Finance

FIN 4000 Financial Modeling and Databases Bootcamp (1 Credit)

This bootcamp is designed to equip students with a firm foundation in financial modeling as well as acquire an adequate command of Excel functionality and efficiency. This course also serves as an introduction to financial databases, mainly centered on the Capital IQ platform, which the student will be using throughout his or her academic and professional career. Topics covered include: Excel modeling best practices, keyboard shortcuts and common functions, financial datasets, and practical modeling applications in finance.

FIN 4110 Ethics in Finance (4 Credits)

This second course in the Compass is specifically designed for the Master of Science Finance (MSF) curriculum and focuses on the ethical, professional, social, and legal responsibilities of finance professionals, organizations and markets. Financial institutions are facing a crisis of confidence. Trust is an essential ingredient to maintaining efficient and effective financial markets. The finance industry has acquired a reputation for unethical and unsavory activity and has lost the trust of much of society. Many financial professionals believe they are encouraged and rewarded for engaging in unethical activity. We discuss the ethical issues facing financial institutions and professionals and explore solutions for resolving these issues and restoring trust.

FIN 4120 Quantitative Methods in Stock Selection (4 Credits)

This course introduces quantitative methods and techniques applied to alpha generation in stock selection. It enables students to better understand and conceptualize the entire quantitative investment process in the context of a simulated long/short equity portfolio. The student learns to set investment objectives, test investment hypotheses, define security selection criteria and construct portfolios using quantitative techniques. This is a practical class held in a lab environment using financial industry tools and data with a strong emphasis on student participation. Students have to define and defend a quantitative investment strategy and implement it in a simulated portfolio environment. Prerequisites: FIN 4200.

FIN 4130 Financial Risk Management Strategies (4 Credits)

This course applies risk management, quantitative approaches and investment theoretical models to derivatives markets. It examines the proven risk management and revenue enhancement strategies in derivatives and equity markets, creates innovated derivatives investment styles, validates quantitative strategies in options markets, and implements investment models. This course is to offer advanced graduates in finance a well-rounded exposure to the theory and practice of risk management and derivatives investment strategies. It focuses on four aspects: (1) essential risk management theories regarding asset pricing, portfolio construction, and financial statistics; (2) the approaches to develop risk management and derivatives investment strategies based on the fundamental analysis, statistical analysis, and behavioral finance; (3) the rigorous test of various options investment strategies; and (4) the implementation of risk management and investment strategies based on The Reiman Fund. Prerequisites: FIN 4200 and FIN 4500.

FIN 4140 Enterprise Risk Management (4 Credits)

This course introduces the fundamentals of enterprise risk management (ERM). The purpose of this course is to give students an overview of the current approaches used to identify, evaluate and monitor the key risks that an organization faces. Students learn that there are numerous approaches that organizations take in addressing ERM. Over the course of the quarter, a number of outside ERM experts address the class on various aspects of ERM. Students then apply newly gained ERM knowledge to a mock risk assessment developed from a real-life corporate scenario from Newmont Mining Corporation.

FIN 4150 Advanced Business Valuation (4 Credits)

The objective of this course is to present advanced valuation techniques to deepen students' understanding and enhance their knowledge of valuation theory and practical application.

FIN 4160 Treasury Management (4 Credits)

The objective of the course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how various treasury functions are managed in a corporation and build students' capabilities to assume the role of a proficient treasury manager.

FIN 4170 Quantitative Methods in Finance (4 Credits)

This course introduces students to the mathematical and statistical methods needed in order to succeed in the quantitative discipline of modern finance. Topics include differential calculus, optimization techniques, linear algebra, probability, and statistical methods. Data analysis software is used when appropriate to facilitate the analysis. Emphasis is on applications, analytic reasoning, and proper interpretation of results.

