Northeastern State University

                                                                                          College of Business and Industry

                                                                                                    Department of Finance

INSTRUCTOR:

 

Dr. Michael F. Toyne   Office: PA 109       Office Hours: MW 11:00 -12:30, TTh 10:30 – 12:30, F 10:00 – 11:00.      

                                                                                                                      

Telephone: (918) 456-5511 ext. 2908   FAX: (918) 458-2337                            

 

E-mail: toyne@nsuok.edu     Personal web page: http://arapaho.nsuok.edu/~toyne/

  

COURSE TITLE AND NUMBER:                                                                CLASS DAYS AND TIME:                                                                                                                   

FIN 3633 - Investments                                                                                              MW   1:00 – 2:15   

 

PREREQUISITES:

 

FIN 3213 MIS 1133

 

CATALOG DESCRIPTION OF COURSE:

 

In Finance 3633, techniques developed in the Principles of Finance course are applied to investment decisions made in securities markets. Among the topics covered are: goal and strategy development, the impact of economic and industry factors, basic security analysis and valuation, the operation of security markets, and security laws.

 

COURSE PURPOSE:

 

The primary purpose of this course is to provide students with the depth and breath needed to make personal investment decisions and understand the process of professional portfolio management. Students will learn how to formulate an investment strategy and evaluate and trade various types of securities including common stock, preferred stock, options, and futures. Students will also receive hands on investment experience through the use of the "Stock-Trak Portfolio Simulation".

 

EXPECTED COURSE OUTCOMES:

 

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

 

1 Formulate an investment strategy and evaluate and trade various types of securities including common stock, preferred stock, options, and futures.

 

2. Understand the dynamics of security markets and how assets are priced in those markets.

 

3. Be comfortable with risk measurement methods and the benefits of diversification.

 

4. Understand the characteristics and valuation dynamics of various investment opportunities including stocks options, futures contracts, convertible securities, and mutual funds.

 

5. Be able to evaluate mutual funds and mutual fund companies.

 

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:

 

Required Text:  Fundamentals of Investing, by Gitman and Joehnk, Harper Collins, 2004, Ninth Edition.

 

Other Requirements:  "Stock-Trak" Portfolio Simulation ($22.95 per entry) and access to the Wall Street Journal or other sources of current information regarding securities markets.

 

A business calculator will also be needed.

 

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES:

 

The primary format for class time will be lectures and class discussions of related material. In addition to assigned textbook readings, students are encouraged to read information sources the Wall Street Journal or follow other sources of current information on securities markets on a daily basis.

 

The "STOCK-TRAK" portfolio simulation is an integral part of the course. Students will develop and maintain a portfolio of securities.  In conjunction with this project, students will be required to justify their particular investment choices by utilizing various securities analysis techniques. There will be five writing assignments associated with this project. Some detail regarding these assignments follows.

 

                                                                                    Tentative Course Content - Spring 2007

 

Weeks                                          Material Covered

 

1 - 5                         Opening Remarks, Discussions of Projects

Overview of Investment Markets and Securities - Chs. 1, 2, & 3

Measuring Risk and Return (a review) - Ch. 4

Parts of Modern Portfolio Concepts - Ch. 5

Investing in Common Stocks - Ch. 6

Writing assignment 1 starts

Exam 1

 

6 - 10                       Analysis of Common Stocks  - Chs. 7, 8 & 9

Investing in Options - Ch. 15

Investing in Futures, an Overview of Ch. 16

Writing Assignment 2

Exam 2

 

11 - 15                     Analysis of Bonds - Chs. 9 & 10

Parts of Preferred Stock and Convertible Securities - Ch. 11

Mutual Funds - Ch. 12

Writing Assignment 3

Parts of Portfolio Administration - Ch. 13

Exam 3 – See Finals Schedule

 

STUDENT PERFORMANCE ACTIVITIES:

 

Attendance:

 

Students desiring to receive the maximum benefit from the course should attend class regularly. A seating chart will be used and attendance will be monitored.  If a student misses six classes, a grade of F will be assigned.

 

Additional Notes:

 

If a student elects to drop the course after April 7th, a designation of withdrawn passing (W) will only be assigned if all course requirements up to the official date of withdrawal have been completed and your average test scores are equal to or greater than 60% of available points. If you choose to drop the course be sure to follow university procedures to officially drop the course.  This is not done through the instructor. It requires a trip to the basement of the Administration Building.

 

ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES:

 

Performance in the Investments class is enhanced significantly by completing homework assignments prior to the start of class on the day they are due. If a project is handed in late, the score on the project will be reduced by 11% of the maximum value. Projects will not be accepted after graded projects have been returned. 

 

STUDENT EVALUATION:

 

- Three exams (100 points each)

- Four Writing Assignments 150 points

- Homework problems

 

If a student misses one of the first two exams, a make-up exam will be taken at the same time as the final (i.e., 3rd ) exam. Each additional missed exam will be assigned a grade of zero. 

 

Grading:  Letter grades will be awarded using the following schedule:

 

                                                       405 - 450   A

                                                       360 - 404   B

                                                       315 - 359   C

                                                       270 - 314   D

                                                           < 270     F

 

In order to respect the privacy of student information, grades will not be disclosed or discussed via the internet or over the phone.  Students wishing to receive final grade information in advance of the University=s normal grade report must present, in person, a self addressed card or envelope with postage to the instructor prior to the end of the course.

 

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE:

 

If any member of the class feels that they have a disability and needs special accommodations of any nature, the instructor will work with you and the University Office of Student Affairs to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that you have a fair opportunity to perform in this class. Please advise the instructor of such a disability and the desired accommodations at the first class.