This course offers the financial theory and quantitative analytical tools necessary for understanding how stock, bond, and option prices are determined, and provides the skills required to make sound investment decisions. The course combines a theoretical framework with applied analysis. Topics covered include: portfolio selection based on mean-variance analysis, models of risk and return (including the CAPM and multifactor models), performance evaluation of mutual and hedge funds, market efficiency and the random walk hypothesis, asset pricing anomalies and behavioral finance, derivative security pricing (including options, futures, forwards, and swaps), and the term structure of interest rates.
Bus 30000, 33001, & 41000 (or 41100). Comfortable w/ stats, linear & matrix algebra, calc, & micro @ the level of above courses. Familiarity w/ spreadsheet package such as Excel is vital. Cannot enroll in BUSN 35000 if BUSN 20400 taken previously.
Description and/or course criteria last updated: November 11 2025
