FIN 205. Market Values. 3 Credits.

Fundamental to both business and economics is the creation of value in the marketplace. This course examines competing economic systems (capitalist vs socialist) and their ability to create value for society. The course engages modern texts in addition to classical texts from Adam Smith and Karl Marx. The role of entrepreneurs and business persons in contributing to a flourishing society will be emphasized. In addition to in class discussions, lectures and activities, you will be expected to participate in several experiences outside of the classroom.

FIN 210. Personal Finance in a Digital World. 3 Credits.

This course integrates personal financial literacy with digital tools and applied behavioral finance concepts. Students examine financial decision-making in social, ecological, and digital contexts, developing practical skills and personal financial wellness strategies. The course emphasizes ethical and informed financial choices and the integration of digital financial information into everyday life.

FIN 320. Principles of Finance. 3 Credits.

Various concepts and analytical tools in business finance. Includes financial mathematics, valuation, financial analysis and planning, funding sources, capital budgeting, cost of capital, leverage, dividend policy, and working capital management. Prereq or Coreq: Restricted to College of Business major, minor or certificate and a 2.50 minimum NDSU grade point average.

FIN 330. Data Analytics in Finance. 3 Credits.

This course will introduce students to data science for financial applications. Students will investigate a variety of empirical questions from different areas within finance including: FinTech, asset management, international finance, and corporate finance. The course will highlight how data analytics shape the way finance is practiced by focusing on problems currently confronting finance professionals. Restricted to College of Business major or minor with a minimum cumulative NDSU GPA of 2.50. Prereq: FIN 320 with a grade of C or better and students must be a junior or a senior.

FIN 333. Insurance Planning: People, Property, and Prosperity. 3 Credits.

Learn to protect what matters most. Explore how individuals, families, and businesses manage risk and use insurance to secure their financial futures. Gain practical knowledge of life, health, auto, home, and business insurance, while building skills that apply to everyday life, insurance licensing exams, and careers in financial planning, advising, or business management. Prereq: FIN 320.

FIN 397. Cooperative Education. 1-4 Credits.

FIN 410. Investment Analysis and Management. 3 Credits.

Evaluation of various securities for investment (stocks, bonds), investment analysis (fundamental and technical), concepts of efficient markets, and market risk. Portfolio management and international investment aspects are briefly covered. Prereq: FIN 320. Prereq or Coreq: College of Business major, minor or certificate and a 2.50 minimum NDSU grade point average. Dual-listing: FIN 610.

FIN 411. Entrepreneurial Finance and Private Equity. 3 Credits.

This course examines how private equity, venture capital, and corporate restructuring mechanisms create, transform, and transfer value within firms and financial markets. Students analyze the full spectrum of private capital transactions, from early-stage venture financing to leveraged buyouts, management buyouts, mergers, acquisitions, hostile takeovers, and bankruptcies. Prereq: FIN 320. Dual-listing: FIN 611.

FIN 420. Options, Futures, and Other Derivatives. 3 Credits.

Evaluation of options, futures, and other derivative securities used for hedging, speculation, and arbitrage. Related market structure, trading strategies, and risks are examined. Prereq: FIN 410 with a grade of C or better. Prereq or Coreq: College of Business major, minor or certificate and a 2.50 minimum NDSU grade point average. Dual-listing: FIN 620.

FIN 430. Management of Financial Institutions. 3 Credits.

Development, role, and functions of depository financial institutions. Emphasis on domestic and international regulation, structure, management, and operations of commercial banks. Prereq: FIN 320. Prereq or Coreq: College of Business major, minor or certificate and a 2.50 minimum NDSU grade point average. Dual-listing: FIN 630.

FIN 440. International Finance. 3 Credits.

Concerns international financial markets, exchange rates, currency futures, and options. Includes financial aspects of international corporations such as management of corporate assets and liabilities, capital structure, cost of capital, capital budgeting, and international risks. Prereq: FIN 320. Restricted to College of Business major or minor and a 2.50 minimum NDSU grade point average. {Also offered for graduate credit - see FIN 640.}.

FIN 450. Advanced Bank Management. 3 Credits.

This course provides an in-depth examination of the financial services industry, with a focus on depository institutions. Topics will include profitability, bank regulation and examination, lending, enterprise risk management, deposit operations, and several others. This course includes a bank profitability simulation. Prereq: FIN 320. Prereq or Coreq: College of Business major, minor or certificate and a 2.50 minimum NDSU grade point average. Dual-listing: FIN 650.

FIN 451. Credit Analysis. 3 Credits.

