Course Syllabus

For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.

Course Prerequisites 

Each student should have completed an introductory finance course. 
We will assume that each student is comfortable with Excel and basic algebra. Although a prerequisite course in statistics is not required, I strongly suggest that you familiarize with the basics of statistics prior to this course if you haven't had a statistics course. 

Course Materials

The textbook is Essentials of Investments by Bodie, Kane and Marcus. I suggest that you read the most current edition (11th), but I don't think that earlier editions will be significantly different.

You will need to use Excel. For some assignments, you may need to have access to Excel in a PC that allows macros.

Grades

Breakdown

There will be 5 assignments which are worth 5% each. There will be 2 exams that are worth 35% each. The remaining 5% will be for attendance.

Activity	Breakdown	Percentage
Assignments	5 assignments at 5% each	25%
Exams	Midterm exam (35%) + Final exam (35%)	70%
Participation	8 Pre-Session Questions  + 8 Live Sessions	5%
	Total	100%

Course Components

The first part of this course will deal with Modern Portfolio Theory. This is how the vast majority of money is professionally managed. The second part of this course deals with Bonds - the most actively traded and largest asset-class in the world. Additionally, we will discuss Professional Asset Management and Market Efficiency.

Assignments

The assignments in this course are experiential learning activities where you'll be able to use Excel spreadsheets that I've developed. They are designed to help you construct optimal portfolios using stocks.

These assignments should be completed individually.  The assignments are due before the Live Session on the scheduled due date. If you are late, you will lose points.

Exams

There are two exams in this course, a midterm exam and a final exam. You will have four hours to complete the exam and you will be able to refer to your notes and course book.

Participation

To get the most out of this course, you'll need to actively engage with the content, your instructor and fellow classmates. Your participation will count toward your final course grade. You'll receive credit for participation by posting questions for your instructor and by joining a Live Session.

Pre-Session Questions

While reading the textbook and watching the pre-recorded lecture videos, you should make a note of questions you would like to discuss during the Live Session. Students will actively engage with the course materials and help drive discussion during the Live Session. You will need to submit 2 questions by noon, on the day of the Live Session.

Live Sessions

Each week, our class will meet online in real time. During this session, I will select some of the questions you posted and respond to them. Then I will elaborate on the readings and pre-recorded lectures. I will also use some of our Live Session to discuss the assignments.

You'll get credit for joining the session. If your schedule prevents you from joining one week, don't worry. I will post a recording of our session. You can watch the recording and submit a paragraph summarizing the key points in order to earn full points.

Course Policies

Communication

If you need to contact me, feel free to send me an email at wreese@ou.edu I will reply as soon as possible, generally within 24 hours. 

Late Policy

If you turn in assignments 1, 2, or 3  late, you will lose a few points (the number of points lost will depend on how late you turn it in). If you turn assignments 4 or 5 in late, and I have not yet discussed the answers with the class, you will lose a few points. If I have discussed the answers with the class, you will not receive any points.

 

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UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

ACADEMIC POLICIES AND STUDENT SUPPORT

Course Catalog 

Search the OU Course Catalogue.

Student Handbook

Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.

Online Library

Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.

Academic Misconduct

In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook. 

It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the definitions, policies, and procedures concerning academic misconduct. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.

This site also defines misconduct, provides examples of prohibited conduct, and explains the sanctions available for those found guilty of misconduct.

Plagiarism 

Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism. 

For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.

Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities

The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course should contact their professor as early in the semester as possible.

Students with disabilities must be registered with the Disability Resource Center prior to receiving accommodations in this course.

If you have a disability and you would like to make a request for reasonable accommodation, please see the Graduate Student Handbook or get in touch with the Disability Resource Center.

Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues

Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability.  Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.

Title IX Resources  

For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no contact orders, scheduling adjustments, and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. Please contact the Sexual Misconduct Office 405-325-2215 (8-5, M-F) or OU Advocates 405-615-0013 (24/7) to learn more or to report an incident. 

Religious Holidays

It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays without penalty. It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate arrangements with the instructor at least one week prior to the actual date of the religious holiday.

Copyright Policy

It is illegal to download, upload, reproduce, or distribute any copyrighted material, in any form and in any fashion, without permission from the copyright holder or his/her authorized agent. The University of Oklahoma expects all members of its community to comply fully with federal copyright laws. If such laws appear to have been violated by any user, the university reserves the right (1) to terminate that user’s access to some or all of the university’s computer systems and information resources and (2) to take additional disciplinary actions as deemed necessary or appropriate. Repeat offenders will be sanctioned and their privileges terminated.

Registration and Withdrawal

If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must complete the appropriate University form and turn the form in before the deadline. If you stop attending the course and doing the coursework without doing the required paperwork, your grade will be calculated with missed homework and examination grades entered as zero. This could result in receiving a grade of F in the course. Deadlines are shown in the Academic Calendar, which is available from the Office of the Registrar.

Student Grievances

In addition to any policies outlined related to submitting an informal or formal grievance by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook for more information about the process of submitting a formal grievance.