Course Listings

Fundamentals of Building Wealth

FINC 321 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: (Formerly BMGT 342. For students majoring in both business and nonbusiness disciplines.) A practical overview of personal finance management and wealth creation that blends financial theory and application. The goal is to develop personal financial management skills (e.g., budgeting income and expenditures and planning for financial security and retirement) and understand elements of the U.S. financial structure (including savings and investment alternatives, financing and credit sources, and the role of insurance in protecting income and assets). These skills are utilized in the development of a personal financial plan. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 342, BMGT 388F, BMGT 388N, FINC 321, or FINC 322.

Small Business Finance

FINC 328 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: A project-driven study of small business and entrepreneurial finance that emphasizes the financial knowledge and tools needed to develop a successful venture from start-up through growth and maturity. The goal is to identify, assess, and explain the key decision-making processes required of a small business entrepreneur or financial manager. Topics include financial statement analysis, capital acquisition, legal and regulatory compliance, budgeting, forecasting, and client and vendor relationships. Projects include creation of a financial plan and completion of a loan application. Discussion also covers contemporary issues related to finance.

Business Finance

FINC 330 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisites: ACCT 221 and STAT 200. An overview of the theory, principles, and practices of financial management in a business environment. Topics include financial analysis and financial risk, characteristics and valuations of securities, capital investment analysis and decision making, the capital structure of the firm, financial leverage, and international finance. The aim is to examine financial information, identify issues and solve business problems, and make sound business decisions. Emphasis is on the application of financial theory and methods for solving the problems of financial policy that managers face. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 340, FINC 330, MGMT 398D, or TMGT 320.

Finance for the Nonfinancial Manager

FINC 331 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Development of the financial skills needed by functional experts in human resources, marketing, production, and general management. The objective is to interpret finance and accounting documents and apply that information to sound business decision making. Topics include financial statements and forecasting, capital budgeting, project evaluation, working capital management, stocks and bonds, time value of money, and international financial management. Emphasis is on practical applications to facilitate informed discussions with business professionals for financial decision making. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 341 or FINC 331.

FinTech, Financial Institutions and Markets

FINC 335 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: An overview of the interplay of financial markets, financial institutions, and technology. Topics include the characteristics and roles of financial markets and institutions. Students will learn how to evaluate what drives the term structure of interest rates. The aim is to be able to discuss how emerging technologies are used in the financial services industry and how they impact delivery of financial products and services such as insurance, investment advising, and wealth management.

Investments

FINC 340 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: (Formerly BMGT 343.) Prerequisite: FINC 330 and FINC 335. An introduction to financial investments and portfolio management. The goal is to evaluate and critically analyze asset selection and allocation and perform basic portfolio management activities. Topics include types of securities and securities markets; investment risks, returns, and constraints; portfolio policies and management; and institutional investment policies. Theories, practices, and real-world examples are examined and analyzed. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 343 or FINC 340.

Risk Management

FINC 351 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: (Formerly BMGT 346.) A study focused on recognizing and evaluating pure risk facing organizations. The aim is to identify risks to cost control and develop risk management strategies. Discussion covers guides for risk-management decisions concerning the retention, control, and transfer of risk (including insurance). Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 346 or FINC 351.

Life and Health Insurance

FINC 352 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: A study of the tools and principles of life and health insurance in financial planning for businesses and individuals. The goal is to assess personal needs in order to determine which types of life and health insurance plans fit best. Topics include pension planning strategies, such as deferred-compensation and profit-sharing plans; use of trusts in business and in planning individual estates; and comprehensive analysis of the effects of income taxes, estate taxes, and gift taxes on life insurance and estate planning. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 347 or FINC 352.

Retirement and Estate Planning

FINC 355 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: (Content aligned with the Certified Financial Planner [CFP]curriculum.) A comprehensive study of retirement and estate planning techniques for individuals, families, and businesses. The aim is to evaluate retirement plans, analyze regulatory considerations of retirement planning, and apply estate planning techniques for businesses and families. Topics include retirement planning and estate planning, as well as regulations relevant to the financial services industry. Discussion covers processes of retirement planning (retirement need, investments, taxes, Social Security, Medicare, qualified versus nonqualified plans, and tax-advantage plans) and estate planning (wills, trusts, asset protection, and life insurance).