This course provides an in-depth examination of lending, with an emphasis on commercial credit. It will closely follow the Credit Essentials Course from the Risk Management Association, with the goal of preparing students for the Credit Essentials Certificate Examination through RMA at the end of the semester. Topics will include identifying customer needs, analyzing financial statements, loan structuring and documentation, and problem loan identification. Prereq: FIN 320. Prereq or Coreq: College of Business major, minor or certificate and a 2.50 minimum NDSU grade point average.

FIN 452. Real Estate Lending. 3 Credits.

This course will address specific topics related to lending against real estate, including common lending practices, valuation issues, documentation, and the unique risks associated with real estate lending. Prereq: FIN 320. Prereq or Coreq: Students must be a College of Business major or minor and a GPA over 2.50.

FIN 453. Risk Management in Banking. 3 Credits.

This course will address the management of multiple non-credit risks in banking, including cybersecurity risk, third-party, culture, operational and fraud risk, along with enterprise risk and other relevant topics. We will also examine careers in risk management within the banking industry. Prereq: FIN 320 and students must be a College of Business major or minor with a GPA over 2.50.

FIN 454. Retirement Planning. 3 Credits.

Survey of various types of retirement plans, ethical considerations in providing retirement planning services, assessing and forecasting financial needs in retirement, and integration of retirement plans with government benefits. Particular emphasis will be placed on life-cycle retirement planning. This begins preparing a student for entering the career field of Professional Financial Planning. Prereq: FIN 320.

FIN 455. Estate Planning. 3 Credits.

Introduction to fundamentals of the estate planning process. Includes property transfer, tax consequences, probate avoidance, powers of appointment, and various tools/techniques used in implementing an effective estate plan. This course continues to prepare finance students for a career in Professional Financial Planning. Prereq: FIN 320.

FIN 459. Intermediate Appraisal of Real Estate. 3 Credits.

This course expands the knowledge on the valuation of real estate. It includes the valuation of residential, commercial, and undeveloped land. It will also provide best practices in real estate valuation. This course will offer potential certified appraisers the information they need to conduct appraising. Prereq: FIN 320, BUSN/AGEC 347 and a 2.50 minimum NDSU grade point average.

FIN 460. Corporate Finance. 3 Credits.

This course is an extension of FIN 320 with specific focus on the time value of money, risk and return trade-off, capital structure and firm value, project analysis, dividend policies, and financial case analysis. Prereq: FIN 320. Prereq or Coreq: College of Business major, minor or certificate and a 2.50 minimum NDSU grade point average.

FIN 461. Financing the Supply Chain. 3 Credits.

The flow of financing in the supply chain is fragmented, and sensitive due to frequent fluctuations in micro and macroeconomics indicators. Therefore, this course will highlight the need and importance of financial management within supply chain operations. In addition, this course will evaluate and highlights key enablers in financing the supply chain operations and recognize some of the factors impacting their future. Prereq: SCM 320. Prereq or Coreq: Restricted to College of Business major or minor and a 2.50 minimum NDSU grade point average. Cross-listed with SCM 461. Dual-listing: FIN 661, SCM 661.

FIN 470. Analysis of Fixed-Income Securities. 3 Credits.

An introduction to the valuation of fixed-income securities and the management of fixed-income investments. Prereq: FIN 320 with a grade of C or better. Prereq or Coreq: College of Business major, minor or certificate and a 2.50 minimum NDSU grade point average. Dual-listing: FIN 670.

FIN 471. FinTech and AI Applications in Finance. 3 Credits.

Introduction to the financial technology (FinTech) ecosystem and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in transforming financial services. The course surveys major FinTech domains, including digital payments, blockchain and cryptocurrencies, robo-advisory and WealthTech, and marketplace lending. Emphasis is placed on understanding core business models, data-driven decision making, and the implications of AI-enabled innovation for financial markets and institutions. Prereq: FIN 320. Dual-listing: FIN 671.

FIN 480. Applied Portfolio Management. 3 Credits.

This course combines theory with practice and provides students with a unique educational opportunity to study portfolio management through application. Students will gain real-time, hands-on experience in financial security analysis and valuation, asset allocation and portfolio management as applied to an actual investment portfolio. Students will also learn how to present their analysis of portfolio performance. Prereq: FIN 410 with a grade of C or better. Prereq or Coreq: College of Business major, minor or certificate and a 2.50 minimum NDSU grade point average. Dual-listing: FIN 680.

FIN 485. Applied Financial Planning: Cases and Client Skills. 3 Credits.

