Program Requirements
Courses in the Certificate in Finance will emphasize practical applications of financial concepts in preparation for a wide range of entry level jobs in finance. Classic and modern concepts are presented and analyzed in the context of contemporary events, taking into consideration the latest developments in financial markets and institutions. Students choose one specialization from the seven streams offered. Streams are designed to give students the option to learn about traditional finance areas, such as corporate finance and mutual funds, specialized areas, such as insurance, risk management, personal finance or treasury finance; and newly emerging fields such as sustainable investments and sustainable financial management. Depending on the stream chosen, graduates may embark on careers such as financial advisors, personal banking officers, insurance agents, budget assistants, claim adjustors, lending officers, and many others.
Required Courses (15 credits)
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CEC2 532 Business Economics (3 credits)
Overview
Economics (CCE) : Introductory micro and macro economic theory and practice in profit and non-profit organizations from a managerial perspective. Topics include: demand and supply analysis, production costs, firms' pricing and output determination, aggregate demand and supply, national income, output and employment determination, inflation, interest rate, exchange rate determination, fiscal and monetary policies.
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016, Summer 2016
Instructors: Matziorinis, Ken (Fall) Matziorinis, Ken (Winter) Matziorinis, Ken (Summer)
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CFIN 300 Fundamentals of Financial Markets and Institutions (3 credits)
Overview
Finance (CCE) : This course provides an introductory overview of the various financial markets and financial institutions. The focus will be on bonds, money, equity, foreign exchange, commodity, and derivatives, as well as the three main types of financial institutions: banks, insurance companies and investment firms.
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016
Instructors: Addas, Amr (Fall) Addas, Amr (Winter)
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CMSC 221 Applied Quantitative Methods (3 credits)
Overview
Management Science (CCE) : This course will cover the fundamentals of mathematics and algebra, and introduce statistical and quantitative techniques with a focus on applications related to the field of finance, such as simple and multiple linear regressions, financial forecasting method and generation of Pro-Forma Financial statements.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Prerequisite: CMSC 000 (or the Exemption by Examination test)
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MGCR 211 Introduction to Financial Accounting (3 credits)
Overview
Management Core : The role of financial accounting in the reporting of the financial performance of a business. The principles, components and uses of financial accounting and reporting from a user's perspective, including the recording of accounting transactions and events, the examination of the elements of financial statements, the preparation of financial statements and the analysis of financial results.
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016, Summer 2016
Instructors: Ryan, Kimberly; Bierbrier, Edward; Pruijssers, Jorien; Oz, Seda; Cecere, Ralph (Fall) Ryan, Kimberly; Bierbrier, Edward; Lee, Dongyoung (Winter) Zajdman-Borden, Karen; Bierbrier, Edward (Summer)
Continuing Studies: requirement for CMA, CGA, the EA of AACI, and the Institute of Internal Auditors
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MGCR 341 Introduction to Finance (3 credits)
Overview
Management Core : An introduction to the principles, issues, and institutions of Finance. Topics include valuation, risk, capital investment, financial structure, cost of capital, working capital management, financial markets, and securities.
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016, Summer 2016
Instructors: Slater-Santini, Julie; De Motta, Adolfo (Fall) di Pietro, Vadim; Slater-Santini, Julie (Winter) di Pietro, Vadim (Summer)
Corequisite: MGCR 271 or equivalent
Continuing Studies: requirement for CMA, CGA, the EA of AACI, and the Institute of Internal Auditors
Complementary courses (15 credits)
15 credits from one of the following streams:
Corporate Finance Stream
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ACCT 354 Financial Statement Analysis (3 credits)
Overview
Accounting : Interpretative nature of the conceptual framework underlying a multitude of financial reporting standards, including the impact of alternative accounting methods, management biases and stakeholder interests in the analysis and valuation of the firm.
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016
Instructors: Susel, Roman; Scott, Julia (Fall) Zajdman-Borden, Karen; Singer, Zvi (Winter)
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CFIN 310 Short-Term Financial Management (3 credits)
Overview
Finance (CCE) : Traditional concepts of the net present valuation, liquidity, collections, disbursements, company-bank relationships, cash forecasting, and short-term investing and financing, which provide an understanding of the role of working capital management in the operations of a firm.
