Curriculum and course changes for Fall 2009

Limit on the number of FIN-prefix courses in one semester

Beginning with the Fall semester of 2009, students will not be permitted to enroll in more than 9 credit hours of FIN-prefix courses in any one semester. 

Progression standards for Quantitative Finance majors

Students wishing to pursue a B. S. in Quantitative Finance must be formally admitted to the program in order to enroll in the 300-level quantitative finance and finance courses required for the major.  In order to be admitted, a student must meet all four of the criteria cited below. 

  • Must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher in all JMU course work;
  • Must have a 2.5 grade point average in the following six courses: COB241, ECON201, GECON 200, MATH235, MATH236 and MATH237;
  • Must have no more than two D, F and WF grades, including any courses for which there has been repeat-forgiveness to replace a grade in the student's GPA, for COB241, ECON 201, GECON 200, MATH235, MATH236 and MATH237;
  • Must have completed at least one mathematics courses from the following list: Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (MATH238); Computer Methods in Engineering and Science (MATH248); Introduction to Probability and Statistics (MATH318); Fourier Analysis and Partial Differential Equations (MATH440).

New course for Fall 2009

FIN355: International Financial Management. Offered fall and spring semesters. The purpose of this course is the provide a comprehensive examination of the investing and financing decisions of a multinational firm.  Particular emphasis is placed upon global financial markets and instruments, exchange-rate risk management, short-term and long term financing for multinational firms, and asset-liability management in an international environment.  Pre-requisite: COB300B.

Revised course for Fall 2009

FIN455: Advanced Topics in International Finance.  Offered fall and spring semesters. The course will focus on the analysis of major international financial management issues and risks faced by businesses operating in global markets. The emphasis is on the management of foreign exchange transaction, operating and translation exposures by multinational corporations, the functions of various currency hedging instruments, and the application of international funding and investment techniques.  Pre-requisites: FIN355 and FIN371 or ECON372 and FIN371.

New title for an existing courses

FIN360: Analytical Methods in Finance. Previously entitled Money & Capital markets

BLAW 495: Contract Law, Sales, and Secured Transactions. Previously entitled Business Law I

BLAW496: The Law of Business Organizations, Negotiable Property Instruments, and Property.  Previously entitled Business Law II

Change in pre-requisites for courses

FIN488: Advanced Financial Policy.  Pre-requisite modified: twelve hours of FIN-prefix courses, including FIN360 and FIN365

FIN375: Madison Investment Fund Management.  Pre-requisite modified to include FIN371.