You will build a strong foundation in financial management, investments and financial
institutions. This knowledge base is supplemented by studies in corporate finance
and derivative assets that provide applications to real-world cases. You will also
gain analytical and quantitative skills as well as practical experience using computer
software applications.
Coursework
The finance concentration is fulfilled by one required courses and three elective
finance classes. The current schedule for these courses is available in the Schedule
of Classes on the BU Brain. Descriptions of courses are listed in the Binghamton University Bulletin and course descriptions for the upcoming semester are available on the BU Brain.
Contact Academic Advising for the most updated list of core courses and electives.
Required coursework
Students are required to take FIN 322 (Investments)
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FIN 322 - Investments
Various institutional, analytical and pragmatic aspects of security analysis and
investment management, securities markets, sources of investment information, bond
and stock valuation models, risk return analysis, behavior of security prices, portfolio
management, and capital market theory. 4 credits. Prerequisites: FIN 311. Traditionally
offered fall and spring semesters
Levels: Undergraduate
3 Electives required
Select three of the following (Students also have the option to take FIN 480: Special
Topics in Finance if 4 credits)
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FIN 320 - Financial Mkts & Institutions
Provides an overview of financial markets and institutions, considers theories
of interest rate structure, and details the money and capital markets. Emphasis is
on commercial banks. Topics include the nature of commercial banking, asset, liability
and capital management, deposit insurance, regulation, economies of scale and scope,
and international banking. Thrift institutions are also considered. 4 credits. Prerequisites:
FIN 311. Traditionally offered fall and spring semesters
Levels: Undergraduate
-
FIN 324 - Corporate Finance
An in-depth examination of valuation and financial decision making in the corporate
setting, including some case analysis. Topics generally include capital market efficiency,
required rates of returns, options in the corporate setting, long-term investments,
capital structure, financial planning and dividend policy. 4 credits. Prerequisites:
Fin 311. Traditionally offered fall and spring semesters
Levels: Undergraduate
-
FIN 430 - Financial Statement Analysis
This course is about the analysis of financial information - particularly firms'
financial statements - for making decisions to invest in businesses. The primary focus
is on equity valuation, with some attention given to credit analysis and the valuation
of debt. The methods of fundamental analysis will be examined in detail and applied
in cases and projects involving publicly traded companies. Topics include models of
shareholder value, a comparison of accrual accounting and discounted cash flow approaches
to valuation, the analysis of profitability, growth and valuation generation in a
firm, diagnosing accounting quality, forecasting earnings and cash flows, pro-forma
analysis for strategy and planning, and the determination of price/earnings (P/E)
and market-to-book (P/B) ratios. 4 credits. Prerequisites: FIN 311 and FIN 324. Traditionally
offeredfall semester.
Levels: Undergraduate
Prerequisites:
Pre-Reqs for FIN 430
General Requirements:
(
Course or Test:
FIN
311
Minimum Grade of
D
May not be taken concurrently.
)or(
Course or Test:
FIN
311
Minimum Grade of
*TD
May not be taken concurrently.
)
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FIN 440 - Fixed Income Securities
The aim of this course is twofold. First, we examine institutional features of
the markets for Treasury debt, agency debt, corporate debt, tax-exempt debt, and lottery
bonds. Second, we introduce students to bond mathematics and outline the principles
behind the most widely used bond valuation models.
Traditionally offered spring semester. 4 credits
Levels: Undergraduate
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FIN 450 - Derivatives
Introduction to and a comprehensive analysis of the derivatives markets in the
U.S. Topics include discussions of options, futures, swaps and futures markets. 4
credits. Prerequisites: FIN 311, 322. Traditionally offered spring semesters.
Levels: Undergraduate
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FIN 465 - Arbitrage Strategies
This is an advanced, research based, seminar course targeted at students majoring
in Accounting and/or Finance. It teaches students to apply the latest research techniques
used in research. The skills taught in this course are used in research related jobs
in auditing, consulting, corporate finance, forensic accounting, hedge funds, investment
banking, quantitative financial analysis, securities litigation consulting, etc. The
course builds upon accounting and finance concepts covered in the introductory classes.
4 credits. Prerequisits: FIN 311 and FIN 322. Traditionally offered fall semesters.
Levels: Undergraduate
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FIN 475 - Financial Technology
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate