Finance and Quantitative Management

FN 3310. Principles of Finance. 3 Semester Hours.

This course introduces students to key components of the modern financial environment, such as financial markets, financial intermediaries, and financial institutions. Students will be equipped with the necessary tools to make informed financial decisions: financial statement analysis, time value of money, valuation, and estimation of risk. Recent events in Finance are also discussed. Prerequisites: EC 2301, EC 2303, MT 1305 or MT 1411 or MT 2412 , MT 2306 or MT 2303, AC 2301. (Fall; Spring; Summer).

FN 3320. Corporate Finance. 3 Semester Hours.

Introduction to analytical financial management. Emphasis placed on the sources, uses, and cost of short, intermediate, and long-term funds; capital budgeting; leverage; cost of capital; valuation of securities; and financial statement analysis. Prerequisites: AC 2302, FN 3310. (Fall, Spring).

FN 3330. Financial Institutions. 3 Semester Hours.

Review of operations of financial intermediaries including banks, savings institutions, and insurance companies. Principles of money and credit; review of central banking and monetary policies, both national and international. Prerequisites: FN 3310. (Fall only).

FN 3340. Fundamentals of Risk Management. 3 Semester Hours.

Study of risk and its impact on individuals, organizations and society. Analysis of fundamental risk management concepts and techniques. Examination of insurance as a risk management tool, including coverage of insurance economics, law, regulation and market structure. Prerequisites: MT 1305 or MT 1411 or MT 2412, MT 2306 or MT 2303, AC 2301, EC 2301, EC 2303 (Fall, Spring).

FN 3360. Financial Counseling. 3 Semester Hours.

Analysis and application of the financial planning process for executives and small business owners. Emphasis on life and health insurance, annuities, social security, and real estate investments; developing client data; fundamentals of estate planning and taxation relating to insurance, investments and estates. Prerequisites: FN 3310. (Fall, Spring).

FN 4100. Special Studies in Finance. 1 Semester Hour.

A study of selected topics in Finance. Specific subject indicated each time the course is offered. May be used as elective credit and repeated when specific subject changes. Prerequisites: EC 2301, EC 2303, MT 1305 or MT 1411 or MT 2412, MT 2306 or MT 2303, AC 2301, AC 2302, FN 3310, Consent of Instructor.

FN 4200. Special Studies in Finance. 2 Semester Hours.

A study of selected topics in Finance. Specific subject indicated each time the course is offered. May be used as elective credit and repeated when specific subject changes. Prerequisites: EC 2301, EC 2303, MT 1305 or MT 1411 or MT 2412, MT 2306 or MT 2303, AC 2301, AC 2302, FN 3310, Consent of Instructor.

FN 4300. Special Studies in Finance. 3 Semester Hours.

A study of selected topics in Finance. Specific subject indicated each time the course is offered. May be used as elective credit and repeated when specific subject changes. Prerequisites: EC 2301, EC 2303, MT 1305 or MT 1411 or MT 2412 , MT 2306 or MT 2303, AC 2301,AC 2302, FN 3310. Consent of Instructor. (Semester Offered Varies. Check with Dept. Chair).

FN 4310. Intermediate Corporate Finance. 3 Semester Hours.

This course will build on Corporate Finance (FN 3320) and will introduce the student to basic elements of finance theory. In particular, emphasis will be placed on dividend policy theories, corporate structure theories, and real options. While the emphasis is on the theoretical aspects of corporate finance, the students will also be exposed to applications of theory in a practical corporate finance environment. Prerequisites: FN 3320. (Fall, Spring).

FN 4320. Investments. 3 Semester Hours.

The quantitative and qualitative analysis of stock, bonds, and derivative securities such as futures and options. Quantitative analyses including valuation models and strategy design. Review of securities markets: functions and operations. (Fall, Spring) Prerequisites: AC 2302, FN 3310. (Fall, Spring).

FN 4330. Student Managed Portfolio (Beginning). 3 Semester Hours.

Application of portfolio management theories through the active participation in an asset management team assigned the responsibility of attaining a reasonable rate of return commensurate with acceptable risk levels. Investment decisions are further guided by the investment policy guidelines of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The U.S. Catholic bishops have highlighted seven key themes that embody Catholic social thought and social teaching. Stewardship of investment resources is covered by objectives that are framed by these themes. Prerequisites: FN 3320, FN 4320 (FN 4320 must be completed with a B- or better) or Permission of the instructor. (Fall, Spring).

FN 4340. Student Managed Portfolio (Advanced). 3 Semester Hours.

