FNCE – Finance
FNCE 301
Introductory Finance
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students are introduced to corporate financial decision-making concepts, tools and models for financial analysis. Financial policies are examined with a view to maximizing the value of the firm. Topics include financial markets, debt and equity financing, market efficiency, models for valuing stocks, bonds, risk measures, risk reduction, dividend policy, capital budgeting, and the valuation and selection of assets.
Prerequisites: ECON 101, ACCT 311 or ACCT 161 or ACCT 201 AND one of FNCE 113 or MGTS 113 or MGTS 103 or STAT 151 or STAT 161 or ACCT 215 OR a current BA or BSc student with min grade of C- in one of STAT 151 or STAT 161, and second-year standing.
FNCE 303
Personal Finance
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
This course explains the personal financial planning processes and concepts fundamental to achieving short-term to long-term goals. Students will learn how to assess a current financial position, set financial goals, and identify the components of a comprehensive financial plan. Topics include financial planning, time value of money, consumer credit including mortgages, taxation, insurance, investments including essential investment considerations, retirement and estate plans.
FNCE 401
New Venture Financing
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students acquire the basic knowledge required to plan, start and finance a new business venture. Students learn how to transform a business idea into a business proposal by designing a business plan that addresses key questions such as: identifying business opportunities, valuing a business proposal with emphasis on the venture capital method, mobilizing resources through estimating financial needs; and finally, raising new capital. Additional topics include the dynamics of the venture capital industry; angel capitalists and their importance in promoting the creation of new firms; and corporate entrepreneurship.
FNCE 404
International Finance
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
This course covers the concepts of international financial management in global business. Students learn how the foreign exchange and global financial markets operate, how currency risks and international financial investments can be managed, and how international trade may be financed. The key topics covered in this course include workings of the foreign exchange market, determination of foreign exchange rates, the forward exchange market, currency options, covered interest arbitrage, the Eurocurrency market, methods of global debt financing, currency and interest rate swaps, and various methods of hedging exposure.
Prerequisites: FNCE 301.
FNCE 406
Valuation and Investment Decision
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
This course provides students applied knowledge on investments and the investment process, and on project and enterprise valuation. Students learn how securities markets work, how to develop an investment plan and how to measure risk and return in the context of a portfolio. Students conduct a complete company valuation by using different valuation techniques (Discounted Cash Flow and relative valuation with multiples of comparable companies). The course is aimed at showing students the latest valuation practices used in the industry by illustrating the valuation principles in the context of realistic situations.
FNCE 407
Sustainable Finance
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
This course provides students with a framework for understanding sustainable finance and its relevance in promoting sustainable growth. Students are introduced to sustainable finance systems, such as sustainability indexes, green bonds markets, sustainable asset management, carbon markets, and microfinance. Students learn how to conduct the valuation of sustainable investments, compare traditional and sustainable portfolios and to build a sustainable investment portfolio using ESG and SRI strategies.
Prerequisites: FNCE 301.
FNCE 408
Fixed Income Securities
3 Credits 3-0-0
This course covers the analysis and management of fixed-income securities issued by corporations or governments, domestically or internationally. Topics include bond valuation, the term structure of interest rates, bond duration, analysis of bonds with embedded options, analysis of interest rate risk, analysis of credit risk, interest rate derivatives, and bond portfolio management strategies. Note that this course emphasizes quantitative concepts.
Prerequisites: FNCE 301.
FNCE 409
Options and Futures
3 Credits 3-0-0
This course covers the fundamentals of derivative securities such as options, futures contracts, forward contracts, swaps and interest rate futures, with an emphasis on analytical techniques and quantitative analysis. Topics include theoretical approaches used in valuing derivatives, and how to design and evaluate different hedging strategies. Through theoretical analysis, practical applications and simulations, students will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively understand complex financial instruments.
FNCE 497
Special Topics in Finance
3 Credits 3-0-0
This course involves reading, discussing, and critically evaluating current research on specialized topics of interest to senior students in the Bachelor of Commerce. Topics covered vary with the interests of students and faculty and may include an applied field research component in business, government, or community. Students should consult with faculty members in the Department of Accounting and Finance for details regarding current offerings. This course can be taken twice for credit.
Prerequisites: Minimum of C- in one 300-level FNCE course and consent of the department chair or designate.
FNCE 498
Independent Studies in Finance
3 Credits Weekly (0-0-3)
In consultation with, and supervised by, a member of the department or an approved professional in the community, a senior student undertakes advanced scholarly work related to the field of finance. The faculty member guides the student in designing and undertaking this work, using appropriate assumptions and methods to arrive at warranted conclusions and outcomes that will advance finance knowledge or practice or create meaningful results. Note: This course may be taken twice for credit.
Prerequisites: Consent of the course instructor and the department chair.