Course Descriptions - Finance

FIL 400 EIF: Portfolio Management

The Educational Investment Fund is a real dollar portfolio which students manage for a semester. Students also interact with investment professionals through the EIF Advisory Board. If you have had FIL 440 (MBA core course, Financial Management) and an investments elective or undergraduate investments class, this may be an excellent opportunity. This class is primarily for undergraduates, 2-3 graduate students are usually admitted after consulting the professor. Contact your advisor for more information.

FIL 411: Corporate Law

The course provides in-depth knowledge of corporate legal structure and organization; analyzes corporate financial structure from a legal standpoint; and explores the legal basis of corporate management, including the legal and ethical responsibilities of corporate officers, directors, and employees. It also provides substantial knowledge of federal and state securities laws and provides in-depth instruction on the federal antitrust laws as they apply to corporations. Prerequisite: FIL 405.

FIL 441: Advanced Financial Institutions and Markets

A critical study of sources of funds and investment management of these funds; scope and the changes in financial markets; recent policy changes and problems in financial management of financial institutions; changes being proposed in regulations affecting structure and functions of the intermediaries and the nature of the financial markets. Prerequisite: FIL 440.

FIL 442: Investment Management

This course introduces students to modern theories and practice of investment. It will survey basic investment tools and concepts, securities analysis, and portfolio theory. Emphasis is on functional understanding of risk-reward relationships from an investment analyst's perspective. Special attention is given to derivative securities (options and futures). Prerequisite: FIL 440.

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FIL 445: Advanced Corporate Finance

This seminar is an advanced corporate finance course that will discuss major issues in asset valuation, capital budgeting, capital cost and structure, dividend policy, and corporate restructuring. The course will be taught by a combination of lectures, case studies, paper discussion, and computer application. Prerequisite: FIL 440.

FIL 449.06: Use of Derivatives as a Financial Management Tool

This course presents an in-depth investigation of use and pricing of financial futures, options, and swaps. This course is a must for MBA students interested in passing level II of the CFA exam. It also fits well into the program of all risk managers as well as all MBA's who want to understand the advantages and dangers associated with derivatives trading. The focus of the class will be on developing the models and applications for futures, options, and swaps. It is hoped to include a visit to the Chicago Board of Trade and/or the Mercantile Exchange. Prerequisite: FIL 440.

FIL 454.02: Seminar in Insurance: Financial Planning

Understanding the process of personal financial planning enables you to pull together everything you have learned about finance and apply these tools in real-world situations. You will learn to establish realistic goals and objectives, evaluate your financial resources, create an effective personal investment policy statement and manage risks to protect you and your family from financial harm. Prerequisite: FIL 440.

FIL 454.06: Seminar in Insurance: Convergence of Financial Services

This course will study the diminishing distinctions among insurance companies, banks, and the capital markets. Discussions will consist of capital market innovations, including exchange-traded and ovr-the-counter securities tied to insured risks. The course will involve extensive coverage of emerging competition among large financial services firms and integration of financial services. The emphasis will be on understanding current transactions and their strategic importance. Prerequisite: FIL 440.

FIL 454.07: Seminar in Insurance--Law and Regulation of Insurance and Financial Services

The purpose of the course is to teach insurance professionals and prospective insurance professionals about the legal and regulatory environment surrounding the insurance industry, including both case and statutory law. Topics covered will include contract formation and interpretation; contract defenses; insurable interest; state and federal regulation of insurance and financial services; relation of antitrust and securities law to financial services; basic tort law; specific legal doctrines affecting fire and property insurance; liability insurance; life insurance; and automobile insurance. The course will be taught using the case method and use a law school text plus additional cases and materials. A research paper will be required. Prerequisite: FIL 405 or consent of instructor.

FIL 454.08: Seminar in Insurance--Risk Management

This course will cover the notions of risk, choice, and risk management from a corporate perspective. Corporations face a number of risks including operational, political, legal and financial risks. Viewing the organization as a bundle of risks, this course will provide a perspective on how the risks are selected, financed, and managed; the management of risk includes the avoidance, reduction, and transfer with tools including insurance and derivatives. Participants will gain an understanding of the theory and issues relevant to the management of pure and speculative risks. Participants will have a chance to discuss the issues and practices surrounding risk management. Topics covered include: history of risk, expected utility and choice, financial markets, values and corporate objectives, pure and speculative risks, risk management, risk finance, hedging, and integrated risk management. Prerequisite: FIL 440.