UMUC

School of Undergraduate Studies

Finance

Students may seek either an academic major or minor in finance.

The finance major provides the knowledge of financial concepts and analytical skills needed to balance finance theory and practical application. It combines a foundation in the principles of business, economics and accounting with an in-depth focus on issues and knowledge in finance and financial management. The curriculum covers business finance, financial management, investments and security analysis and valuation. Students are prepared to pursue a variety of careers in corporate and government financial management, investments, portfolio analysis and management, financial analysis, financial planning, banking, risk management and insurance.


Objectives

The student who graduates with a major in finance will be able to

  • Identify the most current methods for analyzing, interpreting and reporting financial information.
  • Discuss and describe the basic theories and techniques within the field of finance.
  • Identify and apply critical-thinking skills to analyze business problems, using the principles of the finance discipline, with special attention to the ways in which decisions in each dimension affect an organization's financial performance.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the essential role that information technologies play in business practice.
  • Explain how ethical, legal, regulatory, social, global, environmental and technological issues influence business decisions.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in finance requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 36 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements; and 43 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 18 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Finance Major - Course Requirements

Coursework for a major in finance includes the following:

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the BS in finance. Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.

Coursework for the major is indicated by ‡

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

  • EDCP 100 Principles and Strategies of Successful Learning (3) (strongly recommended as first course)
  • LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)
  • WRTG 101/101X Introduction to Writing (3)
  • MATH 106 Finite Mathematics (3) or higher-level math course
  • BMGT 110 Introduction to Business and Management (3) (strongly recommended elective for students with no prior business experience)

Introductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)

  • ‡ ACCT 220 Principles of Accounting I (3)
  • ECON 201 Principles of Macroeconomics (3) (related requirement for the major; also fulfills the first behavioral and social sciences requirement)
  • NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3) and NSCI 101 Physical Science Laboratory (1) or other course(s) to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory requirement
  • WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ writing requirement
  • IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3) or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software
  • PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3) or a foreign language course or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance or literature course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement

Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)

  • ‡ STAT 230 Business Statistics (3) or STAT 200 Introduction to Statistics
  • PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3) or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology or other course to fulfill the second behavioral and social sciences requirement (discipline must differ from first)
  • ‡ ACCT 221 Principles of Accounting II (3)
  • BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3) or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy or other course to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture requirement
  • ECON 203 Principles of Microeconomics (3) (related requirement for the major)
  • HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3) or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865 or other ARTH or HIST course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement in historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
  • SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3) or WRTG 390 Writing for Managers or other course to fulfill the communications/writing or speech requirement
  • IFSM 300 Information Systems in Organizations (3) or ACCT 326 Accounting Information Systems (related requirement for the major; also fulfills the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement)
  • ‡ BMGT 364 Management and Organization Theory (3)

Additional Required Courses (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

  • ‡ FINC 330 Business Finance (3)
  • ‡ MRKT 310 Marketing Principles (3)
  • ‡ FINC 340 Investments (3)
  • WRTG 394/394X Advanced Business Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ upper-level advanced writing requirement
  • ‡ ECON 430 Money and Banking (3) or other supplemental major course
  • ‡ FINC 430 Financial Management (3)
  • ‡ FINC 440 Security Analysis and Valuation (3)
  • ‡ FINC 460 International Finance (3) or other supplemental major course
  • BMGT 392 Global Business Management (3) (recommended elective)
  • BMGT 496 Business Ethics (3) (recommended elective)

Capstone Course for Major (to be taken in the last 15 credits)

  • ‡ FINC 495 Contemporary Issues in Finance Practice (3)

Minor and/or Elective Courses (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) 28


Recommended Minors

Total credits for BS in finance: 120