Chair: Mark P. Zaporowski, PhD
Introduction
Finance B.S. Program
The analytical tools and problem-solving skills fostered in the Finance major will prove useful to any student who wishes to pursue a career in security analysis, business valuation, corporate management, investments, banking, real estate, insurance or small business. The program provides a concentration designed to help the student prepare for exams for licenses as Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA), Certified Financial Planners (CFP) and Insurance Brokers. A Finance concentration is also
available through the Economics major. Interested students should contact the department chair. For a more detailed description of the program, faculty, facilities, academic and co-curricular opportunities please go to
http://www.canisius.edu/economics-finance/overview/ finance/
Learning Goals and Objectives
For learning goals and objectives please go to
http://www.canisius.edu/economics-finance/learning-goals- objectives/
Qualifications
Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA in their major and a 2.0 overall average to graduate with a degree in Finance. All students must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to graduate.
Advisement
All students should have an advisor in the major and should contact the department directly to have an advisor assigned if they do not already have one. All majors should work closely with their advisor in discussing career expectations, choosing their major electives, developing their entire academic program and planning their co-curricular or supplemental academic experiences.
Curricular Requirements for the
Major Core Curriculum
All students complete Core Curriculum requirements as part of their overall Canisius education. These requirements can be found at http://www.canisius.edu/academics/core/
Free Electives
Free electives are courses in addition to the Core Curriculum and major requirements sufficient to reach a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation. Students may graduate with more but not less than 120 credit hours.
Major Courses
Course Title Credits
MAT 105 and MAT 106 or MAT 115 or MAT 111 Finite Mathematics
Calculus for the Non-Sciences Calculus for Business I
Calculus I
3 3 4 4 (MAT 115 is recommended over MAT 106. Additional mathematics is recommended if the student is preparing for a graduate program in economics or finance. The student should consult a departmental advisor.)
Course Title Credits
ECO 101 Principles of Macroeconomics 3 ECO 102 Principles of Microeconomics 3
ECO 255 Business Statistics I 3
ECO 256 Business Statistics II 3
ISB 101 Management Technology 3
FIN 201 Introduction to Finance 3
MGT 101 Introduction to Management 3 MGT 325 Operations Analysis for Business 3
MGT 370 Managerial Environment 3
MGT 446 Managerial Policy Strategy 3
MKT 201 Principles of Marketing 3
Finance major:
FIN 311 Corporate Finance 3
FIN 312 Investments 3
Major Electives
Four Finance courses at the 300 or 400-level. A maximum of two of the following four accounting courses (with a minimum grade of C- in each) may be substituted for Finance electives: ACC 301, 302, 303, 415.
Major Experiences
The Golden Griffin Fund is an investment fund run by Canisius students under the guidance of designated faculty members and local investment industry advisors. The fund selects students from applicants (usually Juniors) in the Spring for year-long participation during the Senior year. The student is expected to investigate several firms (under appropriate guidance) for possible inclusion in the portfolio. Students who have completed this experience have had exceptional success in securing high-profile positions.
The department also encourages internship experiences as part of the major and accepts one internship on a pass/ fail basis as a Finance elective.
Many of our majors have participated in the All-College Honors program and have written honors theses on topics in Economics and Finance.
Additional Course Considerations
• FIN 455 Financial Modeling and/or FIN 457 Quantitative Financial Analysis is strongly recommended for students wishing to pursue careers in banking, securities analysis or other financial services.
• Additional Mathematics courses are strongly
recommended for students wishing to obtain graduate degrees in Economics and Finance.
• Restricted electives (must be liberal arts) 4 courses • Free Electives (3 or 4 courses)
Recommended Semester Schedule for
Major Course Requirements
Year Fall Semester Spring Semester
Freshman FYS 101 (3 credits) ENG 101 (3 credits) ECO 101 (3 credits) ECO 102 (3 credits) MAT 105 (3 credits) or MAT 115 (4 credits) or MAT 111 MAT 106 (3 credits) or Free Elective if MAT 115/111 RST 101 (3 credits) PHI 101 (3 credits) ISB 101 (3 credits) MGT 101 (3 credits) Sophomore ECO 255 (3 credits) ECO 256 (3 credits)
ACC 201 (3 credits) FIN 201 (3 credits) MKT 201 (3 credits) ACC 202 (3 credits) Field of Knowledge 4 FIN 201 (3 credits) Business International
Requirement I (Two semesters of language or approved regional studies HIS 107-108, HIS 109-110, HIS 131-132)
Business International Requirement II
Junior FIN 311 (3 credits) FIN 414 (3 credits) FIN 312 (3 credits) FIN Elective
MGT 325 (3 credits) Field of Knowledge 1 Field of Knowledge
2 (Ethics) A and S Elective Field of Knowledge 6 Core Capstone Senior FIN Elective FIN Elective
FIN Elective MGT 446 (3 credits) MGT 370 (3 credits) A and S Elective A and S Elective Free Elective A and S Elective Free Elective
Dual Majors
Students who wish to expand their educational opportunities may decide to declare a dual major. The decision may be based on career goals or planned graduate studies. Before a student declares a dual major it is important to meet with the appropriate academic departments for advisement. Some dual major combinations can be completed within the minimum 120 credit hour degree requirement, but in some cases additional course work may be required. In order to declare a dual major, the student must complete the appropriate dual major request form and get the signature of each department chairperson and the appropriate associate dean. Dual majors in Business Economics and Finance are required to take six electives in total. At least two must be Economics electives and at least two must be Finance electives.
Notes: A strong accounting background is desired by
many corporations seeking job candidates with degrees in finance. For those who desire a career in corporate finance, ACC 303 is strongly recommended. FIN 455 is strongly recommended because many entry-level positions in finance require experience with financial modeling using personal computers.