Course Syllabus
For a list of course activities and their due dates, scroll to the bottom of this page. New items will continue to show up as we move forward.
Please note that I reserve the right to make adjustments to the course schedule should unexpected situations arise.
Course Materials
Textbook (Optional)
Financial Modeling, by Simon Benninga, 4th Edition, MIT Press ISBN: 978-0262027281
I will provide all the necessary learning materials, so you are not required to buy the textbook.
Grades
Breakdown (Please ignore the total grades calculated by Canvas as they are not properly weighted.)
| Activity | Description | Points |
| Midterm Exams |
Both Exams Are Open-Book. They are worth 15 points each. Midterm I: Essential Excel Skills (Modules 1-2); Exam Dates: Apr 15 -- Apr 17 Midterm II: Present Value Models and Pro-Forma Models (Modules 6-7); Exam Dates: May 13-- May 15 |
30 |
| Attendance |
I will make roll calls in each live session. But you are only required to answer 5 of them and you will earn 2 points for each. |
10 |
| Group Projects |
There are five group projects. |
60 |
| Final Exam |
No Final Exam |
0 |
| Total Score | 100 |
Letter Grade Policy: A: 85 or higher B: 75 or higher C: 60 or higher
Course Components
Lecture Videos
I provide recorded videos for most of my lectures together with all the study materials you need to follow the lectures. Each week, you should plan your study according to the schedule provided at the beginning of each module. This typically involves 1) watch the lecture videos; 2) download the Excel files for the examples and practice on your own; 3) attend the live sessions; 4) prepare for and take the self-assessment quizzes; 5) work on the projects.
Live Sessions
We meet on Thursdays from 7 to 9pm Central Time on ZOOM.
Self-Assessment Quizzes
These quizzes are designed to check your mastery over the skills, techniques and procedures demonstrated in that week's recorded lecture videos. You should spend about 15 to 20 minutes to complete each quiz. Although these quizzes are not graded, I suggest you treat them as real tests. They really help you get ready for the exams.
Group Projects
Five group projects will be assigned.
The first one tests your general Excel skills
The second to the fourth projects test your skills in building quantitative investment strategies.
The last project tests your valuation techniques.
Exams
There will be two midterm exams and no final exam. The exams are open-book, Excel-based, and noncumulative.
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.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|