Courses aiding the student to analyze critically, to think logically, and communicate effectively are judged by recruiters to be essential. Employers expect graduates to write clearly and concisely, to be articulate and personable, to work well with others, to possess numerical aptitude, and to use information technology tools to answer questions, create estimates, and interpret data.
Accounting is the language for financial concepts. Two introductory courses, Acct 201-202, and the first intermediate accounting course, Acct 301, are required for the finance degree and the second intermediate accounting course, Acct 302, is recommended. The finance department additionally requires Fin 304, a finance course in financial statement analysis, to give the student an opportunity to apply accounting knowledge to financial questions of valuation and company performance.
Financial logic is economic in nature. Both micro and macro economic principles, Econ 201 and 202, are prerequisites for Fin 301. Additional courses in intermediate economic theory, Econ 301 or 302, or Money and Banking , Econ 321, are useful business electives for finance majors.
A solid foundation in algebra and statistics is necessary for most undergraduate courses in finance. Many finance majors take only the quantitative course required of all business majors, i.e., Math 107 and 111, Mgmt 201, and CIS 300 as these provide a sufficient base to successfully complete the finance degree. The finance department requires of all majors an additional course, Fin 414, Economic Analysis and Forecasting, which provides finance majors with an introduction to the applied econometric tools of finance.
Highly motivated students who wish to maximize their learning at the University of Louisville in order to position themselves for graduate study in finance or for certain professional certifications are encouraged to take courses that will enhance their quantitative skills. Thus for students with a strong high school mathematics background and/or high quantitative test scores, Math 205-206 is strongly recommended rather than Math 107 and 111. These mathematics courses provide more of an intellectual challenge to the student than do the minimum degree requirements, but result in a much stronger base for advanced study such as an MS or Ph.D. in Finance or for actuarial certification, advanced training in risk management, or a thorough understanding of modern derivative securities opportunities.