Application of portfolio management theories through the active participation in an asset management team assigned the responsibility of attaining a reasonable rate of return commensurate with acceptable risk levels. Investment decisions are further guided by the investment policy guidelines of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The U.S. Catholic bishops have highlighted seven key themes that embody Catholic social thought and social teaching. Stewardship of investment resources is covered by objectives that are framed by these themes. Prerequisites: FN 4330 (FN 4330 must be completed with a B- or better), Permission of the instructor. (Fall, Spring).

FN 4350. International Finance. 3 Semester Hours.

The course addresses the historical, institutional, and empirical aspects of the foreign exchange market, the Eurocurrency market and the international bond market. The managerial implementation of international financial instruments in global oriented business organizations is stressed. Prerequisites: FN 3310, IB 3321. (Fall, Spring).

FN 4355. Blockchain and Fintech. 3 Semester Hours.

Blockchain technology has been highlighted as one of the most important technologies for the era of fourth industrial revolution. Students will learn about the fundamentals of blockchain technologies and its business applications by focusing on finance industry through lectures, labs, and case studies. This course is also designed to give students a new perspective about data analytics by introducing a new paradigm of decentralized database systems running on P2P (Peer to Peer) network. No prior programming experience is required. Prerequisites: QM 3330 or AC 3331. (Spring only).

FN 4360. Financial Counseling. 3 Semester Hours.

Analysis and application of the financial planning process for executives and small business owners. Emphasis on life and health insurance, annuities, social security, and real estate investments; developing client data; fundamentals of estate planning and taxation relating to insurance, investments and estates. (Fall & Spring). Prerequisites: FN 3310.

FN 4361. Financial Modeling. 3 Semester Hours.

This course is intended to provide a seminar of the principles associated with the application of information technologies in business organizations. It will cover hardware technologies, software applications, personnel, procedures, and issues associated with management of an information systems function. It will also address the challenges IT managers face managing IT enables organizations. Prerequisites: AC 2320 or AC 2302, QM 3321, AC 3310 or FN 3310. (Spring only).

FN 4363`. Applied AI for Business. 3 Semester Hours.

This course is designed to equip and encourage students to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) as part of their transformative skillsets. With a focus on the organizational, ethical, and social implications, this course discusses key AI technologies such as deep learning, natural language processing, and robotics, and their applications in business models such as personal and consumer finance, fraud detection, and high-frequency trading. In addition, one key element of the course is an individual programming project in which students learn how to develop simple AI applications using Python. Prerequisites: QM 3321, QM 4360. (Spring only).

FN 4370. Corporate Risk Management. 3 Semester Hours.

Analysis of the purpose and process of risk management in organizations from an enterprise risk management perspective. Examination of various methods of risk identification, risk analysis, risk control and risk financing. Study of key areas of risk in modern organizations. Prerequisites: FN 3310, and FN 3340 (Fall, Spring).

FN 4375. Internship in Finance. 3 Semester Hours.

The opportunity to gain knowledge through experiential activities in professional life. (Fall; Spring; Summer) Prerequisites: FN 3310. Consult academic adviser).

FN 4390. Seminar in Finance. 3 Semester Hours.

Advanced analyses of recent developments in financial and/or investment theory, and in quantitative and qualitative techniques for risk management and financial planning decisions. A seminar approach is used to provide a high degree of student-instructor interaction. (Fall, Spring) Prerequisite: FN 3320, FN 4320, Senior Standing or Permission on the instructor, Finance majors only.

QM 3321. Business Analytics. 3 Semester Hours.

This hands-on, intensive course in Business Analytics will introduce a range of tools and techniques that can help business professionals uncover important information and make better decisions based on data. Topics are covered under course modules and include: presenting data using visuals and descriptive statistics, measuring and understanding the relationships between variables, making the most of customer feedback, and developing skills for effectively explaining the role quantitative reasoning plays in business decision making. Applications for the business environment include supply chain, marketing, pricing, and finance. Prerequisites: MT 1305 or MT 1411 or MT 2412, MT 2306 or MT 2303, AC 2301, EC 2301, EC 2303. (Fall, Spring).

QM 3330. Management Infor Systems. 3 Semester Hours.

An introduction to the use of computers and information for problem solving and decision making in management environments; introduction to essential computer technology, information systems development methodology, and management of computer and information as strategic resources; spreadsheet and database applications for management. Prerequisites: MT 1305 or MT 1411 or MT 2412, MT 2306 or MT 2303, AC 2310 or AC 2301, EC 2301, EC 2303. (Fall, Spring).

QM 3340. Project Management. 3 Semester Hours.

