2023-2024 Academic Catalog

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Finance (FNCE)

FNCE 1001 -  Financial Literacy for Business  (1 Credit)  

The five day workshop on financial literacy will provide students with the opportunity to build a basic financial literacy toolkit, including managing your money, mastering credit & debt, investing, and planning for the future. Students will also learn about business in Denver. Max hours: 1 Credit.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Summer.

FNCE 1500 -  Introduction to Investment Services  (1 Credit)  

This class provides students with a broad overview of career opportunities in finance, focusing on financial services and banks. We first introduce several career paths in finance, and then briefly introduce the origins of money and banking. We turn to an in-depth study of the financial services industry, including the services provided by companies and listing financial services products as well as who develop and regulates those services. We map the skills (technical and personal) that are required for an individual to succeed in the industry. The course will have a special focus in companies in Colorado and the Colorado Investment Service Coalition (CISC). We close the course with mapping key ethics in the financial services industry. The course will address the full range of financial services careers, including investment and commercial banking, insurance, pension plans, risk management, mutual funds, e-commerce, and personal and business planning. Max hours: 1 Credit.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

FNCE 2939 -  Internship  (1-3 Credits)  

Repeatable. Max Hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Repeatable. Max Credits: 3.

FNCE 3000 -  Principles of Finance  (3 Credits)  

This course provides an introduction to financial markets and institutions, financial statement analysis, interest rates and the time value of money, principles of security valuation, concepts of risk and return, and capital budgeting. Note: This course is required in the Business Core. A grade of 'C' or better must be earned. Prereq: MATH 1070 or MATH 1060 or MATH 1110 or MATH 1080 or MATH 1130 or MATH 1401, AND ACCT 2200, AND DSCI/BANA 2010 or ECON 3811 all with a grade of C- or higher, AND ECON 2012 AND ECON 2022. Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate students at a junior standing or higher. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Prereq: MATH 1070 or MATH 1060 or MATH 1110 or MATH 1080 or MATH 1130 or MATH 1401 AND ACCT 2200 AND DSCI/BANA 2010 or ECON 3811 all with a C- or higher AND ECON 2012 AND ECON 2022. Rest: Restricted to undergrad students at junior standing or higher.

FNCE 3500 -  Management of Business Capital  (3 Credits)  

Students learn the basic principles governing the management of capital in the business firm. Topics include management of working capital, cost of capital, capital budgeting, firm valuation, and theory and management of capital structure, grade of 'C' must be earned to take subsequent courses for which this course is a prereq. Prereq: FNCE 3000 with a grade of 'C' or better. Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors at a junior standing or higher. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Prereq: FNCE 3000 with a grade of C or higher Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors at a junior standing or higher

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

FNCE 3600 -  Financial Markets and Institutions  (3 Credits)  

Focuses on the supply and demand for loanable funds, the process of money creation, the structure of interest rates, and the role of banks and the Federal Reserve in the financial system. Special attention is devoted to the impact of monetary and fiscal policies on interest rates, the flow of funds and economic activity; and the operation of financial markets and institution. Prereq: FNCE 3000 with a grade of C or higher. Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors at a junior standing or higher. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Prereq: FNCE 3000 with a grade of C or higher Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors at a junior standing or higher

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

FNCE 3700 -  Investment and Portfolio Management  (3 Credits)  

In this course students learn about the different types of investment vehicles, including methods to estimate their value and analyze their risk. They will also be introduced to portfolio management, including the identification of objectives and constraints and the analysis and use of investment information. Topics include the functioning of security markets, asset allocation, security valuation, and portfolio analysis. A grade of 'C' or better must be earned to receive credit for the course, and to take subsequent courses for which it is a prerequisite. Note: FNCE 3700 and FNCE 3600 may be taken concurrently. Prereq: FNCE 3000 with a grade of C or higher. Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors at a junior standing or higher. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Prereq: FNCE 3000 with a grade of C or higher Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors at a junior standing or higher.

FNCE 3840 -  Independent Study: FNCE  (1-3 Credits)  

Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors with junior standing or higher. Repeatable. Max Hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Repeatable. Max Credits: 3.

Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors with junior standing or higher

FNCE 3939 -  Internship  (1-3 Credits)  

Supervised experiences involving the application of concepts and skills in an employment situation. To enroll in an internship, students must work with the Experiential Learning Center on campus and have a 2.40 GPA or higher. Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors with junior standing or higher. Repeatable. Max Hours: 9 Credits.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Repeatable. Max Credits: 9.

Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors with junior standing or higher

FNCE 4370 -  International Financial Management  (3 Credits)  

Financial management in the international environment. Topics include international capital movements; international operations as they affect the financial functions; foreign and international institutions; and the foreign exchange process. Also considers foreign exchange theory and risk management, financial requirements, problems, sources, and policies of firms doing business internationally. Cross-listed with INTB 4370. Prereq: FNCE 3000 with a C or higher. Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors at a junior standing or higher. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Prereq: FNCE 3000 with a grade of C or higher Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors at a junior standing or higher

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

FNCE 4382 -  Survey of Financial and Commodity Derivatives  (3 Credits)  

This course introduces forward contracts, used in price risk management for millennia. We cover the properties of forward/futures contracts, structure of the markets and strategic implications for speculation and hedging. We price forwards from spot price, and introduce convenience yield. Options used for insurance purpose (think of your car insurance as a put option) is a more expensive way to manage risk; we cover option strategies and basic pricing. The course concludes with swaps, credit derivatives and structured products. Asset classes covered are equity, fixed income, currency, agriculture, energy (oil/gas and electricity) and metal/mining. Prereq: FNCE 3500 and FNCE 3700 with a grade of C or higher. Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors at a junior standing or higher. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Prereq: FNCE 3500 and 3700 with a grade of C or higher Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors at a junior standing or higher

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

FNCE 4411 -  International Corporate Governance  (3 Credits)  

Discusses the structure and goals of the modern corporation, the primary governance mechanisms used to help companies achieve these goals, and how and why these roles, goals, and mechanisms vary across nations. The topics covered in the course include managerial compensation, board of director structure and ethics, shareholder activism, and how governance structures differ across countries. Prereq: FNCE 3000. Cross-listed with FNCE 6411 and INTB 6411 Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Prereq: FNCE 3000

FNCE 4424 -  Corporate Restructuring  (3 Credits)  

Examines the processes and decisions by which mergers, takeovers and other corporate restructuring ace, the transactions occur. Analyzes merger and acquisition decisions as part of strategic decision making, and how firms are valued in mergers. Discusses the market for corporate control and the public policy implications of mergers and corporate governance. Prereq: FNCE 3500. Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors with a junior standing or higher. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Prereq: FNCE 3500 Requisite: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors with a junior standing or higher

FNCE 4470 -  Behavioral Finance  (3 Credits)  

Over the past several decades, the field of finance has developed a successful paradigm based on the notions that investors and managers were generally rational and the prices of securities were generally “efficient.” In recent years, however, anecdotal evidence as well as theoretical and empirical research has shown this paradigm to be insufficient to describe various features of actual financial markets. In this course we examine how the insights of behavioral finance complements the traditional paradigm and sheds light on the behavior of asset prices, corporate finance, and various Wall Street institutions and practices. Prereq: FNCE 3500 with a C or higher. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Prereq: FNCE 3500 with a C or higher

FNCE 4480 -  Introduction to Financial Modeling  (3 Credits)  

Develops and implements financial models for purposes of financial planning and decision making. This course seeks to increase students’ knowledge and skill in the development of basic Excel-based financial planning models, including cash budgets, financial statements, and capital budgeting analysis. The course also introduces Monte Carlo simulation using Palisade Corporation’s @RISK software. Knowledge of computer and spreadsheet software needed. Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors at a junior standing or higher Prereq: FNCE 3000, FNCE 3500. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Prereq: FNCE 3000 and FNCE 3500. Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors at a junior standing or higher.

FNCE 4490 -  Commodity Trading  (3 Credits)  

This is a co-listed class with the J.P. Morgan Center for Commodities and the Finance Department. This course focuses on how securities and futures contracts are designed and traded including trading exchange operations, regulation, trading mechanisms and processes. Students will learn the theory and practice of securities and futures contract trading with a focus on hands-on trading experience using industry software (CQG and Bloomberg) as well use of data sources (Morningstar). In this course, we will review the origins of liquidity, volatility, price efficiency, and trading profits. Next we will cover a host of topics concerning equity and commodity trade execution strategies, such as why and how investors trade, what and when investors profit from investing and speculating, the key principles of high-frequency trading and investor’s overconfidence, why market institutions are organized as they are, and the role of public policy in the markets. Cross-listed with CMDT 4490, CMDT 6490 and FNCE 6490. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

FNCE 4500 -  Corporate Financial Decisions  (3 Credits)  