FIN 4180 Global Finance (2 Credits)

This course explores financial management in the international arena. Principal content elements include: The market for foreign exchange, interest rate parity, hedging currency risk, international portfolio management. Upon completion of this course, students should be able to accomplish the following objectives: Explain the determinants of foreign exchange rates; Explain and identify the financial difficulties and opportunities faced by corporations when operating internationally; Apply forwards and options for hedging currency risk; Identify the determinants of the expected returns on international investments; Discuss current issues in international finance. Prerequisites: FIN 4630.

FIN 4200 Financial Investments and Markets (4 Credits)

Introduction to financial markets, securities, instruments, and other factors that determine the financial environment. Prerequisites: FIN 4630 or (MBA 4280 and MBA 4285) STAT 4610 or FIN 4170 or (MBA 4160 and MBA 4360).

FIN 4201 MS Management Managerial Finance (2 Credits)

FIN 4201 introduces concepts and analytical techniques to identify and solve financial management problems. The focus on Performance Metrics (Ratios and Du Pont Analysis), Time Value of Money and Opportunity Costs, and Project Analysis prepares managers to operate in an environment that can at times be driven by the financial performance of the company.

FIN 4320 Security Analysis and Valuation (4 Credits)

Examination of statistical and theoretical foundation for determination of market prices and market returns. Includes theoretical implications for investment management of options, futures, stocks and bonds. Prerequisite: FIN 4200.

FIN 4330 Portfolio Management and Risk Analytics (4 Credits)

Case and project approach to foundation of investment portfolio management. Prerequisite: FIN 4200.

FIN 4410 Financial Planning & Analysis (4 Credits)

Advanced course in financial planning and decision-making focusing on capital structure, working capital management, long-range and short-term financial planning, and mergers. Prerequisite: MBA 4112.

FIN 4420 Capital Expenditure Analysis (4 Credits)

Advanced course in capital budgeting examining capital allocation processes and procedures and the theory and applied techniques of capital spending and divestment under conditions of certainty and uncertainty. Related issues of cost of capital and leasing also included. Prerequisite: FIN 4630.

FIN 4500 Financial Modeling (4 Credits)

Use of erect functions and macros to construct financial models from corporate finance, investments and financial markets. Prerequisites: FIN 4170.

FIN 4610 Multinational Financial Management (4 Credits)

Financial analysis of multinational corporation operating in international markets, including exchange rates, international instruments, markets, institutions and futures. Prerequisite: MBA 4112.

FIN 4620 Financial Forecasting (4 Credits)

FIN 4630 Managerial Finance (4 Credits)

Analytical skills and tools of finances; theoretical concepts and practical applications. Topics include ratio analysis, breakeven analysis and leverage, securities valuation, capital budgeting, financial forecasting, and working capital management.

FIN 4700 Topics in Finance (4 Credits)

Topics vary each quarter. Course may be taken more than once if topics are different.

FIN 4701 Topics in Finance (1-10 Credits)

Topics vary. For new/experimental courses taught within the Reiman School of Finance.

FIN 4710 Marsico Investment Fund I (4 Credits)

A securities analysis and portfolio management practicum in which students manage a University endowment gift donated by Tom and Cydney Marsico. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. (First part of two-quarter course.).

FIN 4720 Marsico Investment Fund II (4 Credits)

A securities analysis and portfolio management practicum in which students manage a University endowment gift donated by Tom and Cydney Marsico. Prerequisite: FIN 4710. (Second part of two-quarter course.).

FIN 4730 Marsico Investment Fund III (4 Credits)

This course is an elective course that is the third in the series of classes involving the Graduate investment fund class: Marsico Investment Fund I & II. This course allows students to apply the investment, security analysis, and portfolio management tools and techniques that they have learned in their Finance classes. The students manage an actual portfolio, a portion of the University's endowment originally gifted by Tom and Cydney Marsico. The selection of students for this class is competitive. Students must agree to participate for 2 consecutive quarters, and they must be willing to address portfolio issues during the between-quarter periods if necessary. Because the course involves the application of tools and concepts learned in other classes, the best time to take the course is in the last year of a student's program. Prerequisites: FIN 4710 and FIN 4720.

