MASTER SYLLABUS

Course number & title:          BUS 442 - Investment Portfolio Management II 

Department(s):                       Finance

Credit hours:                          3

Prerequisites:                         BUS 432

Fees and charges:                  $40

Effective catalog date for this master syllabus:   2006/2007

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1. Catalog description:
Proficiency in portfolio construction, management, and protection; managing the Eagle Investment Group portfolios, understanding of investment portfolio theory, mastery of current investment analysis techniques, and preparation for NASD Series 7 Securities licensure.

2. Course content:
In the first semester, the students study the first half of the Series 7 Study Guide that was developed expressly for them.  

They also study the first half of Portfolio Construction, Management, and Protection by Robert A. Strong. Further, they read two other books on portfolio theory and practice.

 In the second semester, the students will study chapters 15 - 30 of the Series 7 Study Guide, will read The Money Game by Adam Smith and Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits by Philip A. Fisher, and will complete Portfolio Construction, Management, and Protection as follows...

Part 2 - Portfolio Construction, continued from first semester

Bond Prices and the Importance of Duration

Bond Selection

            Part 3 - Portfolio Management

Revision of the Equity Portfolio

Revision of the Fixed Income Portfolio

Principles of Options and Options Pricing

Option Overwriting

Performance Evaluation

Fiduciary Duties and Responsibilities

           Part 4 - Portfolio Protection and Emerging Topics

Principles of the Futures Market

Benching the Equity Players

Removing Interest Rate Risk

Integrating Derivative Assets and Portfolio Management

Contemporary Issues in Portfolio Management

3. Student learning objectives:
The course is a continuation of Investment Portfolio Management I in which students study various portfolio topics such as the theory of the random walk, firm foundation theory, modern portfolio theory, castles-in the-air, option pricing theory, and the like.  They also manage a portion of the University=s Endowment Fund and a smaller portfolio and study for the NASD Series 7 Licensure as well.

The goal of the course is to prepare senior students of Finance for Productive careers in the investment management/financial services industries by giving them the theoretical background (from Graham and Dodd to Markiwitz to Malkiel), practical experience in managing money, and certification from NASD as able to serve as Investment Representatives upon graduation. 

This program is unique in that it is a combination of all three facets of investment portfolio management and serves to differentiate graduates of Ashland University in their search for gainful employment.

4. Student assessment criteria:

Series 7 License Examination – final examination

Series 7 Practice Exams - weekly

Theoretical papers on The Money Game and Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits

Homework from Portfolio construction, Management, and Protection - as assigned

Class participation and leadership

5. Additional information (optional):
   

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