Undergraduate Courses

Finance

Introduces the basics concepts and tools of financial accounting and corporate finance. Topics covered include income statement and statement of financial position, purposes and limitations; statement of cash flows; analysis of financial statements; introduction to corporate finance, introduction to financial markets and institutions, time value of money, interest rates, and risk and return. Covers ethics in accounting and financial management.

Discusses the practice of financial management and the role of the Financial Manager. The basic concepts of finance, including the time value of money and conceptual framework of risk and return in financial markets. Overview of financial markets and institutions, financial statements, ratio analysis, cash flow analysis, capital budgeting techniques, security valuation, the cost of capital, techniques of financial planning and analysis and working capital management.

Pre-Requisites: ACCT110 And ECON102

An introductory course which presents basic theories, concepts, and analytical techniques in financial management. Topics covered in the course include evaluation of financial goals and objectives. Overview of financial markets and institutions; financial statements and cash flows; time value of money; ratio analysis; working capital management; short-term financing operating and financial leverages, financial forecasting and planning, capital budgeting techniques.

A second course in Finance which focuses on capital investments and financing decisions. Capital investments are evaluated under conditions of uncertainty. Financing decisions are examined through capital structure theory, cost of capital, and dividend policy. Valuation of securities integrates the impact of both investment and financing decisions. Other topics covered in the course instruments of long-term financing; leasing; mergers and acquisitions; corporate restructuring and reorganizations; international finance.

The theory and practice of capital investments and financing decisions. The theory of risk and return and modern portfolio theory and its relevance for capital investment decision making under uncertainty are discussed. Financing decisions are examined through capital structure theory, cost of capital, and dividends policy. Valuation of securities integrates the impact of both investment and financing decisions. Advances in alternate valuation techniques particularly in real options are covered. Instruments of long-term financing; leasing; mergers and acquisitions; corporate restructuring and reorganizations, risk management, corporate governance, agency theory, and international issues.

Covers the theory and practice of financial decisions and their interaction to determine the firm’s value. Capital investment decisions are examined with certainty and under risk. Financing decision is examined through capital structure theory, cost of capital. The dividends policy choices are explained with their implications. The management of working capital and short-term financing is explained. Valuation of securities integrates the impact different financial decisions. Other topics are also discussed such as real options analysis, leasing, mergers and acquisitions, agency theory and corporate governance.

Pre-Requisites: FIN250

Discusses the function of the financial markets, different asset classes, and how are they issued and traded and an introduction to security market indexes weighting schemes. Establish the relationship between risk and expected return within the framework of modern portfolio theory. Fundamentals of asset pricing theory, market efficiency, and behavioral finance are also covered in this course. Topics such as technical analysis, basic analysis of equity securities, fixed income securities, and basics of options are also covered in the course.

Pre-Requisites: FIN250 And (STAT212* Or STAT214*)

Co-Requisites: STAT 212 , STAT 214

None

Beginning of coop in summer. Description as given in FIN 351.

Each student participates in a 28-week program of industrial experience in Finance and/or related business area and submits a formal written report.

End of coop in summer. Description as given in FIN 351.

The Finance Internship provides the student with the opportunity to gain valuable practical business experience and insights in an organizational environment for a continuous period of 16 weeks to explore career interests while applying knowledge, competency, and skills learned in the classroom. The internship performance and responsibilities are evaluated by a faculty Internship advisor and a worksite supervisor through student’s submission of progress reports, employer’s feedback, final report, and presentation. Prerequisites: 85 Credit hours, ENGL 214, FIN 315, FIN 320, CGPA and MGPA of 2.0 and above.

Pre-Requisites: ENGL214 And FIN315 And FIN320

The summer training provides the student with the opportunity to gain valuable practical business experience and insights in an organizational environment for a continuous period of 8 weeks to explore career interests and prepare student for the demands of today's job market. The course is designed to expose students to the reality of his professional practice which contributes to their academic and career development. The student is required to write one progress report, a brief final report and make a presentation on their summer training experience and knowledge gained. Prerequisite: 65 Cr, ENGL 214, FIN 315, FIN 320, GPA>2

Covers the analysis of the key financial decisions made by multinational corporations (MNCs). The course provides an international perspective on financial problems faced by multinationals. Topics include the international financial environment; international money and capital markets; analysis of foreign exchange risk exposure and risk management; capital budgeting and working capital management for multinationals; foreign direct investment decisions; political risk assessment; international banking and taxation.

Pre-Requisites: FIN250

Discusses the theoretical and practical aspects of decision making in financial institutions including commercial banks, insurance companies, pension funds and asset management firms. Major topics include interest rate risk management, asset/liability and capital management under current Basel regimes; credit evaluation, lending policies, and practices, liquidity management; performance evaluation; investment banking; investment portfolio management; international banking.

Pre-Requisites: FIN250

Introduces financial management tools and techniques that are encountered by entrepreneurs in the lifecycle of their venture. The course builds on the basic financial tools and financial decisions framework with an emphasis on the unique challenges of start-ups in the stages of planning, financing, operations, governance, and valuation. Also, the course explains the role of venture capital and private equity and how they would contribute to start-up development. In addition, deal structuring, choices of achieving liquidity are also discussed in the course.

Pre-Requisites: BUS200

An introductory course in investment theory and principles. The course provides an overview of security markets, alternative investment securities, sources of investment information, and factors influencing security prices. Major topics include selection and management of financial assets; valuation techniques for stocks and bonds; fundamental and technical analysis; theory of efficient financial markets; risk-return analysis; introduction to portfolio theory.

Focuses on the application of investment theory in selection and analysis of securities and management of portfolios. Selection and management of security portfolios, applying tools and techniques developed within the modern portfolio theory framework. Management of fixed income security portfolios, duration analysis, asset pricing model; investment in options and futures and their role in hedging and speculation; portfolio performance evaluation and monitoring; examination of institutional investment policies.

Pre-Requisites: FIN320

Discusses different types of risks that face business entities including financial institutions face in their day-to- day operations. It discusses various types of risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk, operational risk, and reputational risk. This course will also introduce some important risk management tools and techniques such as hedging techniques to manage local and global markets risks.

Pre-Requisites: FIN315 And FIN320

Covers the valuation and the analysis of risk of fixed income securities. The topics covered include risk measures, namely duration and convexity and their relation to the term structure of interest rate. Also, fundamentals of credit analysis and the credit analysis models. In addition, asset-backed securities and their structure and valuation are discussed.

Pre-Requisites: FIN315 And FIN320

Builds on basics of security analysis and valuation tools learned in corporate finance, investment, and other business courses. Variety of valuation techniques are covered such as discounted cash flow models, multiples valuation, asset-based models, contingent claim models. Also, special topics of valuation will be introduced. For example, valuation of financial services firms, valuing start-ups, high-tech firms, and valuing businesses with negative earnings. In addition, accounting shenanigans and their impact on valuation will be discussed.

Pre-Requisites: FIN315 And FIN320

Focuses on practical financial modeling for purposes of financial planning and decision making. Spreadsheet-based financial models. Quantitative modeling applications in financial analysis and planning; valuation techniques including derivative security valuation; capital budgeting; leasing; statistical analysis; risk analysis; optimization techniques; investment analysis and portfolio management.

Pre-Requisites: FIN315 And FIN320

Introduces principles and practices of insurance and risk management including identification, measurement, and dealing with insurable risk in personal and business situations. Topics include theory of risk; insurance principles and terminology; implementation of risk management strategies through insurance coverage, risk retention, and risk reduction devices; financial aspects of insurance companies and markets; types of insurance coverage; basic features of selected insurance contracts.

Pre-Requisites: FIN250

Overviews the real estate markets; analysis of residential and commercial real estate development, mortgage financing and investment decisions. Fundamentals of property valuation, economic factors influencing property values, property management, and appraising principles for residential and income property, leverage, and methods of financing.

