2026-2027 Graduate Catalog

FIN 640. Financial Modeling & Valuation. 3 Credits.

This is a hands-on course that uses Microsoft Excel and financial databases such as FactSet to build models useful in Equity research and Investment Banking. Acquired skill set will include advanced features of Microsoft Excel, including Time Value of Money, statistical functions, macro recordings, as well as utilizing custom routines in the VBA environment. The course involves creating 3-statement financial models with historical and projected data to produce a solid Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. The techniques covered in the course will also be utilized to handle other common financial modeling problems such as portfolio theory, options valuation, and Mergers & Acquisitions. Time permitting, the course will introduce the use of Python to extend financial modeling capabilities beyond Excel.
P: graduate standing
Spring.

FIN 642. Principles of Investment. 3 Credits.

Fundamental concepts, theories, and techniques relating to investing; securities markets, investment vehicles and environments, economic, industry and security analyses, portfolio construction and management; active and passive investment strategies; global investment perspectives and their impacts on investors; blend of facts and theories relating to traditional and modern portfolio approaches; ethics in investment decisions; applied computer-assisted investment decisions. This course has been identified as a Cofrin School of Business High Impact Practice (HIP) course. HIPs are rigorous courses that include engaging teaching methods such as regular feedback, peer and faculty interaction, structured reflection, and application of knowledge.
P: FIN 343 or equivalent
Fall and Spring.

FIN 645. International Financial Management. 3 Credits.

Conceptual framework and applications of financial management decisions of multinational firms in a global setting; survey of the international financial environment; determinants of international portfolio and direct investment capital flows; assessment and management of impacts of foreign exchange and hedging strategies; impacts of international factors on capital budgeting and financial structure decisions; multinational money and capital markets; taxation of international business.
P: FIN 343
Spring.

FIN 646. Advanced Corporation Finance. 3 Credits.

Short-term and long-term financial decisions under risk and uncertainty; financial analysis planning and control; in-depth coverage of theories and applications of capital structure, cost of capital, dividend policies; working capital management; long-term financing decisions; valuation of mergers and acquisitions; international capital budgeting.
P: Graduate Standing and FIN 343 or an equivalent corporation finance course
Fall and Spring.

FIN 647. Derivatives. 3 Credits.

Coverage of derivative products such as: forwards, futures, options, and swap contracts on commodities, interest rates and equities, as well as the markets in which they trade. Fundamental pricing relationships, trading strategies, and risk management, use of the Binomial Options pricing model and the Black-Scholes model to price derivatives. Exploration of different options strategies, put-call parity, and role of derivatives in portfolio management, option Greeks such as: delta, gamma, vega, theta, and rho.
P: FIN 343. REC: FIN 442
Spring.

FIN 649. Fixed Income Securities. 3 Credits.

This course develops the theory and practice of valuing fixed income securities and managing fixed income portfolios. Students will learn topics such as bond mathematics, term structure of interest rates, repurchase agreement market, high yield corporate bonds with and without embedded options, munis, Treasuries, foreign currency-denominated bonds, and mortgages. The course also covers the fundamental tools of bond analysis, including yield curve construction, duration, convexity, and term structure models, and apply them to a wide variety of securities. The course covers the pricing and risk management of pure discount bonds, coupon bonds, floating-rate notes, and mortgages, as well as derivatives such as forwards, futures, swaps, and options on fixed income instruments. Throughout the course, students will use Excel and FactSet to build hands-on models, analyze real-world market data, and design portfolio strategies that balance risk and return.
P: graduate standing
Fall Only.

FIN 650. Bank Administration and Management. 3 Credits.

Commercial banking theories and practices from a financial management perspective; operations, administration, overall asset-liability management of commercial banks, including bank services, credit and loan pricing and analysis, investment portfolio problems, profitability, cost control, and capital budgeting and analysis; implications of deregulation or re-regulation on the financial industry.
P: FIN 343. REC: ECON 330
Fall Only.

FIN 660. Security Analysis and Portfolio Management. 3 Credits.

This course delves into analysis of securities and their role in portfolio construction. Students in this course conduct in-depth financial analysis of the various classes of securities, macroeconomic factors, as well as the industries and their constituent firms. This course also covers comprehensive study of investment management from the perspective of the professional institutional investors. Concepts from security analysis are factored into the dynamics of strategic and tactical investment decision making criteria. Among the topics included are security selection, macroeconomic and industry analysis, portfolio optimization, risk management, portfolio management & rebalancing, and performance evaluation. The course uses FactSet and Interactive Brokers platforms for research and trade execution purposes.
P: graduate standing
Spring.

FIN 680. Student Managed Investment Fund. 3 Credits.

The purpose of this course is to provide each student with real world and hands-on experience in security analysis and portfolio construction through the management of a Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF). Students will gain practical experience in securities analysis and portfolio management. Students in this course perform analysis, make investment decisions on the real portfolio for the SMIF, evaluate the fund's performance, and report to external parties including the SMIF Advisory Board. Faculty and professional mentors will train students in the application of fundamental analysis, security selection, and performance evaluation through several lecture/workshop sessions. Increased interaction with the Green Bay area investment community through this class will provide enhanced learning opportunities and exposure to recent industry practices. Course may be repeated for credit; may be taken 3 times for a total of 9 credits. This course has been identified as a Cofrin School of Business High Impact Practice (HIP) course. HIPs are rigorous courses that include engaging teaching methods such as regular feedback, peer and faculty interaction, structured reflection, and application of knowledge.
P: graduate standing
Fall and Spring.

FIN 700. Finance and Accounting for Non-Finance Leaders. 3 Credits.

This course introduces the fundamentals of Finance and Accounting to students without a Finance or Accounting background. The emphasis is on understanding and applying financial concepts to support managerial decision-making rather than advanced technical detail. Topics include interpreting financial statements, conducting financial statement analysis, project evaluation, cost of capital, valuation, capital structure, and financial planning. Students will develop the ability to read, analyze, and communicate financial information for effective management.
Fall and Spring.