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016
Instructors: Abda, Messaoud (Fall) Abda, Messaoud (Winter)
Prerequisite: MGCR 211
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CFIN 401 Sustainable Finance and the Firm (3 credits)
Overview
Finance (CCE) : The objective of this course is to understand how to assess and analyze the impact of Green House Gas regulations on corporations and their financial policies. Topics include capital budgeting, capital structure and corporate governance. Case studies will be used to illustrate sustainable corporate policies.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Prerequisite: MGCR 211
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CFIN 402 Business Valuation and Project Finance (3 credits)
Overview
Finance (CCE) : This course provides a comprehensive analysis of alternative valuation models and techniques such as discounted cash flow and relative valuation methods. These techniques are applied to the valuation of various types of firms such as financial services, start ups, private and distressed firms, and firms with negative earnings.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.
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CFIN 403 Mergers and Acquisitions (3 credits)
Overview
Finance (CCE) : This course applies theory from corporate finance to the analysis of mergers, acquisitions, and related transactions. The objectives of this course are to introduce the area of mergers and acquisitions and to develop and strengthen the presentation and research skills necessary for the investment banking or merger arbitrage industries.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Wong, Stephen (Winter)
Investments, Portfolio Management and Mutual Funds Finance Stream
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CFIN 305 Investor Behaviour (3 credits)
Overview
Finance (CCE) : The emotional and psychological factors that impact investors' behaviour and decision making. Various market anomalies will be examined in the context of mean-variance efficiency theory, as well as typical forecasting errors, expert justifications and continued investor reliance on forecasting models in the context of psychological biases.
Terms: Summer 2016
Instructors: Lester, Kenneth (Summer)
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CFIN 410 Investment and Portfolio Management (3 credits)
Overview
Finance (CCE) : This course covers financial instruments such as stocks and bonds, formation and management of investment portfolios and evaluation of portfolio performance. Finance theories and investment practices relating to such additional topics as global portfolio diversification, investments by means of Initial Public Offerings, hedge funds, private equity and derivatives are presented.
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016
Instructors: Jassim, Raad (Fall) Jassim, Raad (Winter)
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CFIN 420 Mutual Funds (3 credits)
Overview
Finance (CCE) : This course examines the process of investing in mutual funds, sales of funds, and management of funds, including valuation and accounting. Additional topics include the special characteristics of hedge funds, ethical considerations and key regulations for mutual funds.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.
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FINE 448 Financial Derivatives (3 credits)
Overview
Finance : The course will concentrate on both the analytical and practical aspects of investments in options and futures. The first part of the course concentrates on option and futures valuation, considering both discrete and continuous time models. The second part of the course concentrates on the practical aspects of options and futures trading.
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016
Instructors: Hammami, Larbi (Fall) Augustin, Patrick; Hammami, Larbi (Winter)
Prerequisite: MGSC 372 or equivalent.
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FINE 451 Fixed Income Analysis (3 credits)
Overview
Finance : Fixed income financial instruments and their uses for both financial engineering and risk management (at the trading desk and aggregate firm level). This will involve coverage of fixed income mathematics, risk management concepts, term structure modeling, derivatives valuation and credit risk analysis.
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016
Instructors: di Pietro, Vadim (Fall) di Pietro, Vadim (Winter)
Prerequisite: FINE 441
Personal Finance Stream
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CFIN 200 Retirement Planning (3 credits)
Overview
Finance (CCE) : This course addresses the various elements in the retirement planning process such as pension planning instruments, public and private pension plans, insurance, income tax, estate planning, and wills.
Terms: Summer 2016
Instructors: Triassi, Jack (Summer)
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CFIN 350 Alternative Investments (3 credits)
Overview
Finance (CCE) : This course defines alternative asset classes, examines the structure of the different markets and investment vehicles with a focus on investments in sustainable ventures. The performance of each asset class in relation to the traditional asset classes of equity and fixed income is analyzed.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Prerequisite: CFIN 300
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CFIN 400 Real Estate Finance (3 credits)
Overview
Finance (CCE) : A thorough introduction to the cash flows, returns and risks of investing in and financing of real estates is provided. The basics of mortgage finance, mortgage refinancing, default risk and underwriting of individual residential properties, and analyses of leases, valuation, investment and risk of individual income producing properties are covered.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.