Financial Analysis

FINC 421 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: (For students with general business interests, as well as those majoring or minoring in accounting or finance.) Prerequisite: FINC 340. An analysis and interpretation of financial statements directed at the decision-making needs of managers, stockholders, and creditors. The aim is to analyze and interpret financial information, apply financial information directly to valuation models, and evaluate growth strategies to maximize company value. Topics include assessment of business performance, projection of financial requirements, analysis of capital investment decisions and financing choices, risk assessment, and valuation. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 498Q or FINC 421.

Financial Management

FINC 430 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisite: FINC 340. A study of financial management. The objective is to apply financial principles and concepts to assess and solve financial problems and make financial and corporate policy at the executive level. Topics include assessments of the financial health of the organization, company valuation, cost of capital, risk analysis, investment decisions, and financial systems and capital markets. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 440 or FINC 430.

Security Analysis and Valuation

FINC 440 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisites: FINC 340. A comprehensive and quantitative examination of financial investments and portfolio management. The aim is to quantitatively evaluate and value assets, critically analyze asset selection and allocation, and apply financial statistics and other evaluation methods to perform basic portfolio management activities and functions. Topics include the analysis, valuation, and selection of securities; investment risks, returns, and constraints; portfolio policies and management; institutional investment policies; and the operation and efficiency of financial markets. Theory, practice, and real-world examples are analyzed to value financial assets and compare alternatives. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 443 or FINC 440.

Commercial Bank Management

FINC 450 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisites: FINC 330 and FINC 340. An analysis of commercial bank management. The aim is to examine how the changing commercial banking environment has affected profitability and evaluate bank business strategies. Discussion covers the loan function and the management of liquidity reserves, investments for income, and sources of funds. The objectives, functions, policies, organization, structure, services, and regulations of banks are considered. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 445 or FINC 450.

International Finance

FINC 460 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisite: FINC 340. An analysis and discussion of financial management issues for the multinational enterprise. The aim is to use financial and economic strategies in quantitative decision making. Topics include the organization and functions of the foreign exchange market and international capital markets; financing foreign trade; and identifying, analyzing, and evaluating the globalization strategies of the multinational enterprise. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 446 or FINC 460.

Workplace Learning in Finance

FINC 486A | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisites: 9 credits in the discipline and prior program approval (requirements detailed online at www.umgc.edu/wkpl). The integration of discipline-specific knowledge with new experiences in the work environment. Tasks include completing a series of academic assignments that parallel work experiences.

Workplace Learning in Finance

FINC 486B | 6 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisites: 9 credits in the discipline and prior program approval (requirements detailed online at www.umuc.edu/wkpl). The integration of discipline-specific knowledge with new experiences in the work environment. Tasks include completing a series of academic assignments that parallel work experiences.

Financial Plan Development

FINC 490 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: (Content aligned with the Certified Financial Planner [CFP]curriculum.) Prerequisites: ACCT 323, FINC 321, FINC 340, FINC 352, and FINC 355. A thorough review of financial planning principles and applications, based on case studies. The objective is to gather and analyze data, evaluate the impact of governmental regulations and economic changes, and effectively communicate a comprehensive financial plan to clients. Topics include taxes, estates, asset protection, debt, credit, investments, insurance, economic theories, the financial planning process, ethics, and risk.

Finance Capstone 

FINC 495 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: (Intended as a final, capstone course to be taken in the student's last 15 credits.) Prerequisites: FINC 330 and FINC 340. A study of finance that integrates knowledge gained through previous coursework and experience and builds on that conceptual foundation through integrative analysis, academic research, practical application, and critical thinking. The objective is to apply financial theories and contemporary financial practices to business issues. Emerging issues in finance and business are considered. Individual and group case studies and research papers are used to integrate key financial knowledge in the areas of financial analysis, investments, business valuation, risk, and international finance. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 495 or FINC 495.