This course provides a management perspective on managing projects. It examines the basic nature of managing business, public, engineering, and information systems projects, including the specific in sights and techniques required. Issues such as the selection and management of the project team, project initiation, implementation, and termination are addressed. Prerequisites: MT 1305 or MT 1411 or MT 2412, MT 2306 or MT 2303, AC 2301, AC 2302, EC 2301, EC 2303, QM 3330. (Not currently offered. Check with Dept. Chair).

QM 3342. Database Management. 3 Semester Hours.

Introduction to theory of database management systems as applied in private and public, profit and non-profit organizations. Balance of managerial and technical issues. Strategic aspects of information as a corporate resource and database planning. Database design, development, and administration using commercial database management systems for personal and multiuse computers and fourth generation languages. Prerequisites: QM 3330 or AC 3331. (Spring only).

QM 3360. Enterprise Resource Planning. 3 Semester Hours.

This course is intended to explain how fundamental business processes interact using ERP in the functional areas such as Sales and Distribution, Production Planning, Cost and Financial Accounting, and Human Capital Management. Students should gain an understanding of the impact ERP systems have on organizations using SAP as a working example. Prerequisites: Prerequisites: AC 2302, QM 3330 or AC 3331. (Fall only).

QM 4300. Special Studies in Information Systems Management. 3 Semester Hours.

A study of selected topics of Information Systems Management. Specific subject indicated each time the course is offered. May be used as elective credit and repeated when specific subject changes. (Fall, Spring) Prerequisites: EC 2301, EC 2303, MT 1305 or MT 1411 or MT 2412, MT 2306 or MT 2303, AC 2301, AC 2302, QM 3330 or AC 3331, Consent of Instructor.

QM 4330. Operations Management. 3 Semester Hours.

The management of the production and operations functions will be examined. Qualitative and quantitative methods will be used to analyze forecasting, system design, quality, inventory management, scheduling, supply chain management, and project management. Prerequisites: QM 3330 or AC 3331, QM 3321. (Fall, Spring, Summer).

QM 4340. Business Intelligence. 3 Semester Hours.

Development and application of the strategies, methods, and techniques used in data mining, predictive analytics, and other decision support systems. The course employs testing, documenting and using software programs in functional areas of business such as Finance, Production, Marketing, and Accounting. The use of SAS software is employed for hands-on experience. Prerequisites: AC 2302, QM 3321, QM 3330 or AC 3331. (Spring only).

QM 4350. Blockchain and Fintech. 3 Semester Hours.

Blockchain technology has been highlighted as one of the most important technologies for the era of fourth industrial revolution. Students will learn about the fundamentals of blockchain technologies and its business applications by focusing on finance industry through lectures, labs, and case studies. This course is also designed to give students a new perspective about data analytics by introducing a new paradigm of decentralized database systems running on P2P (Peer to Peer) network. No prior programming experience is required. Prerequisites:, QM 3330 or AC 3331. (Spring only).

QM 4360. Python for Business Analytics. 3 Semester Hours.

Programming languages can be used to analyze data and create visualizations for business. Python is one of the most popular languages for business analytics today due to being powerful but simple to learn. In this course, students will learn basic knowledge on Python and solve simple business problems with it. No prior programming experience is required. This course will be the basis for understanding more advanced skill sets such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Prerequisites: Prerequisites: QM 3321. (Fall only).

QM 4361. Financial Modeling. 3 Semester Hours.

This course is intended to provide a seminar of the principles associated with the application of information technologies in business organizations. It will cover hardware technologies, software applications, personnel, procedures, and issues associated with management of an information systems function. It will also address the challenges IT managers face managing IT enables organizations. Prerequisites: AC 2302, QM 3321. (Spring only).

QM 4363. Applied AI for Business. 3 Semester Hours.

This course is designed to equip and encourage students to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) as part of their transformative skillsets. With a focus on the organizational, ethical, and social implications, this course discusses key AI technologies such as deep learning, natural language processing, and robotics, and their applications in business models such as personal and consumer finance, fraud detection, and high-frequency trading. In addition, one key element of the course is an individual programming project in which students learn how to develop simple AI applications using Python. Prerequisites: QM 3321. (Spring only).

QM 4367. Information Systems Controls and Audit. 3 Semester Hours.

An in-depth study of the techniques, systematic procedures, and tools available for conducting IT audits. Demonstrates the use of audit software to assist in the audit process. Utilizes ACL software for hands on experience. Prerequisites: EC 2301, EC 2303, MT 1305 or MT 1411 or MT 2412, MT 2306 or MT 2303, AC 2301, AC 2302, QM 3330 or AC 3331. (Fall only).

