity and capital management, and investment securities portfolio management. The management policies of commercial banks are emphasized. Management concepts are applied through case studies. Prerequisite(s): B Fin 300 and B Fin 375. May not be offered in 2005-2006. [WI]

B Fin 490Z Financial Analysis Seminar and Thesis (3)

The first half of the course prepares students for thesis development. Seminars present leading-edge financial topics, review basic research methods, and introduce various financial databases. Thesis development is accompanied by work-site tours, and mock interviews with University at Albany alumni. At semester�s end, students present their completed theses to faculty and alumni, on the Albany campus. Skills such as spreadsheet use, teamwork, and oral and written communication are emphasized heavily. Prerequisite(s): B Acc 312, B Fin 380. Open only to students whose concentration is �Financial Analysis.�[WI]