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CFIN 410 Investment and Portfolio Management (3 credits)
Overview
Finance (CCE) : This course covers financial instruments such as stocks and bonds, formation and management of investment portfolios and evaluation of portfolio performance. Finance theories and investment practices relating to such additional topics as global portfolio diversification, investments by means of Initial Public Offerings, hedge funds, private equity and derivatives are presented.
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016
Instructors: Jassim, Raad (Fall) Jassim, Raad (Winter)
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CFIN 420 Mutual Funds (3 credits)
Overview
Finance (CCE) : This course examines the process of investing in mutual funds, sales of funds, and management of funds, including valuation and accounting. Additional topics include the special characteristics of hedge funds, ethical considerations and key regulations for mutual funds.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Risk and Capital Stream
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CFIN 421 Asset Liability Management (3 credits)
Overview
Finance (CCE) : This course introduces the basic Asset Liability Management concepts of currency exposure, interest rate risk, and liquidity risk. It also introduces some basic tools to manage risks in banks and insurance firms.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Moschella, Jason (Winter)
Prerequisite: MGCR 211
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CPDV 400 Risks and Capital for Banks 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Professional Devel : This course covers classification of financial risks in banking, the concepts of risk-based regulatory and economic capital, and the evolution of the Basel II regulatory process. The basic relevant statistical tools including the Value at Risk measure, the measurement of market and interest rate risks will be presented.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.
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CPDV 402 Risks and Capital for Banks 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Professional Devel : This course deals with the measurement of credit and operational risks and the Top of the House regulatory and economic capital. Case studies of the 2008-2009 financial crisis, stress testing and back testing of bank capital, and model validation will be discussed.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Prerequisite: CPDV 400
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FINE 448 Financial Derivatives (3 credits)
Overview
Finance : The course will concentrate on both the analytical and practical aspects of investments in options and futures. The first part of the course concentrates on option and futures valuation, considering both discrete and continuous time models. The second part of the course concentrates on the practical aspects of options and futures trading.
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016
Instructors: Hammami, Larbi (Fall) Augustin, Patrick; Hammami, Larbi (Winter)
Prerequisite: MGSC 372 or equivalent.
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FINE 451 Fixed Income Analysis (3 credits)
Overview
Finance : Fixed income financial instruments and their uses for both financial engineering and risk management (at the trading desk and aggregate firm level). This will involve coverage of fixed income mathematics, risk management concepts, term structure modeling, derivatives valuation and credit risk analysis.
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016
Instructors: di Pietro, Vadim (Fall) di Pietro, Vadim (Winter)
Prerequisite: FINE 441
Short-Term Risk Management Stream
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ACCT 354 Financial Statement Analysis (3 credits)
Overview
Accounting : Interpretative nature of the conceptual framework underlying a multitude of financial reporting standards, including the impact of alternative accounting methods, management biases and stakeholder interests in the analysis and valuation of the firm.
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016
Instructors: Susel, Roman; Scott, Julia (Fall) Zajdman-Borden, Karen; Singer, Zvi (Winter)
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CFIN 310 Short-Term Financial Management (3 credits)
Overview
Finance (CCE) : Traditional concepts of the net present valuation, liquidity, collections, disbursements, company-bank relationships, cash forecasting, and short-term investing and financing, which provide an understanding of the role of working capital management in the operations of a firm.
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016
Instructors: Abda, Messaoud (Fall) Abda, Messaoud (Winter)
Prerequisite: MGCR 211
-
CFIN 421 Asset Liability Management (3 credits)
Overview
Finance (CCE) : This course introduces the basic Asset Liability Management concepts of currency exposure, interest rate risk, and liquidity risk. It also introduces some basic tools to manage risks in banks and insurance firms.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Moschella, Jason (Winter)
Prerequisite: MGCR 211
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FINE 448 Financial Derivatives (3 credits)
Overview
Finance : The course will concentrate on both the analytical and practical aspects of investments in options and futures. The first part of the course concentrates on option and futures valuation, considering both discrete and continuous time models. The second part of the course concentrates on the practical aspects of options and futures trading.
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016
Instructors: Hammami, Larbi (Fall) Augustin, Patrick; Hammami, Larbi (Winter)
Prerequisite: MGSC 372 or equivalent.
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FINE 451 Fixed Income Analysis (3 credits)
Overview
Finance : Fixed income financial instruments and their uses for both financial engineering and risk management (at the trading desk and aggregate firm level). This will involve coverage of fixed income mathematics, risk management concepts, term structure modeling, derivatives valuation and credit risk analysis.