QM 4375. Internship in Information Systems Management. 3 Semester Hours.

Prerequisites: Consent of the associate dean, faculty supervisor, major adviser, and department chairperson, minimum overall GPA of 2.8, successful completion of QM 3330, and completion or concurrent enrollment in an Information Systems Management major course. Pass/No Pass credit is given. (Fall; Spring; Summer). Prerequisites:, QM 3321, QM 3330 (Registration requires approval. Consult academic advisor). (Fall, Spring, Summer).

QM 6308. Applied Statistics and Decision-Making. 3 Semester Hours.

Most statistics courses focus on teaching how to derive univariate or multivariate statistics and how to interpret the results of statistical analyses, but they do not teach how statistics and statistical analyses can be used to evaluate and reach decisions about real problems or issues. The course will focus on developing the knowledge and skills necessary for translating problems, challenges, or questions into testable hypotheses amenable to statistical analyses. The course will cover descriptive statistics (univariate and multivariate) and hypotheses testing with inferential statistics (t-tests, Analysis of Variance, correlation, and multiple regression). For each type of statistical technique, a case study will be used to show the application of the technique and accurate interpretation of results. (Semester Offered Varies. Check with Program Director.).

QM 6320. Introduction to Business Analytics. 3 Semester Hours.

The primary focus of this course is to help the students learn programming and analytics skills necessary to find analytics solutions to business-related problems and opportunities. The course introduces students to the open-source programming language R. (Semester Offered Varies. Check with Program Director.).

QM 6352. Enterprise Resource Planning. 3 Semester Hours.

This course explores the principles of fundamental business processes and the importance of information systems in the integration of these processes throughout the enterprise. The course focuses on procurement, production, sales and distribution functions and utilizes SAP as an example of an ERP system. The course helps both functional area and IT managers understand respective roles of users and enterprise architects in the selection, preparation, and implementation of large and complex enterprise applications. (Semester Offered Varies. Check with Program Director.).

QM 6361. Financial Modeling. 3 Semester Hours.

This course is intended to provide a seminar of the principles associated with the application of information technologies in business organizations. It will cover hardware technologies, software applications, personnel, procedures, and issues associated with management of an information systems function. It will also address the challenges IT managers face managing IT enables organizations. (Semester Offered Varies. Check with Program Director.).

QM 7311. Managing Business Projects. 3 Semester Hours.

This course provides a management perspective on managing projects. It examines the basic nature of managing business, public, engineering and information systems projects, including the specific insights and techniques required. Issues such as the selection and management of the project team, project initiation, implementation and termination are addressed. (Semester Offered Varies. Check with Program Director.).

QM 7315. Applied Business Analytics. 3 Semester Hours.

With the ever-increasing availability of data and information from variety of sources, business analytics are becoming a critical capability for enterprises of all types that can use those data and information effectively to drive rapid, precise and profitable analytics-based decisions to create strategic advantage. This course is designed to increase students’ fundamental business knowledge while imparting the technical and analytical skills they need to advance in the fast-growing business analytics area. It prepares students to model and manage business decisions with application of business analytics techniques to identify opportunities for creating business value. This course uses R – an open source statistical program for computing and graphics. (Semester Offered Varies. Check with Program Director.).

QM 7325. Management of Information and Technology. 3 Semester Hours.

This course examines a broad range of topics in the management of technology, information systems and organizational issues in exploiting new technology. The course explores concepts of applying computer information systems and communications technology to provide an effective framework for managing competitiveness in an environment of rapid global change. Managing R &D, systems acquisition, decision-making, and links to other functional areas in the corporation are emphasized. (Fall, Spring).

QM 7332. Values Driven Leadership Lab I. 3 Semester Hours.

This is the first of two interactive laboratory courses designed to develop socially responsible and sustainable approaches to business, emphasizing technology. The lab builds essential skills in budgeting, financial modeling, marketing, data analytics, and international business. Through hands-on projects and collaborative learning, students gain the analytical and technological proficiency required to drive innovation in today’s business landscape. This course requires on-campus attendance on three Saturdays. (Spring).

QM 7335. Data Story Telling with Visual Analytics. 3 Semester Hours.

In this current data-driven society, with the advent of visualization tools that do not require coding, data storytelling is a desired and an attainable skillset for people with varying levels of technical ability. This course teaches students how to develop meaningful data stories that make visual insights accessible for relevant audiences. Students will learn how to utilize Tableau, the industry standard in data visualization tools and the most popular data visualization program today, to make sense of and visualize publicly available data to derive meaningful business intelligence. Specifically, students will learn how data visualization techniques can help bring complex data to life, how to design effective visualizations, and how to create intuitive, meaningful, visualizations using Tableau. Course discussion will explore techniques for visualizing multivariate, temporal, text-based, geospatial, hierarchical, and network data using case studies drawn from variety of industries. (Semester Offered Varies. Check with Program Director.).

QM 7337. Visual Analytics & Management. 3 Semester Hours.

This course focuses on how to take the results from various data analytics processes to create powerful and convincing visual analytics for understanding the “how” and “why” behind large data. The course teaches Tableau as well as code writing in R to create charts and infographics to communicate information gleaned from vast quantities of data. Prerequisite: BA 6320 Sec C. (Semester Offered Varies. Check with Program Director.).

QM 7345. Predictive Modeling. 3 Semester Hours.

This course is focused upon applying statistical techniques to the processing and interpretation of data from various industries and disciplines. This course introduces statistical models as they are used in predictive analytics. It addresses issues of statistical model specification and model selection, as well as best practices in developing models for management. Students will learn the role of analytics within an organization as well as the relationship between analytics and other areas. Students will learn the basics of each technique with an emphasis on understanding the technique, its uses and the benefits and limitations of the technique. It will also present best practices for managers and business analytic professionals who are upstream or downstream from the analysts. The primary and secondary analytic tool that will be used for the course are R and Microsoft Excel, respectively. (Semester Offered Varies. Check with Program Director.).

QM 7346. Using Data for Developing Business Intelligence. 3 Semester Hours.

This course applies to business intelligence principles and techniques to a comprehensive understanding of business. It also provides theoretical and practical understanding of core data mining concepts and techniques. It uses data mining software SAS Enterprise Miner to solve real world business problems using real projects. (Semester Offered Varies. Check with Program Director.).

QM 7353. Project management. 3 Semester Hours.

This course provides a management perspective on managing projects. It examines the basic nature of managing business, public, engineering, and information systems projects, including the specific insights and techniques required. Issues such as the selection and management of the project team, project initiation, implementation, and termination are addressed. Cross-listed with EG 7353. Students who have previously completed BA 7311 may not register for BA 7353.

QM 7375. MBA Internship. 3 Semester Hours.

The M.B.A. internship enables students in the full-time M.B.A. program to gain hands-on experience with either a for-profit or not-for profit organization during a 12 week period during the summer. Students must successfully complete a minimum of 20 hours weekly over a 12-week period (mid-May through mid-August) and other course requirements to receive three (3) hours of graduate credit. To be eligible for an internship for elective credit, M.B.A. students must complete the Application for M.B.A. Internship and have it signed by the M.B.A. Director to verify that they meet the following requirements: they must be enrolled in regular status in the One-year M.B.A., not be actively employed, not be receiving tuition reimbursement, did not receive more than three hours of credit for internships as an undergraduate, have completed all prerequisite-knowledge requirements and a minimum of 12 hours of M.B.A. core courses with a cumulative GPA of 3.25. Requires Program Director Approval. Check with Program Director.

QM 8318. Supply Chain Management. 3 Semester Hours.

This course provides an understanding of the strategic role of supply chain management, key drivers of supply chain performance, and analytical tools and techniques for supply chain analysis. The course focuses on the interrelationship of these concepts. Topics include issues such as supply chain planning, design, and operation; inventory, transportation, information, and technology; and logistics and supply chain methodologies.

QM 8321. Management Control Systems. 3 Semester Hours.

This course examines the design and implementation of formal performance measurement and management control systems within the organization. The examination includes the design and implementation of profitability and cost management systems at the organizational and sub-organizational levels. It also includes consideration of the characteristics of measurement systems and their compatibility with the organization’s competitive strategy. BA6365 or BA 7355.

QM 8352. Business Intelligence. 3 Semester Hours.

This course aims to equip students with highly demanded business analytics skills in the current job market. The three key objectives are to: 1) provide a comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of Business Intelligence principles and techniques; 2) provide a theoretical and practical understanding of core data mining concepts and techniques; and 3) provide hands-on experience in applying these techniques to solve real world business problems using data mining software. The concepts in this course will be taught using a combination of lecture notes and reading materials, threaded discussions on the LMS, case study analysis, and hands-on exercises on data mining activities using SAS Enterprise Miner. To maximize learning, scope of discussion and time spent on different topics will be adjusted according to the background and interests of the students. (Semester Offered Varies. Check with Program Director.).