Download Investments Syllabus - University of West Florida

FIN 4504 Investments - Online
Syllabus
Professor:
Office:
Office Hours:
Dr. Doug Waggle
Bldg. 76, Room 226
E-mail:
Phone:
[email protected]
474-2726
Required Text:
Fundamentals of Investments: Valuation and Management, 4th edition, by Jordan
and Miller, published by McGraw-Hill Irwin (2008). ISBN: 978-0-07-302721-0
Catalog Description
Introduction to an extensive development of theoretical concepts related to areas of securities
analysis and portfolio management.
Prerequisites:
FIN 3244 Financial Markets and Institutions
FIN 3403 Managerial Finance
This course is three credit hours.
Course Purpose
The course will provide the student with an introduction to the concepts of investing. This course
addresses both the theory and application of investment topics. The course addresses the differences
between the basic types of securities and how they fit in the total portfolio picture. The course also
covers how to analyze securities, decide if they should be included in an investment portfolio, and
know how to buy and sell them.
Student Learning Outcomes
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After completing the course, students should be able to
Understand the essentials of portfolio theory.
Differentiate between the major types of investments.
Analyze a stock to decide whether or not to purchase it.
Understand how the stock market works and know how to purchase securities.
Locate and interpret sources of information available to investors.
Evaluation, Grading, and Exams
Students can generally choose between 2 different course evaluation alternatives, with the decision
being made before the final exam.
Option A:
Standard
Test 1
Final (Not
comprehensive)
Major Tests
42%
42%
Online Quizzes
Homework
Total
16%
100%
Quiz
Impact
74 –
84%
0 – 10%
16%
100%
Option B:
Standard
Test 1
Final
(Comprehensive)
21%
63%
Quiz Impact
74 – 84%
Online Quizzes
Homework
Total
16%
100%
0 – 10%
16%
100%
The mid term and final exams must either be taken in person at a UWF campus (times and
locations TBA) or be proctored at an approved testing facility. Students in the Pensacola and
Fort Walton Beach areas must come to proctored exams. Students outside the local area must
arrange for proctors at either a U.S educational institution or a military facility. Most U.S. colleges
and universities and military institutions can assist with proctoring. Proctors must have either a .edu
or a military mailing address. Information about proctored exams is available on the course elearning page.
The typical or default selection is Option A. This is for students who have successfully mastered the
material on the earlier exams and are satisfied with their grades on that material. Students should
note that even though the final exam is not specifically comprehensive with Option A, the latter
material naturally builds on earlier material and those concepts must be understood. Option B is
available for students who would like another opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of
earlier material. Students must notify the instructor in advance of the final if they would like to
select Option B.
If you fall behind in the material, catching up may prove difficult. There are mandatory online
quizzes that are designed to keep you on track. The quizzes are open book and open note, but you
must do them on your own. You must complete each quiz by the assigned completion date, which is
noted in the quiz section of e-Learning. Failure to take a quiz by the due date results in a 0. If you
take a quiz and make 50 or higher, then the quiz grade is optional. It will only be included if it is
higher than the average score of your major tests. If you make less than a 50, you are stuck with the
grade. My reasoning here is that if you have gone through the presentations, you should be able to
make at least a 50 with your notes available.
Homework assignments will primarily require the use of Microsoft Excel. Details of assignments
and due dates will be provided. Late homework is generally not accepted.
Grades will be assigned as follows:
93-100, A; 90-92, A-;
87 - 89, B+; 83-86, B; 80-82, B-;
77 - 79, C+; 73-76, C; 70-72, C-;
67 - 69, D+; 60-66, D;
Below 60, F.
Makeup Exam Policy
Makeup exams are generally not given. If a student has an unexcused absence from an exam, the
general method for making this up is through taking the comprehensive final. The comprehensive
final will then receive additional weighting.
Expectations for Academic Conduct
As members of the University of West Florida, we commit ourselves to honesty. As we strive for
excellence in performance, integrity—personal and institutional—is our most precious asset.
Honesty in our academic work is vital, and we will not knowingly act in ways which erode that
integrity. Accordingly, we pledge not to cheat, nor to tolerate cheating, nor to plagiarize the work of
others. We pledge to share community resources in ways that are responsible and that comply with
established policies of fairness. Cooperation and competition are means to high achievement and
are encouraged. Indeed, cooperation is expected unless our directive is to individual performance.
We will compete constructively and professionally for the purpose of stimulating high performance
standards. Finally, we accept adherence to this set of expectations for academic conduct as a
condition of membership in the UWF academic community.
Assistance
Students with a documented disability who require specific examination or course related academic
accommodations should contact the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) by e-mail at
[email protected] or by phone at (850) 474-2387.
Financial Calculators
This particular class does not require extensive use of financial calculators, but we will use them
when we study bonds and possibly at some other points. My point of view is that all finance majors
should be armed with financial calculators and know how to use them. My preferred financial
calculator (just because it’s what I have always used) is the Texas Instruments BAII-plus. (I now
have the Professional version of it.) If for some reason you do not have a financial calculator, make
sure you get one with NPV and IRR functions.
You may not share calculators during exams.
FIN 4504 Investments
Course Outline and Schedule
Week of …
August 25
September 1
Chapter
1
3.1-3.3
2
September 8
5
September 15
Notes
September 22
4
September 29
6
October 6
6
October 13
October 20
October 27
November 3
November 10
7
8
Notes
Topic
Introduction & Risk and Return
Intro to Money Market, Stocks, and Bonds
Buying and Selling Securities
Stock Market
Common Stock Topics
Spreadsheet 1 due Thursday, September 18 at 11:59 p.m.
Mutual Funds
Common Stock Valuation
Spreadsheet 2 due Thursday, October 2 at 11:59 p.m.
Common Stock Valuation (continued)
Mid-Term Exam (TBA)
Covers chapters 1-6 and Stock Topic Notes
Market Efficiency
Behavioral Finance and Technical Analysis
Asset Allocation Examples
11
12
13
18, 19, 20
Diversification
Risk and the CAPM
Performance Evaluation and Risk Management
November 17
Bond Basics
Spreadsheet 3 due Thursday, November 20 at 11:59 p.m.
November 24
Thanksgiving
Take a break, catch up, or get ahead
December 1
10
Bond Prices and Yields
Spreadsheet 4 due Thursday, December 4 at 11:59 p.m.
December 8
Final Exam (TBA)
Covers chapters 7, 8, 10-13, 18-20, and Asset Allocation Notes
Note: This course outline and the dates established therein are tentative, and the instructor reserves
the right to change them.
This outline shows the approximate dates that material should be covered. Due dates for online
quizzes are all noted on the course e-Learning page. Online quizzes are typically due by the middle
of the week after inclusion on the schedule.