Subject: MSFI

Term: Spring 2011

MSFI 428: Financial Strategy and Value Creation (100/15919)

W 01:00-03:15 PM Jan 12-Apr 20

Fine, S

The intersection between the theory of perfect markets and the reality of market imperfections provides the basis for the exploration of value creation in this course. Opportunities in both product and financial markets are explored using case studies to develop a framework for strategic financial decisions.

MSFI 429: Investment Management (100/15921)

M 07:00-09:00 PM Jan 24-Apr 25

Thomas, S

This course explores the characteristics of financial investments and markets and develops modern techniques of investment analysis and management. The goal is to help students develop a level of analytical skill and institutional knowledge sufficient to make sensible investment decisions. Topics include: an overview of stock, debt and derivative asset markets, practical applications of modern portfolio theory, equilibrium and arbitrage-based approaches to capital market pricing, the debate over market efficiency, the term structure of interest rates, bond portfolio management, and uses of derivative assets in investment portfolios.

MSFI 431: Fixed Income Markets and Their Derivatives (100/15922)

W 03:30-05:30 PM Jan 12-Jan 19, F 01:00-03:00 PM Jan 21-Jan 21, W 03:30-05:30 PM Jan 26-Mar 23, F 01:00-03:00 PM Apr 08-Apr 08, W 03:30-05:30 PM Apr 13-Apr 20

Ritchken, P

This class is concerned with fixed income securities, interest rate risk management, and credit risk. Fixed income securities account for about two thirds of the market value of all outstanding securities, and hence this topic is important. The course covers the basic products of fixed income markets including treasury and LIBOR products, such as interest rate swaps. Risk management and hedging strategies are covered as well as selected topics in credit risk models and mortgage-backed securities.

MSFI 431: Fixed Income Markets and Their Derivatives (101/15923)

W 10:30-12:30 PM Jan 12-Jan 19, F 03:00-05:00 PM Jan 21-Jan 21, W 10:30-12:30 PM Jan 26-Mar 23, F 03:00-05:00 PM Apr 08-Apr 08, W 10:30-12:30 PM Apr 13-Apr 20

Ritchken, P

This class is concerned with fixed income securities, interest rate risk management, and credit risk. Fixed income securities account for about two thirds of the market value of all outstanding securities, and hence this topic is important. The course covers the basic products of fixed income markets including treasury and LIBOR products, such as interest rate swaps. Risk management and hedging strategies are covered as well as selected topics in credit risk models and mortgage-backed securities.

MSFI 432: Corporate Risk Management (100/15925)

M 03:00-05:00 PM Jan 10-Apr 25

Gupta, A

This is a risk management course aimed at developing an understanding of the risks faced by financial and nonfinancial firms, learning techniques to identify and measure these risks, and understanding how financial engineering (especially derivatives) can be used to manage these risks and advance the strategic goals of the firm. Main topics include Value-at-Risk (VaR) techniques and implementation of VaR systems (RiskMetrics, Delta-normal, Historical Simulation, Structured Monte-Carlo); financial risk measurement and management using forwards, futures, options, swaps, and exotics; and credit risk management, including implementing various credit risk and credit VaR models, estimating capital at risk, and using credit derivatives for managing credit risk. Several classes are devoted to discussing recent risk management debacles and relating them to theory.

MSFI 432: Corporate Risk Management (101/15926)

T 06:00-08:00 PM Jan 11-Apr 19

Gupta, A

This is a risk management course aimed at developing an understanding of the risks faced by financial and nonfinancial firms, learning techniques to identify and measure these risks, and understanding how financial engineering (especially derivatives) can be used to manage these risks and advance the strategic goals of the firm. Main topics include Value-at-Risk (VaR) techniques and implementation of VaR systems (RiskMetrics, Delta-normal, Historical Simulation, Structured Monte-Carlo); financial risk measurement and management using forwards, futures, options, swaps, and exotics; and credit risk management, including implementing various credit risk and credit VaR models, estimating capital at risk, and using credit derivatives for managing credit risk. Several classes are devoted to discussing recent risk management debacles and relating them to theory.

MSFI 435: Empirical Finance (100/13771)

M 09:00-11:00 AM Jan 10-Apr 25

Madureira, L

MSFI 435 provides an introduction to empirical analysis and research in finance. This involves the management of empirical datasets and the aspects of quantitative applications of finance theory. The goal is to enable the student to deal with the need to analyze complex and large financial and economic datasets that is present in many fields of the financial profession. The scope of the data as well as the quantitative methods used in such analysis often requires familiarity with robust computational environments and statistical packages. As such, another goal of the course is to familiarize the student with at least one such environment. Applications are conducted using real financial and economic data. The course draws on the theoretical aspects of the subjects covered, but mainly focuses on the practical matters required to undertake an empirical analysis of financial topics--e.g., the definition of the research question, the datasets required, the computational needs, and, then, the implementation. The course enables the student to evaluate outstanding financial research as well as to conduct his or her own research.

MSFI 435: Empirical Finance (101/15927)

M 12:30-02:30 PM Jan 10-Apr 25

Madureira, L

MSFI 435 provides an introduction to empirical analysis and research in finance. This involves the management of empirical datasets and the aspects of quantitative applications of finance theory. The goal is to enable the student to deal with the need to analyze complex and large financial and economic datasets that is present in many fields of the financial profession. The scope of the data as well as the quantitative methods used in such analysis often requires familiarity with robust computational environments and statistical packages. As such, another goal of the course is to familiarize the student with at least one such environment. Applications are conducted using real financial and economic data. The course draws on the theoretical aspects of the subjects covered, but mainly focuses on the practical matters required to undertake an empirical analysis of financial topics--e.g., the definition of the research question, the datasets required, the computational needs, and, then, the implementation. The course enables the student to evaluate outstanding financial research as well as to conduct his or her own research.

MSFI 436B: Individual, Team and Career Development (100/15928)

R 08:30-10:30 AM Jan 13-Apr 21

Richley, B

This course is designed to focus on three areas of development critical to students' personal and professional success: 1) Individual; 2) Team; and 3) Career. The individual and team aspects include developing self and other awareness through exploration of learning styles, process skills, and building communication and presentation competencies. Career development includes a focus on strategies for success such as networking, resume building, and learning from executives through intensive and interactive seminars. The course involves use of assessments, group discussions, presentations and experiential activities.

MSFI 436B: Individual, Team and Career Development (101/15929)

R 11:00-01:00 PM Jan 13-Apr 21

Richley, B

This course is designed to focus on three areas of development critical to students' personal and professional success: 1) Individual; 2) Team; and 3) Career. The individual and team aspects include developing self and other awareness through exploration of learning styles, process skills, and building communication and presentation competencies. Career development includes a focus on strategies for success such as networking, resume building, and learning from executives through intensive and interactive seminars. The course involves use of assessments, group discussions, presentations and experiential activities.

MSFI 440: Advanced Corporate Finance (100/16143)

T 02:45-04:45 PM Jan 11-Apr 19

Krishnan, C

This course exposes the students to a more in-depth treatment of some of the topics covered in BAFI 403 and introduces them to new topics. Topics include investment decisions, financing decisions, payout decisions, contracting decisions and performance metrics, internal control systems, risk management, real options, diversification and valuation. Topics covered may vary from semester to semester.

MSFI 440: Advanced Corporate Finance (101/16410)

T 09:00-11:00 AM Jan 11-Apr 19

Krishnan, C

This course exposes the students to a more in-depth treatment of some of the topics covered in BAFI 403 and introduces them to new topics. Topics include investment decisions, financing decisions, payout decisions, contracting decisions and performance metrics, internal control systems, risk management, real options, diversification and valuation. Topics covered may vary from semester to semester.

MSFI 450: Mergers and Acquisitions (100/15998)

W 06:00-08:00 PM Jan 12-Apr 20

Mahnic, W

This course examines the economic rationale and motivation for the different merger and acquisition and recapitalization activity undertaken by firms and individuals in the U.S. market. Emphasis is on the different three (3) methods of valuing a firm, the various forms of debt and equity capital employed to fund mergers and acquisitions and recapitalizations, how lenders and investors structure their loans and/or investments, and how investors realize the gains through different exit strategies. The course gives the student an excellent understanding of the role that senior commercial banks, insurance companies, pensions funds, LBO funds, investment banking firms, and venture/growth capital investors play in mergers and acquisitions.