Finance
This is the 2011-2012 Undergraduate Bulletin
Other editions:
Finance
COLLEGE: Business Administration
MAJOR: Finance
DEGREE OFFERED: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
HOURS REQUIRED: 120 hours for degree (24-30 hours for the major)
MINIMUM CUMULATIVE GPA: 2.5 for graduation
MINOR AVAILABLE: Yes–for CBA students only
Chair: Gordon Karels
Professors: DeFusco, Farrell, Geppert, Karels, Peterson
Associate Professor: Dudney
Assistant Professors: Friesen, Lockhart, Lin, Unlu
Assistant Professor of Practice: Vagts
The goal of any financial system is to allocate monetary resources to those individuals, companies and governmental units that have the best ideas for usage. The study of finance focuses on the organization and development of capital markets and financial institutions in achieving the optimal usage of funds. As a finance student, you might want to examine how conflict of interest affects managerial performance, how risk influences investment decisions, or how investor psychology can impact the price of stocks and bonds. The finance faculty offer strong support for the exploration of such topics and the curriculum is designed to prepare students in areas of high employment demand.
A solid understanding of the finance role is becoming ever more essential in the management of public, private, and nonprofit organizations. The basic course, FINA 361 (required of all students in the College), presents the institutional background, theory, and decision-making skills essential to an understanding of the corporate finance function. The major theoretical issues and the financial techniques that are used to analyze capital management problems are investigated.
The department also offers a course in personal finance, FINA 260, that exposes students to basic financial concepts such as personal taxes, investment opportunities, insurance issues and retirement planning. The personal finance course is open to all university students and has no prerequisites. Successful completion of FINA 260 satisfies ACE Outcome 6 in the University’s general education requirements.
The finance major offers course work in the following areas of specialization:
Banking and Financial Institutions
Risk Management and Insurance
CFA® – Investments
General Finance
Finance students must declare one of these specializations as a formal option within their major. Multiple options cannot be chosen.
The finance department faculty hold student advising sessions every semester to discuss course offerings and curriculum requirements. Students are highly encouraged to attend these sessions and to meet with their CBA advisers on a regular basis. The department chair is also available to answer questions regarding the selection of courses or other questions related to the finance curriculum.
Admission requirements for all majors in the College are the same as those for University Admission as noted under UNL General Admission Requirements.
Requirements for students interested in pursuing the bachelor of science degree with a major in finance will complete 12 hours of core finance courses and complete one finance option consisting of 12-18 hours to meet the requirements for Business Core Advanced-Major (BCA-M).
Required core finance courses (12 hours):
FINA 338 Principles of Corporate Risk Management
FINA 363 Investment Principles
FINA 365 Financial Institutions & Markets (ECON 365) Can double count toward ECON minor if pursuing finance major.
FINA 461 Advanced Finance
The non-core course work is organized around the following options consisting of another 12-18 hours:
The Banking and Financial Institutions Option is designed for students wishing to prepare for a career in the financial services industry. Course work emphasizes the decisions that financial managers make. The role of both bank and non-bank institutions in economic growth and development are examined. Designated scholarships for study of this option are available and internship opportunities are supported and encouraged.
FINA 260 Personal Finance or AECN 495A Internship in Agricultural Financing & Banking
FINA 307 Principles of Individual Risk Management & Insurance or FINA 382 Real Estate Principles & Practice
FINA 375 Financial Statement Analysis
FINA 412 Life & Health Insurance or FINA 482 Real Estate Finance
FINA 465 Bank Management
Students pursuing the Banking and Financial Institutions Option may count one of their 300/400-level requirements for the finance major toward fulfilling 3 hours of the 12 hour 300/400-level elective requirement; or may count two if AECN 495A is taken.
The Risk Management and Insurance Option focuses on the study of methods used to manage activities whose outcome cannot be forecast with certainty. Individuals and organizations utilize risk management tools to reduce the uncertainty of achieving specific goals and targets. Risk management has become a central management function applicable to every area of management specialization.
FINA 307 Principles of Individual Risk Management & Insurance
FINA 412 Life & Health Insurance
FINA 438 Enterprise Risk Management
FINA 467 Options, Futures & Derivative Securities
One of the following:
ECON 413/FINA 413 Social Insurance (May be used towards an ECON major/minor if completing finance major.)