FIN 4740 Managerial Microeconomics (2 Credits)

This course combines the standard tools of microeconomic analysis with a well-rounded appreciation of the important perspectives that form the business environment in the contemporary world. The goal is to provide students with the tools from microeconomics, game theory, and industrial organization that they need to make sound managerial decisions. The course uses case studies to develop practical insights into managing the firm's resources to achieve competitive advantage. The course is divided into two principle modules based on market structure: perfect competition and imperfect competition. Both modules cover optimal behavior and strategies.

FIN 4750 Managerial Macroeconomics (2 Credits)

This course covers the theory and practice of modern macroeconomics. It teaches students how private market forces and government policy decisions drive fluctuations in the global economy and affect the business environment. It explores issues related to inflation, interest rates, foreign exchange rate, business cycles, and monetary and fiscal policies. The course uses case studies to analyze real-life macroeconomic issues, and students are encouraged to investigate the potential and limitations of macroeconomic theory with real-world problems. The course is divided into two principle modules: the economy in the long run, and the economy in the short run. Both modules cover impacts of government policies on the business environment in a closed economy and an open economy.

FIN 4760 Managerial Economics (4 Credits)

The first half of this course meshes the standard tools of microeconomic analysis with a well-rounded appreciation of the important perspectives that form the business environment in the contemporary world. The goal is to provide students with the tools from microeconomics, game theory, and industrial organization that they need to make sound managerial decisions. Case studies will be used to develop practical insights into managing the firm’s resources to achieve a competitive advantage. The second half of this course covers the theory and practice of modern macroeconomics. It teaches students how private market forces and government policy decisions drive fluctuations in the domestic and global economies and affect the business environment. It explores issues related to inflation, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, business cycles, and monetary and fiscal policies. Case studies will be used to analyze real-life macroeconomic issues, and students are encouraged to investigate the potential and limitations of microeconomic theory with real-world problems.

FIN 4800 An Organized Walk Down Wall Street (4 Credits)

After four class sessions in Denver, participants will spend five days in New York visiting exchanges, brokerage firms, investment bankers, commercial banks, asset managers, and other institutions.

FIN 4830 Econometrics for Finance (4 Credits)

This course focuses on econometric and statistical modeling with an emphasis on finance applications. Prerequisite: STAT 4610 or FIN 4170.

FIN 4860 Derivatives (4 Credits)

This course provides a theoretical foundation for the pricing of contingent claims and for designing risk-management strategies. It discusses more advanced material in financial derivatives and is intended for students who have a quantitative background and are interested in enhancing their knowledge of the way in which derivatives can be analyzed. This course covers option pricing models, hedging techniques, and trading strategies. It also includes portfolio insurance, value-at-risk measure, multistep binomial trees to value American options, interest rate options, and other exotic options. Prerequisite: FIN 4200.

FIN 4870 Strategic Finance (4 Credits)

Addresses theory, concepts, and techniques associated with asset management and creation of value from a strategic orientation. Links financial theory and practice to strategic and operational objectives of the firm, prepares student to incorporate risk and uncertainty into analytical decision-making process and to analyze divestiture, restructuring, and liquidation decisions. Prerequisites: MS/ Finance students only and FIN 4840.

FIN 4885 Investment Banking and External Financing (4 Credits)

Considers the blend of theory and practice with regard to designing the appropriate capital structure of the firm as well as appropriate use of securities and process for raising capital in different financial markets. Prerequisites: MS/Finance students only and FIN 4840.

FIN 4890 Fixed Income Analysis (4 Credits)

Emphasizes valuation and management of fixed income securities in prevailing environment of complex and innovative financial arrangements. Study of the nature of evolving markets, both domestically and internationally. Prerequisite: FIN 4200.

FIN 4980 Finance Internship (0-10 Credits)

Permission of instructor required. Hours and times arranged by student.

FIN 4991 Independent Study (1-10 Credits)

Individual study and report. Hours and times arranged by student.

FIN 4992 Directed Study (1-4 Credits)