This is a required capstone course for the financial management emphasis. It uses the case method to develop the analytical and decision making skills of students. Students are required to apply theories and concepts learned in previous finance and accounting classes to real world scenarios. Topical coverage includes financial analysis, planning, control, working capital management, long-term investment and financing decisions and corporate valuation. A grade of 'C' or better must be earned to receive credit towards graduation. Prereq: MATH 1060 or 1070 or MATH 1110 or MATH 1080 or MATH 1130 or MATH 1401 AND DSCI/BANA 2010 AND ACCT 2200 all with a C- or higher; ECON 2012 AND ECON 2022 with a D- or higher; FNCE 3000 AND FNCE 3500 AND FNCE 3700 all with a C or higher. Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate students at a senior standing or higher. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Prereq: MATH 1060 or 1070 or 1110 or 1080 or 1130 or 1401 AND DSCI/BANA 2010 AND ACCT 2200 with a C- or higher; ECON 2012 AND 2022 with a D- or higher; FNCE 3000 AND 3500 AND 3700 with a C or higher. Restriction: undergraduate seniors or higher.

FNCE 4709 -  Life and Health Insurance  (3 Credits)  

The course is designed to provide the student with the basic understanding of life and health insurance concepts. The course will focus on a needs analysis for individual life insurance needs in preserving an estate or creating an estate. We also focus on the needs of the family and the preservation of the income stream for meeting short and long term needs and how we accomplish this via life insurance. We also will look at life insurance in terms of business planning using such concepts as key person life insurance, funding buy sell agreements, and related needs. On the health side, we will use a needs analysis approach to provide health coverage for the individual and family. We also explore the employee benefits arena and how businesses will focus on providing group medical coverage and related benefits in an ever changing health care environment with health care reform being phased in. We also will explore the internal workings of life and health insurance companies by review. Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors with junior standing or higher. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors with junior standing or higher

FNCE 4750 -  Business Intelligence and Financial Modeling  (3 Credits)  

This course will introduce students to the application of business intelligence in a corporate finance setting. Financial data intelligence is essential for effective decision making throughout the firm, in finance directly and in other functions supported by the finance department. Strategy setting, budgeting, and new product development are just a few decision areas where finance personnel play an active role. In this course, we learn how to apply business intelligence software tools to enable finance personnel to access and analyze corporate data in support of critical decision making across the enterprise. Students will also analyze data through the use of financial models built in Microsoft Excel. The development of complex financial models will provide students with valuable hands-on experience with a software tool used widely incorporate finance departments. Prereq: ISMG 2050 with a grade of C- or higher, FNCE 3000 and (ISMG 3000 or ACCT 4054) all with a grade of 'C' or higher. Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors at a junior standing or higher. Cross-listed with ISMG 4750 and ISMG 6820. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Prereq: ISMG 2050 with a grade of C- or higher, FNCE 3000 and (ISMG 3000 or ACCT 4054) all with a grade of 'C' or higher Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors at a junior standing or higher.

FNCE 4802 -  Foundations of Commodities  (3 Credits)  

This course introduces students to the physical aspects of commodities and connects them to the financial markets in which commodities are traded. Fundamental concepts and terminology necessary for understanding commodity production, transportation, economics, financial analysis and marketing are described. Supply chains for several specific commodities are reviewed in detail, as examples of the production and market structure knowledge needed to be successful professional participants in commodity trading capacities. The course also serves a foundation for more focused education in the specific commodity sectors, as well as the applied use of marketing and financial trading concepts learned in other courses. Cross-listed with FNCE 6802 and CMDT 4802/6802. Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors with junior standing or higher. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors with junior standing or higher

FNCE 4840 -  Independent Study: FNCE  (1-8 Credits)  

Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors with junior standing or higher. Repeatable. Max Hours: 8 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Repeatable. Max Credits: 8.

Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors with junior standing or higher

FNCE 4880 -  Ethics in Finance  (3 Credits)  

The undergraduate business finance student develops an in-depth knowledge of ethical parameters for business and finance decision making. The course addresses the ethics issues with a heavy emphasis on finance, but also includes discussion and analysis of general ethics frameworks, ethics and internal controls, and the relationship of finance law and ethics. The influence of ethics on an organization's decision-making is stressed. Case studies and current issues in finance ethics will be addressed. Restriction: Junior standing or higher. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Junior standing or higher.

FNCE 4950 -  Special Topics  (1-3 Credits)  

Research methods and results, special topics and professional development in finance. Prerequisites vary according to topic and instructor requirements. Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors with junior standing or higher. Repeatable. Max hours: 9 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Repeatable. Max Credits: 9.

Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate Business majors with junior standing or higher