FINA 463 Security Analysis & Warren Buffett Business Valuation Techniques
MNGT 437 Computer-Aided Analysis in Decision Making (May be used toward a MNGT major/minor if completing finance major.)
Students pursuing the Risk Management and Insurance Option may count two of their 300/400-level requirements for the finance major toward fulfilling 6 hours of the 12 hour 300/400-level elective requirement.
The CFA® – Investments Option is a technical program designed to immerse students in the art and science of the management of financial assets. UNL’s finance department is a CFA® Program Partner and the course material covered in this option meets the requirements of the Chartered Financial Analysts Program Partnership. A year-long portfolio management course with students investing real dollar funds is a part of this curriculum. Students completing this option would be expected to sit for the Level I, CFA exam.
ACCT 313 Intermediate Accounting I
ACCT 314 Intermediate Accounting I
FINA 467 Options, Futures & Derivative Securities
FINA 468 Portfolio Practicum I
FINA 469 Portfolio Practicum II
FINA 482 Real Estate Finance
FINA 97 Ethics Assessment
Students pursuing the CFA® – Investments Option may count three of their 300/400-level requirements for the finance major toward fulfilling 9 hours of the 12 hour 300/400-level elective requirement.
Students pursuing this option and selecting an accounting minor may double count their ACCT course work for the minor and finance major.
The General Finance Option allows a student to pursue a broad range of interests in the finance field. Students can select from courses in Real Estate, International Finance, Insurance, and Investments. A solid understanding of the basic finance function is provided with this option that prepares students for entry-level positions in the management and operation of public, private, and nonprofit financial organizations.
Select 3 hours from:
ECON 311 Intermediate Macroeconomics
ECON 312 Intermediate Microeconomics
ACCT 308 Managerial Accounting
ACCT 313 Intermediate Accounting I
FINA 375 Financial Statement Analysis
6 hours of 300/400-level finance courses
3 hours of 400-level finance courses
Students pursuing the General Finance Option may count one of their 300/400-level requirements for the finance major toward fulfilling 3 hours of the 12 hour 300/400-level elective requirement.
Students pursuing this option and selecting an accounting or economics major/minor may double count their ACCT or ECON course work if completing a finance major.
Finance majors are encouraged to minor (or double major) in accounting or economics. The finance department does not prohibit the double-counting of hours used to obtain a minor or double major. Many actuarial science majors also choose to double major with finance. Requirements appear under actuarial science. Courses that might be double counted include: ACCT 308, ACCT 313, ACCT 314, FINA 365/ECON 365, ECON 311, ECON 312, and FINA 413/ECON 413.
See College Degree Requirements–Electives for additional options/restrictions regarding elective credit for the degree.
Students considering graduate work in business are encouraged to take MATH 106 instead of MATH 104. Additional course work in mathematics is strongly encouraged.
Enrollment in most upper-level finance courses usually requires completion of FINA 361 as well as other prerequisites. Refer to course descriptions for specific course prerequisites.
Same as the College grade rules.
If selecting ACCT 308, ACCT 313, and/or ACCT 314, prerequisites require a grade of C in previous ACCT courses:
ACCT 308 requires a grade of C in ACCT 201 and ACCT 202
ACCT 313 requires a grade of C in ACCT 201 and ACCT 202
ACCT 314 requires a grade of C in ACCT 313
Same as College Pass/No Pass limits.
Same as College GPA requirements.
The entrance requirements for the College of Business Administration are the same as the UNL General Admission Requirements.
The curriculum requirements for the College consist of course work in three areas.
All course work (except electives and where otherwise noted) must be taken for a grade.
The three areas include the following:
Non-Business Requirements (NBR)
– which consist primarily of College and University ACE (Achievement-Centered Education) course work
Business Core
– Foundation (BCF), which also includes ACE 6 & 8
– Intermediate (BCI)
– Advanced-Major (BCA-M)
– Advanced-Capstone (BCA-C), (ACE 10)
Electives
(Most of the ACE requirements)
Choose ONE of the following:
ENGL 101 Writing: Rhetoric & Reading
ENGL 150 Writing: Rhetoric as Inquiry
ENGL 151 Writing: Rhetoric as Argument
Students should refer to the course descriptions to select the one course best suited to individual interests. While several communication courses can be selected to fulfill the university ACE 1 outcome, one of the above is a specific requirement for the College of Business Administration.
