University of New Orleans - Introduction to Investments - FINANCE 2302, Spring Syllabus, 2008 OFFICE HOURS: Before class and by appointment.  I am an adjunct faculty member (part-time) and am never in my department office. I generally arrive at school around 30 minutes before class, see me then or email me, I can respond quickly. TEXT: The Wall Street Journal.   Go to www.WSJstudent.com to subscribe to the Journal.  The subscription will include access to www.wsj.com, the online version of the Journal, and a print version that will be delivered to the address that you provide them.  Since January, 2007, the Journal, like many publications, has turned to the internet to provide much of their content.  The tables that we will need in this class and many of the assignments for the course, will come from the internet.  Assignment rules are listed toward the end of this syllabus. COURSE OBJECTIVE: To give the student an understanding of investments and their valuations, knowledge of financial markets, financial mathematics sufficient to manage their own portfolio. Each semester classes vary and we tend to move through information slightly differently than a previous semester, it is for that reason that I do not assign specific dates to the subjects.  The "weeks" are approximations.  When exams approach, we will discuss an exam date in class that serves the majority at the time.  Exam dates will allow plenty of time between completing the material that will be tested and the exam itself. Introduction to the Investment Setting. Time Value of Money. Measuring Risk & Return. Mutual Funds Exam 1 on the above topics.  Exam terms are on this website. Bonds and Fixed Income Investments Term Structure of Interest Rates The Federal Reserve. Exam 2 on topics covered since exam 1.  Exam terms are on this website. Analyzing the Economy Analyzing Industries Analyzing Companies - Stocks Averages and Indexes Securities Business Brokerage Firms Exam 3 on topics covered since exam 2.  Exam terms are on this website. Derivative Securities - Options on Stocks. FINAL EXAM: Monday, July 28, 2008, 7-9pm; same room.  Final exam terms are on this website.   THE WALL STREET JOURNAL and ASSIGNMENTS: The Journal is an integral part of the course. Many of the assignments due during the semester are from the Journal or the www.wsj.com website.  I take attendance and measure class participation with these assignments.  I will curve this homework assignments by counting, for example, 12 of the 15 that I may ask for during the semester. Therefore, you will have 3 occasions in that example to "miss" the assignment and maintain a 100% for that part of the semester grade. This was an example, actual numbers may vary. When an assignment is picked up: I want the day’s journal that is required for that day. I do not accept a different day’s journal. I do not accept the assignment late (after that day’s class). If you are having subscription problems call 1-800-JOURNAL Do not take the assignments lightly. The points are significant to your final grade. This assignment is as easy as it can be – JUST BRING IT IN! There are no other "extra-credit" assignments to improve your grade. I will also require special sections of the Journal to be brought in after they are published. The paper produces tables and information on an irregular basis that is valuable to an investment course, I will give you sufficient time to bring them in. An example is the end-of-month, or end-of-quarter data on mutual funds; this is produced once a month/quarter and are good examples of reports that we should review. THE POINT OF AN ASSIGNMENT IS TO STUDY THE MATERIAL AS WE ARE COVERING IT.  AN ASSIGNMENT BROUGHT IN AFTER WE HAVE COVERED THE MATERIAL HAS LOST ITS VALUE.  NOT IN A MILLION YEARS WILL I ACCEPT A LATE ASSIGNMENT.  YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE THEM READY FOR DISCUSSION WHEN WE APPROACH THE MATERIAL.  FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN WE ARE DISCUSSING BONDS, THE BOND ASSIGNMENTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE AND READY TO USE IN CLASS. An assignment page is on this website:  Assignments for the Semester Students in past semesters have asked about a textbook.  Instead of requiring a finance text for this course (that usually cost over $150), I  have placed two copies of a book, that I think compliment my notes very well, on reserve in the library.  Ask the circulation librarian to use one of the texts' for Finance 2302. EXAMS: Exams are listed on this syllabus and will cover material indicated. Exams contain multiple choice questions. The final exam is selectively comprehensive. Terms for each exam including the final exam are on this website. You are required to bring a SCANTRON (Blue OR Green) form (available at the bookstore) to record your answers on each exam. I will have each exam graded immediately after all are collected and post the scores on this website by special code.  A Wall Street Journal or other assignment is NOT picked up on exam days.   On the SCANTRON form: 1. Print your name in the spaces provided and "bubble-in" the corresponding letters on the form. 2. Print in a number in the "Special Code" area of the form and "bubble-in" the corresponding numbers on the form. It is illegal to post grades by social security number or by name, your grade will be posted by special code so that you and only you know your score. Your special code is what ever you want it to be. Make one up.  You will lose two points on the exam if the scantron form is not properly filled out. Since the final is comprehensive, you may "drop" your lowest exam grade. You may not drop the final. You may not be exempt from the final. You may not "make-up" a missed exam, use the missed exam as the "drop."   Accommodation for Students with Disabilities: Student who qualify for services will receive the academic accommodations for which they are legally entitled. It is the responsibility of the student to register with the Office of Disability Services (UC260)   Academic integrity: Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.  Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following:  cheating, plagiarism, tampering with academic records and examinations, falsifying identity, and being an accessory to acts of academic dishonesty.  Refer to the UNO Judicial Code for further information.  http://www.uno.edu/%7Estlf/Policy%20Manual/student_policy_manual_frames.htm   Grading: 90 – 100% = A 80 – 89 = B 70 – 79 = C 60 – 69 = D 0 – 59 = F EXAM VALUES: Exam 1 = 25% Exam 2 = 25% Exam 3 = 25% Homework = Wall Street Journal and other assignments - 15% Final Exam = 35% I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE COURSE