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Mathematics of Finance and Risk Management

Program in Mathematics of Finance and Risk Management

The program in Mathematics of Finance and Risk Management (or Mathematics of Finance for short) is designed to provide a broad education in the quantitative aspects of risk management and finance. Today's financial instruments require sophisticated mathematical techniques for their valuation. These techniques come from the fields of probability, statistics and differential equations.

Mathematics of Finance & Risk Management Subplan Checklist

I. Prerequisites

The prerequisite to concentration in Mathematics of Finance is one of the pair of courses 205 & 217, 215 & 217, 285 & 217, or 295 & 296. In addition, each student must complete two introductory courses in Economics (Econ 101 and 102), and acquire a working knowledge of a high-level computer language (e.g. Fortran, C or C++) at a level equivalent to completion of EECS 183.

The concentration program must include at least ten courses: 4 basic courses (II.), 4 special Mathematics of Finance courses (III.), and 2 related courses (IV.) as described below.

II. Basic Courses

Basic courses consist of one from each of the following groups completed with a grade of at least C-:

  • Differential Equations: Math 286 or 316
  • Probability: Math 525
  • Statistics: Stats 426
  • Analysis: Math 351, or 451

More advanced students, such as those who have completed Math 396, may substitute higher-level courses with the approval of a major advisor.

III. Special Courses 

The special Mathematics of Finance courses must include Math 423, 474, 472, and 526.  Careful planning is essential. 

IV. Related Courses

To complete the major program, each student should elect two additional intermediate or advanced courses related to Financial Mathematics. Some, but not all, of the courses numbered 300 and above offered by Accounting, Computer Science, Economics, Finance, Industrial and Operations Engineering, and Statistics are appropriate here. Some specific approved courses are:

422Risk Mgmt & Insurance        IOE 310
 Intro Optim Methods
462Mathematical ModelsIOE 452
 Corporate Finance
623Computational Finance      
 
ECON 401   Inter Micro Theory                  IOE 452  Corporate Finance
ECON 402Inter Macro        FIN 302        Financial Decisions
ECON 409Game Theory          FIN 317  Corp Financing Decisions
ECON 452Intro to EconometricsDATASCI 406Computational Method

FIN 302

Financial DecisionsDATASCI 415Data Mining

 FIN 317 

 Corp Financing DecisionsDATASCI 451Bayesian Data Analy

FIN 408 & FIN 409

(1.5 Credits Each)

Capital Markets AND Fixed Inc SecDATASCI 470Intro Design of Exp
STATS 480Survey SamplingSTATS 503Stat Machine Lrning
STATS 500Regression AnalysisSTATS 505Econometric Anlys I
STATS 501Adv Regression AnlysSTATS 531Analysis Time Series
 
  • Some Statistics courses numbered above 400
  • All Accounting courses 300 and above

Other courses may sometimes be appropriate, and in all cases, approval of the advisor in Financial Mathematics is required.