This list of courses is provided as a convenience only. Final course schedules for your MA must be chosen and approved by your graduate adviser and meet the overall requirements of the Economics Masters Degree.
- ECON 5337 FINANCIAL ECONOMETRICS RISK: This course reviews the essential econometric techniques used in risk management. Basic single and multi-variate regression will be covered along with methods for identifying and handling the common problems that arise in their use. Logit and probit models are presented. The analysis of time series and its use in risk management will be explored with particular attention to garch-type models.
- ECON 5006 PROGRAMMING ECON& FINANCE: This course introduces the student to various computer programs and their applications in economics and in finance. The course begins with a general review of programming skills using MATLAB. It then presents other statistical and econometric packages such as SAS and STATA. The course concludes with a review of the LATEK program. Open to seniors with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or better. Please consult your advisor.
- ECON 5740 GIS MAPPING using STATA AND R: This course uses the GIS capacity of Stata and R to map Geospatial Data in ways useful to a analyze and better understand a wide range of social and sustainable development problems and policy impacts.
- ECON 5710 MATH FOR ECONOMISTS I: An introduction to linear algebra and differential calculus, as used in economics. Topics include matrix algebra, determinants, solutions of systems of linear equations, differentiation, single variable optimization, and an introduction to multivariate and constrained optimization.
- ECON 5750 GAME THEORY: In this course we examine economic and social networks and their corresponding economic effects. We cover the measurement and common regularities of social network properties and popular models of network formation. We apply these tools to topics of interest which may include: Labor Markets, The Spread of Infectious Diseases, The Spread of Financial Information, The Spread of New Technologies/ Fads/ Fashions, Marketing, Social Norms, Game Theory and Other Strategic Interactions, Immigration and Social Capital, Industrial Organization.
- ECON 6010 MICROECONOMIC THEORY I: Methodology, theory of consumer behavior and demand. Theory of production and factor prices under varying market structures. Welfare economics.
- ECON 6020 MACROECONOMIC THEORY I: Classical, Keynesian, and contemporary analysis of income, employment, and price determination. Rational expectations in macro models. Dynamics of inflation and inflationary expectations.
- ECON 6710 MATH FOR ECONOMISTS II: Advanced mathematical techniques used in economics, including exponential and logarithmic functions, integration, multivariate and equality-constrained optimization, dynamic equations and systems of dynamic equations, as well as more advanced optimization techniques.
- ECON 6910 APPLIED ECONOMETRICS: Basic techniques of econometric theory, including applications in consumer theory, theory of the firm, and in macroeconomics, as well as a review of statistical methods. Some computer work is assigned.
- ECON 6950 FINANCIAL ECONOMETRICS: Hypothesis testing, and modeling, with respect to financial data.
- ECON 5710: MATHEMATICS FOR ECONOMISTS I
An introduction to linear algebra and differential calculus, as used in economics. Topics include matrix algebra, determinants, solutions of systems of linear equations, differentiation, single variable optimization, and an introduction to multivariate and constrained optimization. - ECON 6010: MICROECONOMIC THEORY I Methodology, theory of consumer behavior and demand. Theory of production and factor prices under varying market structures. Welfare economics.
- ECON 6020: MACROECONOMIC THEORY I Classical, Keynesian, and contemporary analysis of income, employment, and price determination. Rational expectations in macro models. Dynamics of inflation and inflationary expectations.
- ECON 6910: APPLIED ECONOMETRICS Basic techniques of econometric theory, including applications in consumer theory, theory of the firm, and in macroeconomics, as well as a review of statistical methods. Some computer work is assigned.
- ECON 6240: FINANCIAL ECONOMICS A study of the fundamental methods and pricing techniques in Financial Economics. The course studies valuation of fixed income securities, stocks, and derivative contracts. An analysis of asset pricing and financial market structure. The financial asset pricing approach is based on the modern portfolio theory and choice under uncertainty. It is more mathematically advanced than ECON 5500 Financial Analysis.
- ECON 5540: EMERGING MARKETS Analyzes emerging financial markets in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Students must prepare a study regarding one country’s macroeconomic performance, foreign exchange market and stock market. Complements POSC 6911, Political Risk Analysis. Open to seniors with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or better.
- ECON 5040: STRATEGIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT An introduction to the basic questions facing an investor evaluating firm policy. The course covers debt/equity choice, dividend policy, and principle/ agent problems within the firm. The value of the firm under different financial and managerial structures. Current research is surveyed to determine how investors interpret various financial arrangements such as dividend policy, taxes, and stock offerings. Specific attention will be paid to information and incentives of each party in a financial contract in the context of structuring the firm, running the firm efficiently, and if all else fails, bankruptcy.
- ECON 5357: RISK AND REGULATION This course covers significant features of the regulatory environment that are most important to the risk management of financial institutions. An overview of the structure of modern financial institutions and the market in which they exist will precede a review of the institutional regulatory bodies, such as the Federal Reserve, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, etc. Particular attention will be provided to BASEL II.
- ECON 5347: HEDGING AND DERIVATIVES This course focuses on market risk; its sources and means for managing it. Tools and techniques for hedging both linear and non-linear are covered, including through the use of options and other derivatives. Managing market risk in a portfolio context will be explored using and including a discussion of techniques appropriate for traditional (long only) as some more sophisticated (hedge fund) environments.
Graduate School of Business Courses
- BKGL 0291: FINANCIAL SERVICES REGULATION
This course (taught in real time) is held in seminar form where participation by students is encouraged and expected, and should be of particular interest in view of the frenzy of activity in the recent array of Federal legislative and regulatory initiatives and market developments that are taking place in the Financial Services Industry (“FSI”) which has not been seen since the New Deal years in the 1930s. In addition, the class will discuss the new regulatory and related initiatives developed in Congress and the many new rules, regulations and studies required by Dodd-Frank. - SCGL 0417: SECURITIES REGULATION
Emphasizes the Securities Act of 1933, the registration process, statutory and administrative exemptions from registration, and civil liabilities. Surveys the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the state Blue Sky laws. Examines the role of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the ethical obligations of securities lawyers. Open to students who have completed at least one semester of Corporations and Partnerships. - FNGB 7431: OPTIONS & FUTURES
The course examines the institutional aspects of options and futures markets and discusses the strategies of hedgers, arbitrageurs, and speculators. It provides an introductory analytical foundation for pricing futures and option contracts. Prerequisite: ECON 5570. - FNGB 7433: FIXED INCOME ANALYSIS
The course introduces techniques for valuing fixed income securities. Particular emphasis is placed on discounted cash flow analysis to value corporate bonds, municipal bonds, asset-backed securities, and mortgage-backed securities. It examines the price-yield relationship, the term structure of interest rates, the measures of volatility, the price impact of embedded options, and the binomial valuation model. Prerequisite: ECON 5570. - FNGB 7460: PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
The course examines portfolio objectives and links them to appropriate investment strategies. The asset allocation decision, equity and fixed income portfolio management, return enhancement/risk control techniques and performance evaluation are considered. Commercial-level portfolio-optimization software is applied to a range of institutional portfolios. Prerequisite: ECON 5570. - FNGB 7451: FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES
The course focuses on aspects of financial planning for corporations with international operations. Topics studied are managing the firm’s foreign currency exposure, financial control of foreign operations, international capital budgeting analysis, managing multicurrency working capital, international cost of capital and capital structure issues, foreign project evaluation techniques, analysis of foreign subsidiary performance and foreign fund management techniques. Particular emphasis will be placed on foreign investment opportunities not normally available to a domestic firm. Prerequisite: ECON 5570 or ECON 6560.