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016
Instructors: di Pietro, Vadim (Fall) di Pietro, Vadim (Winter)
Prerequisite: FINE 441
Sustainable Finance Stream
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ACCT 354 Financial Statement Analysis (3 credits)
Overview
Accounting : Interpretative nature of the conceptual framework underlying a multitude of financial reporting standards, including the impact of alternative accounting methods, management biases and stakeholder interests in the analysis and valuation of the firm.
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016
Instructors: Susel, Roman; Scott, Julia (Fall) Zajdman-Borden, Karen; Singer, Zvi (Winter)
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CFIN 350 Alternative Investments (3 credits)
Overview
Finance (CCE) : This course defines alternative asset classes, examines the structure of the different markets and investment vehicles with a focus on investments in sustainable ventures. The performance of each asset class in relation to the traditional asset classes of equity and fixed income is analyzed.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Prerequisite: CFIN 300
-
CFIN 401 Sustainable Finance and the Firm (3 credits)
Overview
Finance (CCE) : The objective of this course is to understand how to assess and analyze the impact of Green House Gas regulations on corporations and their financial policies. Topics include capital budgeting, capital structure and corporate governance. Case studies will be used to illustrate sustainable corporate policies.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Prerequisite: MGCR 211
-
CFIN 402 Business Valuation and Project Finance (3 credits)
Overview
Finance (CCE) : This course provides a comprehensive analysis of alternative valuation models and techniques such as discounted cash flow and relative valuation methods. These techniques are applied to the valuation of various types of firms such as financial services, start ups, private and distressed firms, and firms with negative earnings.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.
-
CFIN 410 Investment and Portfolio Management (3 credits)
Overview
Finance (CCE) : This course covers financial instruments such as stocks and bonds, formation and management of investment portfolios and evaluation of portfolio performance. Finance theories and investment practices relating to such additional topics as global portfolio diversification, investments by means of Initial Public Offerings, hedge funds, private equity and derivatives are presented.
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016
Instructors: Jassim, Raad (Fall) Jassim, Raad (Winter)
Insurance and Risk Management Stream
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CPDV 301 Risk Management (3 credits)
Overview
Professional Devel : This course emphasizes the importance of decision-making criteria in selecting among the various alternatives available in risk management. Management techniques treated are: the risk management concepts and objectives; risk management in an organization and its effect on profits; risk management techniques; risk identification and analysis; forecasting and comparing risks; property risks; income risks; liability risks; personnel loss risks; probability analysis; risk management decision-making and capital budgeting methods.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: McGraw, Janice; Turcotte, Michel (Fall)
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CPDV 302 Risk Control (3 credits)
Overview
Professional Devel : This course specifically explores the selection, implementation and monitoring of risk control techniques which are essential in preventing or minimizing potential losses before they occur. Fault tree study, statistical analysis, contractual liability reviews and in-house safety programs are detailed. The course will examine the two dimensions of loss, frequency and severity, with particular attention on losses to property, people, net income and liability.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Cross, Ronald (Winter)
Prerequisite: CPDV 301
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CPDV 303 Risk Financing (3 credits)
Overview
Professional Devel : This course explores the fundamentals of risk financing as they relate to the risk management process. The identification, implementation and monitoring of Risk Financing Techniques will be analyzed within the following guidelines: framework for risk financing; criteria for risk financing technique selection; insurance as a risk financing technique; financing property, net income, liability and personnel losses; accounting and some income tax aspects of accidental losses; implementing risk retention available options, including use of affiliated insurers; insurance pricing, selection of insurers and their representatives; risk cost allocation.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Abou-Haidar, Ibrahim; Eisenstat, Benjamin (Winter)
Prerequisite: CPDV 301
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CPDV 305 General Insurance 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Professional Devel : This course will cover the theory and practices of insurance, policy construction and interpretation for major classes of personal insurance. Topics covered include: general concepts; the broker/agent, the insurer, the law; automobile and habitational insurance.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.
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CPDV 306 General Insurance 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Professional Devel : This course will cover the theory and practices of insurance, policy construction and interpretation for major classes of commercial insurance. Topics covered include: liability insurance and commercial property and multi-peril coverages.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.