Students apply prior knowledge from insurance, investments, taxation, retirement, and estate planning to real-world client cases. The course emphasizes professional ethics, fiduciary responsibility, and soft skills such as communication, counseling, and behavioral insights. Students develop and present comprehensive financial plans while integrating professional standards and relevant regulations. Prereq: ACCT 418, FIN 320, FIN 333, FIN 410, FIN 454 and FIN 455.

FIN 489. Behavioral Finance. 3 Credits.

Behavioral Finance examines how cognitive biases, heuristics, and emotions shape individual financial decisions and market outcomes. The first half of the course focuses on foundational theory and current research, exploring why people deviate from rational financial models. The second half emphasizes practical applications, offering wealth managers and financial advisors actionable strategies and insights. Through in-class experiments, simulations, and case studies, students will deepen their understanding and develop skills for real-world financial decision- making. Prereq: FIN 320.

FIN 491. Seminar. 1-5 Credits.

FIN 494. Individual Study. 1-5 Credits.

FIN 499. Special Topics. 1-5 Credits.

FIN 610. Investment Analysis and Management. 3 Credits.

Evaluation of various securities for investment (stocks, bonds), investment analysis (fundamental and technical), concepts of efficient markets, and market risk. Portfolio management and international investment aspects are briefly covered. {Also offered for undergraduate credit - see FIN 410.}.

FIN 611. Entrepreneurial Finance and Private Equity. 3 Credits.

This course examines how private equity, venture capital, and corporate restructuring mechanisms create, transform, and transfer value within firms and financial markets. Students analyze the full spectrum of private capital transactions, from early-stage venture financing to leveraged buyouts, management buyouts, mergers, acquisitions, hostile takeovers, and bankruptcies. Dual-listing: FIN 411.

FIN 620. Options, Futures, and Other Derivatives. 3 Credits.

Evaluation of options, futures, and other derivative securities used for hedging, speculation, and arbitrage. Related market structure, trading strategies, and risks are examined. Prereq: FIN 610 with a grade of C or better. {Also offered for undergraduate credit - see FIN 420.}.

FIN 630. Management of Financial Institutions. 3 Credits.

Development, role, and functions of depository financial institutions. Emphasis on domestic and international regulation, structure, management, and operations of commercial banks. {Also offered for undergraduate credit - see FIN 430.}.

FIN 640. International Finance. 3 Credits.

Concerns international financial markets, exchange rates, currency futures, and options. Includes financial aspects of international corporations such as management of corporate assets and liabilities, capital structure, cost of capital, capital budgeting, and international risks. {Also offered for undergraduate credit - see FIN 440.}.

FIN 650. Advanced Bank Management. 3 Credits.

This course provides an in-depth examination of the financial services industry, with a focus on depository institutions. Topics will include profitability, bank regulation and examination, lending, enterprise risk management, deposit operations, and several others. This course includes a bank profitability simulation and examines several topics from Finance 630 at a deeper level, along with a number of new topics. Prereq: FIN 630. {Also offered for undergraduate credit - see FIN 450.}.

FIN 661. Financing the Supply Chain. 3 Credits.

The flow of financing in the supply chain is fragmented, and sensitive due to frequent fluctuations in micro and macroeconomics indicators. Therefore, this course will highlight the need and importance of financial management within supply chain operations. In addition, this course will evaluate and highlights key enablers in financing the supply chain operations and recognize some of the factors impacting their future. Cross-listed with SCM 661. Dual-listing: SCM 461, FIN 461.

FIN 670. Analysis of Fixed-Income Securities. 3 Credits.

An introduction to the valuation of fixed-income securities and the management of fixed-income investments. {Also offered for undergraduate credit - See FIN 470.}.

FIN 671. FinTech and AI Applications in Finance. 3 Credits.

Introduction to the financial technology (FinTech) ecosystem and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in transforming financial services. The course surveys major FinTech domains, including digital payments, blockchain and cryptocurrencies, robo-advisory and WealthTech, and marketplace lending. Emphasis is placed on understanding core business models, data-driven decision making, and the implications of AI-enabled innovation for financial markets and institutions. Dual-listing: FIN 471.

FIN 680. Applied Portfolio Management. 3 Credits.

This course combines theory with practice and provides students with a unique educational opportunity to study portfolio management through application. Students will gain real-time, hands-on experience in financial security analysis and valuation, asset allocation and portfolio management as applied to an actual investment portfolio. Students will also learn how to present their analysis of portfolio performance. {Also available for undergraduate credit - See FIN 480.}.