Finance (FINC)

FINC 1307. Personal Finance. 3 Hours. [TCCN: BUSI 1307]

Students study the problems of personal financial management. Topics may include savings, risks, investment considerations, insurance, and taxation. Recommended for non-business majors.

FINC 3310. Financial Institutions and Markets. 3 Hours.

Students explore the process of providing external funds and finance with emphasis on the role of financial institutions and markets. The nature, participants, instruments, and relationships of the money and capital markets are examined.

FINC 3320. Corporate Finance. 3 Hours.

Students study financial principles as applied to corporate investment and financing decisions. The ethical role of the financial manager is examined as it relates to value creation.
Prerequisite: ACCT 2301 and MATH 1324 or equivalent.

FINC 3330. Financial Spreadsheet Modeling. 3 Hours.

Students develop advanced spreadsheet modeling skills through applications in finance. They learn to apply financial concepts and analytical techniques using spreadsheets to support decision-making in areas such as financial mathematics, cash flow estimation, capital budgeting, and financial statement analysis. Emphasis may be placed on building practical spreadsheet proficiency and using data-driven tools to solve applied financial problems.
Prerequisite: FINC 3320 (may be taken concurrently)

FINC 3340. Financial Analytics. 3 Hours.

Students develop competency with advanced skills in financial analytics, focusing on practical applications using spreadsheets, statistical software packages / languages, and AI techniques. Course topics may include learning to analyze financial data, creating dynamic financial models, and using analytics tools to make informed business decisions. Students experience hands-on learning through practical assignments and projects.
Prerequisite: FINC 3330.

FINC 3345. Financial Data Visualization. 3 Hours.

Students develop competency using simple, intermediate, and enterprise-level Business Intelligence (BI) tools on financial data. Students gain the ability to create effective financial data visualization and thereby become better data analysts and better communicators, and significantly influence financial decision making, problem solving, opportunity identification, and risk mitigation through exploratory visual analysis.
Prerequisite: FINC 3330.

FINC 3360. Risk Management and Insurance. 3 Hours.

Students examine risk and the use of insurance as an effective tool for risk minimization. Topics may include risk classification, risk management principles, types of insurers, and various insurance products, such as life, health, and property insurance. Other potential topics include insurance operations, legal principles, and regulations, along with AI’s role in risk management.
Prerequisite: ECON 2300 or ECON 2302.

FINC 4080. Independent Study. 1-3 Hours.

The student may pursue special studies for which a special course is not organized. Variable Credit (1 to 3). Course Equivalents: FINC 4380
Prerequisite: Consent of department chair.

FINC 4085. Special Topic. 1-3 Hours.

This course of faculty-led study is designed to provide undergraduate students exposure to new Finance topics and concepts in a course setting. Variable Credit (1 to 3).

FINC 4315. Entrepreneurial and Small Firm Finance. 3 Hours.

Students study the development, implementation, and control of financial plans, strategies, and policies by owner-managers of small firms. Financing alternatives for small firms are explored.
Prerequisite: FINC 3320.

FINC 4320. Commercial Bank Management. 3 Hours.

Students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for the effective management of a commercial bank. They gain first-hand experience managing a bank’s balance sheet and income statement and understanding additional key concepts that are critical in managing a bank’s liquidity, capital and overall risk and regulatory management. Students evaluate multiple sources of data for publicly traded peer banks, benchmark peer metrics, examine management versus analyst perspectives, and identify and describe challenges and opportunities faced by banks. Additionally, students examine the roles of banks in the financial services industry as well as the importance of the regulatory environment and their interaction with banks
Prerequisite: FINC 3310.

FINC 4325. Financial Products & Services. 3 Hours.

Students study the process and principles involved in evaluating and recommending financial products and services. Knowledge of products and services related to the Banking and Financial Services Industry is emphasized.

FINC 4330. Commercial Bank Lending. 3 Hours.

Students use finance principles to study issues and applications relevant to the commercial lending activities of a bank. Readings and case studies are utilized to provide a contemporary perspective.
Prerequisite: FINC 3320.

FINC 4335. Financial Statement and Credit Analysis. 3 Hours.

Students study theoretical issues and various applications relevant to the analysis of financial statements, using finance and accounting principles. Readings and case studies are utilized to provide a contemporary perspective.
Prerequisite: FINC 3320 .

FINC 4340. International Finance. 3 Hours.

Students are provided with a background in international finance by examining financial circumstances/problems unique to business entities engaged in international business. Topics may include the structure and functioning of the foreign exchange market, the identification, measurement and management of foreign exchange risks, trade financing, investment analysis, financing choices, and financial control of international operations.
Prerequisite: FINC 3320.

FINC 4345. Investments. 3 Hours.

Students analyze securities markets, money market instruments, mutual funds, stocks, bonds, options, futures, and other securities. Theoretical concepts in investment analysis and trading applications are developed. Analysis of derivative securities and their use in the context of hedging are introduced.
Prerequisite: FINC 3320.

FINC 4355. Securities Analysis and Portfolio Management. 3 Hours.

This course is an advanced analysis and study of the techniques for selecting and combining securities into a portfolio. Content may include identifying appropriate investment objectives, structuring an appropriate statement of investment policy, and techniques for investment management. Emphasis is placed on diversification and risk management. This course is typically offered only during Spring semesters.
Prerequisite: FINC 4345 (can be taken concurrently).

FINC 4360. Advanced Financial Planning. 3 Hours.

Students synthesize core areas of personal financial planning, including investment management, retirement planning, tax strategies, estate planning, and risk management. Emphasis is placed on applying knowledge through real-world case studies to create comprehensive financial plans that meet ethical and regulatory standards.
Prerequisite: FINC 3320, FINC 3360, and FINC 4325.

FINC 4365. Financial Derivatives. 3 Hours.

Students study options, futures, and other financial derivative contracts. The course may include the markets, valuation, and specification of these derivative contracts, and their use in corporate financial risk management. This course is typically offered only during the Fall semester.
Prerequisite: FINC 3320 .

FINC 4375. Investment Technologies. 3 Hours.

Students examine the nature and use of financial data available through industry-standard technologies. They gain the ability to analyze economic indicators, critical factors associated with the investment in and trading of currencies, fixed-income instruments, equities, commodities, and stock options, and the development and management of portfolios of investment assets. By gaining proficiency in using these technologies, students become eligible to earn industry-leading certificates.
Prerequisite: FINC 4345.

FINC 4389. Undergraduate Internship in Finance. 3 Hours.

Students apply academic knowledge in a professional finance setting. They gain practical experience through supervised work in a pre-approved finance organization. Approval from the Endowed Chair of Banking is required prior to enrollment. A minimum of 120 work hours is expected. The course may be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.

FINC 4390. Managerial Finance. 3 Hours.

Students engage in an in-depth exploration of key tools used in financial management. They develop skills in valuing securities, assessing capital costs, evaluating capital budgeting projects, conducting risk analysis, analyzing financial statements, and understanding dividend policy. Through applied problem solving, students strengthen their ability to make informed financial decisions.
Prerequisite: FINC 3320.