Finance

Course Information

Program Overview

Finance impacts everyone, whether they know it or not. It governs important decisions at every level of society, from households to commerce between nations. It funds our economy and provides the capitol the public sector needs. And finance needs smart, ethical professionals to make it all work.

Studying finance at Assumption College will provide you with the diverse knowledge base, from microeconomics to international finance a career in the field requires. You’ll learn about the theories that drive the economy and investment decision making, the principals that govern world markets, and the analytics that allow us to measure those theories and principals in the real world.

As a minor, finance provides an excellent complement to a variety of majors, providing you with a better understanding of how economics works as well as the acumen you’ll need to set yourself apart as a job candidate, or to further your studies in graduate school.

Minor

Students who intend to seek employment in business after graduation might consider completing a minor in Finance.

Degree Requirements

Students who intend to seek employment in business after graduation might consider completing a minor in Finance.

ECO 110 Principles of Microeconomics
ECO 111 Principles of Macroeconomics
ECO 115 Statistics
ECO 325 Corporate Finance

Plus three (3) of the following:

ECO 212 Economics of the Public Sector
ECO 215 Econometrics I
ECO 329 Monetary and Financial Institutions
ECO 354 International Finance
ECO 357 Investment Theory

Note: Students combining a minor in finance with a major in economics must have at least three economics courses that are in the finance minor, but not counted as part of the economics major. Contact the department chair if you have questions concerning this requirement.

Students majoring in economics with business concentration may find it difficult to minor in finance due to course sequencing. The Department instead recommends combining a major in economics with a minor in finance. Students majoring in accounting, management, marketing or international business typically need to take 3 additional economics courses beyond those required for the major to complete a minor in finance

Courses

ECO 110 PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS

An examination of the basic theory and performance of the household, business, and government in determining the nature of the output of the economy and its distribution among the members of the society. Policy issues considered may include public control of business, labor unions, agriculture, the environment, income distribution and poverty, and international trade. ECO 110 may be taken to satisfy the Core requirement for Social Science. Prerequisite: MAT 111. (Fall, Spring) Staff/Three credits

ECO 111 PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS

An analysis of the basic theory of aggregate economic activity and the application of the theory to current policy problems. Topics include national income accounting, the determinants of the level of income and employment, money and banking, fiscal and monetary policies, and economic growth and stability. Prerequisite: ECO 110. (Fall, Spring) Staff/Three credits

ECO 115 STATISTICS

The purpose of this course is to develop an understanding on an introductory level of how statistical inferences are made in the face of uncertainty. The underlying role of probability is stressed. A secondary purpose is the application of various test designs to formulate research questions. These designs include: t tests, analysis of variance, chi square analysis, and linear regression. (Counts as a second math course in the core curriculum) Prerequisite: MAT 111. (Fall, Spring) Fahy, Kantarelis, Moore, Volz/Three credits

ECO 325 CORPORATE FINANCE

Introduction to the principles and techniques utilized in the financial management of business. Topics to be covered include: interpretation of financial statements, time value of money, stock and bond valuation, ratio analysis, risk and return, capital budgeting, cost of capital, leverage, and capital structure. Prerequisites: ECO 110–111, ACC 125. (Fall, Spring) Fahy, Volz, White/Three credits

ECO 212 ECONOMICS OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR

Micro-economic and macro-economic theory is applied in an analysis of the role of the public sector in the United States economy. Following a consideration of the institutional arrangements that determine the magnitude of local, state, and federal taxes and expenditures, micro-theory is applied to the analysis of the impact of public finance on private sector behavior. Prerequisites: ECO 110–111. (Spring) Fahy, Volz/Three credits

ECO 215 ECONOMETRICS

This course is about the construction of hypotheses and the specification of statistical methodology for testing those hypotheses. Students will learn estimation of parameters and inferential analysis, and how to apply these concepts to forecasting and policy. The course starts with the multiple linear regression model, after the properties of the ordinary least-squares estimator are studied in detail and a number of tests developed, it continues with specification, multicollinearity, autocorellation, heteroskedasticity, and dummy variables. Prerequisites: ECO 115. (Fall) Fahy, Kantarelis, Volz/Three credits

ECO 329 MONETARY AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

A study of the role of money and monetary institutions in the economy. A parallel development of the monetary theory and institutions that determine public monetary policy and its influence on domestic and international economic activity. Prerequisites: ECO 110–111. (Fall) White/Three credit

ECO 354 INTERNATIONAL FINANCE

This course covers open economy macroeconomics. Topics include: balance of payments accounting, exchange rate determination, monetary and fiscal policy, and macroeconomic modeling. After examining standard theories and models, the course will explore case studies from recent history in numerous countries. The case studies will focus on: debt and balance of payments crises, speculative currency attacks, European monetary union, International Monetary Fund policy, and the value of the U.S. dollar. Students will engage in research projects. Prerequisites: ECO 110–111 and Junior/Senior standing. (Fall, Years) Kantarelis, Rao/Three credits

ECO 357 INVESTMENT THEORY

An examination of investment decision making using economic analysis. Topics include types of investments; investment objectives; investment return and risk; security analysis; portfolio theory; the efficient market hypothesis; fundamental analysis; technical analysis; the capital asset pricing model; and other topics to be chosen by the instructor. Prerequisites: ECO 110–111, ECO 115. (Spring) Kantarelis, White/Three credits

Academics

Finance

Course Information

Minor

Economics and Global Studies