Choose ONE of the following:
MATH 104 Calculus for Managerial & Social Sciences (3 cr)
MATH 106 Analytic Geometry & Calculus I (5 cr)
Any advanced calculus course above the 106 level
Notes regarding the selection of course work for NBR 2 (ACE 3):
– A first semester student’s score on the Math Placement Exam will determine eligibility for MATH 104 or 106. The student should select between these classes based on the following sets of circumstances.
– Actuarial Science majors MUST take MATH 106 (or a higher-level calculus).
– Actuarial science majors will also take MATH 107 (5 cr) and MATH 208 (4 cr) and CSCE 101 & CSCE 101L (4 cr).
Students admitted to the College of Business Administration are required to take a Math Placement Examination prior to enrolling in the college math requirement of MATH 104 or MATH 106 (or higher math).
Whether required to enroll in preparation course work first, as indicated on the MPE (MATH 100A, MATH 101 and/or MATH 103), or in one of the required courses, it is critical to begin MATH the first semester on campus.
Choose one course from ACE 4 Certified Courses. (Course credit will vary between 3-4 credit hours.)
Choose one course from ACE 5 Certified Courses.
Choose one course from ACE 7 Certified Courses.
Choose one course from ACE 9 Certified Courses.
Students enrolling for their first semester with junior standing (or more), will see that the list of approved courses includes a few business courses. While this section is labeled “non-business requirements,” students may elect to enroll in one of the business courses to fulfill the ACE 9 requirement as long as prerequisites are completed (which are generally reserved for juniors or seniors). Work closely with your adviser to bring this to their attention and to question how this course may potentially satisfy other degree program requirements, including the major. The options include:
In any of the above instances where a double counting is an option, only 3 hours of credit are awarded; student will still need to meet the 120 hours for graduation.
JGEN 220 Business Communication Strategies
COMM 286 Business & Professional Communication
NOTE: In the selection of course work for any of the above NBR’s, prerequisites, when stated anywhere in this bulletin, means course work MUST BE COMPLETED to enroll in the class. Concurrent enrollment in any identified prerequisite(s) is NOT permitted unless so indicated in the course description.
The foundation and intermediate courses are designed to expose students to the various business disciplines. The advanced courses are those courses identified for each of the nine majors, and the capstone course is taken the final semester of the program. All course work for the Business Core (except where noted differently), must be taken for a grade.
– Foundation: RAIK 181H, RAIK 182H, RAIK 282H & STAT 218
– Leadership Series: RAIK 185H, RAIK 186H, RAIK 285H, RAIK 286H
– Computer Science Foundation: RAIK 183H, RAIK 184H, RAIK 283H, RAIK 383H
ACCT 201 Introductory Accounting I
– Foundation: RAIK 181H, RAIK 182H, RAIK 282H & STAT 218
– the Leadership Series: RAIK 185H, RAIK 186H, RAIK 285H, RAIK 286H
– Computer Science Foundation: RAIK 183H, RAIK 184H, RAIK 283H, RAIK 383H
ACCT 202 Introductory Accounting II
ECON 211 Principles of Macroeconomics
ECON 212 Principles of Microeconomics
Students may pursue and reference specific major requirements by clicking on the major: accounting, actuarial science, agribusiness, business administration, economics, finance, international business, management, or marketing.
Electives round out the rest of the 120 hour curriculum where students have the option to choose courses toward a second major, a dual degree, a minor (or two); or, students can simply select courses of personal interest.
The course must be chosen from the following approved list of International Business Course Requirement (IBCR) courses. Many of these courses have prerequisites. Some are restricted for study abroad and others may only be offered once a year. Thus, you are advised to plan ahead in scheduling this requirement into your program.
BSAD 491 International Studies in Business and Economics (1-15 hrs)
ECON 321 International Economics
If not already completed, ECON 321 may double count for the ECON major AND NBR 6–ACE 9, Global Awareness (or toward an ECON or IBUS minor and NBR 6–ACE 9).
ECON 322 Developmental Economics (not regularly available)
ECON 323 Economic Development of Latin America (not regularly available)
ECON 388 Comparative Economics Systems (not regularly available)
ECON 421 International Trade
ECON 422 International Finance
ECON 423 Economics of Less Developed Countries
ECON 440 Regional Development
ECON 466 & ECON 467 Pro-Seminar in International Relations I & II
Courses for the Nebraska at Oxford Program
ECON 487 Economies in Transition (not regularly available)
FINA 450 International Finance
MNGT 398 Special Topics: Comparative International Small Business Management
Must be taken for a grade to count.
