Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Investments (Online)

FIN 6750-B70

Course: FIN 6750-B70
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ACFN
CRN: 30224

Course Description

This class serves as an introduction to commonly traded assets, as well as the markets on which they trade. For each major asset class, we learn common valuation approaches, as well as the theories used to estimate appropriate discount rates. Applied projects are used to illustrate the type of mathematical analysis used by investment professionals. (Fall - 2nd Session, Summer - 1st Session) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): FIN 6100 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: B- Registration Restriction(s): MBA majors and MSBA majors only

Required Texts

Essentials of Investments, by Bodie, Kane and Marcus
This course is set up with inclusive access this semester, which means once you register with McGraw-Hill, it will give you access to the textbook online as well as the problem sets.

Learning Outcomes


By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Identify major assets that are traded on public markets in the U.S. and internationally.  This will include understanding of key differences between the assets and demonstrating an understanding of the context in which market players utilize the different assets in firm and portfolio management.
  2. Correctly estimate the value of traded assets using commonly accepted valuation models.  
  3. Identify the key components of interest rates, the factors that affect them, and how changes in interest rates affect the value of commonly traded assets.  This includes the ability to infer forward rates from the yield curve.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of modern portfolio theory, including the ability to calculate portfolio statistics and optimization of portfolio weights to maximize the Sharpe ratio.  
  5. Apply investment theory in an international context.  Students will be able to estimate changes in exchange rates based on international parity conditions, and then interpret these changes to make investment decisions. 

Course Requirements


Grade Weights by Activity:
Three Exams:                60%
Practice Sets                 20%
Excel Projects:              10%
Quizzes:                        10%
The following grading standards will be used in this class:

GradeRangeA |    100 % to 93.0%
A- | < 92.9% to 90.0%
B+ | < 89.9% to 86.0%
B | < 85.9% to 80.0%
B- | < 79.9% to 76.0%
C+ | < 75.9% to 72.0%
C | < 71.9% to 68.0%
F | < 68.0%

Course Outline

Module 1: Market Structure, Participants and Terminology
Module 2: Fixed Income Investments and Management
Module 3: Statistical Methods in Investments and Modern Portfolio Theory
Module 4: Calculating Required Returns and Dividend Pricing Models
Module 5: Equity Valuation Models
Module 6: Derivative Securities and Option Pricing
Module 7: International Investment

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Valid Excuses: If you plan to miss or have missed a class, an exam, or an assignment, or submitted an assignment after the due date, SUU Policy requires that you petition the Office of Student Affairs for an excused absence. Student Affairs can issue an excused absence if your circumstances are extenuating. If you have a disability, contact the Office of Disabilities.
 
Late submission: If you submit an assignment after the due date without valid excuses, for every day your work is late, I will deduct 20% of the points earned. For example, if a student scored 80 points out of a possible 100 points and submitted the work 2 days late, she would earn 80/100 * (1 - (0.20 * 2)) = 48% with a minimum score of 0%. Unexcused missing assignments earn a zero.
 
Exams: If you have to miss an exam, you will need an excused absence from Student Affairs AND inform me before the scheduled exam times.  If you are not present on the scheduled date and time, you will earn a zero.

Attendance Policy

Online sections attendance is reflected by regular engagement with the course on Canvas. While there are no required log-in times unless otherwise noted, students are expected to:
  • Check Canvas regularly (ideally several times per week)
  • Keep up with readings, lectures, and assignments
  • Participate in discussion boards or collaborative activities, when assigned
  • Communicate with the instructor as needed and respond to messages in a timely manner

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.