Pre-Requisites: FIN250

Introduces Islamic Banking and Finance, Islamic finance in Saudi Arabia and international Markets, Islamic contract Law, Islamic Banking and financial instruments, Applications of Islamic financing and Islamic bonds (Sukuk), Islamic insurance (Takaful), Social financing institutions, Islamic assets and fund management, Risk management in Islamic finance and Basel Accord, Islamic international infrastructure bodies and banking regulations, Innovation, products development, and future of Islamic financial industry.

Pre-Requisites: FIN320*

Co-Requisites: FIN 320

Covers corporate governance overview and Islamic perspective, Shariah requirements in products and operations (principles of Shariah Compliance), International shariah governance standards, Regulatory framework of Shariah governance system in Saudi and International markets, Governance structure and Shariah Supervisory Board, Shariah review and audit shariah review, Shariah committee reporting, Shariah Audit Scope, Shariah audit reporting, Shariah risk management, Special governance issues of Islamic financial Institutions, Shariah governance service industry (research, advisory, audit services).

Pre-Requisites: FIN440*

Co-Requisites: FIN 440

Covers capital markets overview and founding thoughts, Islamic finance: underlying contracts, instrument design and requisites, Islamic interbank money market (IIMM), Sukuk and Sukuk markets and indices, Sukuk pricing, Islamic equity market and indices, Islamic mutual funds, Islamic Exchange traded funds (ETF), Islamic real estate investment trusts (REIT), Shariah-compliant derivative instruments, Structured Islamic products, Islamic portfolio management.

Pre-Requisites: FIN440

Covers Islamic financial system, Islamic financial contracts, Islamic accounting and the regulatory framework, Conceptual framework, General presentation and disclosures requirements, Accounting for deposits and investments, Accounting for Mudarabah financing, Accounting for Musharakah financing, Accounting for Murabahah financing, Accounting for Ijarah financing, Accounting for Salam financing, Accounting for Istisna financing and parallel Istisna, Accounting for Takaful.

Pre-Requisites: FIN440

Examines practical problems in all areas of finance in a case study format. The course emphasizes the application of financial theories and analytical techniques to solve business problems in both domestic and international settings. Topics covered in the course include financial analysis and planning; working capital management; capital budgeting and cash flow analysis; lease financing; long-term financing and capital structure decisions; corporate restructuring, mergers & acquisitions, investment analysis, international finance. The course will focus on business case analysis.

Pre-Requisites: FIN315 And FIN320

Introduces derivative securities and the markets in which they trade. Explores the regulatory framework for financial derivatives and the operations of derivatives exchanges. Investigates the characteristics of futures and option contracts and their associated trading strategies to achieve risk-return objectives. Discusses arbitrage principles and pricing of derivative securities.

Pre-Requisites: FIN320

Covers the pricing/valuation of derivative securities including futures, options and/or fixed-income and interest-rate derivatives. Presents the classic pricing theory based on stochastic process. Also, examines dynamic hedging and synthetic options based classic Greek Letters and numerical methods. In addition, it conducts empirical tests for financial asset return process as well as market anomaly. Besides that, it discusses the market microstructure, limits to arbitrage and trading algorithm that affect derivative pricing. Introduces special topics if there is a breakthrough in financial engineering research.

Pre-Requisites: FIN320

This is the first of two courses for the multidisciplinary, capstone project. Multidisciplinary teams will be formed, projects will be defined, and project management discussed. SR standing required.

Execution and presentation of what have been formed and planned in FIN 477. Senior standing required.

Introduction to derivative securities and the markets in which they trade. Explores the regulatory framework for financial derivatives and the operations of derivatives exchanges. A detailed look at the characteristics of futures and option contracts and their associated trading strategies to achieve risk return objectives. Arbitrage principles and pricing of derivative securities.

Focuses on advanced, contemporary, and specialized areas in Finance not covered extensively in other courses.

Pre-Requisites: FIN315