MNGT 428 International Management
If not already completed, MNGT 428 may double count for the MNGT or BSAD or IBUS major AND NBR 6–ACE 9, Global Awareness (or it can count for the MNGT or IBUS minor and NBR 6–ACE 9).
MRKT 453 International Marketing (requires 6 hrs of MRKT prerequisites)
If planned carefully, the IBCR course can count in two places. It is not an extra 3 hours of credit, but rather, is 3 hours embedded within other requirements. If selected carefully, it can also count for 3 hours of credit in the major (i.e. MRKT 453 counts for MRKT elective in MRKT major and would count for the IBCR; FINA 450 counts for FINA elective in FINA major and would fulfill the IBCR as well; etc.). On the other hand, if course work for the major is already determined by personal choices, the IBCR can count in electives, and more specifically, for one of the ‘business’ electives needed for most majors.
As part of the degree requirements, all students must complete 12 hours of 300/400 level course work.
This can be business or non-business course work.
Sixty (60) hours of business courses are required for the BSBA degree.
The required hours WILL VARY BY MAJOR, dependent on how requirements have been accepted and/or completed throughout the previous components of the program. While GENERAL MINIMUM guidelines by major are noted below, the Degree Audit will specify minimum business credit hour expectations for each student. You will generally see this addressed under the ELECTIVE section (BUSINESS ELECTIVES) on DARS.
Course work must be taken for a grade except for 398/399 options where grades are generally not permitted
Other than meeting the minimum requirement for admission to the University, the College does not require any additional work in foreign languages except for the international business major. Students, however, are always encouraged to take language courses.
A minimum of 120 semester hours of credit is required for graduation; more may be necessary if specific degree requirements have not yet been completed. Most students will graduate with 121 hours as BSAD 150 is not applicable toward degree requirements.
While students may earn grades of C- or D, there are restrictions and recommendations for such grades and further enrollment options:
The Pass/No Pass option is designed for students who want to study areas or topics in which they may have minimum preparation. If used for this purpose, the option can enrich the student’s academic experience without lowering the student’s grade point average. Several restrictions apply when considering the Pass/No Pass option:
Exceptions to the above rules are limited to the following and no other exceptions will be made.
A 2.5 cumulative grade point average is required to apply for graduation, as well as a requirement for enrollment in ACCT 201 and ACCT 202, ECON 215, BLAW 371 and BLAW 372, FINA 361, MNGT 331, MNGT 360, MNGT 475, MNGT/MIST or MRKT 350, and MRKT 341. In some instances, a specific grade is required in certain courses to continue with upper-level course work.
See Maximum/Minimum hour restrictions under Course Exclusions and Restrictions
In addition to the Business Core Intermediate and Business Core Advanced and Business Course Advanced Capstone requirements, business students must complete an additional 12 hours of 300/400-level course work in their program (not required for ACTS majors and RAIKES students). Students generally fulfill this requirement through their electives, but there may be a few upper-class students who can fulfill the requirement with the ACE course requirements.
There are many opportunities to earn college credit through the UNL Office of Extended Education and Outreach. While many of these credits may be applicable toward fulfilling college-specific requirements, there are restrictions for enrollment and completion. Please refer to http://onlineundergraduate.unl.edu/ for additional information.
Also:
All students must fulfill the Achievement Centered Education (ACE) requirements. Information about the ACE program may be viewed at ace.unl.edu.
This is the university’s innovative, outcomes-focused general education component designed to enhance the undergraduate experience by providing broad exposure to multiple disciplines, complementing the major and helping students develop important reasoning, inquiry, and civic capacities.
Important rules to remember when selecting course work to meet this requirement:
Students (including transfer students) must follow the Undergraduate Bulletin in effect when they enroll in the College of Business Administration. Students who leave the college and return or those applying for ‘readmission’ to the College are subject to requirements in place at the time of their re-enrollment in the College.
| Quick Points | |
|---|---|
| Attribute | Value |
| College: | Business Administration |
| Degree Offered: | Bachelor of Science in Business Administration |
| Hours Required: | 120 hours for degree (24-30 hours for the major) |
| Minimum Cumulative GPA: | 2.5 for graduation |
| Minor Available: | Yes–for CBA students only |
Other editions: