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Brandeis International Business School
Last updated: August 14, 2014 at 4:30 p.m.
The Brandeis International Business School (IBS) is a pioneering professional school dedicated to teaching and research in global business, finance, and economic policy. Established in 1994, the school responds to the need for international vision and expertise by preparing exceptional individuals from around the world to become principled leaders of global companies and public institutions.
The school takes students to new levels of understanding of key disciplines, immerses them in international experiences, and connects them to best practice in business and policy. This learning experience transforms the way its graduates view the world and helps them develop insights to chart its future.
The school’s research covers many topics including technology and globalization, international trade and investment, corporate governance, currency markets, corporate finance, computational finance, corporate alliances, entrepreneurial investing, cross-cultural interaction, organizational change, regulation, consumer behavior, organizational behavior, technology strategy, and risk. Its major research units include the following:
The Asper Center for Global Entrepreneurship
The Asper Center for Global Entrepreneurship serves as Brandeis’ platform to probe and understand the key trends affecting entrepreneurship across cultures and borders. The Center provides a wide array of learning experiences, brings entrepreneurs from around the world to the Brandeis campus, and conducts research on the structure and impact of global entrepreneurship. The Asper Center was established in 2006 by Leonard J. Asper '86.
The Perlmutter Institute for Global Business Leadership
Established by Brandeis Trustee Louis '56 and Barbara Perlmutter in 2008, the Perlmutter Institute focuses on the intersection of business, the global economy, government, and civil society. Using a multi-disciplinary, holistic approach, the Institute prepares students for leadership in a globally interdependent world, promoting the value of balancing profit and the public good.
The Rosenberg Institute of Global Finance
The Rosenberg Institute of Global Finance seeks to analyze and anticipate major trends in global financial markets, institutions and regulations, and to develop the information and ideas required to solve emerging problems. The Institute, founded in 2002, is named for Barbara C. Rosenberg '54 and Richard M. Rosenberg.
The Asia-Pacific Center for Economics and Business
The Asia-Pacific Center for Economics and Business conducts research, teaching and outreach on business and economic issues in the Asia Pacific region and on US-Asia Pacific relations. Its activities include faculty research projects, conferences, seminars, graduate and undergraduate courses, and exchange programs with Asia-Pacific universities.
The Steven M. Bunson ’82 Finance and Society Initiative
The Steven M. Bunson ’82 Finance and Society Initiative serves as a cornerstone of the IBS offerings in socially responsible business. It supports courses and programs that are closely aligned with our commitment to the social and environmental needs of the broader society. Experiential learning opportunities include internships, field trips, speakers and student club activities.
Global Green Initiative
The Global Green Initiative at Brandeis International Business School is a multidisciplinary program in research and education dedicated to innovative thinking in corporate sustainability. The Initiative’s mission is to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of environmental and social concerns on business strategy, devise new approaches to sustainability and put them into practice. It is rooted in the realization that actions to advance sustainability can lead to business success as well as improve society and the environment.
Latin American Initiative
The Latin American Initiative is a collaborative effort with seeking to increase the visibility of Brandeis IBS in Central and South America, through establishing strong business and governmental relationships, university partnerships, and outreach to local communities. The Initiative aims to have a long-term positive impact on student recruitment, alumni engagement, fundraising, and the creation of professional opportunities for students and graduates.
Lemberg MAief Program
The Lemberg Masters in International Economics and Finance is a two-year (four academic-year semesters) professional degree that integrates high-level conceptual analysis in economics and finance, on the one hand, with practical applications and a global economic perspective, on the other. The degree prepares students for careers in finance, economic policy, consulting, multinational corporations, and international organizations.
MBA Program
The MBA at IBS is a two-year (four academic-year semesters) professional degree, and offers in-depth preparation in all business and management functions. All MBA students can customize their program to focus on any of the specializations available at IBS. Students who do not complete such a specialization will automatically earn an MBA in International Business.
MSF Program
The MS in Finance is a ten-course, part- or full-time program focused on the quantitative and analytical tools of modern finance, with emphasis on applications in investments and corporate financial management. The program accommodates the schedules of working professionals by offering year-round evening courses.
PhD Program
The PhD in International Economics and Finance, offered in collaboration with the university's economics department, provides advanced training in economic theory, research techniques, and creative problem-solving in an integrated, global economic framework. The program prepares students for research, teaching, and policy making careers in business, government, and international agencies.
Combined BA/MA Programs
Brandeis and Wellesley College undergraduate students may apply for admission to a special BA/MA track within the Lemberg MAief Program in the spring of their third year. They begin taking program courses in their fourth year of undergraduate study and satisfy the master's degree requirements in one additional year of study at the graduate level after receiving their BA.
BA/MBA Dual Degree Program
Prospective or current Brandeis graduates with a BA or BS degree may apply for admission to one of two special BA/MBA tracks; application s normally in the student's senior year or after graduation. Brandeis students with a BS in any major or a BA in any field of science are eligible for admittance to the BA/MBA-Science track, even without work experience. Students with a BA in another field of Liberal Arts will be eligible for admittance to the BA/MBA-Liberal Arts track, if they have gained a minimal amount of work experience through internships. Students in the BA/MBA tracks will be able to count 16 credits of prior undergraduate work towards their MBA, thus reducing the time to completion for the MBA to three semesters beyond the Bachelor’s degree.
How to Be Admitted to the Brandeis International Business School
The school seeks outstanding candidates from around the world and from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Factors critical in the evaluation of applicants to all IBS degree programs include academic achievement, aptitude for graduate study, motivation, leadership, and experience. Detailed information regarding admission requirements, applications, policies, and procedures is available on the IBS website and by contacting the Office of Admissions.
Test Scores and Deadlines
Applicants for the MBA, MSF and Lemberg MAief Programs must submit the results of either the GMAT or the GRE. PhD applicants are required to submit the results of the GRE. A TOEFL score of 100 (iBT) or higher is required for students whose native language is not English. Applicants for MBA, MSF and MAief program are exempt from submitting a TOEFL score if they have completed a 4 year undergraduate or graduate degree at a University in a country where English is the official language, and language of instruction in all school systems. Applicants for PhD program are exempt from submitting TOEFL score if they have completed a 4 year undergraduate degree. Interviews are recommended for students applying to the Lemberg MAief or MSF programs and required for those applying to the MBA program.
Lemberg MAief and MBA Program: Applications are due by November 1, February 15 and April 15 for priority consideration for financial aid and scholarships. Final application deadline is May 15.
Lemberg MAief Program, BA/MA track: Application deadline for admission is March 15.
MBA Program, BA/MBA tracks: Applications are due by November 1, February 15 and April 15 for priority consideration for financial aid and scholarships. Final application deadline is May 15.
One-Year, Full-Time MSF Program: Applications are due April 15 for fall entry; March 15 for summer entry and November 15 for spring entry.
Part-Time MSF Program: Rolling Admission but recommended deadlines are January 7 for spring entry; April 15 for summer entry; and August 1 for fall entry.
PhD Program: Application deadline is January 15. Note: Admission is offered only in the fall of even years (2016, 2018, etc.).
Registration
Every resident, post-resident, and continuation student must register at the beginning of each term, whether attending regular courses of study, carrying on research or independent reading, writing a thesis or dissertation, or utilizing any academic service or facility of the university. All students on semester abroad must register and enroll in ECON 290a for that semester.
Students enrolled in full time degree programs are required to enroll in and maintain a minimum academic load of 12 credits per semester. Twenty credits per semester is the maximum load per semester allowed unless additional credits are authorized by an IBS program administrator.
Please refer to the Academic Calendar for specific deadlines for adding and dropping courses. In order to drop a class after the end of the registration period, a student must receive permission from the instructor and Program Advisor by completing the Add/Drop form available from the IBS Office of Administration and Student Services. The completed form with all necessary signatures must be returned to the Office of the University Registrar, Kutz 121.
Auditing Courses
The privilege of auditing courses without paying a fee is extended to all regularly enrolled full-time graduate students except special students. Special students may audit courses by paying for them at the same rate as those taken for credit. No courses may be audited without the permission of the instructor. Auditors may not take examinations or expect evaluation from the instructor. No credit is given for an audited course.
Course Exemptions
Students may request an exemption from one or more required courses, but all such requests must be made during a student's first semester.
For many required courses, exemption requires passing a test in September. For Lemberg students the list of such courses includes Applied International Macroeconomics (ECON 202a), Applied Microeconomics (ECON 207a), and Investments (FIN 201a).
For other courses students must demonstrate that comparable academic work was done prior to beginning an IBS program. The work must be relevant and relate closely with the material covered in the IBS class, as determined by the program directors. The request must be in writing on a specific form -- the Petition for Exemption from Degree Requirement form. These may be obtained from the IBS website. A course syllabus and transcript must accompany the completed form.
Obtaining an exemption from a required course does not reduce the number of courses needed to complete the program; rather, exempted courses need to be replaced with electives.
Incompletes
A student who cannot take a final examination as scheduled during Finals Week may, with the permission of the instructor, file for a make-up exam by completing an Excused Absence Form, available on the IBS website. The exam may be taken at a time mutually agreeable to the student and instructor. If a mutually agreeable arrangement cannot be identified, the make-up exam will be administered by the Office of the University Registrar according to university policy. A make-up examination may not take place prior to the scheduled exam.
A temporary grade of EA (Excused Absence) will show on the student’s transcript until the final grade for the course has been determined. The exam must be completed no later than is allowed by the university Registrar’s make-up exam schedule. Failing to do so will result in a failing grade on the exam.
Residence Requirements
Residence requirements vary by program and can be found in a later section of this Bulletin.
Extended Masters
In special situations a Master's student who has completed residence requirements may be permitted to remain at the university while completing degree requirements. Such an "extended Master student" should register for the appropriate courses required to complete his/her program. and will be permitted to utilize the full range of academic services and university facilities. Please refer to "Fees and Expenses" below for extended master tuition information.
Continuation Students
A doctoral student who has completed all degree requirements except the dissertation is eligible for continuation status. A student in this category enrolls on a full-time basis, and is eligible for university health insurance, borrowing privileges in the Library, a computer account, use of gym facilities, and purchase of a parking sticker. They are not normally eligible for fellowships or for leaves of absence, except for health reasons.
A student must be registered and enrolled in the term(s) in which the dissertation is defended.
Continuation students must enroll before the end of registration period each semester in CONT 500a (Graduate Research). For questions regarding these enrollments, please contact the Office of the University Registrar.
Special Students
Properly qualified applicants who wish to audit or to take courses without working for a degree may be admitted. Special students are normally not eligible for university loans, scholarships, fellowships, or teaching or research assistantships. Special students who later wish to change their status to that of part-time or full-time students working for a degree must apply for admission as traditional students. They must also file a petition if they wish credit to be accepted for any courses they took at Brandeis as special students. Credit for such course work may be granted in exceptional cases. Normally, no more than two courses taken for credit are transferable if the student is admitted to either the master's or doctoral program.
Leave of Absence
Students may petition for a leave of absence. The petition must have the approval of the Associate Dean of Administration and Student Services. Leaves of absence of up to one year will normally be granted to students in good academic standing who present compelling personal reasons. Returns from leave may be subject to conditions established at the inception of the leave. Time spent on authorized leaves of absence will not be counted toward the maximum time permitted to complete degree requirements.
If for any reason a student must extend a leave of absence, he or she must request such an extension in writing before the leave of absence expires. Failure to do so will result in involuntary withdrawal from IBS. Students who extend their leaves of absence beyond one year may lose funding. Should a student wish to return, the student will be considered for funding as part of the school's entering class of students.
Withdrawal
A student who wishes to withdraw voluntarily from IBS during a semester must do so in writing to the Associate Dean of Administration and Student Services or to the student's Program Advisor. . Failure to notify in writing of a withdrawal may subject the student to loss of eligibility for refunds in accordance with the refund schedule outlined in the "Fees and Expenses" section. Permission to withdraw voluntarily will not be granted if the student has not discharged all financial obligations to the university or has not made financial arrangements satisfactory to the bursar. When a student withdraws after a certain date each semester, course enrollments are not expunged from his or her record; rather, a grade of W ("withdrawn") is entered for each course.
Students who are obliged to register and fail to do so by the appropriate deadline or who fail to pay their bill will be administratively withdrawn. They may be readmitted (see below) for study in a subsequent term, but not for the term in which they were withdrawn for failure to register. Belatedly fulfilling financial obligations will not negate the effects of administrative withdrawal. Additionally, a student may be administratively withdrawn due to unacceptable academic performance, violations of academic integrity, or violations of the University's Rights and Responsibilities.
Readmission
IBS does not offer deferral of admission. The student will need to reapply to the program. The same requirement holds for a student who has not obtained a leave of absence. Students will need to apply for readmission through the web-based application and will be charged the readmission fee. An updated CV, updated test scores are also required. IBS will determine in each case whether a student should be readmitted. If requirements have changed during the student's absence or the student is not deemed current in his or her field of study, the student may be required to repeat or supplement previous academic requirements. When a student is reinstated, he or she will be informed of current status regarding credits and time to degree.
Graduate Cross-Registration
A full-time graduate student at Brandeis may enroll in one graduate course each term at Boston College, Boston University, Tufts University, Bentley University, or Babson College. Information on available courses for cross-registration is available at the graduate school office of each institution.
A student at Brandeis who wishes to enroll in a graduate course at one of the host institutions must obtain a cross-registration form from the Office of the University Registrar and secure the approval via signature of the IBS academic advisor, the instructor of the course, and both the Brandeis and host registrar's office.
Due to differences in academic calendars among the colleges in the consortium, it is not advisable for degree candidates to enroll in a cross-registered course in their final semester.
Academic Honors
At graduation, Brandeis will grant the honor of "Graduating with Distinction" to IBS MAief, MBA, and MSF graduates whose academic performance placed them in approximately the top 25% of students receiving each of these degrees in the past year.
Brandeis will grant the honor of "First-Year Distinction" to IBS MAief and MBA students whose academic performance in their first two semesters placed them in approximately the top 25% of the students in their programs in the past year. Students who have completed at least 28 credits toward their graduate degree in their first two fall/spring semesters are eligible for this distinction.
These honors will be recorded on the official Brandeis transcript of each recipient.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition
Tuition for full-time resident students for the 2014-2015 academic year is $22,874 per semester (or $45,748 per two-semester academic year) for Lemberg MAief, MBA, and PhD students. The same tuition rate applies if studying abroad while participating in the IBS exchange program. Tuition for full-time MSF students is $45,748 per academic year ($22,874 paid in fall/spring) for 40 credits of coursework completed within a 15 month period provided that 32 credits of coursework is completed within one calendar year. Full-time MSF students who take more than 40 credits will be charged the current per-credit tuition rate. The tuition rate for the part-time MSF students is $4,425 per course / $2,213 per module course ($1,107 per credit). Students who will be at Brandeis more than one year may expect tuition and other charges to increase slightly during their academic careers.
Payment of tuition and other fees is due in August, for the fall semester and January, for the spring semester. A student who has not paid such fees by the first day of registration will be refused the privilege of registration. A late fee will be assessed to all student accounts with outstanding balances after the stated due date. The amount of the late fee will be $100, or 2 percent of the outstanding balance, whichever is greater.
Extended Master
If a Lemberg MAief or MBA student does not complete all degree requirements by the end of their residency, any courses he or she takes to complete his or her degree are then charged at the current per-credit tuition rate as established by the University Full-time MSF students are permitted to extend their program for one additional semester at no additional cost, provided they have completed a minimum of 32 credits within one calendar year. Students not meeting this requirement will be placed given extended master status and charged the current full-time per-credit tuition rate. The 2014-2015 extended master rate is $1,430.
A bank service fee will be charged to a student's account if a payment or a check negotiated through Brandeis is returned by the bank for any reason.
Transcript Fee: $5
Students, former students, and graduates should request official transcripts of their records from the Office of the University Registrar. Students are entitled to twenty formal transcripts of their academic work without charge. A charge of $5 will be made for each subsequent transcript. Requests by mail for transcripts must be accompanied by a check in the correct amount, payable to Brandeis University. Official transcripts will be issued only to those students whose university financial records are in order.
Orientation Fee: $44
Assessed once to incoming full-time students.
Graduate Activity Fee: $80 per year
Assessed yearly to all full-time students.
Student Health Services Fee: $726 per year (optional)
Entitles the full-time graduate student the use of Health Services.
Student Health Insurance Plan (single coverage): $1,903 per year
All three-quarter or full-time students are required by state law to show certification of health insurance. Students without insurance of their own must purchase the Student Health Insurance Plan through the university. The fee is payable prior to registration and no portion is refundable. Student insurance is optional for special students. Additional insurance options, including family coverage, are described in A Guide to University Health Services, which is available from Health Services.
Parking Fee: $60 - $250 per year
Payable annually at fall registration for privilege of parking an automobile on campus. Fee varies with assigned parking area.
Defaults and Late Fees:
A student who defaults in the payment of indebtedness to the university shall be subject to suspension, dismissal, and refusal of a transfer of credits or issuance of an official transcript. In addition, the university may refer the debt to an outside collection agency. The student is responsible for costs associated with the collection of the debt.
Such indebtedness includes, but is not limited to, delinquency of a borrower in repaying a loan administered by the student loan office and the inability of that office to collect such a loan because the borrower has discharged the indebtedness through bankruptcy proceedings. If the student is a degree, certificate, or diploma candidate, his or her name will be stricken from the rolls.
A student who has been suspended or dismissed for nonpayment of indebtedness to the university may not be reinstated until such indebtedness is paid in full.
A late fee of $100, or 2 percent of the outstanding balance, whichever is greater, is charged to any student’s account that is not paid by the due date.
Final Doctoral Fee: $235
This fee covers all costs for the year in which the PhD degree will be conferred, including the costs for the full publishing services for the dissertation; publication of the abstract of the dissertation in Dissertation Abstracts; issuance of a Library of Congress number, appropriate library cards, and deposit of the dissertation in digital format at the Library of Congress; binding four copies of the dissertation—one hardbound for the author, and three xerographic softbound copies (for the author, IBS, and Library); and a microfiche for the Brandeis Library. The final doctoral fee covers the rental expenses for academic robes for graduation and the cost of the diploma.
Refunds
The only fee that may be refundable, in part, is the tuition fee. No refund of the tuition fee will be made because of illness, absence, or dismissal during the academic semester. A student who is withdrawing must notify IBS in writing; refunds will be based on the date of notification and calculated in accordance with the following:
1. Tuition
Withdrawal
Before the opening day of instruction: 100 percent of the term's tuition.
On or before the second Friday following the opening day of instruction: 75 percent of the term's tuition.
On or before the fifth Friday following the opening day of instruction: 50 percent of the term's tuition.
After the fifth Friday following the opening day of instruction: no refund.
Requests for refunds should be addressed to the Office of Student Financial Services.
2. Scholarship
In the case of a scholarship student who withdraws, the student's account will be refunded consistent with the proportion of tuition paid. Of the total tuition paid, 100 percent will be reimbursed if the student leaves before the first day of instruction, 75 percent will be reimbursed if the student leaves on or before the second Friday; 50 percent on or before the fifth Friday, and no refund thereafter.
3. Stafford Loans
In compliance with federal law, special refund arrangements apply to students receiving aid under Title IV. Contact the IBS financial aid officer for additional information.
4. Refund Policy for Dropped CoursesA student who drops courses on the per-course tuition-charge basis is allowed a refund following this schedule:
1. Full semester-long courses
Before the opening day of instruction through the last day of the registration period (see the Academic Calendar): 100 percent of the dropped course’s tuition fee.
On or before the fifth Friday following the opening day of instruction: 50 percent of the dropped course’s tuition fee.
After the fifth Friday following the opening day of instruction: no refund.
2. Module courses
On or before the second Friday of module instruction (see the Academic Calendar): 100 percent of the dropped course’s tuition fee.
After the second Friday of module instruction: no refund.
Housing
Ten-month living expenses in the Waltham area for a single individual on an economical budget are estimated to range from $9,000 to $18,486. Limited housing is available in the university's graduate residence halls and is usually reserved for exchange students during the fall semester. Costs for on-campus housing range from approximately $3,757 to $4,578 per semester for a single person. Graduate housing includes kitchen facilities, but students may also purchase university meal plans.
Financial Aid
Both U.S. residents and international students are eligible for merit- and need-based financial support from IBS and are also encouraged to explore outside funding sources. To be considered for need-based financial aid through federal loan programs, U.S. residents must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. In past years, international students have received support from the Fulbright, Muskie, Ford, Mandela, Soros, and other scholarship programs and from their governments and employers.
Scholarships
Committed to enrolling a highly qualified student body, the school awards scholarships and loans based on academic and professional promise, need, and availability of funds. All students—U.S. residents and international students—are automatically considered for scholarship assistance upon admission.
Financial support varies by program. Financial aid is not available for part-time or full-time MSF students. MAief and MBA students are sometimes offered partial tuition scholarships, but in all cases are expected to finance their own living expenses. Exceptional PhD students may receive full tuition waivers and support toward living expenses. Master’s degree students who study abroad receive a grant toward the cost of airfare to the partner school.
The school’s major scholarship programs include:
Dean’s Prize Scholarships
American Leadership Awards
Global Leadership Awards
Jeffrey J. Steiner Fellowship
Women in Business Scholarships
Women in Economics Scholarships
Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accountant
National Society of Hispanic MBA Scholarships
National Society of Black MBA Scholarships
National Association of Black Accountants
Peter Petri Global Fellowship
Milton W. Feld Fellowship
Isaiah Leo Scharfman Fellowship
Further information on eligibility and application requirements for these scholarships and for the school’s need-based aid is provided on the IBS website and can be obtained also by contacting the IBS Office of Admissions.
Assistantships
A limited number of research and teaching assistantships are available for qualified students.
Loans
Only the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan is available to graduate students. Applicants must still complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to qualify for this loan. Graduate students may borrow up to a maximum of $20,500 a year with an aggregate maximum of $138,500, with no more than $65,500 in subsidized loan funds. For the 13-14 academic year, the interest rate on the Stafford Loan was a fixed rate of 6.21 percent and the origination fee was 1.072 percent.
Repayment of a Stafford Loan begins six months after the borrower ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. The standard repayment period is 10 years, during which time interest is charged. (Please go to www.studentloans.gov for information about alternate repayment plans.) Students are required to pay the interest during the in-school period, or have it capitalized and added to the loan balance, for the unsubsidized loan.
The terms for the above loan programs are subject to federal legislation, regulations and other guidance, and may change. Additional current information is available from the Graduate School.
Students wishing to apply for loans should contact IBS for application materials.
The Graduate PLUS Loan is a federal loan that allows graduate students to borrow up to their total cost of education less any financial aid received. The student must pass an independent credit review. For the 13-14 academic year, the PLUS Loan had an interest rate of 7.21 percent and an origination fee of 4.288 percent. Go to www.studentloans.gov to apply for this loan.
John Ballantine, Director of the MSF Program
Political economy. Mergers and acquisitions. Energy and climate.
Carol Osler, Director of the Lemberg MAief Program
Currency market microstructure. Exchange rates. Behavioral finance.
Benjamin Gomes-Casseres, Director of the MBA Program
Business strategy. Alliance management. Technology strategy. Mergers and acquisitions.
Blake LeBaron, Director of the PhD Program
International finance. Exchange rates. Artificial stock markets.
Brenda Anderson
Accounting and financial analysis.
Accounting. Business planning. Entrepreneurship. Financial management. Operations. Strategic planning.
Edward Bayone
Credit risk. Real estate. Country risk. Leveraged finance.
Daniel Bergstresser
Municipal finance. Corporate governance. Household financial behavior.
Elizabeth Brainerd
Labor economics. Economic demography. Health economics, health and fertility in post-socialist countries.
Linda Bui
Environmental economics. Industrial organization. Public economics.
Alfonso Canella
Airline industry. Health care economics. Project evaluations. Valuations.
Stephen Cecchetti
Monetary policy. Financial stability policy. Central bank cooperation.
Sandra Cha
Leadership. Identity in organizations. Organizational behavior.
Edward Chazen
Real estate investment analysis. Real estate finance and capital markets. Real estate development.
Judith Dean
International economics. Economic development. Econometrics.
Jane Ebert
Consumer judgment and decision-making. Temporal discounting. Health promotion.
Kathryn Graddy
Applied microeconomics. Empirical industrial organization.
George Hall
Macroeconomics.
Jens Hilscher
Asset pricing. Corporate finance. International finance.
Gary Jefferson
China. Technical progress. Open economy macroeconomics. Transition economics.
Ricardo Lopez
International Trade. Development Economics. Productivity Analysis. Latin America.
Catherine L. Mann
International trade. Capital flows. Dollar. U.S. economic policy. Technology.
Nidhiya Menon
Development economics. Applied microeconomics.
Andrew Molinsky
Cross-cultural interaction. Organizational behavior.
Brad Morrison
System dynamics. Behavioral operations, healthcare operations, and operations management. Supply chain management. Medical decision making and patient safety.
Aldo Musacchio
State Capitalism. Business Strategy in Emerging Markets. Business History.
Debarshi Nandy
Corporate Finance. Financial Intermediation. Venture Capital and Entrepreneurial Finance.
Zhuan Pei
Labor economics. Micro-econometrics.
Peter Petri
International trade and investment. Asia-Pacific trade policy. Asian economic development.
Davide Pettenuzzo
Time-series econometrics. Bayesian econometrics. Forecasting. Financial markets.
Charles Reed
Entrepreneurship. General management. International marketing.
Scott Redenius
Economic History. The Economics of Financial Institutions.
Robert R. Reitano
Enterprise risk management. Financial derivatives pricing and hedging applications. Quantitative finance.
Raphael Schoenle
International Macroeconomics. Macro- and Monetary Economics. International Trade.
Benjamin Shiller
Empirical Industrial Organization. Economics of Information. Pricing.
Elif Sisli Ciamarra
Corporate finance. Corporate governance. Hedge fund performance.
Detlev Suderow
Strategic HR Management. Leadership. Organization Behavior.
Daniel Tortorice
Macroeconomics. Business Cycles. Unemployment. Aggregate Consumption. Expectations.
Anita Tucker
Healthcare. Process Improvement. Services.
Xin Wang
Pricing auctions in marketing. Consumer behavior. International marketing. Market research.
Grace Zimmerman
Marketing. Sales. Strategy. Entrepreneurship.
Other distinguished practitioners and educators serve as adjunct professors. An up-to-date list is available on the school's website, www.brandeis.edu/global.
Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in International Economics and Finance (MAief)
Program of Study
Students must successfully complete an approved schedule of at least sixteen semester-length courses (or the equivalent) during their four semesters of residency at Brandeis. All students must take either a capstone course in their final semester or, if qualified, Global Economic Environment in their first. Four credits in one semester quantitative methods is required. Otherwise students select from a list of electives in Finance, Economics, and Business. Four semester-length courses (or the equivalent) may be completed during a semester abroad. While enrolled in the program a student may take up to one course (4 credits) in a field related to a student's professional interests (e.g.: an advanced language course, an area studies course, a politics or history course). Students may exempt from required courses in Accounting, Investments, Corporate Finance, Microeconomics, International Trade, International Macroeconomics.
Residence Requirement
The program requires two years (four semesters) of consecutive full-time residence. One of these may be a semester spent at a foreign university associated with the program.
Specializations
Students may specialize in one or two fields. Current specializations are: Asset Management, Corporate Finance, Risk Management, Business Economics, Data Analytics, International Economic Policy Analysis, Marketing, Real Estate, and Sustainability. Requirements for earning each of these specializations are listed on the IBS website. Any adjustments that IBS may from time to time make to this list or to the requirements will go into effect immediately upon approval.
Combined BA/MA Program
IBS offers a BA/MA for qualified Brandeis or Wellesley College undergraduates who wish to earn the Lemberg Master of Arts in International Economics and Finance (MAief) with one year of post-BA study.
BA/MA students begin taking IBS courses in their final year of undergraduate study and finish the master's degree with one additional year of study after receiving their BA. BA/MA students are considered undergraduates until they have successfully satisfied all of the requirements for the BA. Interested students apply in their junior year. Deadlines are listed on the IBS website. Applications may be made online through the IBS website.
Students must submit a completed application, official undergraduate transcripts, three letters of recommendation, essays, and a resume. An interview is required but the GRE is not required. Admission is announced in mid-April for the fall semester. A student's preparation for the Lemberg MAief Program should include the following Brandeis undergraduate courses (or equivalent courses for Wellesley College students): Introduction to Economics (ECON 10a and 20a) and Statistics (ECON 83a). Students are recommended to take Macroeconomic Theory (Econ 82b) and Econometrics (Econ 184b).
Program of Study
Although some course substitutions are permitted, BA/MA students at IBS have to meet the same requirements as two-year Lemberg MAief students and can refer to the MAief course requirements for a general overview.
BA/MA students must take sixteen semester courses in their “field of study” (64 credits) and must get credit for all required courses. All IBS BUS, ECON and FIN courses (200 and 300 level) are relevant for credit towards this requirement, as are 100-level electives in ECON. Credit will be given for some or all of these courses taken prior to admission to the BA/MA program. Courses taken prior to admission to the BA/MA program will not reduce the sixty-four credits required during residency (see "Residency" below).
Some undergraduate ECON classes can fulfill MAief program requirements. A detailed description of all acceptable substitutions for required courses can be found on the IBS website and in the IBS BA/MA Program Guide. Students should plan their four semesters of study upon admission to the program. While enrolled in the program a student may take up to one course (4 credits) in a field related to a student’s professional interests (e.g.: an advanced language course, an area studies course, a politics or history course).
BA/MA students are to gain graduate degree credit for a minimum of two IBS courses (8 credits) in their final undergraduate year after being accepted into the program. Any shortfall could result in a termination of the student’s MA degree candidacy.
For information on specializations please see the Degree of Master of Arts section of the Bulletin.
Residence Requirement
The BA/MA program requires four semesters of residency at Brandeis from the semester students begin the program. One of these may be a semester spent at a foreign university associated with the program. During these four semesters students need to complete sixteen courses (64 credits) even if they have taken elective or required courses before they begin the program. The residency requirement may not be waived or reduced.
Note: Since BA/MA students are required to pass at least 2 IBS courses in both the fall and spring of their final undergraduate year, study abroad is generally precluded until their second year of graduate work.
Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Finance (MSF)
Program of Study
Students must successfully complete an approved schedule of ten semester-length courses (or the equivalent), a minimum of eight courses at the International Business School. Five courses are required (in the areas of accounting, investment analysis, quantitative techniques, international economic environment, and international corporate finance), and the remaining five must be selected from a list of approved electives. MSF students have the option of transferring in a maximum of two graduate-level courses taken within the last five years, with approval of the program director.
Residence Requirement
The minimum residency requirement is two academic semesters. Part-time students may complete the requirements at their own pace. Part-time students are normally expected to complete their requirements within four calendar years after beginning work in the program. Full-time students are expected to complete their degree within one year.
Specializations
Students may specialize in one or two of several fields. Currently, the specializations available are: Asset Management, Corporate Finance, Real Estate, Risk Management and Data Analytics. Requirements for earning each of these specializations are listed on the IBS website. Any adjustments that IBS may from time to time make to this list or to the requirements will go into effect immediately upon approval.
Requirements for the Degree of Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Program of Study
Students must successfully complete a minimum of sixteen semester-length courses (or the equivalent) during their four terms of residency at Brandeis. At least nine and one-half semester-course credits must be taken within a required set of subjects (in the areas of economic environment of business, business analytics, accounting, finance, marketing, operations, organizational behavior, management communication, and strategy) and the remaining courses must be selected from a list of approved electives. Four semester-length courses (or the equivalent) may be completed during an optional semester abroad.
Residence Requirement
Two years (four semesters) of full-time residence are required. One semester may be spent at a foreign university associated with the program. For candidates in the BA/MBA dual degree program, three semesters in residence at Brandeis IBS as a graduate student are required.
Specializations
Students may specialize in one or two of several fields. Currently, the specializations available are: Asset Management, Business Economics, Corporate Finance, Data Analytics, International Economic Policy Analysis, Marketing, Real Estate, Risk Management, and Sustainability. Requirements for earning each of these specializations are listed on the IBS website. Any adjustments that IBS may from time to time make to this list or to the requirements will go into effect immediately upon approval. MBA students who do not complete the requirements for and request a specialization will earn a "default" specialization; for most MBA graduates, the default specialization of "International Business."
BA/MBA Dual Degree Program
The BA/MBA dual degree program allows Brandeis graduates with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree to complete the IBS MBA at an accelerated pace, and without a break in their studies. IBS offers this dual degree in cooperation with the School of Arts and Sciences at Brandeis. Students will complete their BA or BS in one of the majors offered by the School of Arts and Sciences before enrolling in the MBA program at IBS.
Admission to the BA/MBA Program
For this program, IBS will consider specific types of undergraduate experiences among the qualifications for admittance and will count certain undergraduate courses for credit toward the MBA degree itself. Aside from academic performance, the Admissions Office will also evaluate whether the student has acquired a minimum amount of part- or full-time work experience during or before college, and has shown a level of professional maturity consistent with the standards of the IBS MBA.
Once the student is enrolled in the MBA, IBS will count 16 credits from Brandeis undergraduate studies towards the MBA.
The remaining 48 credits required for the MBA will be earned during the following three semesters. The BA/MBA student will take core courses and electives in the normal IBS MBA curriculum, although specific undergraduate courses in Business and Economics may allow exemptions from certain MBA requirements.
Program of Study
The BA/MBA will focus on two distinct streams of students, each with slightly different requirements for entry and for completion of the MBA:
- The BA/MBA-Science is intended for candidates holding a Brandeis Bachelor of Science in any major or a Bachelor of Arts in any field of Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM).
- The BA/MBA-Liberal Arts is intended for candidates holding a Brandeis Bachelor of Arts in other Liberal Arts fields, who often will also have a Business major or minor.
Residence Requirement
The BA/MBA program requires three semesters of residency at Brandeis from the semester students begin the program, which is after the attainment of the Bachelor's degree. During these three semesters, students need to complete twelve courses (48 credits), even if they have taken graduate level courses before they begin the program. The residency requirement may not be waived or reduced.
Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Program of Study
Requirements include successful completion of formal course work, outstanding performance in examinations designed to measure field competence, and completion of a thesis that represents substantial original research. Students are required to complete seven core courses (in the areas of microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, and finance) and must also complete at least two elective courses in two of the five following major fields:
1. International trade
2. Finance
3. Advanced macroeconomics
4. International business
5. International development
After core and field examination requirements are substantially completed, students are required to enroll in ECON 399a (Dissertation Workshop). This workshop provides opportunities for students to hear research presentations by faculty members and visitors, present papers in progress, and define thesis objectives.
Residence Requirement
Three years of full-time residence are normally required. However, for most students it takes four or more years of full-time study to complete the degree.
Core and Field Examinations
Each candidate for the PhD must pass a written examination, offered every other year, covering the core required subjects. Students must also pass written examinations in two of the five major fields (see above) to demonstrate competence in a broad specialty. Field examinations are offered as required.
Dissertation and Defense
All candidates for the PhD will submit a dissertation in a form approved by his or her dissertation director and by a committee appointed by the director of the PhD program. The student will defend the dissertation at a final oral examination.
Listed on the following pages are graduate courses of instruction for IBS. Courses meet for three hours a week unless otherwise specified.
Most courses are available to all students qualified to take them. Access to some courses is governed by the signature of the instructor. Other courses impose a numerical limit to preserve environmental conditions suitable to the pedagogy the instructor employs; students increase their chances of gaining enrollment in such courses by participating in early registration.
Generally, a course is offered with the frequency indicated at the end of its description. The frequency may be designated as every semester, every year, every second year, every third year, or every fourth year.
Courses numbered 100-199 are for undergraduate and graduate students; courses numbered 200 and above are primarily for graduate students. Undergraduates may not enroll in courses numbered 200 or above without the written permission of the instructor.
IBS degree programs are structured with the assumption that all students will be taking their required courses at their first opportunity and as outlined in the program guide. While some electives may be taken concurrently to these required courses, most electives assume that the student has already mastered the core content of their program. Prerequisites are noted in the following course descriptions.
Students wishing to exempt from a course requirement based on earlier studies are expected to submit a Petition for Exemption in their first semester. Students are not to assume that an exemption will be granted.
Course abbreviations are as follows:
BUS | Business |
CONT | Continuation |
ECON | Economics |
ECON/FIN | Economics and Finance |
FIN | Finance |
Suffixes after course numbers have the following meanings:
A or B | Semester course |
F | Half-semester course, half-course credit |
G | Quarter-course credit |
A semester course carries one semester course credit (four semester-hour credits). Exceptions are noted under the individual course descriptions. Certain courses do not count for rate of work and do not carry course credit toward graduation.
The university reserves the right to make any changes in the offerings without prior notice.
Courses of Instruction
(200 and above) Primarily for Graduate Students
BUS
211f
Analyzing Big Data I
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Surveys quantitative techniques and computer tools in management information systems including database manipulation. Objective of the course is to help students acquire advanced computer skills through cases and hands-on applications. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Carver and Mr. Rai
BUS
212f
Analyzing Big Data II
Prerequisite: BUS 211f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Provides theoretical and hands-on instruction in three major elements of Big Data analytics: management-oriented visualizations, data mining, and predictive modeling. Through the use of widely adopted software tools, students will build models and execute analyses to address needs of selected clients as well as solve problems presented in cases. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Carver and Mr. Rai
BUS
219f
Fundamentals of Organizational Behavior
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit. May not be taken for credit by students who took BUS 220a in prior years.
Covers the fundamentals of organizational behavior, including the topics of leadership, work motivation, organizational culture, organizational structure, group dynamics, perception, decision-making, and cross-cultural interaction. Final project includes analysis of cultural differences in organizational behavior concepts. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Molinsky
BUS
220a
Organizational Behavior and Management
Open only to Master's degree students.
Focuses on real-world applications of organizational behavior. We will examine topics of leadership, work motivation, organizational culture, organizational structure, group dynamics, perception, decision-making, and cross-cultural interaction. Students will also analyze and propose solutions to real management problem in outside company or organization using concepts covered in class. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Molinsky
BUS
222f
Global Dexterity
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
To be a global worker and a true "citizen of the world" today means you are able to adapt your behavior to conform to new cultural contexts without losing your authentic self in the process. Work on developing "global dexterity" skills to accomplish this. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Molinsky
BUS
223a
Global Business Leadership
Provides students with a practical but intellectually challenging roadmap to their development as leaders. Multi-disciplinary readings supplement students' own experience. Insights provided by leaders from industry and government enable students to explore leadership as a concept and as a vocation. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Staff
BUS
224f
Launching Your Global Career
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
The goal of this course is to equip students with the career management skills essential to surviving and excelling in today's global labor market. Provides graduate students with a foundation and necessary tools for identifying target positions; conducting an effective and efficient job search; building career-planning and job-search skills that will be useful throughout their careers. Usually offered every semester.
Ms. Katz
BUS
226f
Managing Global Human Capital
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
An introduction to the strategic role international human resource management plays in creating competitive advantages for firms. Topics include global strategies for Employment, Compensation, Leadership Development, and Policies and Procedures. Students will learn the nuances of managing human capital in multinational firms. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Suderow
BUS
227a
Influence, Power and Identity
Examines how many aspects of your career—landing a job, a promotion, or a new client—require you to influence other people and to affect how they think, feel and behave. Students will explore and apply the latest research on successful influence strategies. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Cha
BUS
228f
Management Communication
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
This course helps students improve their business communication skills. It focuses on how to present ideas, facts, and analyses more clearly and concisely, so as to have impact on management decisions. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Ellet and Ms. Oseas
BUS
230a
Entrepreneurship
Addresses the fundamentals of starting and growing a business, including entrepreneurial finance and financial management. Covers theory and practice and includes presentations by speakers engaged in entrepreneurship, underwriting, and venture capital. The major assignment is a team project to construct a business plan for a startup company using actual data. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Reed
BUS
231a
Entrepreneurial Finances and Business Plans
Open only to IBS students.
Introduces techniques for preparing business plans and explores the process of using a business plan to acquire funding. Requires students to prepare a business plan for a new venture and to present this plan in front of a critical audience. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Reed
BUS
233f
The Family Enterprise
Prerequisite: BUS 220a is strongly recommended. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Explores the managerial, strategic, financial and behavioral complexities in small and mid-size family owned companies around the globe. Examines the evolutionary stages in the life of a family business and the challenges and opportunities that must be managed at each stage. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Staff
BUS
235f
Real Estate Fundamentals
Prerequisite: FIN 212a (can be taken concurrently). Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Introduction to the analysis, financing, and management of income-producing real property. Explores how investors and developers identify projects, determine value, design marketing strategies, and obtain financing in the debt and equity markets. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Chazen
BUS
236f
International Real Estate: The Emerging Markets
Prerequisite: BUS 235f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
The course looks at the analysis, financing, and management of income-producing real property in the Emerging Markets. Using case discussion, we will explore how developers and investors identify projects, determine value, design marketing strategies, and obtain financing in their various markets. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Bayone
BUS
237f
International Real Estate: The Mature Markets
Prerequisite: BUS 235f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Building on BUS 235f, this course looks at the analysis, financing, and management of income-producing real property in mature markets abroad. Using case discussion, it explores how developers and investors identify projects, determine value, design marketing strategies, and obtain financing in their debt and equity markets. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Bayone
BUS
238f
Real Estate Development
Prerequisite: BUS 235f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit. May not be repeated for credit by students who took BUS 238a in previous semesters.
Focuses on how developers create value from real estate assets. Examines development process: market analysis, site selection, acquisition, planning, construction, leasing and permitting. Working in teams, students plan and present actual original development projects to a visiting panel of professionals. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Katzen
BUS
239f
Sustainable Real Estate: Profiting from Green Building
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Introduces principles and elements of sustainable development. Covers strategies and technologies that are being applied around the world to construct buildings and manage real estate development projects in ways that are simultaneously good for the financial bottom line and good for the environment. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Batshalom
BUS
249f
Immersion Experience
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit. Meets in a country with a dynamic business and economic environment. Consult the program administrator for details regarding special costs and meeting times.
Provides analysis of the host country's business, economy, markets, and institutions, in the broader context of its history, politics, culture, and society. Explores their relationship with broader global trends in business. In-country program consists of academic lectures, field trips to companies and other institutions, and group discussion. Preparatory lectures at Brandeis in advance of visit. Usually offered every year.
Staff
BUS
250a
Global Marketing
Starting with a brief overview of marketing disciplines, the course will develop strategies for entering and operating in diverse international markets at varying levels of investment. The case study method will be used to examine the process that leads to a successful marketing strategy, including financial analysis, economic and geographic evaluation, cultural and political assessment, and infrastructure evaluation. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Ms. Wang
BUS
252a
Marketing Management
An in-depth exploration and practical application of the basic marketing tools of product policy, pricing, promotion, distribution, sales management, customer segmentation, and retention in order to analyze marketing opportunities and develop marketing programs for a variety of management situations. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Zimmerman
BUS
253a
Marketing Research: Design and Analysis
This course may not be repeated for credit by students who have taken BUS 256f in previous years.
A practical exploration of a broad sampling of market research techniques to compile, analyze, and apply consumer, product, and market intelligence to strategic and marketing decisions concerning market segmentation, targeting, positioning, product design, and demand forecast. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Wang
BUS
254a
Branding Strategy
Prerequisite: BUS 252a.
Examines the value of building, sustaining, and communicating a company's brand and its value proposition through promotional activities and channels of distribution. A competitive, online simulation is used to enhance case studies. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Zimmerman
BUS
255a
Consumer Behavior
Focuses on fundamental theories and concepts in consumer psychology and exciting new findings to enhance students' understanding of how and why people choose, use and evaluate goods and services the way they do. This knowledge will come from lectures, readings and discussions in class, but also from hands-on experiential learning through involvement in a semester-long group project. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Ebert
BUS
257f
Social Media and Marketing Communications
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Explores the activities a company undertakes to educate, engage and prompt to action its various target customer segments. Topics include advertising, promotions, event sponsorship, internet marketing, social media marketing, corporate blogs, word-of-mouth advertising, and marketing communications for social initiatives. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Zimmerman
BUS
258f
Sales and Sales Management
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Explores concepts and techniques for professional sales and sales management. Including strategies for maximizing revenue and customer satisfaction while optimizing costs to sell, service and maintain customer relationships. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Zimmerman
BUS
259a
Digital Marketing and Web Analytics
Introduces students to important concepts and techniques of online marketing, such as search engine optimization (SEO), paid search marketing (search and display ads), web analytics, and monetization models (sales funnel and email campaigns). Students will have first-hand experience applying these concepts and techniques by building a website themselves to market a product or service. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Wang
BUS
260a
Competition and Strategy
Introduces frameworks for analyzing industries and firm competitive advantage and reviews key concepts in business strategy. Uses case method to practice strategic thinking and team projects to practice business research. Core for MBA students and recommended for other business students. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Gomes-Casseres
BUS
261a
Managing Technology and Innovation
Focuses on skills and strategies needed to develop businesses based on new technologies. Through discussion of cases and concepts, the course explores innovation and technology management, strategy, marketing, financing, and performance of new ventures in entrepreneurial or existing firms. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Staff
BUS
262f
Alliance Strategy
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
In many industries, collaboration between firms now goes hand in hand with competition. Inter-firm alliances of various sorts (e.g., joint ventures, joint research, and long-term supply contracts) have become critical to success in high-technology industries, as well as in certain geographic markets. Surveys the strategic and organizational issues involved in using such alliances. Discusses ideas from the theoretical, empirical, and normative research on the topic, and applies these ideas to managerial decisions using case studies. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Gomes-Casseres
BUS
263f
Knowledge Flows in Global Competition
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Deals with managing the flow of knowledge within and across organizational boundaries. Using the case method, explores how firms respond to the challenges of technology transfer in a global context. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Staff
BUS
264f
Business and the Environment
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Deals with environmental issues in business strategy. Using the case method, the course explores firm responses to environmental policy, the challenges of developing clean technologies, and the opportunities for firms to differentiate themselves with "green" strategies. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Leon
BUS
265f
Business Strategy in Emerging Markets
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Studies how the environment for doing business in emerging markets is different from that in developed countries, such as Europe and the United States. We will study how these differences affect business strategy for a range of large and small organizations - from well-established multinationals to entrepreneurial start-ups. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Staff
BUS
266f
Business Relationships with Government and NGOs
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Explores how firms can identify significant government-related opportunities and problems, and how they can take advantage of the opportunities and avoid the problems. Considers the differences between countries and examines the challenges facing businesses operating in foreign countries. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Mr. Leon
BUS
268f
Nonmarket Strategy I: Relationships with Activists, Media, and NGOs
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Not just customers and suppliers, but other actors influence whether a company is successful. Learn how to manage relationships with activists, the media, and NGOs. Topics include dealing with reporters, crisis communication, forming unconventional alliances, and pursuing corporate responsibility sensibly. Not offered in 2013-2014.
Mr. Leon
BUS
269f
Building Sustainable Business
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
A commitment to corporate sustainability affects business practices, values, and culture. This survey course examines the influence of corporate sustainability on internal operations, supply chain management, employee engagement, product development, market communications, strategic planning, corporate compliance, and investor relations. Highly recommended as an introduction to the field. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Tyson
BUS
272a
Operations Management
Explores how different business strategies require different business processes, and, conversely, how different operational capabilities support different strategies to gain competitive advantage. Topics may include inventory management, cycle time management, supply chain management, quality management, and process management and improvement, as well as recent developments such as lean or world-class manufacturing, just-in-time operations, time-based competition, and business reengineering. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Morrison
BUS
273f
Managing Service Organizations
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Instructs students in the knowledge and skills to design, assess and improve the operations of service organizations. Topics include model for achieving excellence in service organizations, revenue management, and strategies for reducing waiting time. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Tucker
BUS
274f
Supply Chain Analytics
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Instructs students how to optimize supply chain processes so that they can achieve a company's strategic goal of either efficiency or responsiveness. The course will cover supply chain metrics, production planning, inventory control and supply chain coordination. We will also investigate global supply chain design, logistics, and outsourcing. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Tucker
BUS
275f
Transnational Negotiations
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Explores the dynamics of international business negotiations in the context of evolving global industries. Students will develop an understanding of negotiation strategy, positioning, and process, as well as the skills necessary to effectively design, negotiate, and manage transnational deals. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Cohen
BUS
276a
Business Dynamics: Managing in a Complex World
A study of why so many business strategies generate disappointing results or outright failure. Case studies include successful applications of system dynamics in growth strategy, management of technology, operations, project management, and implementation of improvement programs. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Morrison
BUS
278f
Corporate Governance: From Colossal Failures to Best Practices
Prerequisite: FIN 212a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
How the board of directors, management, shareholders, and an external auditor should work. How individual goals and external pressures influence individuals, and how their decisions impact a corporation's failure or success. Focuses on the United States with comparisons to Europe and Asia. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Schumann
BUS
279f
Corporate Fraud: Detection and Prevention
Prerequisite: FIN 212a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Exposes students to the problem of fraudulent financial reporting, including its causes, impact, and practical, cost-effective responses. Using actual and simulated case material, students will acquire skills needed to identify, investigate, and report findings on corporate fraud. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Schumann
BUS
280f
Operational Risk Management
Prerequisite: FIN 212a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Today's managers must be able to assess the risk profile of their business and respond to issues as they arise. Examines how companies are dealing with massive changes in legislation that have made executives in the U.S. and abroad fully accountable for effective operational risk management and how they are using the Enterprise Risk Management framework of COSO and COBIT, and the Balanced Scorecard. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Schumann
BUS
286a
Applications of System Dynamics
Prerequisite: BUS 276a.
Gives students the opportunity to apply the standard method of system dynamics to assist a real company or organization. The core activity in the course is to work with a client organization, using the tools of system dynamics, to develop insights into a problem the client has identified. Students experience conceptualizing and building a system dynamics model "from scratch," learn a set of standard pieces of model structure called "molecules," and gain an appreciation for the challenges and rewards of consulting for clients in a helping relationship. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Morrison
BUS
291g
General Education Seminar
Open only to IBS students. Enrollment is limited. Yields one-fourth course credit (one credit). May be repeated for credit as the seminar topic varies.
Addresses a narrow, important topic and is taught jointly by an IBS faculty member and a prominent outside expert. Each seminar involves nine hours of structured learning and discussion. Usually offered every year.
Staff
BUS
295a
Field Projects
May be repeated for a total of 8 credits in BUS 295a and BUS 295f with permission of Program Director.
Students work in teams as consultants to external clients. Each section (see section description) focuses on a type of project or industry. Requires strong foundation in business, and good presentation, teamwork, and interviewing skills. Enrollment by permission of instructor. Usually offered every semester.
Staff
BUS
295f
Field Projects
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit. May be repeated for a total of 8 credits in BUS 295a and BUS 295f with permission of Program Director.
Students work in teams as consultants to external clients. Each section (see section description) focuses on a type of project or industry. Requires strong foundation in business, and good presentation, teamwork, and interviewing skills. Enrollment by permission of instructor. Usually offered every semester.
Staff
BUS
297a
Internship
Prerequisite: Two semesters at IBS or permission of program director. Yields half-course credit. This course may not be repeated for credit.
Offers students an opportunity to apply the theories and key themes covered in the core courses in a real-life setting. Requires completion of at least six weeks of a paid or unpaid internship approved and monitored by a faculty advisor. The project could involve a research or consulting assignment or a structured internship in the school's fields. Interested students should consult the guidelines established by the school. Usually offered every semester.
Staff
BUS
297g
Internship
Prerequisite: Two semesters at IBS or permission of program director. Yields quarter-course credit. This course may be repeated twice for credit.
Offers students an opportunity to apply the theories and key themes covered in the core courses in a real-life setting. Requires completion of at least six weeks of a paid or unpaid internship approved and monitored by a faculty advisor. The project could involve a research or consulting assignment or a structured internship in the school's fields. Interested students should consult the guidelines established by the school. Usually offered every semester.
Staff
BUS
298a
Independent Study
Normally available for a student who wishes to pursue advanced reading on research in a subject or field not available in the department's course listings. Usually offered every semester.
Staff
BUS
299a
Master's Project
Prerequisite: Two semesters at IBS or permission of program director.
A student wishing to complete a master's project under the guidance of a faculty advisor may enroll in this course during his or her second year in the master's program. Projects may involve a short analytical thesis, the solution of an applied problem, or a report on work completed in an appropriate internship. In exceptional cases a student may undertake a master’s thesis so demanding that it requires two semesters. In such cases, with careful consideration of the faculty adviser and the program director, the student may enroll in this course for his/her two final semesters. Usually offered every year.
Staff
ECON
201a
Global Economic Environment
Open to IBS students only.
A look at global economic environments from the perspective of all stakeholders, including governments, businesses, consumers, labor, rich, and poor. Takes a multidisciplinary approach drawing on international politics, economy, finance, and business management. The course is divided in two major themes: the economic finance dimension and the political social dimension. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Ballantine or Ms. Mann
ECON
202a
Applied International Macroeconomics
Using countries to illustrate, this course covers domestic and international macroeconomics. Topics include the goals and functioning of monetary authorities, financial crises, international competitiveness and PPP, exchange rate regimes, hyperinflation, and the sustainability of government finances. Students also master basic skills for manipulating and presenting macroeconomic information. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Osler
ECON
203f
Advanced International Macroeconomics: Theory, Evidence, and Policy
Prerequisites: ECON 202a (may be taken concurrently), and one course in econometrics (graduate module or undergraduate course). Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Builds on and extends the economic frameworks developed in ECON 201a and ECON 202a to focus on economic models that are fundamental to international macroeconomic analysis, policy making, and business strategy. Students apply data to the models, and discuss journal articles that apply the frameworks to macroeconomic questions. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Mann
ECON
206f
Microeconomics for Business
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Introduces the essentials of microeconomic concepts with an emphasis on managerial relevance for decision-making. Topics include the analysis of market demand, firm's production decisions, and optimal pricing strategy under various market conditions such as monopoly and oligopoly. Usually offered every year.
Staff
ECON
207a
Managerial Economics
Teaches students to apply basic microeconomic concepts to business and management decision-making. Key concepts include consumer behavior, properties of market supply and demand, firm's production decisions, market structures, government interventions in the markets, and optimal pricing strategy under various market conditions such as monopoly and oligopoly. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Ghosh and Mr. Habibi
ECON
210f
Foundations of Statistics
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Intended for students with little or no prior coursework in statistics. Introduction to statistical thinking and analytic methods, emphasizing business decision-making. Considerable use of statistical software (Stata), readings, cases, and projects permits focus on concepts, models, and interpretation of results. Topics include descriptive statistics, financial models, estimation, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Fournier
ECON
211f
Foundations of Econometrics
Prerequisite: Statistics or ECON 210f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Survey of quantitative techniques and computer tools in data analysis and forecasting, including econometric estimation. The course will include case studies and the use of computer applications. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Fournier
ECON
212f
Survey of Advanced Econometric Techniques
Prerequisite: ECON 211f or equivalent. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Applies econometric models using data measured as counts, including the poisson and the negative binomial, and extensions that incorporate inflated or truncated counts. They then consider tobit and heckit models which adjust for truncation and censoring in the general linear model. Finally, they learn how to correct for simultaneity bias and heteroskedasticity using Instrumental Variables approaches. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Fournier
ECON
235a
Central Banking Seminar
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, ECON 202a, ECON 210f or equivalent.
Studies the origins of banks and central banks; old and new debates about monetary policy including inflation targeting: sophisticated questions such as whether central banks should pay interest on reserves; and finally the appropriate policies for central banks in a financially turbulent world. Each week students read a substantial amount and synthesize it in a short paper. Class is devoted to discussion. Each student makes two presentations. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Brown
ECON
236a
Managing Government Debt and Deficits
Prerequisites: ECON 202a and ECON 207f.
Examines how across the industrialized world, countries realize they need to reduce their government deficits, and possibly their government debt, to avoid a crisis down the road. Should they raise taxes? If so, which? Should they reduce spending? Should they default? We consider the pros and cons of these alternatives and more. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Ms. Brown
ECON
252f
The Economy of China
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Provides an analytical overview of China's economic transformation, emphasizing the period since 1980. Topics covered include the reform process, the role of institutions, including the financial and fiscal sectors, corporate governance reform, trade and foreign direct investment, science and technology, regional and income disparities, and the changing laws, practice, and culture that define the role of business within China. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Jefferson
ECON
253a
Asia: Center of World Economy
With half of the world's population, one quarter of its output, and twice its growth rate, Asia is emerging as the center of the world economy. This course examines Asia's economic dynamism and the companies, investments, and policies that are shaping its future. Usually offered every other year.
Mr. Petri
ECON
260a
International Trade Policy and Institutions
Prerequisite: Intermediate Microeconomics or ECON 207f and 208f.
Develops the fundamental economic theories behind the various policies that regulate and interfere with international trade. Examines the predominant national and international institutions that are charged with administering these policies as well as the scope and process for potential reform. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Lopez
ECON
261a
Empirical Analysis of Trade Policy
Prerequisite: One semester (or module) of econometrics, at either the undergraduate or graduate level.
Explores contemporary trade policy issues, with a focus on emerging markets, while helping students learn advanced econometric techniques. Students read professional empirical studies to learn what we know and carry out their own original research on a policy issue, from data collection to econometric testing and evaluation. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Dean
ECON
262f
Outsourcing and Offshoring: Multinationals, Technology, and Globalization
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Outsourcing and offshoring raise questions of economic theory, business strategy, and policy emphasis for both industrial and emerging economies. This course examines and assesses empirically different theories of the multinational firm. Addresses how pervasive application of information technology exposes firms to business opportunities and economies to policy challenges. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Mann
ECON
270a
Economic Development Strategies
Prerequisites: At least one semester of undergraduate microeconomics and one semester of undergraduate macroeconomics, or the equivalent.
Discusses the current situation of developing countries and the main theories of development and underdevelopment. Introduces the field and tools of development economics, explores the theoretical and policy debates around developing economies, and looks at alternative development strategies. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Dean
ECON
277f
Public Policy, Business Leadership and World Affairs: An Insider's Perspective
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Explores the approach of the World Economic Forum, focusing on three global challenges. Students meet with guest lecturers who know the facts and the players; review background material; and debate the issues by assuming the roles of the main players.
Mr. Steinberg and Mr. Ballantine
ECON
297a
Internship
Prerequisite: Two semesters at IBS or permission of program director. This course yields half-course credit. This course may not be repeated for credit.
Offers students an opportunity to apply the theories and key themes covered in the core courses in a real-life setting. Requires completion of at least six weeks of a paid or unpaid internship approved and monitored by a faculty advisor. The project could involve a research or consulting assignment or a structured internship in the school's fields. Interested students should consult the guidelines established by the school. Usually offered every year.
Staff
ECON
297g
Internship
Prerequisite: Two semesters at IBS or permission of program director. This course yields quarter-course credit. This course may be repeated twice for credit.
Offers students an opportunity to apply the theories and key themes covered in the core courses in a real-life setting. Requires completion of at least six weeks of a paid or unpaid internship approved and monitored by a faculty advisor. The project could involve a research or consulting assignment or a structured internship in the school's fields. Interested students should consult the guidelines established by the school. Usually offered every year.
Staff
ECON
298a
Independent Study
Normally available for a student who wishes to pursue advanced reading or research in a subject or field not available in the department's course listings. Usually offered every semester.
Staff
ECON
298f
Independent Study
Open only to IBS students. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Normally available for a student who wishes to pursue advanced reading on research in a subject or field not available in the department's course listings. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Bown
ECON
299a
Master's Project
Prerequisite: Two semesters at IBS or permission of program director.
A student wishing to complete a master's project under the guidance of a faculty advisor may enroll in this course during his or her second year in the master's program. Projects may involve a short analytical thesis, the solution of an applied problem, or a report on work completed in an appropriate internship. In exceptional cases a student may undertake a master’s thesis so demanding that it requires two semesters. In such cases, with careful consideration of the faculty adviser and the program director, the student may enroll in this course for his/her two final semesters. Usually offered every year.
Staff
ECON
301a
Advanced Microeconomics I
Prerequisites: Microeconomics and math.
Study of the theories of microeconomics, including optimization, theory of the firm, theory of the consumer, duality theory, general equilibrium, welfare economics, public goods, and externalities. Usually offered every second year.
Ms. Bui
ECON
302a
Advanced Microeconomics II
Prerequisites: ECON 301a.
This course will focus on game theory with specific emphasis on its application to firm behavior, information economics, and the study of market organization including auctions. Important contributions of behavioral economics will also be address in this course. A strong emphasis will be placed on acquiring the tools that are required for economic research. Usually offered every second year.
Ms. Graddy
ECON
303a
Advanced Macroeconomics I
Prerequisites: course work in microeconomics and mathematics.
Study of modern theories of short-run and long-run determination of aggregate income. Topics include private consumption and investment behavior, fiscal policy, the current account and exchange rates, economic growth, and stochastic dynamic programming with applications to macroeconomics. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Hall
ECON
304a
Advanced Macroeconomics II
Prerequisite: ECON 303a.
Current research issues in macroeconomics, such as the impact of supply shocks, real demand shocks, and monetary shocks on output, interest rates, and exchange rates. Empirical studies and testing of competing macroeconomic theories. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Tortorice
ECON
307f
Empirical Methods for Dynamic Economic Models
Prerequisite: ECON 304a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
An advanced topics course on contemporary methods to solve, estimate, and evaluate structural models. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Hall
ECON
311a
Advanced Econometrics I
Prerequisites: Statistics and math.
Econometric theory and applications. Discusses the statistical theory of regression modeling and associated hypothesis testing, with emphasis on the construction, interpretation, and use of econometric models. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Pei
ECON
312a
Advanced Econometrics II
Prerequisite: ECON 311a or consent of instructor.
Examines the models and statistical techniques used to study time series data. Topics will include linear and non-linear univariate as well as multivariate econometric models. One objective of the course is to provide the students with a good understanding of econometric models for time series data. These models are widely used in the empirical literature, and a good understanding of these models is crucial for the second objective of the course: to provide the students with the ability to evaluate recent empirical studies. The third objective of the course is to develop practical skills, which are necessary to perform independent research using real world data. A theme throughout the course is the use of computational methods for analyzing the material covered in class, and throughout the course we will rely heavily on examples and applications with Matlab. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Pettenuzzo
ECON
330a
International Macroeconomics
Prerequisite: ECON 304a.
Applications of macroeconomic theory to open economies. Topics include international parity theorems, models of exchange rate determination, and central bank management of the exchange-rate. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Schoenle
ECON
332f
Topics in Empirical International Economics: Questions, Methods, and Data
Prerequisite: Open to IBS PhD students only. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Students present and discuss current working papers in international economics focusing on the questions that are being asking, the empirical methods used, and the sources of data. Course prepares students for the thesis process and for presenting thesis work. Usually offered every second year.
Ms. Mann
ECON
340a
Empirical Industrial Organization
Prerequisite: ECON 302a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit. May not be taken for credit by students who have taken ECON 340f.
Examines the theoretical and empirical methods that are used in the study of firm and industry behavior. Topics include price discrimination, oligopoly behavior, product differentiation, auctions, and market structure. The course places a strong focus on the questions that are being asked, the empirical and theoretical methodology used to address these questions, and the sources of data. A primary purpose of this course is to prepare students for the thesis process and for presenting thesis work. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Shiller
ECON
360a
International Trade Theory
Open only to IBS students.
Analyzes the economic issues involved in the integration into world markets of trade in consulting and professional services, investment, financial and banking services, telecommunications, and transportation. Also addresses the tradeoffs in regulating services trade through the WTO's General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), regional initiatives, as well as conflict areas and dispute settlement. Usually offered every second year.
Staff
ECON
370a
Development Economics
Prerequisite: ECON 302a.
Reviews neoclassical and endogenous growth theory as it relates to the experience of developing countries. Also examines recent applied work relating to household fertility, natural resource depletion, technology, and sustainable growth, and various political economy issues, including the link between inequality and growth, the interaction between economic growth and political systems, and a range of issues that engage the new institutional economics. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Jefferson
ECON
399a
Dissertation Workshop
Prerequisites: ECON 302a and ECON 304a.
Involves invited lectures by Brandeis faculty and other researchers. Presentation and discussion of dissertation topics and work in progress. Usually offered every year.
Mr. LeBaron
ECON/FIN
209f
Behavioral Finance and Economics
Prerequisites: ECON 207a, FIN 201a and FIN 202a.
How do economics agents make decisions? Though economists historically assumed that decisions are made "rationally," the evidence suggests otherwise. Examines evidence on human decision-making processes culled from many disciplines. Students investigate how those processes can explain observed patterns in economic and financial behavior. They also analyze how such behavior can explain observed market phenomena that would not emerge if agents were "personally rational." Usually offered every year.
Staff
ECON/FIN
250a
Forecasting in Finance and Economics
Prerequisites: ECON 210f and 211f.
Covers the basics of forecasting and time series analysis as used in finance and economics. Time series topics will include linear regression, ARMA models, trend modeling, seasonal adjustments, and volatility modeling. We will also cover more unusual topics such as bootstrapping, and technical trading rules. Students will leave the course with a good introduction to many of the tools used in modern time series forecasting and quantitative finance. Usually offered every year.
Mr. LeBaron
ECON/FIN
256a
Taming the Financial Markets
Prerequisites: ECON 201a, FIN 201a, FIN 202a.
Explores why financial markets are susceptible to crises, how those crises affect workers and taxpayers, and how the risk of financial crises can be mitigated by regulation/supervision, monetary policy, macro-prudential policies and risk management. Highlights importance of international regulatory coordination. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Mr. Balder
FIN
200f
Principles of Finance
Corequisite: FIN 201a and FIN 202a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Develops fundamental financial skills necessary to make and implement business decisions. After completing this course, students will understand the main concepts underlying most financial calculations. For students without prior finance background. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Bezyiner
FIN
201a
Investments
Prerequisite: ECON 210f or statistics (may be taken concurrently).
Covers topics related to financial economics, including investors' attitudes toward risk, capital allocation, portfolio selection, asset pricing models (Capital Asset Pricing Model and the Arbitrage Pricing Theory), the efficient market hypothesis, fixed income markets, equity valuation, and options and futures markets. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Alt, Mr. Hilscher, and Mr. Leu
FIN
202a
International Corporate Finance
Prerequisite: FIN 201a and FIN 212a (may be taken concurrently)
Focuses on how companies make their investment, financing, and dividend decisions in a global environment. Examines the theory and practices of firms through a combination of current articles, problems in the text, and case analysis. Students will have a firm understanding of how companies create value through their decisions. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Bezviner, Mr. Canella, Mr. Nandy or Ms. Sisli Ciamarra
FIN
203f
International Financial Management
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, FIN 202a, FIN 212a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Explores the characteristics of international financial markets and evaluates associated risks and benefits. Addresses the distinct risks multinationals face, the financial tools they use to manage these risks, their tax and working capital management, and their financing and investment decisions. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Sisli Ciamarra
FIN
206f
Investment Analysis with Excel and VBA
Prerequisite: FIN 201a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Connects textbook finance with real-world business by providing a nuts-and-bolts guide to solving common models with spreadsheets and Visual Basic for Excel. It will cover three topics: portfolio optimization (including the Black- Litterman model), modeling the term structure of interest rates and pricing models for risky debt, and advanced computational techniques for options (including Monte Carlo methods). Not offered in 2013-2014.
Staff
FIN
212a
Accounting and Financial Analysis
Develops a fundamental understanding of financial accounting and corporate reporting issues. Students will be exposed to a variety of real world applications involving for profit financial statements. More specifically, students will acquire skills allowing them to read, interpret and analyze the income statement, balance sheet and the statement of cash flows. This course will primarily address accounting standards employed in the US (GAAP) but will acquaint students with international standards (IFRS) used by other countries in numerous accounting areas. Further, issues related to the project on the convergence of standards currently being conducted by the FASB and IASB will be discussed. Throughout the course, emphasis will be placed on interpreting financial statements to understand how accounting information, in a variety of decision settings, can be utilized by managers. Usually offered every semester.
Ms. Anderson or Mr. Angell
FIN
213a
Intermediate Financial Accounting
Prerequisite: FIN 212a or an approved an introductory course in the area of financial accounting.
Students should be familiar with the formal financial statements, transaction analysis, income measurement and accrual accounting. This course provides an extensive expansion of the introductory accounting course. Additional topics include revenue recognition, long term construction contracts, deferred taxes, capital leases, pensions, inventory valuation, dollar value LIFO, earnings per share and share based compensation. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Keith
FIN
214a
Managerial Accounting
Prerequisite: FIN 212a or FIN 213a.
Provides a general introduction to the concepts, problems and issues related to managerial accounting. Managerial accounting predominantly addresses the internal use of economic information regarding the resources used in the process of producing goods and providing services. Internal users of accounting information are all of those individuals that are involved in the business decision-making process of the economic entity. In the course, you will become acquainted with some of the conventional methods of internal reporting used in planning, control and decision-making. Fundamental aspects of cost behavior and cost accounting will also be discussed, but always from the perspective of the manager who must make decisions rather than the accountant who prepares the information. Usually offered every semester.
Ms. Anderson and Ms. Weihs
FIN
216f
Financial Statement Analysis
Prerequisite: FIN 212a or FIN 213a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Presents techniques of financial statement analysis that deepen the understanding of financial statements and the economic and strategic information they provide. Exposes students to the financial reporting environment and practices of U.S. companies. The course does not cover equity valuation. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Keith
FIN
217f
Financial Modeling
Prerequisite: FIN 202a and FIN 212a. May take FIN 217f during second module concurrently with FIN 202a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Introduces quantitative modeling techniques for analyzing the financial performance of projects and companies and valuing earning streams. A key objective is to help students develop sophisticated skills in using spreadsheets and related software through cases and hands-on applications. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Canella
FIN
218f
Financial Modeling II
Prerequisite: FIN 217f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Continues Financial Modeling I (FIN 217f) in the analysis of quantitative financial performance of projects and companies and valuing earning streams. It supplements FIN 217f in its use of real options for valuations, new industries with their own peculiarities (insurance, pharmaceuticals), and the privatization of a telecommunications firm. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Canella
FIN
223f
Project Finance
Prerequisites: FIN 202a, FIN 217f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Examines the financial, economic, political, and technological factors that affect very large, capital-intensive projects. Looks at how they are combined into a coherent structure and financed via a combination of non-recourse debt and equity. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Canella
FIN
225f
Real Estate Finance
Prerequisite: BUS 235f. FIN 202a is strongly recommended. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Focuses on debt and equity financing of income-producing real property, primarily in the U.S. market. Considers real estate finance from the perspective of the users of capital (developers and property owners) and the sources of capital (lenders and equity investors). Usually offered every year.
Mr. Chazen
FIN
226f
Real Estate Capital Markets
Prerequisite: BUS 235f. FIN 202a is recommended. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Considers real estate as an asset class for investment from the perspective of a professional portfolio manager and a corporate financial officer. Analyzes the public markets for real estate debt (CMBS) and equity (REITs) and the interplay of private and public investing in a professionally managed real estate investment portfolio. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Chazen
FIN
230a
Trading and Exchanges
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, basic statistics.
The microeconomics of financial markets, with special focus on the foreign exchange market. Topics include market structure, transparency, determination of bid-ask spreads, price discovery, common trading strategies, currency market efficiency. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Osler
FIN
231f
Private Equity
Prerequisites: FIN 202a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Explores the history, structure, players and adjacent industries of Private Equity; the kinds of companies that make attractive candidates for investment; how PE firms add value; what they do when things go wrong; and how they create successful exits. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. McKay
FIN
232a
Mergers and Acquisitions Analysis
Prerequisites: FIN 201a and FIN 202a (may be taken concurrently).
Reviews the core concepts involved in mergers and acquisitions; value, negotiation, deal structuring, corporate strategy and valued added, financing, and tax consequences. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Ballantine
FIN
233f
Relative Values of Securities
Prerequisites: FIN 212a or FIN 216f strongly recommended. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Introduces students to the issues and analysis necessary for making the decision to purchase securities. The principal focus is on publicly traded securities. Debt and equity security values will be addressed. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Aikens
FIN
234f
Corporate Financial Decision Making
Prerequisite: FIN 202a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit. May not be taken for credit by students who take FIN 234a.
Capital budgeting involves assessing business opportunities/investments, preparing cash flow forecasts, and comparing the returns of these investments. This course employs criteria such as NPV, IRR and APV to explore investment decisions described in articles, textbook readings, and cases. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Mr. Canella
FIN
235a
Investing in Energy: Fossil Fuels to Cleaner Energy
How do energy companies and investors make investment decisions in our current economic/political environment? How do investors assess the risks and the long term opportunities, and what are the potential returns? And how do companies manage energy projects and implement new technologies across many markets and countries? To evaluate energy investments students need to acquire the background knowledge, the technical skills, and an appreciation of the politics of energy policy. This course will establish a broad framework of analysis and it will also let students analyze the economic viability of a specific energy project. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Ballantine
FIN
236f
Technical Analysis
Prerequisite: FIN 201a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
From FX to equity indexes to real estate futures markets, traders rely on technically-derived signals to enter speculative positions, set protective orders, and time their exits. Provides an introduction to technical analysis and familiarizes students with strategies in common use. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Keller
FIN
237f
Security Analysis
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit. Prerequisites: ECON 210f, FIN 201a and FIN 212a. FIN 216f, 217f, and 233f are recommended.
Examines fundamental-based investment strategies that funds use to generate alpha or positive risk-adjusted returns, with a focus on long-short equity strategies used by hedge funds and 130/30 mutual funds. Usually offered every year.
Mr. McKay
FIN
240a
Venture Capital and Entrepreneurial Finance
Prerequisites: FIN 201a and FIN 202a.
Emphasizes financial decision making skills for entrepreneurs. The structure will follow the firm's life cycle, with modules on contracting, valuation, and financial planning in the entrepreneurial context, raising capital, security choice, and the structure and valuation of exit decisions in the presence of information uncertainty. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Bergstresser and Mr. Nandy
FIN
241f
Financial Planning and Control
Prerequisite: FIN 202a (may be taken concurrently).
Examines financial planning methodologies and tools as well as financial control mechanisms. Includes case studies using real-life examples, accounting, and financial objectives. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Canella
FIN
242f
Credit Risk Analysis
Prerequisite: FIN 212a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Examines credit risk (i.e., the possibility that an obligor will fail to perform as agreed) from the perspective of the commercial banker. Focuses on a sound understanding of the firm and its business plan and how the banker constructs the appropriate structure for the senior loan. Topics include asset-based, real estate, and cash flow lending. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Bayone
FIN
244f
Credit Risk Analysis II
Prerequisite: FIN 242f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Examines credit risk (i.e., the possibility that an obligor will fail to perform as agreed) for foreign companies that largely operate in their overseas markets. Based on a sound understanding of the firm, its business plan, and the environment in which it operates, the banker constructs the appropriate structure for the senior loan. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Bayone
FIN
246a
Applied Corporate Financial Strategy
Prerequisites: FIN 202a and 212a.
Explores the application of core finance disciplines to real-world situations. Students who take this course should have completed course work or have actual knowledge of managerial accounting, financial management and control, valuation, M&A, strategic marketing, financial forecasting, etc. Additionally, students should be near graduation and preparing for a career in a private sector firm. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Aikens
FIN
247f
Commercial Bankruptcy
Prerequisites: FIN 202a (may be taken concurrently) and 212a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Focuses on the relationship between debtors and creditors in a deteriorating financial environment, through lectures and case studies. Explores how U.S. courts work, jurisdictional issues that impact debtor/creditor relationships, the importance of advocacy, the relationship between state and federal law, and the hierarchy of creditor claims. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Mr. Aikens
FIN
248f
Advanced Corporate Finance
Prerequisites: FIN 201a and FIN 202a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Develops the "art and science" of optimal strategic decision-making by applying corporate financial theory to cases of financial policy, financial instruments and valuation. The topic areas are: corporate restructuring with an international flavor; raising capital using hybrid securities; and IPO's and the market for corporate control. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Nandy
FIN
252f
Banking, Central Banking, and the International Finance System
Prerequisite: FIN 201a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Examines the evolving architecture of the international financial system. Discusses the nature of international banking, including the role of shadow banks; central banking and the fragility of the financial system and why it is prone to crises; and finally, the government's involvement in the financial system, exploring the rationale and structure of regulation. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Cecchetti
FIN
253a
Global Financial Institutions: Management and Policy
Prerequisites: FIN 201a and FIN 202a.
Examines operations, strategies and regulation of global financial institutions. Initial focus on core activities, including foreign exchange, global bonds, equities, derivatives, and M&A followed by examination of the regulatory environment, including the role of Basel III, prudential policies, supervision and capital controls in emerging markets. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Staff
FIN
254f
Financial Manias and Crises
Prerequisite: FIN 201a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Class investigates speculative financial manias--their causes, characteristics, effects, and policy responses. Using historical and recent examples from the United States and abroad, the economic, psychological and social factors that contribute to manias are examined. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Staff
FIN
255a
World Financial Centers
Prerequisite: A knowledge of financial theory is highly desirable. Intended primarily for MSF students, but MAief and MBA students with appropriate background knowledge in finance may also apply. Consult the program administrator for details regarding special costs and meeting times. May be repeated once for credit in a different center.
Meets each summer in a financial center of global significance. Provides analysis of international financial markets, institutions, and regulatory systems in the host center. Explores their relationship with global financial trends and systems. Includes examining the microstructure of markets, equity trading, futures and options, mergers and acquisitions, banking and currencies, and regional issues of topical interest. Usually offered every summer and run in collaboration with overseas academic partner.
Mr. Ballantine and Mr. Sherrington
FIN
255f
World Financial Centers
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit. Open only to students who completed FIN 255a in a prior semester.
Meets each summer in a financial center of global significance. Provides analysis of international financial markets, institutions, and regulatory systems in the host center. Explores their relationship with global financial trends and systems. Includes examining the microstructure of markets, equity trading, futures and options, mergers and acquisitions, banking and currencies, and regional issues of topical interest. Usually offered every summer and run in collaboration with overseas academic partner.
Mr. Ballantine and Mr. Sherrington
FIN
261a
Fixed Income Securities
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, or permission of the instructor.
Studies fixed income securities; cash flow structures, pricing risk measures; features of major fixed income sectors; valuation of fixed income securities with embedded options; portfolio management and performance measurement; interest rate derivatives and applications to asset/liability management. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Bergstresser
FIN
263a
International Portfolio Management
Prerequisite: FIN 201a.
A blend of advanced theory and state-of-the-art practice with a two fold aim: to ground students in the theory of international portfolio investments and to immerse them in the application of global portfolio management in the real world. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Alt and Mr. Nierenberg
FIN
264f
Applied Institutional Portfolio Management
Prerequisite: FIN 201a.
Studies institutional portfolio management from the perspective of an allocator such as Endowment, Foundation, Pension, or any other type of multi-manager fund, with focus on the Endowment model. Examines portfolio governance, portfolio asset allocation theory and practice, tactical and strategic allocation, characteristics of asset classes, risk management, passive versus active strategies, investment manager evaluation, alignment of investor/manager incentives, and performance evaluation. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Lenox, Ms. Shufrin, and Mr. Warren
FIN
270a
Options and Derivatives
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, or permission of the instructor.
Introduces students, using a reasonably formal mathematical approach, to a broad range of topics related to the traded securities, markets, pricing, and applications of financial derivatives. Special focus is placed on how replication is used to price financial derivatives. Derivatives studied include those defined on commodities, currencies, equities and equity indexes, with an introduction to fixed income derivatives. Usually offered every semester.
Mr Neirenberg or Mr. Reitano
FIN
271a
Options & Derivatives II
Prerequisites: FIN 270a.
Explores in more detail the mathematics of pricing financial derivatives on commodities, currencies, equities, equity indexes and other tradable securities, with particular emphasis on the various discrete computational methods and their convergence properties to the Black-Scholes-Merton formulas. This course also studies credit derivatives and interest rate derivatives. Courses or experience in statistics, calculus, and computer programming are required. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Reitano
FIN
279a
Applied Risk Management
Prerequisites: FIN 201a or FIN 212a.
Studies risk management in a variety of contexts as well as the applications of financial derivatives. Focuses on case studies from many industries which address risks related to commodities, weather, foreign exchange rates, interest rate, and credit, and also corporate governance matters and integrated risk management. Students will be expected to be able to analyze a corporate risk situation, work through examples and develop hedging strategies. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Reitano
FIN
280a
Financial Risk Management
Prerequisite: FIN 201a or FIN 270a or FIN 279a.
Introduces many of the approaches financial institutions (investment and commercial banks, hedge funds, insurance companies and pension plans) take to model, quantify, and manage risk. Types of risks covered include financial (equity, currency, interest rate, and credit), as well as operational. The Basel II and Solvency II regulatory frameworks to risk management will also be studied. Students will be expected to have good exposure to financial derivatives from the prerequisite courses as well as to the basic concepts from calculus and statistics. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Reitano
FIN
285a
Computer Simulations and Risk Assessment
Prerequisite: FIN 201a.
Examines recent advances in computational methods for evaluation risk and decision making in risky situations. Emphasizes a common computational framework for solving many problems from business, finance, and economics using statistical methods, such as Monte Carlo and resampling. Usually offered every year.
Mr. LeBaron
FIN
288a
Corporate Financial Engineering
Prerequisite: FIN 201a. Corequisite: FIN 202a.
Focuses on how financial engineering is used in firms to reduce their costs of financing, to alter their fundamental risk exposures and, in a handful of cases, to provide them with new ways to compete. Primarily intended for students who plan to serve in corporate roles that will involve significant interaction with financial markets and institutions. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Bergstresser
FIN
291g
General Education Seminar
Open only to IBS students. Enrollment is limited; signature of the instructor is required. Yields one-fourth course credit (one credit). May be repeated for credit as the seminar topic varies.
Addresses a narrow, important topic and is taught jointly by an IBS faculty member and a prominent outside expert. Each seminar involves nine hours of structured learning and discussion. Usually offered every year.
Staff
FIN
295f
Field Projects
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit. May be repeated for a total of 8 credits in any 295a and/or 295f course.
Students work in teams as consultants to external clients. Each section (see section description) focuses on a type of project or industry. Requires strong foundation in business, and good presentation, teamwork, and interviewing skills. Enrollment by permission of instructor. Usually offered every semester.
Staff
FIN
297a
Internship
Prerequisite: Two semesters at IBS or permission of program director. Yields half course-credit. May not be repeated for credit.
Offers students an opportunity to apply the theories and key themes covered in the core courses in a real-life setting. Requires completion of at least six weeks of a paid or unpaid internship approved and monitored by a faculty advisor. The project could involve a research or consulting assignment or a structured internship in the school's fields. Interested students should consult the guidelines established by the school. Usually offered every year.
Staff
FIN
297b
Field Project Internship
Prerequisite: Two semesters at IBS or permission of program director. Yields half-course credit. May not be repeated for credit.
Offers students an opportunity to apply the theories and key themes covered in the core courses in a real-life setting. Requires completion of at least six weeks of a paid or unpaid internship approved and monitored by a faculty advisor. The project could involve a research or consulting assignment or a structured internship in the school's fields. Interested students should consult the guidelines established by the school. Usually offered every semester.
Staff
FIN
297g
Internship
Prerequisite: Two semesters at IBS or permission of program director. Yields quarter course-credit. May be repeated twice for credit.
Offers students an opportunity to apply the theories and key themes covered in the core courses in a real-life setting. Requires completion of at least six weeks of a paid or unpaid internship approved and monitored by a faculty advisor. The project could involve a research or consulting assignment or a structured internship in the school's fields. Interested students should consult the guidelines established by the school. Usually offered every year.
Staff
FIN
298a
Independent Study
Normally available for a student who wishes to pursue advanced reading or research in a subject or field not available in the department's course listings. Usually offered every semester.
Staff
FIN
298b
Independent Study
Course yields half-course credit.
Normally available for a student who wishes to pursue advanced reading on research in a subject or field not available in the department's course listings. Usually offered every semester.
Staff
FIN
298f
Independent Study
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Normally available for a student who wishes to pursue advanced reading or research in a subject or field not available in the department's course listings. Usually offered every semester.
Staff
FIN
299a
Master's Project
Prerequisite: Two semesters at IBS or permission of program director.
A student wishing to complete a master's project under the guidance of a faculty advisor may enroll in this course during his or her second year in the master's program. Projects may involve a short analytical thesis, the solution of an applied problem, or a report on work completed in an appropriate internship. In exceptional cases a student may undertake a master’s thesis so demanding that it requires two semesters. In such cases, with careful consideration of the faculty adviser and the program director, the student may enroll in this course for his/her two final semesters. Usually offered every year.
Staff
FIN
305f
Asset Pricing
Prerequisite: ECON 301a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
A course in asset pricing for PhD candidates. Topics include risk aversion and choice under uncertainty, no arbitrage and stochastic discount factor, mean variance analysis, factor models, and recent empirical puzzles. Focuses on theory and empirical applications. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Hilscher
IBS Finance
FIN
201a
Investments
Prerequisite: ECON 210f or statistics (may be taken concurrently).
Covers topics related to financial economics, including investors' attitudes toward risk, capital allocation, portfolio selection, asset pricing models (Capital Asset Pricing Model and the Arbitrage Pricing Theory), the efficient market hypothesis, fixed income markets, equity valuation, and options and futures markets. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Alt, Mr. Hilscher, and Mr. Leu
FIN
202a
International Corporate Finance
Prerequisite: FIN 201a and FIN 212a (may be taken concurrently)
Focuses on how companies make their investment, financing, and dividend decisions in a global environment. Examines the theory and practices of firms through a combination of current articles, problems in the text, and case analysis. Students will have a firm understanding of how companies create value through their decisions. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Bezviner, Mr. Canella, Mr. Nandy or Ms. Sisli Ciamarra
IBS Accounting
FIN
212a
Accounting and Financial Analysis
Develops a fundamental understanding of financial accounting and corporate reporting issues. Students will be exposed to a variety of real world applications involving for profit financial statements. More specifically, students will acquire skills allowing them to read, interpret and analyze the income statement, balance sheet and the statement of cash flows. This course will primarily address accounting standards employed in the US (GAAP) but will acquaint students with international standards (IFRS) used by other countries in numerous accounting areas. Further, issues related to the project on the convergence of standards currently being conducted by the FASB and IASB will be discussed. Throughout the course, emphasis will be placed on interpreting financial statements to understand how accounting information, in a variety of decision settings, can be utilized by managers. Usually offered every semester.
Ms. Anderson or Mr. Angell
FIN
213a
Intermediate Financial Accounting
Prerequisite: FIN 212a or an approved an introductory course in the area of financial accounting.
Students should be familiar with the formal financial statements, transaction analysis, income measurement and accrual accounting. This course provides an extensive expansion of the introductory accounting course. Additional topics include revenue recognition, long term construction contracts, deferred taxes, capital leases, pensions, inventory valuation, dollar value LIFO, earnings per share and share based compensation. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Keith
MA IEF Core
ECON
202a
Applied International Macroeconomics
Using countries to illustrate, this course covers domestic and international macroeconomics. Topics include the goals and functioning of monetary authorities, financial crises, international competitiveness and PPP, exchange rate regimes, hyperinflation, and the sustainability of government finances. Students also master basic skills for manipulating and presenting macroeconomic information. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Osler
ECON
207a
Managerial Economics
Teaches students to apply basic microeconomic concepts to business and management decision-making. Key concepts include consumer behavior, properties of market supply and demand, firm's production decisions, market structures, government interventions in the markets, and optimal pricing strategy under various market conditions such as monopoly and oligopoly. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Ghosh and Mr. Habibi
ECON
260a
International Trade Policy and Institutions
Prerequisite: Intermediate Microeconomics or ECON 207f and 208f.
Develops the fundamental economic theories behind the various policies that regulate and interfere with international trade. Examines the predominant national and international institutions that are charged with administering these policies as well as the scope and process for potential reform. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Lopez
FIN
201a
Investments
Prerequisite: ECON 210f or statistics (may be taken concurrently).
Covers topics related to financial economics, including investors' attitudes toward risk, capital allocation, portfolio selection, asset pricing models (Capital Asset Pricing Model and the Arbitrage Pricing Theory), the efficient market hypothesis, fixed income markets, equity valuation, and options and futures markets. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Alt, Mr. Hilscher, and Mr. Leu
FIN
202a
International Corporate Finance
Prerequisite: FIN 201a and FIN 212a (may be taken concurrently)
Focuses on how companies make their investment, financing, and dividend decisions in a global environment. Examines the theory and practices of firms through a combination of current articles, problems in the text, and case analysis. Students will have a firm understanding of how companies create value through their decisions. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Bezviner, Mr. Canella, Mr. Nandy or Ms. Sisli Ciamarra
MA IEF Economic Global Perspective
ECON
201a
Global Economic Environment
Open to IBS students only.
A look at global economic environments from the perspective of all stakeholders, including governments, businesses, consumers, labor, rich, and poor. Takes a multidisciplinary approach drawing on international politics, economy, finance, and business management. The course is divided in two major themes: the economic finance dimension and the political social dimension. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Ballantine or Ms. Mann
MA IEF Quantitative
BUS
211f
Analyzing Big Data I
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Surveys quantitative techniques and computer tools in management information systems including database manipulation. Objective of the course is to help students acquire advanced computer skills through cases and hands-on applications. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Carver and Mr. Rai
BUS
212f
Analyzing Big Data II
Prerequisite: BUS 211f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Provides theoretical and hands-on instruction in three major elements of Big Data analytics: management-oriented visualizations, data mining, and predictive modeling. Through the use of widely adopted software tools, students will build models and execute analyses to address needs of selected clients as well as solve problems presented in cases. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Carver and Mr. Rai
BUS
253a
Marketing Research: Design and Analysis
This course may not be repeated for credit by students who have taken BUS 256f in previous years.
A practical exploration of a broad sampling of market research techniques to compile, analyze, and apply consumer, product, and market intelligence to strategic and marketing decisions concerning market segmentation, targeting, positioning, product design, and demand forecast. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Wang
ECON
184b
Econometrics
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Prerequisites: ECON 83a. Corequisite: ECON 80a or permission of instructor. Students must earn C- or higher in MATH 10a, or otherwise satisfy the calculus requirement, to enroll in this course. This course may not be taken for credit by students who have previously taken or are currently enrolled in ECON 185a or ECON 311a.
An introduction to the theory of econometric regression and forecasting models, with applications to the analysis of business and economic data. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Brainerd, Mr. Pei and Mr. Pettenuzzo
ECON
185a
Econometrics with Linear Algebra
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a, 82b, 83a and MATH 15a. A working knowledge of linear algebra is required. Does not count toward the major in economics if the student has taken ECON 184b or an equivalent course.
Students are first exposed to the necessary background in advanced probability theory and statistics. Then statistical theory for the linear regression model, its most important variants, and extensions to nonlinear methods including Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) and Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) are covered. Theoretical analysis is accompanied by the study of empirical economic examples. Usually offered every second year.
Staff
ECON
211f
Foundations of Econometrics
Prerequisite: Statistics or ECON 210f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Survey of quantitative techniques and computer tools in data analysis and forecasting, including econometric estimation. The course will include case studies and the use of computer applications. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Fournier
ECON
212f
Survey of Advanced Econometric Techniques
Prerequisite: ECON 211f or equivalent. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Applies econometric models using data measured as counts, including the poisson and the negative binomial, and extensions that incorporate inflated or truncated counts. They then consider tobit and heckit models which adjust for truncation and censoring in the general linear model. Finally, they learn how to correct for simultaneity bias and heteroskedasticity using Instrumental Variables approaches. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Fournier
ECON
261a
Empirical Analysis of Trade Policy
Prerequisite: One semester (or module) of econometrics, at either the undergraduate or graduate level.
Explores contemporary trade policy issues, with a focus on emerging markets, while helping students learn advanced econometric techniques. Students read professional empirical studies to learn what we know and carry out their own original research on a policy issue, from data collection to econometric testing and evaluation. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Dean
ECON/FIN
250a
Forecasting in Finance and Economics
Prerequisites: ECON 210f and 211f.
Covers the basics of forecasting and time series analysis as used in finance and economics. Time series topics will include linear regression, ARMA models, trend modeling, seasonal adjustments, and volatility modeling. We will also cover more unusual topics such as bootstrapping, and technical trading rules. Students will leave the course with a good introduction to many of the tools used in modern time series forecasting and quantitative finance. Usually offered every year.
Mr. LeBaron
ECON/FIN
256a
Taming the Financial Markets
Prerequisites: ECON 201a, FIN 201a, FIN 202a.
Explores why financial markets are susceptible to crises, how those crises affect workers and taxpayers, and how the risk of financial crises can be mitigated by regulation/supervision, monetary policy, macro-prudential policies and risk management. Highlights importance of international regulatory coordination. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Mr. Balder
FIN
217f
Financial Modeling
Prerequisite: FIN 202a and FIN 212a. May take FIN 217f during second module concurrently with FIN 202a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Introduces quantitative modeling techniques for analyzing the financial performance of projects and companies and valuing earning streams. A key objective is to help students develop sophisticated skills in using spreadsheets and related software through cases and hands-on applications. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Canella
FIN
218f
Financial Modeling II
Prerequisite: FIN 217f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Continues Financial Modeling I (FIN 217f) in the analysis of quantitative financial performance of projects and companies and valuing earning streams. It supplements FIN 217f in its use of real options for valuations, new industries with their own peculiarities (insurance, pharmaceuticals), and the privatization of a telecommunications firm. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Canella
FIN
271a
Options & Derivatives II
Prerequisites: FIN 270a.
Explores in more detail the mathematics of pricing financial derivatives on commodities, currencies, equities, equity indexes and other tradable securities, with particular emphasis on the various discrete computational methods and their convergence properties to the Black-Scholes-Merton formulas. This course also studies credit derivatives and interest rate derivatives. Courses or experience in statistics, calculus, and computer programming are required. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Reitano
FIN
285a
Computer Simulations and Risk Assessment
Prerequisite: FIN 201a.
Examines recent advances in computational methods for evaluation risk and decision making in risky situations. Emphasizes a common computational framework for solving many problems from business, finance, and economics using statistical methods, such as Monte Carlo and resampling. Usually offered every year.
Mr. LeBaron
MBA Required Courses
BUS
228f
Management Communication
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
This course helps students improve their business communication skills. It focuses on how to present ideas, facts, and analyses more clearly and concisely, so as to have impact on management decisions. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Ellet and Ms. Oseas
BUS
252a
Marketing Management
An in-depth exploration and practical application of the basic marketing tools of product policy, pricing, promotion, distribution, sales management, customer segmentation, and retention in order to analyze marketing opportunities and develop marketing programs for a variety of management situations. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Zimmerman
BUS
260a
Competition and Strategy
Introduces frameworks for analyzing industries and firm competitive advantage and reviews key concepts in business strategy. Uses case method to practice strategic thinking and team projects to practice business research. Core for MBA students and recommended for other business students. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Gomes-Casseres
BUS
272a
Operations Management
Explores how different business strategies require different business processes, and, conversely, how different operational capabilities support different strategies to gain competitive advantage. Topics may include inventory management, cycle time management, supply chain management, quality management, and process management and improvement, as well as recent developments such as lean or world-class manufacturing, just-in-time operations, time-based competition, and business reengineering. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Morrison
MBA Economic Environment
ECON
201a
Global Economic Environment
Open to IBS students only.
A look at global economic environments from the perspective of all stakeholders, including governments, businesses, consumers, labor, rich, and poor. Takes a multidisciplinary approach drawing on international politics, economy, finance, and business management. The course is divided in two major themes: the economic finance dimension and the political social dimension. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Ballantine or Ms. Mann
ECON
253a
Asia: Center of World Economy
With half of the world's population, one quarter of its output, and twice its growth rate, Asia is emerging as the center of the world economy. This course examines Asia's economic dynamism and the companies, investments, and policies that are shaping its future. Usually offered every other year.
Mr. Petri
MBA Organizational Behavior
BUS
219f
Fundamentals of Organizational Behavior
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit. May not be taken for credit by students who took BUS 220a in prior years.
Covers the fundamentals of organizational behavior, including the topics of leadership, work motivation, organizational culture, organizational structure, group dynamics, perception, decision-making, and cross-cultural interaction. Final project includes analysis of cultural differences in organizational behavior concepts. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Molinsky
BUS
220a
Organizational Behavior and Management
Open only to Master's degree students.
Focuses on real-world applications of organizational behavior. We will examine topics of leadership, work motivation, organizational culture, organizational structure, group dynamics, perception, decision-making, and cross-cultural interaction. Students will also analyze and propose solutions to real management problem in outside company or organization using concepts covered in class. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Molinsky
BUS
222f
Global Dexterity
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
To be a global worker and a true "citizen of the world" today means you are able to adapt your behavior to conform to new cultural contexts without losing your authentic self in the process. Work on developing "global dexterity" skills to accomplish this. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Molinsky
BUS
226f
Managing Global Human Capital
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
An introduction to the strategic role international human resource management plays in creating competitive advantages for firms. Topics include global strategies for Employment, Compensation, Leadership Development, and Policies and Procedures. Students will learn the nuances of managing human capital in multinational firms. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Suderow
BUS
227a
Influence, Power and Identity
Examines how many aspects of your career—landing a job, a promotion, or a new client—require you to influence other people and to affect how they think, feel and behave. Students will explore and apply the latest research on successful influence strategies. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Cha
BUS
275f
Transnational Negotiations
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Explores the dynamics of international business negotiations in the context of evolving global industries. Students will develop an understanding of negotiation strategy, positioning, and process, as well as the skills necessary to effectively design, negotiate, and manage transnational deals. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Cohen
MBA Business Analytics
(4 credits are required from any of the following choices)
BUS
211f
Analyzing Big Data I
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Surveys quantitative techniques and computer tools in management information systems including database manipulation. Objective of the course is to help students acquire advanced computer skills through cases and hands-on applications. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Carver and Mr. Rai
BUS
212f
Analyzing Big Data II
Prerequisite: BUS 211f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Provides theoretical and hands-on instruction in three major elements of Big Data analytics: management-oriented visualizations, data mining, and predictive modeling. Through the use of widely adopted software tools, students will build models and execute analyses to address needs of selected clients as well as solve problems presented in cases. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Carver and Mr. Rai
BUS
253a
Marketing Research: Design and Analysis
This course may not be repeated for credit by students who have taken BUS 256f in previous years.
A practical exploration of a broad sampling of market research techniques to compile, analyze, and apply consumer, product, and market intelligence to strategic and marketing decisions concerning market segmentation, targeting, positioning, product design, and demand forecast. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Wang
ECON
210f
Foundations of Statistics
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Intended for students with little or no prior coursework in statistics. Introduction to statistical thinking and analytic methods, emphasizing business decision-making. Considerable use of statistical software (Stata), readings, cases, and projects permits focus on concepts, models, and interpretation of results. Topics include descriptive statistics, financial models, estimation, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Fournier
ECON
211f
Foundations of Econometrics
Prerequisite: Statistics or ECON 210f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Survey of quantitative techniques and computer tools in data analysis and forecasting, including econometric estimation. The course will include case studies and the use of computer applications. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Fournier
FIN
217f
Financial Modeling
Prerequisite: FIN 202a and FIN 212a. May take FIN 217f during second module concurrently with FIN 202a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Introduces quantitative modeling techniques for analyzing the financial performance of projects and companies and valuing earning streams. A key objective is to help students develop sophisticated skills in using spreadsheets and related software through cases and hands-on applications. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Canella
FIN
218f
Financial Modeling II
Prerequisite: FIN 217f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Continues Financial Modeling I (FIN 217f) in the analysis of quantitative financial performance of projects and companies and valuing earning streams. It supplements FIN 217f in its use of real options for valuations, new industries with their own peculiarities (insurance, pharmaceuticals), and the privatization of a telecommunications firm. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Canella
MSF Core
ECON
201a
Global Economic Environment
Open to IBS students only.
A look at global economic environments from the perspective of all stakeholders, including governments, businesses, consumers, labor, rich, and poor. Takes a multidisciplinary approach drawing on international politics, economy, finance, and business management. The course is divided in two major themes: the economic finance dimension and the political social dimension. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Ballantine or Ms. Mann
ECON
210f
Foundations of Statistics
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Intended for students with little or no prior coursework in statistics. Introduction to statistical thinking and analytic methods, emphasizing business decision-making. Considerable use of statistical software (Stata), readings, cases, and projects permits focus on concepts, models, and interpretation of results. Topics include descriptive statistics, financial models, estimation, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Fournier
FIN
202a
International Corporate Finance
Prerequisite: FIN 201a and FIN 212a (may be taken concurrently)
Focuses on how companies make their investment, financing, and dividend decisions in a global environment. Examines the theory and practices of firms through a combination of current articles, problems in the text, and case analysis. Students will have a firm understanding of how companies create value through their decisions. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Bezviner, Mr. Canella, Mr. Nandy or Ms. Sisli Ciamarra
FIN
212a
Accounting and Financial Analysis
Develops a fundamental understanding of financial accounting and corporate reporting issues. Students will be exposed to a variety of real world applications involving for profit financial statements. More specifically, students will acquire skills allowing them to read, interpret and analyze the income statement, balance sheet and the statement of cash flows. This course will primarily address accounting standards employed in the US (GAAP) but will acquaint students with international standards (IFRS) used by other countries in numerous accounting areas. Further, issues related to the project on the convergence of standards currently being conducted by the FASB and IASB will be discussed. Throughout the course, emphasis will be placed on interpreting financial statements to understand how accounting information, in a variety of decision settings, can be utilized by managers. Usually offered every semester.
Ms. Anderson or Mr. Angell
FIN
217f
Financial Modeling
Prerequisite: FIN 202a and FIN 212a. May take FIN 217f during second module concurrently with FIN 202a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Introduces quantitative modeling techniques for analyzing the financial performance of projects and companies and valuing earning streams. A key objective is to help students develop sophisticated skills in using spreadsheets and related software through cases and hands-on applications. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Canella
MSF Financial Theory
FIN
201a
Investments
Prerequisite: ECON 210f or statistics (may be taken concurrently).
Covers topics related to financial economics, including investors' attitudes toward risk, capital allocation, portfolio selection, asset pricing models (Capital Asset Pricing Model and the Arbitrage Pricing Theory), the efficient market hypothesis, fixed income markets, equity valuation, and options and futures markets. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Alt, Mr. Hilscher, and Mr. Leu
MSF Advanced Finance
FIN
203f
International Financial Management
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, FIN 202a, FIN 212a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Explores the characteristics of international financial markets and evaluates associated risks and benefits. Addresses the distinct risks multinationals face, the financial tools they use to manage these risks, their tax and working capital management, and their financing and investment decisions. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Sisli Ciamarra
FIN
213a
Intermediate Financial Accounting
Prerequisite: FIN 212a or an approved an introductory course in the area of financial accounting.
Students should be familiar with the formal financial statements, transaction analysis, income measurement and accrual accounting. This course provides an extensive expansion of the introductory accounting course. Additional topics include revenue recognition, long term construction contracts, deferred taxes, capital leases, pensions, inventory valuation, dollar value LIFO, earnings per share and share based compensation. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Keith
FIN
214a
Managerial Accounting
Prerequisite: FIN 212a or FIN 213a.
Provides a general introduction to the concepts, problems and issues related to managerial accounting. Managerial accounting predominantly addresses the internal use of economic information regarding the resources used in the process of producing goods and providing services. Internal users of accounting information are all of those individuals that are involved in the business decision-making process of the economic entity. In the course, you will become acquainted with some of the conventional methods of internal reporting used in planning, control and decision-making. Fundamental aspects of cost behavior and cost accounting will also be discussed, but always from the perspective of the manager who must make decisions rather than the accountant who prepares the information. Usually offered every semester.
Ms. Anderson and Ms. Weihs
FIN
216f
Financial Statement Analysis
Prerequisite: FIN 212a or FIN 213a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Presents techniques of financial statement analysis that deepen the understanding of financial statements and the economic and strategic information they provide. Exposes students to the financial reporting environment and practices of U.S. companies. The course does not cover equity valuation. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Keith
FIN
230a
Trading and Exchanges
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, basic statistics.
The microeconomics of financial markets, with special focus on the foreign exchange market. Topics include market structure, transparency, determination of bid-ask spreads, price discovery, common trading strategies, currency market efficiency. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Osler
FIN
261a
Fixed Income Securities
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, or permission of the instructor.
Studies fixed income securities; cash flow structures, pricing risk measures; features of major fixed income sectors; valuation of fixed income securities with embedded options; portfolio management and performance measurement; interest rate derivatives and applications to asset/liability management. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Bergstresser
FIN
263a
International Portfolio Management
Prerequisite: FIN 201a.
A blend of advanced theory and state-of-the-art practice with a two fold aim: to ground students in the theory of international portfolio investments and to immerse them in the application of global portfolio management in the real world. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Alt and Mr. Nierenberg
FIN
270a
Options and Derivatives
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, or permission of the instructor.
Introduces students, using a reasonably formal mathematical approach, to a broad range of topics related to the traded securities, markets, pricing, and applications of financial derivatives. Special focus is placed on how replication is used to price financial derivatives. Derivatives studied include those defined on commodities, currencies, equities and equity indexes, with an introduction to fixed income derivatives. Usually offered every semester.
Mr Neirenberg or Mr. Reitano
MSF Finance Electives
BUS
265f
Business Strategy in Emerging Markets
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Studies how the environment for doing business in emerging markets is different from that in developed countries, such as Europe and the United States. We will study how these differences affect business strategy for a range of large and small organizations - from well-established multinationals to entrepreneurial start-ups. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Staff
FIN
203f
International Financial Management
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, FIN 202a, FIN 212a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Explores the characteristics of international financial markets and evaluates associated risks and benefits. Addresses the distinct risks multinationals face, the financial tools they use to manage these risks, their tax and working capital management, and their financing and investment decisions. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Sisli Ciamarra
FIN
213a
Intermediate Financial Accounting
Prerequisite: FIN 212a or an approved an introductory course in the area of financial accounting.
Students should be familiar with the formal financial statements, transaction analysis, income measurement and accrual accounting. This course provides an extensive expansion of the introductory accounting course. Additional topics include revenue recognition, long term construction contracts, deferred taxes, capital leases, pensions, inventory valuation, dollar value LIFO, earnings per share and share based compensation. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Keith
FIN
214a
Managerial Accounting
Prerequisite: FIN 212a or FIN 213a.
Provides a general introduction to the concepts, problems and issues related to managerial accounting. Managerial accounting predominantly addresses the internal use of economic information regarding the resources used in the process of producing goods and providing services. Internal users of accounting information are all of those individuals that are involved in the business decision-making process of the economic entity. In the course, you will become acquainted with some of the conventional methods of internal reporting used in planning, control and decision-making. Fundamental aspects of cost behavior and cost accounting will also be discussed, but always from the perspective of the manager who must make decisions rather than the accountant who prepares the information. Usually offered every semester.
Ms. Anderson and Ms. Weihs
FIN
216f
Financial Statement Analysis
Prerequisite: FIN 212a or FIN 213a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Presents techniques of financial statement analysis that deepen the understanding of financial statements and the economic and strategic information they provide. Exposes students to the financial reporting environment and practices of U.S. companies. The course does not cover equity valuation. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Keith
FIN
223f
Project Finance
Prerequisites: FIN 202a, FIN 217f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Examines the financial, economic, political, and technological factors that affect very large, capital-intensive projects. Looks at how they are combined into a coherent structure and financed via a combination of non-recourse debt and equity. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Canella
FIN
230a
Trading and Exchanges
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, basic statistics.
The microeconomics of financial markets, with special focus on the foreign exchange market. Topics include market structure, transparency, determination of bid-ask spreads, price discovery, common trading strategies, currency market efficiency. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Osler
FIN
231f
Private Equity
Prerequisites: FIN 202a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Explores the history, structure, players and adjacent industries of Private Equity; the kinds of companies that make attractive candidates for investment; how PE firms add value; what they do when things go wrong; and how they create successful exits. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. McKay
FIN
232a
Mergers and Acquisitions Analysis
Prerequisites: FIN 201a and FIN 202a (may be taken concurrently).
Reviews the core concepts involved in mergers and acquisitions; value, negotiation, deal structuring, corporate strategy and valued added, financing, and tax consequences. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Ballantine
FIN
233f
Relative Values of Securities
Prerequisites: FIN 212a or FIN 216f strongly recommended. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Introduces students to the issues and analysis necessary for making the decision to purchase securities. The principal focus is on publicly traded securities. Debt and equity security values will be addressed. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Aikens
FIN
234f
Corporate Financial Decision Making
Prerequisite: FIN 202a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit. May not be taken for credit by students who take FIN 234a.
Capital budgeting involves assessing business opportunities/investments, preparing cash flow forecasts, and comparing the returns of these investments. This course employs criteria such as NPV, IRR and APV to explore investment decisions described in articles, textbook readings, and cases. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Mr. Canella
FIN
236f
Technical Analysis
Prerequisite: FIN 201a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
From FX to equity indexes to real estate futures markets, traders rely on technically-derived signals to enter speculative positions, set protective orders, and time their exits. Provides an introduction to technical analysis and familiarizes students with strategies in common use. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Keller
FIN
237f
Security Analysis
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit. Prerequisites: ECON 210f, FIN 201a and FIN 212a. FIN 216f, 217f, and 233f are recommended.
Examines fundamental-based investment strategies that funds use to generate alpha or positive risk-adjusted returns, with a focus on long-short equity strategies used by hedge funds and 130/30 mutual funds. Usually offered every year.
Mr. McKay
FIN
241f
Financial Planning and Control
Prerequisite: FIN 202a (may be taken concurrently).
Examines financial planning methodologies and tools as well as financial control mechanisms. Includes case studies using real-life examples, accounting, and financial objectives. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Canella
FIN
242f
Credit Risk Analysis
Prerequisite: FIN 212a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Examines credit risk (i.e., the possibility that an obligor will fail to perform as agreed) from the perspective of the commercial banker. Focuses on a sound understanding of the firm and its business plan and how the banker constructs the appropriate structure for the senior loan. Topics include asset-based, real estate, and cash flow lending. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Bayone
FIN
246a
Applied Corporate Financial Strategy
Prerequisites: FIN 202a and 212a.
Explores the application of core finance disciplines to real-world situations. Students who take this course should have completed course work or have actual knowledge of managerial accounting, financial management and control, valuation, M&A, strategic marketing, financial forecasting, etc. Additionally, students should be near graduation and preparing for a career in a private sector firm. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Aikens
FIN
247f
Commercial Bankruptcy
Prerequisites: FIN 202a (may be taken concurrently) and 212a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Focuses on the relationship between debtors and creditors in a deteriorating financial environment, through lectures and case studies. Explores how U.S. courts work, jurisdictional issues that impact debtor/creditor relationships, the importance of advocacy, the relationship between state and federal law, and the hierarchy of creditor claims. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Mr. Aikens
FIN
248f
Advanced Corporate Finance
Prerequisites: FIN 201a and FIN 202a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Develops the "art and science" of optimal strategic decision-making by applying corporate financial theory to cases of financial policy, financial instruments and valuation. The topic areas are: corporate restructuring with an international flavor; raising capital using hybrid securities; and IPO's and the market for corporate control. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Nandy
FIN
252f
Banking, Central Banking, and the International Finance System
Prerequisite: FIN 201a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Examines the evolving architecture of the international financial system. Discusses the nature of international banking, including the role of shadow banks; central banking and the fragility of the financial system and why it is prone to crises; and finally, the government's involvement in the financial system, exploring the rationale and structure of regulation. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Cecchetti
FIN
261a
Fixed Income Securities
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, or permission of the instructor.
Studies fixed income securities; cash flow structures, pricing risk measures; features of major fixed income sectors; valuation of fixed income securities with embedded options; portfolio management and performance measurement; interest rate derivatives and applications to asset/liability management. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Bergstresser
FIN
263a
International Portfolio Management
Prerequisite: FIN 201a.
A blend of advanced theory and state-of-the-art practice with a two fold aim: to ground students in the theory of international portfolio investments and to immerse them in the application of global portfolio management in the real world. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Alt and Mr. Nierenberg
FIN
264f
Applied Institutional Portfolio Management
Prerequisite: FIN 201a.
Studies institutional portfolio management from the perspective of an allocator such as Endowment, Foundation, Pension, or any other type of multi-manager fund, with focus on the Endowment model. Examines portfolio governance, portfolio asset allocation theory and practice, tactical and strategic allocation, characteristics of asset classes, risk management, passive versus active strategies, investment manager evaluation, alignment of investor/manager incentives, and performance evaluation. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Lenox, Ms. Shufrin, and Mr. Warren
FIN
270a
Options and Derivatives
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, or permission of the instructor.
Introduces students, using a reasonably formal mathematical approach, to a broad range of topics related to the traded securities, markets, pricing, and applications of financial derivatives. Special focus is placed on how replication is used to price financial derivatives. Derivatives studied include those defined on commodities, currencies, equities and equity indexes, with an introduction to fixed income derivatives. Usually offered every semester.
Mr Neirenberg or Mr. Reitano
FIN
271a
Options & Derivatives II
Prerequisites: FIN 270a.
Explores in more detail the mathematics of pricing financial derivatives on commodities, currencies, equities, equity indexes and other tradable securities, with particular emphasis on the various discrete computational methods and their convergence properties to the Black-Scholes-Merton formulas. This course also studies credit derivatives and interest rate derivatives. Courses or experience in statistics, calculus, and computer programming are required. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Reitano
FIN
279a
Applied Risk Management
Prerequisites: FIN 201a or FIN 212a.
Studies risk management in a variety of contexts as well as the applications of financial derivatives. Focuses on case studies from many industries which address risks related to commodities, weather, foreign exchange rates, interest rate, and credit, and also corporate governance matters and integrated risk management. Students will be expected to be able to analyze a corporate risk situation, work through examples and develop hedging strategies. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Reitano
FIN
280a
Financial Risk Management
Prerequisite: FIN 201a or FIN 270a or FIN 279a.
Introduces many of the approaches financial institutions (investment and commercial banks, hedge funds, insurance companies and pension plans) take to model, quantify, and manage risk. Types of risks covered include financial (equity, currency, interest rate, and credit), as well as operational. The Basel II and Solvency II regulatory frameworks to risk management will also be studied. Students will be expected to have good exposure to financial derivatives from the prerequisite courses as well as to the basic concepts from calculus and statistics. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Reitano
FIN
285a
Computer Simulations and Risk Assessment
Prerequisite: FIN 201a.
Examines recent advances in computational methods for evaluation risk and decision making in risky situations. Emphasizes a common computational framework for solving many problems from business, finance, and economics using statistical methods, such as Monte Carlo and resampling. Usually offered every year.
Mr. LeBaron
Specialization in Asset Management
Requirements for this specialization are listed on the IBS website.
FIN
230a
Trading and Exchanges
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, basic statistics.
The microeconomics of financial markets, with special focus on the foreign exchange market. Topics include market structure, transparency, determination of bid-ask spreads, price discovery, common trading strategies, currency market efficiency. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Osler
FIN
231f
Private Equity
Prerequisites: FIN 202a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Explores the history, structure, players and adjacent industries of Private Equity; the kinds of companies that make attractive candidates for investment; how PE firms add value; what they do when things go wrong; and how they create successful exits. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. McKay
FIN
232a
Mergers and Acquisitions Analysis
Prerequisites: FIN 201a and FIN 202a (may be taken concurrently).
Reviews the core concepts involved in mergers and acquisitions; value, negotiation, deal structuring, corporate strategy and valued added, financing, and tax consequences. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Ballantine
FIN
233f
Relative Values of Securities
Prerequisites: FIN 212a or FIN 216f strongly recommended. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Introduces students to the issues and analysis necessary for making the decision to purchase securities. The principal focus is on publicly traded securities. Debt and equity security values will be addressed. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Aikens
FIN
236f
Technical Analysis
Prerequisite: FIN 201a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
From FX to equity indexes to real estate futures markets, traders rely on technically-derived signals to enter speculative positions, set protective orders, and time their exits. Provides an introduction to technical analysis and familiarizes students with strategies in common use. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Keller
FIN
237f
Security Analysis
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit. Prerequisites: ECON 210f, FIN 201a and FIN 212a. FIN 216f, 217f, and 233f are recommended.
Examines fundamental-based investment strategies that funds use to generate alpha or positive risk-adjusted returns, with a focus on long-short equity strategies used by hedge funds and 130/30 mutual funds. Usually offered every year.
Mr. McKay
FIN
242f
Credit Risk Analysis
Prerequisite: FIN 212a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Examines credit risk (i.e., the possibility that an obligor will fail to perform as agreed) from the perspective of the commercial banker. Focuses on a sound understanding of the firm and its business plan and how the banker constructs the appropriate structure for the senior loan. Topics include asset-based, real estate, and cash flow lending. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Bayone
FIN
244f
Credit Risk Analysis II
Prerequisite: FIN 242f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Examines credit risk (i.e., the possibility that an obligor will fail to perform as agreed) for foreign companies that largely operate in their overseas markets. Based on a sound understanding of the firm, its business plan, and the environment in which it operates, the banker constructs the appropriate structure for the senior loan. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Bayone
FIN
252f
Banking, Central Banking, and the International Finance System
Prerequisite: FIN 201a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Examines the evolving architecture of the international financial system. Discusses the nature of international banking, including the role of shadow banks; central banking and the fragility of the financial system and why it is prone to crises; and finally, the government's involvement in the financial system, exploring the rationale and structure of regulation. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Cecchetti
FIN
261a
Fixed Income Securities
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, or permission of the instructor.
Studies fixed income securities; cash flow structures, pricing risk measures; features of major fixed income sectors; valuation of fixed income securities with embedded options; portfolio management and performance measurement; interest rate derivatives and applications to asset/liability management. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Bergstresser
FIN
263a
International Portfolio Management
Prerequisite: FIN 201a.
A blend of advanced theory and state-of-the-art practice with a two fold aim: to ground students in the theory of international portfolio investments and to immerse them in the application of global portfolio management in the real world. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Alt and Mr. Nierenberg
FIN
264f
Applied Institutional Portfolio Management
Prerequisite: FIN 201a.
Studies institutional portfolio management from the perspective of an allocator such as Endowment, Foundation, Pension, or any other type of multi-manager fund, with focus on the Endowment model. Examines portfolio governance, portfolio asset allocation theory and practice, tactical and strategic allocation, characteristics of asset classes, risk management, passive versus active strategies, investment manager evaluation, alignment of investor/manager incentives, and performance evaluation. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Lenox, Ms. Shufrin, and Mr. Warren
FIN
270a
Options and Derivatives
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, or permission of the instructor.
Introduces students, using a reasonably formal mathematical approach, to a broad range of topics related to the traded securities, markets, pricing, and applications of financial derivatives. Special focus is placed on how replication is used to price financial derivatives. Derivatives studied include those defined on commodities, currencies, equities and equity indexes, with an introduction to fixed income derivatives. Usually offered every semester.
Mr Neirenberg or Mr. Reitano
FIN
271a
Options & Derivatives II
Prerequisites: FIN 270a.
Explores in more detail the mathematics of pricing financial derivatives on commodities, currencies, equities, equity indexes and other tradable securities, with particular emphasis on the various discrete computational methods and their convergence properties to the Black-Scholes-Merton formulas. This course also studies credit derivatives and interest rate derivatives. Courses or experience in statistics, calculus, and computer programming are required. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Reitano
FIN
285a
Computer Simulations and Risk Assessment
Prerequisite: FIN 201a.
Examines recent advances in computational methods for evaluation risk and decision making in risky situations. Emphasizes a common computational framework for solving many problems from business, finance, and economics using statistical methods, such as Monte Carlo and resampling. Usually offered every year.
Mr. LeBaron
Specialization in Business Economics
Requirements for this specialization are listed on the IBS website.
BUS
211f
Analyzing Big Data I
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Surveys quantitative techniques and computer tools in management information systems including database manipulation. Objective of the course is to help students acquire advanced computer skills through cases and hands-on applications. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Carver and Mr. Rai
BUS
212f
Analyzing Big Data II
Prerequisite: BUS 211f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Provides theoretical and hands-on instruction in three major elements of Big Data analytics: management-oriented visualizations, data mining, and predictive modeling. Through the use of widely adopted software tools, students will build models and execute analyses to address needs of selected clients as well as solve problems presented in cases. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Carver and Mr. Rai
BUS
228f
Management Communication
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
This course helps students improve their business communication skills. It focuses on how to present ideas, facts, and analyses more clearly and concisely, so as to have impact on management decisions. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Ellet and Ms. Oseas
BUS
253a
Marketing Research: Design and Analysis
This course may not be repeated for credit by students who have taken BUS 256f in previous years.
A practical exploration of a broad sampling of market research techniques to compile, analyze, and apply consumer, product, and market intelligence to strategic and marketing decisions concerning market segmentation, targeting, positioning, product design, and demand forecast. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Wang
ECON
135a
Industrial Organization
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 83a or permission of the instructor.
Microeconomic analysis of firm behavior under alternative market structures and implications for market outcomes. Topics include strategic interaction, entry and exit, collusion, predation, price discrimination, product differentiation, vertical relations, imperfect information, advertising, and patents and innovation. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Graddy and Mr. Shiller
ECON
141b
Economics of Innovation
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 83a or permission of the instructor.
Studies the innovation and technological change as the central focus of modern economies. Topics include the sources of growth, economics of research and development, innovation, diffusion and technology transfer, appropriability, patents, information markets, productivity, institutional innovation, and global competitiveness. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Jefferson
ECON
181b
Game Theory and Economic Applications
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a, ECON 83a, MATH 10a or equivalent.
Analysis of decision making in multiperson settings. Studies models of equilibrium and various kinds of games under perfect and imperfect information. The applications include include business strategy and competition, auctions, and risk sharing. Usually offered every second year.
Ms. Graddy
ECON
207a
Managerial Economics
Teaches students to apply basic microeconomic concepts to business and management decision-making. Key concepts include consumer behavior, properties of market supply and demand, firm's production decisions, market structures, government interventions in the markets, and optimal pricing strategy under various market conditions such as monopoly and oligopoly. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Ghosh and Mr. Habibi
ECON
211f
Foundations of Econometrics
Prerequisite: Statistics or ECON 210f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Survey of quantitative techniques and computer tools in data analysis and forecasting, including econometric estimation. The course will include case studies and the use of computer applications. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Fournier
ECON
212f
Survey of Advanced Econometric Techniques
Prerequisite: ECON 211f or equivalent. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Applies econometric models using data measured as counts, including the poisson and the negative binomial, and extensions that incorporate inflated or truncated counts. They then consider tobit and heckit models which adjust for truncation and censoring in the general linear model. Finally, they learn how to correct for simultaneity bias and heteroskedasticity using Instrumental Variables approaches. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Fournier
ECON
235a
Central Banking Seminar
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, ECON 202a, ECON 210f or equivalent.
Studies the origins of banks and central banks; old and new debates about monetary policy including inflation targeting: sophisticated questions such as whether central banks should pay interest on reserves; and finally the appropriate policies for central banks in a financially turbulent world. Each week students read a substantial amount and synthesize it in a short paper. Class is devoted to discussion. Each student makes two presentations. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Brown
ECON
236a
Managing Government Debt and Deficits
Prerequisites: ECON 202a and ECON 207f.
Examines how across the industrialized world, countries realize they need to reduce their government deficits, and possibly their government debt, to avoid a crisis down the road. Should they raise taxes? If so, which? Should they reduce spending? Should they default? We consider the pros and cons of these alternatives and more. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Ms. Brown
ECON
261a
Empirical Analysis of Trade Policy
Prerequisite: One semester (or module) of econometrics, at either the undergraduate or graduate level.
Explores contemporary trade policy issues, with a focus on emerging markets, while helping students learn advanced econometric techniques. Students read professional empirical studies to learn what we know and carry out their own original research on a policy issue, from data collection to econometric testing and evaluation. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Dean
ECON
262f
Outsourcing and Offshoring: Multinationals, Technology, and Globalization
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Outsourcing and offshoring raise questions of economic theory, business strategy, and policy emphasis for both industrial and emerging economies. This course examines and assesses empirically different theories of the multinational firm. Addresses how pervasive application of information technology exposes firms to business opportunities and economies to policy challenges. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Mann
ECON
299a
Master's Project
Prerequisite: Two semesters at IBS or permission of program director.
A student wishing to complete a master's project under the guidance of a faculty advisor may enroll in this course during his or her second year in the master's program. Projects may involve a short analytical thesis, the solution of an applied problem, or a report on work completed in an appropriate internship. In exceptional cases a student may undertake a master’s thesis so demanding that it requires two semesters. In such cases, with careful consideration of the faculty adviser and the program director, the student may enroll in this course for his/her two final semesters. Usually offered every year.
Staff
ECON
301a
Advanced Microeconomics I
Prerequisites: Microeconomics and math.
Study of the theories of microeconomics, including optimization, theory of the firm, theory of the consumer, duality theory, general equilibrium, welfare economics, public goods, and externalities. Usually offered every second year.
Ms. Bui
ECON
311a
Advanced Econometrics I
Prerequisites: Statistics and math.
Econometric theory and applications. Discusses the statistical theory of regression modeling and associated hypothesis testing, with emphasis on the construction, interpretation, and use of econometric models. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Pei
ECON/FIN
250a
Forecasting in Finance and Economics
Prerequisites: ECON 210f and 211f.
Covers the basics of forecasting and time series analysis as used in finance and economics. Time series topics will include linear regression, ARMA models, trend modeling, seasonal adjustments, and volatility modeling. We will also cover more unusual topics such as bootstrapping, and technical trading rules. Students will leave the course with a good introduction to many of the tools used in modern time series forecasting and quantitative finance. Usually offered every year.
Mr. LeBaron
FIN
213a
Intermediate Financial Accounting
Prerequisite: FIN 212a or an approved an introductory course in the area of financial accounting.
Students should be familiar with the formal financial statements, transaction analysis, income measurement and accrual accounting. This course provides an extensive expansion of the introductory accounting course. Additional topics include revenue recognition, long term construction contracts, deferred taxes, capital leases, pensions, inventory valuation, dollar value LIFO, earnings per share and share based compensation. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Keith
FIN
253a
Global Financial Institutions: Management and Policy
Prerequisites: FIN 201a and FIN 202a.
Examines operations, strategies and regulation of global financial institutions. Initial focus on core activities, including foreign exchange, global bonds, equities, derivatives, and M&A followed by examination of the regulatory environment, including the role of Basel III, prudential policies, supervision and capital controls in emerging markets. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Staff
Specialization in Corporate Finance
Requirements for this specialization are listed on the IBS website.
BUS
278f
Corporate Governance: From Colossal Failures to Best Practices
Prerequisite: FIN 212a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
How the board of directors, management, shareholders, and an external auditor should work. How individual goals and external pressures influence individuals, and how their decisions impact a corporation's failure or success. Focuses on the United States with comparisons to Europe and Asia. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Schumann
BUS
279f
Corporate Fraud: Detection and Prevention
Prerequisite: FIN 212a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Exposes students to the problem of fraudulent financial reporting, including its causes, impact, and practical, cost-effective responses. Using actual and simulated case material, students will acquire skills needed to identify, investigate, and report findings on corporate fraud. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Schumann
FIN
203f
International Financial Management
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, FIN 202a, FIN 212a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Explores the characteristics of international financial markets and evaluates associated risks and benefits. Addresses the distinct risks multinationals face, the financial tools they use to manage these risks, their tax and working capital management, and their financing and investment decisions. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Sisli Ciamarra
FIN
213a
Intermediate Financial Accounting
Prerequisite: FIN 212a or an approved an introductory course in the area of financial accounting.
Students should be familiar with the formal financial statements, transaction analysis, income measurement and accrual accounting. This course provides an extensive expansion of the introductory accounting course. Additional topics include revenue recognition, long term construction contracts, deferred taxes, capital leases, pensions, inventory valuation, dollar value LIFO, earnings per share and share based compensation. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Keith
FIN
214a
Managerial Accounting
Prerequisite: FIN 212a or FIN 213a.
Provides a general introduction to the concepts, problems and issues related to managerial accounting. Managerial accounting predominantly addresses the internal use of economic information regarding the resources used in the process of producing goods and providing services. Internal users of accounting information are all of those individuals that are involved in the business decision-making process of the economic entity. In the course, you will become acquainted with some of the conventional methods of internal reporting used in planning, control and decision-making. Fundamental aspects of cost behavior and cost accounting will also be discussed, but always from the perspective of the manager who must make decisions rather than the accountant who prepares the information. Usually offered every semester.
Ms. Anderson and Ms. Weihs
FIN
216f
Financial Statement Analysis
Prerequisite: FIN 212a or FIN 213a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Presents techniques of financial statement analysis that deepen the understanding of financial statements and the economic and strategic information they provide. Exposes students to the financial reporting environment and practices of U.S. companies. The course does not cover equity valuation. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Keith
FIN
217f
Financial Modeling
Prerequisite: FIN 202a and FIN 212a. May take FIN 217f during second module concurrently with FIN 202a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Introduces quantitative modeling techniques for analyzing the financial performance of projects and companies and valuing earning streams. A key objective is to help students develop sophisticated skills in using spreadsheets and related software through cases and hands-on applications. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Canella
FIN
218f
Financial Modeling II
Prerequisite: FIN 217f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Continues Financial Modeling I (FIN 217f) in the analysis of quantitative financial performance of projects and companies and valuing earning streams. It supplements FIN 217f in its use of real options for valuations, new industries with their own peculiarities (insurance, pharmaceuticals), and the privatization of a telecommunications firm. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Canella
FIN
223f
Project Finance
Prerequisites: FIN 202a, FIN 217f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Examines the financial, economic, political, and technological factors that affect very large, capital-intensive projects. Looks at how they are combined into a coherent structure and financed via a combination of non-recourse debt and equity. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Canella
FIN
231f
Private Equity
Prerequisites: FIN 202a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Explores the history, structure, players and adjacent industries of Private Equity; the kinds of companies that make attractive candidates for investment; how PE firms add value; what they do when things go wrong; and how they create successful exits. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. McKay
FIN
232a
Mergers and Acquisitions Analysis
Prerequisites: FIN 201a and FIN 202a (may be taken concurrently).
Reviews the core concepts involved in mergers and acquisitions; value, negotiation, deal structuring, corporate strategy and valued added, financing, and tax consequences. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Ballantine
FIN
240a
Venture Capital and Entrepreneurial Finance
Prerequisites: FIN 201a and FIN 202a.
Emphasizes financial decision making skills for entrepreneurs. The structure will follow the firm's life cycle, with modules on contracting, valuation, and financial planning in the entrepreneurial context, raising capital, security choice, and the structure and valuation of exit decisions in the presence of information uncertainty. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Bergstresser and Mr. Nandy
FIN
241f
Financial Planning and Control
Prerequisite: FIN 202a (may be taken concurrently).
Examines financial planning methodologies and tools as well as financial control mechanisms. Includes case studies using real-life examples, accounting, and financial objectives. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Canella
FIN
242f
Credit Risk Analysis
Prerequisite: FIN 212a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Examines credit risk (i.e., the possibility that an obligor will fail to perform as agreed) from the perspective of the commercial banker. Focuses on a sound understanding of the firm and its business plan and how the banker constructs the appropriate structure for the senior loan. Topics include asset-based, real estate, and cash flow lending. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Bayone
FIN
244f
Credit Risk Analysis II
Prerequisite: FIN 242f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Examines credit risk (i.e., the possibility that an obligor will fail to perform as agreed) for foreign companies that largely operate in their overseas markets. Based on a sound understanding of the firm, its business plan, and the environment in which it operates, the banker constructs the appropriate structure for the senior loan. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Bayone
FIN
246a
Applied Corporate Financial Strategy
Prerequisites: FIN 202a and 212a.
Explores the application of core finance disciplines to real-world situations. Students who take this course should have completed course work or have actual knowledge of managerial accounting, financial management and control, valuation, M&A, strategic marketing, financial forecasting, etc. Additionally, students should be near graduation and preparing for a career in a private sector firm. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Aikens
FIN
247f
Commercial Bankruptcy
Prerequisites: FIN 202a (may be taken concurrently) and 212a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Focuses on the relationship between debtors and creditors in a deteriorating financial environment, through lectures and case studies. Explores how U.S. courts work, jurisdictional issues that impact debtor/creditor relationships, the importance of advocacy, the relationship between state and federal law, and the hierarchy of creditor claims. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Mr. Aikens
FIN
248f
Advanced Corporate Finance
Prerequisites: FIN 201a and FIN 202a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Develops the "art and science" of optimal strategic decision-making by applying corporate financial theory to cases of financial policy, financial instruments and valuation. The topic areas are: corporate restructuring with an international flavor; raising capital using hybrid securities; and IPO's and the market for corporate control. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Nandy
FIN
270a
Options and Derivatives
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, or permission of the instructor.
Introduces students, using a reasonably formal mathematical approach, to a broad range of topics related to the traded securities, markets, pricing, and applications of financial derivatives. Special focus is placed on how replication is used to price financial derivatives. Derivatives studied include those defined on commodities, currencies, equities and equity indexes, with an introduction to fixed income derivatives. Usually offered every semester.
Mr Neirenberg or Mr. Reitano
FIN
288a
Corporate Financial Engineering
Prerequisite: FIN 201a. Corequisite: FIN 202a.
Focuses on how financial engineering is used in firms to reduce their costs of financing, to alter their fundamental risk exposures and, in a handful of cases, to provide them with new ways to compete. Primarily intended for students who plan to serve in corporate roles that will involve significant interaction with financial markets and institutions. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Bergstresser
Specialization in Data Analytics
Requirements for this specialization are listed on the IBS website.
BUS
211f
Analyzing Big Data I
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Surveys quantitative techniques and computer tools in management information systems including database manipulation. Objective of the course is to help students acquire advanced computer skills through cases and hands-on applications. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Carver and Mr. Rai
BUS
212f
Analyzing Big Data II
Prerequisite: BUS 211f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Provides theoretical and hands-on instruction in three major elements of Big Data analytics: management-oriented visualizations, data mining, and predictive modeling. Through the use of widely adopted software tools, students will build models and execute analyses to address needs of selected clients as well as solve problems presented in cases. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Carver and Mr. Rai
BUS
253a
Marketing Research: Design and Analysis
This course may not be repeated for credit by students who have taken BUS 256f in previous years.
A practical exploration of a broad sampling of market research techniques to compile, analyze, and apply consumer, product, and market intelligence to strategic and marketing decisions concerning market segmentation, targeting, positioning, product design, and demand forecast. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Wang
BUS
274f
Supply Chain Analytics
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Instructs students how to optimize supply chain processes so that they can achieve a company's strategic goal of either efficiency or responsiveness. The course will cover supply chain metrics, production planning, inventory control and supply chain coordination. We will also investigate global supply chain design, logistics, and outsourcing. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Tucker
BUS
276a
Business Dynamics: Managing in a Complex World
A study of why so many business strategies generate disappointing results or outright failure. Case studies include successful applications of system dynamics in growth strategy, management of technology, operations, project management, and implementation of improvement programs. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Morrison
BUS
286a
Applications of System Dynamics
Prerequisite: BUS 276a.
Gives students the opportunity to apply the standard method of system dynamics to assist a real company or organization. The core activity in the course is to work with a client organization, using the tools of system dynamics, to develop insights into a problem the client has identified. Students experience conceptualizing and building a system dynamics model "from scratch," learn a set of standard pieces of model structure called "molecules," and gain an appreciation for the challenges and rewards of consulting for clients in a helping relationship. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Morrison
ECON
211f
Foundations of Econometrics
Prerequisite: Statistics or ECON 210f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Survey of quantitative techniques and computer tools in data analysis and forecasting, including econometric estimation. The course will include case studies and the use of computer applications. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Fournier
ECON
212f
Survey of Advanced Econometric Techniques
Prerequisite: ECON 211f or equivalent. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Applies econometric models using data measured as counts, including the poisson and the negative binomial, and extensions that incorporate inflated or truncated counts. They then consider tobit and heckit models which adjust for truncation and censoring in the general linear model. Finally, they learn how to correct for simultaneity bias and heteroskedasticity using Instrumental Variables approaches. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Fournier
ECON
261a
Empirical Analysis of Trade Policy
Prerequisite: One semester (or module) of econometrics, at either the undergraduate or graduate level.
Explores contemporary trade policy issues, with a focus on emerging markets, while helping students learn advanced econometric techniques. Students read professional empirical studies to learn what we know and carry out their own original research on a policy issue, from data collection to econometric testing and evaluation. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Dean
ECON
299a
Master's Project
Prerequisite: Two semesters at IBS or permission of program director.
A student wishing to complete a master's project under the guidance of a faculty advisor may enroll in this course during his or her second year in the master's program. Projects may involve a short analytical thesis, the solution of an applied problem, or a report on work completed in an appropriate internship. In exceptional cases a student may undertake a master’s thesis so demanding that it requires two semesters. In such cases, with careful consideration of the faculty adviser and the program director, the student may enroll in this course for his/her two final semesters. Usually offered every year.
Staff
ECON
311a
Advanced Econometrics I
Prerequisites: Statistics and math.
Econometric theory and applications. Discusses the statistical theory of regression modeling and associated hypothesis testing, with emphasis on the construction, interpretation, and use of econometric models. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Pei
ECON/FIN
250a
Forecasting in Finance and Economics
Prerequisites: ECON 210f and 211f.
Covers the basics of forecasting and time series analysis as used in finance and economics. Time series topics will include linear regression, ARMA models, trend modeling, seasonal adjustments, and volatility modeling. We will also cover more unusual topics such as bootstrapping, and technical trading rules. Students will leave the course with a good introduction to many of the tools used in modern time series forecasting and quantitative finance. Usually offered every year.
Mr. LeBaron
FIN
217f
Financial Modeling
Prerequisite: FIN 202a and FIN 212a. May take FIN 217f during second module concurrently with FIN 202a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Introduces quantitative modeling techniques for analyzing the financial performance of projects and companies and valuing earning streams. A key objective is to help students develop sophisticated skills in using spreadsheets and related software through cases and hands-on applications. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Canella
FIN
218f
Financial Modeling II
Prerequisite: FIN 217f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Continues Financial Modeling I (FIN 217f) in the analysis of quantitative financial performance of projects and companies and valuing earning streams. It supplements FIN 217f in its use of real options for valuations, new industries with their own peculiarities (insurance, pharmaceuticals), and the privatization of a telecommunications firm. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Canella
FIN
270a
Options and Derivatives
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, or permission of the instructor.
Introduces students, using a reasonably formal mathematical approach, to a broad range of topics related to the traded securities, markets, pricing, and applications of financial derivatives. Special focus is placed on how replication is used to price financial derivatives. Derivatives studied include those defined on commodities, currencies, equities and equity indexes, with an introduction to fixed income derivatives. Usually offered every semester.
Mr Neirenberg or Mr. Reitano
FIN
271a
Options & Derivatives II
Prerequisites: FIN 270a.
Explores in more detail the mathematics of pricing financial derivatives on commodities, currencies, equities, equity indexes and other tradable securities, with particular emphasis on the various discrete computational methods and their convergence properties to the Black-Scholes-Merton formulas. This course also studies credit derivatives and interest rate derivatives. Courses or experience in statistics, calculus, and computer programming are required. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Reitano
FIN
280a
Financial Risk Management
Prerequisite: FIN 201a or FIN 270a or FIN 279a.
Introduces many of the approaches financial institutions (investment and commercial banks, hedge funds, insurance companies and pension plans) take to model, quantify, and manage risk. Types of risks covered include financial (equity, currency, interest rate, and credit), as well as operational. The Basel II and Solvency II regulatory frameworks to risk management will also be studied. Students will be expected to have good exposure to financial derivatives from the prerequisite courses as well as to the basic concepts from calculus and statistics. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Reitano
FIN
285a
Computer Simulations and Risk Assessment
Prerequisite: FIN 201a.
Examines recent advances in computational methods for evaluation risk and decision making in risky situations. Emphasizes a common computational framework for solving many problems from business, finance, and economics using statistical methods, such as Monte Carlo and resampling. Usually offered every year.
Mr. LeBaron
FIN
288a
Corporate Financial Engineering
Prerequisite: FIN 201a. Corequisite: FIN 202a.
Focuses on how financial engineering is used in firms to reduce their costs of financing, to alter their fundamental risk exposures and, in a handful of cases, to provide them with new ways to compete. Primarily intended for students who plan to serve in corporate roles that will involve significant interaction with financial markets and institutions. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Bergstresser
Specialization in International Economic Policy Analysis
Requirements for this specialization are listed on the IBS website.
BUS
228f
Management Communication
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
This course helps students improve their business communication skills. It focuses on how to present ideas, facts, and analyses more clearly and concisely, so as to have impact on management decisions. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Ellet and Ms. Oseas
ECON
122b
The Economics of the Middle East
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or 10a or the equivalent. Does not count toward the upper-level elective requirement for the major in economics.
Examines the Middle East economies – past experiences, present situation, and future challenges – drawing on theories, policy formulations and empirical studies of economic growth, trade, poverty, income distribution, labor markets, finance and banking, government reforms, globalization, and Arab-Israeli political economy. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Habibi
ECON
176a
The Household, Health, and Hunger in Developing Countries
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 184b, or permission of the instructor. ECON 175a is recommended. Primarily recommended for juniors and seniors.
Examines aspects of poverty and nutrition that are confronted by households in low-income countries. Examines these issues primarily from a microeconomic perspective, although some macroeconomic angles are explored as well. Usually offered every second year.
Ms. Menon
ECON
203f
Advanced International Macroeconomics: Theory, Evidence, and Policy
Prerequisites: ECON 202a (may be taken concurrently), and one course in econometrics (graduate module or undergraduate course). Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Builds on and extends the economic frameworks developed in ECON 201a and ECON 202a to focus on economic models that are fundamental to international macroeconomic analysis, policy making, and business strategy. Students apply data to the models, and discuss journal articles that apply the frameworks to macroeconomic questions. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Mann
ECON
211f
Foundations of Econometrics
Prerequisite: Statistics or ECON 210f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Survey of quantitative techniques and computer tools in data analysis and forecasting, including econometric estimation. The course will include case studies and the use of computer applications. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Fournier
ECON
212f
Survey of Advanced Econometric Techniques
Prerequisite: ECON 211f or equivalent. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Applies econometric models using data measured as counts, including the poisson and the negative binomial, and extensions that incorporate inflated or truncated counts. They then consider tobit and heckit models which adjust for truncation and censoring in the general linear model. Finally, they learn how to correct for simultaneity bias and heteroskedasticity using Instrumental Variables approaches. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Fournier
ECON
235a
Central Banking Seminar
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, ECON 202a, ECON 210f or equivalent.
Studies the origins of banks and central banks; old and new debates about monetary policy including inflation targeting: sophisticated questions such as whether central banks should pay interest on reserves; and finally the appropriate policies for central banks in a financially turbulent world. Each week students read a substantial amount and synthesize it in a short paper. Class is devoted to discussion. Each student makes two presentations. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Brown
ECON
236a
Managing Government Debt and Deficits
Prerequisites: ECON 202a and ECON 207f.
Examines how across the industrialized world, countries realize they need to reduce their government deficits, and possibly their government debt, to avoid a crisis down the road. Should they raise taxes? If so, which? Should they reduce spending? Should they default? We consider the pros and cons of these alternatives and more. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Ms. Brown
ECON
252f
The Economy of China
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Provides an analytical overview of China's economic transformation, emphasizing the period since 1980. Topics covered include the reform process, the role of institutions, including the financial and fiscal sectors, corporate governance reform, trade and foreign direct investment, science and technology, regional and income disparities, and the changing laws, practice, and culture that define the role of business within China. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Jefferson
ECON
253a
Asia: Center of World Economy
With half of the world's population, one quarter of its output, and twice its growth rate, Asia is emerging as the center of the world economy. This course examines Asia's economic dynamism and the companies, investments, and policies that are shaping its future. Usually offered every other year.
Mr. Petri
ECON
261a
Empirical Analysis of Trade Policy
Prerequisite: One semester (or module) of econometrics, at either the undergraduate or graduate level.
Explores contemporary trade policy issues, with a focus on emerging markets, while helping students learn advanced econometric techniques. Students read professional empirical studies to learn what we know and carry out their own original research on a policy issue, from data collection to econometric testing and evaluation. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Dean
ECON
262f
Outsourcing and Offshoring: Multinationals, Technology, and Globalization
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Outsourcing and offshoring raise questions of economic theory, business strategy, and policy emphasis for both industrial and emerging economies. This course examines and assesses empirically different theories of the multinational firm. Addresses how pervasive application of information technology exposes firms to business opportunities and economies to policy challenges. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Mann
ECON
270a
Economic Development Strategies
Prerequisites: At least one semester of undergraduate microeconomics and one semester of undergraduate macroeconomics, or the equivalent.
Discusses the current situation of developing countries and the main theories of development and underdevelopment. Introduces the field and tools of development economics, explores the theoretical and policy debates around developing economies, and looks at alternative development strategies. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Dean
ECON
277f
Public Policy, Business Leadership and World Affairs: An Insider's Perspective
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Explores the approach of the World Economic Forum, focusing on three global challenges. Students meet with guest lecturers who know the facts and the players; review background material; and debate the issues by assuming the roles of the main players.
Mr. Steinberg and Mr. Ballantine
ECON
299a
Master's Project
Prerequisite: Two semesters at IBS or permission of program director.
A student wishing to complete a master's project under the guidance of a faculty advisor may enroll in this course during his or her second year in the master's program. Projects may involve a short analytical thesis, the solution of an applied problem, or a report on work completed in an appropriate internship. In exceptional cases a student may undertake a master’s thesis so demanding that it requires two semesters. In such cases, with careful consideration of the faculty adviser and the program director, the student may enroll in this course for his/her two final semesters. Usually offered every year.
Staff
ECON
303a
Advanced Macroeconomics I
Prerequisites: course work in microeconomics and mathematics.
Study of modern theories of short-run and long-run determination of aggregate income. Topics include private consumption and investment behavior, fiscal policy, the current account and exchange rates, economic growth, and stochastic dynamic programming with applications to macroeconomics. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Hall
ECON
360a
International Trade Theory
Open only to IBS students.
Analyzes the economic issues involved in the integration into world markets of trade in consulting and professional services, investment, financial and banking services, telecommunications, and transportation. Also addresses the tradeoffs in regulating services trade through the WTO's General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), regional initiatives, as well as conflict areas and dispute settlement. Usually offered every second year.
Staff
ECON/FIN
250a
Forecasting in Finance and Economics
Prerequisites: ECON 210f and 211f.
Covers the basics of forecasting and time series analysis as used in finance and economics. Time series topics will include linear regression, ARMA models, trend modeling, seasonal adjustments, and volatility modeling. We will also cover more unusual topics such as bootstrapping, and technical trading rules. Students will leave the course with a good introduction to many of the tools used in modern time series forecasting and quantitative finance. Usually offered every year.
Mr. LeBaron
ECON/FIN
256a
Taming the Financial Markets
Prerequisites: ECON 201a, FIN 201a, FIN 202a.
Explores why financial markets are susceptible to crises, how those crises affect workers and taxpayers, and how the risk of financial crises can be mitigated by regulation/supervision, monetary policy, macro-prudential policies and risk management. Highlights importance of international regulatory coordination. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Mr. Balder
FIN
252f
Banking, Central Banking, and the International Finance System
Prerequisite: FIN 201a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Examines the evolving architecture of the international financial system. Discusses the nature of international banking, including the role of shadow banks; central banking and the fragility of the financial system and why it is prone to crises; and finally, the government's involvement in the financial system, exploring the rationale and structure of regulation. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Cecchetti
FIN
253a
Global Financial Institutions: Management and Policy
Prerequisites: FIN 201a and FIN 202a.
Examines operations, strategies and regulation of global financial institutions. Initial focus on core activities, including foreign exchange, global bonds, equities, derivatives, and M&A followed by examination of the regulatory environment, including the role of Basel III, prudential policies, supervision and capital controls in emerging markets. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Staff
Specialization in Marketing
Requirements for this specialization are listed on the IBS website.
BUS
250a
Global Marketing
Starting with a brief overview of marketing disciplines, the course will develop strategies for entering and operating in diverse international markets at varying levels of investment. The case study method will be used to examine the process that leads to a successful marketing strategy, including financial analysis, economic and geographic evaluation, cultural and political assessment, and infrastructure evaluation. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Ms. Wang
BUS
252a
Marketing Management
An in-depth exploration and practical application of the basic marketing tools of product policy, pricing, promotion, distribution, sales management, customer segmentation, and retention in order to analyze marketing opportunities and develop marketing programs for a variety of management situations. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Zimmerman
BUS
253a
Marketing Research: Design and Analysis
This course may not be repeated for credit by students who have taken BUS 256f in previous years.
A practical exploration of a broad sampling of market research techniques to compile, analyze, and apply consumer, product, and market intelligence to strategic and marketing decisions concerning market segmentation, targeting, positioning, product design, and demand forecast. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Wang
BUS
254a
Branding Strategy
Prerequisite: BUS 252a.
Examines the value of building, sustaining, and communicating a company's brand and its value proposition through promotional activities and channels of distribution. A competitive, online simulation is used to enhance case studies. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Zimmerman
BUS
255a
Consumer Behavior
Focuses on fundamental theories and concepts in consumer psychology and exciting new findings to enhance students' understanding of how and why people choose, use and evaluate goods and services the way they do. This knowledge will come from lectures, readings and discussions in class, but also from hands-on experiential learning through involvement in a semester-long group project. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Ebert
BUS
257f
Social Media and Marketing Communications
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Explores the activities a company undertakes to educate, engage and prompt to action its various target customer segments. Topics include advertising, promotions, event sponsorship, internet marketing, social media marketing, corporate blogs, word-of-mouth advertising, and marketing communications for social initiatives. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Zimmerman
BUS
258f
Sales and Sales Management
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Explores concepts and techniques for professional sales and sales management. Including strategies for maximizing revenue and customer satisfaction while optimizing costs to sell, service and maintain customer relationships. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Zimmerman
BUS
259a
Digital Marketing and Web Analytics
Introduces students to important concepts and techniques of online marketing, such as search engine optimization (SEO), paid search marketing (search and display ads), web analytics, and monetization models (sales funnel and email campaigns). Students will have first-hand experience applying these concepts and techniques by building a website themselves to market a product or service. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Wang
Specialization in Real Estate
Requirements for this specialization are listed on the IBS website.
BUS
235f
Real Estate Fundamentals
Prerequisite: FIN 212a (can be taken concurrently). Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Introduction to the analysis, financing, and management of income-producing real property. Explores how investors and developers identify projects, determine value, design marketing strategies, and obtain financing in the debt and equity markets. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Chazen
BUS
236f
International Real Estate: The Emerging Markets
Prerequisite: BUS 235f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
The course looks at the analysis, financing, and management of income-producing real property in the Emerging Markets. Using case discussion, we will explore how developers and investors identify projects, determine value, design marketing strategies, and obtain financing in their various markets. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Bayone
BUS
237f
International Real Estate: The Mature Markets
Prerequisite: BUS 235f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Building on BUS 235f, this course looks at the analysis, financing, and management of income-producing real property in mature markets abroad. Using case discussion, it explores how developers and investors identify projects, determine value, design marketing strategies, and obtain financing in their debt and equity markets. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Bayone
BUS
238f
Real Estate Development
Prerequisite: BUS 235f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit. May not be repeated for credit by students who took BUS 238a in previous semesters.
Focuses on how developers create value from real estate assets. Examines development process: market analysis, site selection, acquisition, planning, construction, leasing and permitting. Working in teams, students plan and present actual original development projects to a visiting panel of professionals. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Katzen
BUS
239f
Sustainable Real Estate: Profiting from Green Building
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Introduces principles and elements of sustainable development. Covers strategies and technologies that are being applied around the world to construct buildings and manage real estate development projects in ways that are simultaneously good for the financial bottom line and good for the environment. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Batshalom
BUS
295a
Field Projects
May be repeated for a total of 8 credits in BUS 295a and BUS 295f with permission of Program Director.
Students work in teams as consultants to external clients. Each section (see section description) focuses on a type of project or industry. Requires strong foundation in business, and good presentation, teamwork, and interviewing skills. Enrollment by permission of instructor. Usually offered every semester.
Staff
FIN
203f
International Financial Management
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, FIN 202a, FIN 212a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Explores the characteristics of international financial markets and evaluates associated risks and benefits. Addresses the distinct risks multinationals face, the financial tools they use to manage these risks, their tax and working capital management, and their financing and investment decisions. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Sisli Ciamarra
FIN
213a
Intermediate Financial Accounting
Prerequisite: FIN 212a or an approved an introductory course in the area of financial accounting.
Students should be familiar with the formal financial statements, transaction analysis, income measurement and accrual accounting. This course provides an extensive expansion of the introductory accounting course. Additional topics include revenue recognition, long term construction contracts, deferred taxes, capital leases, pensions, inventory valuation, dollar value LIFO, earnings per share and share based compensation. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Keith
FIN
214a
Managerial Accounting
Prerequisite: FIN 212a or FIN 213a.
Provides a general introduction to the concepts, problems and issues related to managerial accounting. Managerial accounting predominantly addresses the internal use of economic information regarding the resources used in the process of producing goods and providing services. Internal users of accounting information are all of those individuals that are involved in the business decision-making process of the economic entity. In the course, you will become acquainted with some of the conventional methods of internal reporting used in planning, control and decision-making. Fundamental aspects of cost behavior and cost accounting will also be discussed, but always from the perspective of the manager who must make decisions rather than the accountant who prepares the information. Usually offered every semester.
Ms. Anderson and Ms. Weihs
FIN
216f
Financial Statement Analysis
Prerequisite: FIN 212a or FIN 213a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Presents techniques of financial statement analysis that deepen the understanding of financial statements and the economic and strategic information they provide. Exposes students to the financial reporting environment and practices of U.S. companies. The course does not cover equity valuation. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Keith
FIN
225f
Real Estate Finance
Prerequisite: BUS 235f. FIN 202a is strongly recommended. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Focuses on debt and equity financing of income-producing real property, primarily in the U.S. market. Considers real estate finance from the perspective of the users of capital (developers and property owners) and the sources of capital (lenders and equity investors). Usually offered every year.
Mr. Chazen
FIN
226f
Real Estate Capital Markets
Prerequisite: BUS 235f. FIN 202a is recommended. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Considers real estate as an asset class for investment from the perspective of a professional portfolio manager and a corporate financial officer. Analyzes the public markets for real estate debt (CMBS) and equity (REITs) and the interplay of private and public investing in a professionally managed real estate investment portfolio. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Chazen
FIN
230a
Trading and Exchanges
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, basic statistics.
The microeconomics of financial markets, with special focus on the foreign exchange market. Topics include market structure, transparency, determination of bid-ask spreads, price discovery, common trading strategies, currency market efficiency. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Osler
FIN
242f
Credit Risk Analysis
Prerequisite: FIN 212a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Examines credit risk (i.e., the possibility that an obligor will fail to perform as agreed) from the perspective of the commercial banker. Focuses on a sound understanding of the firm and its business plan and how the banker constructs the appropriate structure for the senior loan. Topics include asset-based, real estate, and cash flow lending. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Bayone
FIN
261a
Fixed Income Securities
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, or permission of the instructor.
Studies fixed income securities; cash flow structures, pricing risk measures; features of major fixed income sectors; valuation of fixed income securities with embedded options; portfolio management and performance measurement; interest rate derivatives and applications to asset/liability management. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Bergstresser
FIN
263a
International Portfolio Management
Prerequisite: FIN 201a.
A blend of advanced theory and state-of-the-art practice with a two fold aim: to ground students in the theory of international portfolio investments and to immerse them in the application of global portfolio management in the real world. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Alt and Mr. Nierenberg
FIN
270a
Options and Derivatives
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, or permission of the instructor.
Introduces students, using a reasonably formal mathematical approach, to a broad range of topics related to the traded securities, markets, pricing, and applications of financial derivatives. Special focus is placed on how replication is used to price financial derivatives. Derivatives studied include those defined on commodities, currencies, equities and equity indexes, with an introduction to fixed income derivatives. Usually offered every semester.
Mr Neirenberg or Mr. Reitano
Specialization in Risk Management
Requirements for this specialization are listed on the IBS website.
BUS
278f
Corporate Governance: From Colossal Failures to Best Practices
Prerequisite: FIN 212a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
How the board of directors, management, shareholders, and an external auditor should work. How individual goals and external pressures influence individuals, and how their decisions impact a corporation's failure or success. Focuses on the United States with comparisons to Europe and Asia. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Schumann
BUS
279f
Corporate Fraud: Detection and Prevention
Prerequisite: FIN 212a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Exposes students to the problem of fraudulent financial reporting, including its causes, impact, and practical, cost-effective responses. Using actual and simulated case material, students will acquire skills needed to identify, investigate, and report findings on corporate fraud. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Schumann
BUS
280f
Operational Risk Management
Prerequisite: FIN 212a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Today's managers must be able to assess the risk profile of their business and respond to issues as they arise. Examines how companies are dealing with massive changes in legislation that have made executives in the U.S. and abroad fully accountable for effective operational risk management and how they are using the Enterprise Risk Management framework of COSO and COBIT, and the Balanced Scorecard. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Schumann
FIN
242f
Credit Risk Analysis
Prerequisite: FIN 212a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Examines credit risk (i.e., the possibility that an obligor will fail to perform as agreed) from the perspective of the commercial banker. Focuses on a sound understanding of the firm and its business plan and how the banker constructs the appropriate structure for the senior loan. Topics include asset-based, real estate, and cash flow lending. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Bayone
FIN
244f
Credit Risk Analysis II
Prerequisite: FIN 242f. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Examines credit risk (i.e., the possibility that an obligor will fail to perform as agreed) for foreign companies that largely operate in their overseas markets. Based on a sound understanding of the firm, its business plan, and the environment in which it operates, the banker constructs the appropriate structure for the senior loan. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Bayone
FIN
252f
Banking, Central Banking, and the International Finance System
Prerequisite: FIN 201a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Examines the evolving architecture of the international financial system. Discusses the nature of international banking, including the role of shadow banks; central banking and the fragility of the financial system and why it is prone to crises; and finally, the government's involvement in the financial system, exploring the rationale and structure of regulation. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Cecchetti
FIN
261a
Fixed Income Securities
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, or permission of the instructor.
Studies fixed income securities; cash flow structures, pricing risk measures; features of major fixed income sectors; valuation of fixed income securities with embedded options; portfolio management and performance measurement; interest rate derivatives and applications to asset/liability management. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Bergstresser
FIN
270a
Options and Derivatives
Prerequisites: FIN 201a, or permission of the instructor.
Introduces students, using a reasonably formal mathematical approach, to a broad range of topics related to the traded securities, markets, pricing, and applications of financial derivatives. Special focus is placed on how replication is used to price financial derivatives. Derivatives studied include those defined on commodities, currencies, equities and equity indexes, with an introduction to fixed income derivatives. Usually offered every semester.
Mr Neirenberg or Mr. Reitano
FIN
271a
Options & Derivatives II
Prerequisites: FIN 270a.
Explores in more detail the mathematics of pricing financial derivatives on commodities, currencies, equities, equity indexes and other tradable securities, with particular emphasis on the various discrete computational methods and their convergence properties to the Black-Scholes-Merton formulas. This course also studies credit derivatives and interest rate derivatives. Courses or experience in statistics, calculus, and computer programming are required. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Reitano
FIN
279a
Applied Risk Management
Prerequisites: FIN 201a or FIN 212a.
Studies risk management in a variety of contexts as well as the applications of financial derivatives. Focuses on case studies from many industries which address risks related to commodities, weather, foreign exchange rates, interest rate, and credit, and also corporate governance matters and integrated risk management. Students will be expected to be able to analyze a corporate risk situation, work through examples and develop hedging strategies. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Reitano
FIN
280a
Financial Risk Management
Prerequisite: FIN 201a or FIN 270a or FIN 279a.
Introduces many of the approaches financial institutions (investment and commercial banks, hedge funds, insurance companies and pension plans) take to model, quantify, and manage risk. Types of risks covered include financial (equity, currency, interest rate, and credit), as well as operational. The Basel II and Solvency II regulatory frameworks to risk management will also be studied. Students will be expected to have good exposure to financial derivatives from the prerequisite courses as well as to the basic concepts from calculus and statistics. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Reitano
FIN
285a
Computer Simulations and Risk Assessment
Prerequisite: FIN 201a.
Examines recent advances in computational methods for evaluation risk and decision making in risky situations. Emphasizes a common computational framework for solving many problems from business, finance, and economics using statistical methods, such as Monte Carlo and resampling. Usually offered every year.
Mr. LeBaron
FIN
288a
Corporate Financial Engineering
Prerequisite: FIN 201a. Corequisite: FIN 202a.
Focuses on how financial engineering is used in firms to reduce their costs of financing, to alter their fundamental risk exposures and, in a handful of cases, to provide them with new ways to compete. Primarily intended for students who plan to serve in corporate roles that will involve significant interaction with financial markets and institutions. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Bergstresser
Specialization in Sustainability
Requirements for this specialization are listed on the IBS website.
BUS
231a
Entrepreneurial Finances and Business Plans
Open only to IBS students.
Introduces techniques for preparing business plans and explores the process of using a business plan to acquire funding. Requires students to prepare a business plan for a new venture and to present this plan in front of a critical audience. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Reed
BUS
239f
Sustainable Real Estate: Profiting from Green Building
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Introduces principles and elements of sustainable development. Covers strategies and technologies that are being applied around the world to construct buildings and manage real estate development projects in ways that are simultaneously good for the financial bottom line and good for the environment. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Batshalom
BUS
261a
Managing Technology and Innovation
Focuses on skills and strategies needed to develop businesses based on new technologies. Through discussion of cases and concepts, the course explores innovation and technology management, strategy, marketing, financing, and performance of new ventures in entrepreneurial or existing firms. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Staff
BUS
264f
Business and the Environment
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Deals with environmental issues in business strategy. Using the case method, the course explores firm responses to environmental policy, the challenges of developing clean technologies, and the opportunities for firms to differentiate themselves with "green" strategies. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Leon
BUS
265f
Business Strategy in Emerging Markets
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Studies how the environment for doing business in emerging markets is different from that in developed countries, such as Europe and the United States. We will study how these differences affect business strategy for a range of large and small organizations - from well-established multinationals to entrepreneurial start-ups. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Staff
BUS
266f
Business Relationships with Government and NGOs
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Explores how firms can identify significant government-related opportunities and problems, and how they can take advantage of the opportunities and avoid the problems. Considers the differences between countries and examines the challenges facing businesses operating in foreign countries. Not offered in 2014-2015.
Mr. Leon
BUS
269f
Building Sustainable Business
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
A commitment to corporate sustainability affects business practices, values, and culture. This survey course examines the influence of corporate sustainability on internal operations, supply chain management, employee engagement, product development, market communications, strategic planning, corporate compliance, and investor relations. Highly recommended as an introduction to the field. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Tyson
BUS
276a
Business Dynamics: Managing in a Complex World
A study of why so many business strategies generate disappointing results or outright failure. Case studies include successful applications of system dynamics in growth strategy, management of technology, operations, project management, and implementation of improvement programs. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Morrison
BUS
278f
Corporate Governance: From Colossal Failures to Best Practices
Prerequisite: FIN 212a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
How the board of directors, management, shareholders, and an external auditor should work. How individual goals and external pressures influence individuals, and how their decisions impact a corporation's failure or success. Focuses on the United States with comparisons to Europe and Asia. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Schumann
BUS
286a
Applications of System Dynamics
Prerequisite: BUS 276a.
Gives students the opportunity to apply the standard method of system dynamics to assist a real company or organization. The core activity in the course is to work with a client organization, using the tools of system dynamics, to develop insights into a problem the client has identified. Students experience conceptualizing and building a system dynamics model "from scratch," learn a set of standard pieces of model structure called "molecules," and gain an appreciation for the challenges and rewards of consulting for clients in a helping relationship. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Morrison
BUS
291g
General Education Seminar
Open only to IBS students. Enrollment is limited. Yields one-fourth course credit (one credit). May be repeated for credit as the seminar topic varies.
Addresses a narrow, important topic and is taught jointly by an IBS faculty member and a prominent outside expert. Each seminar involves nine hours of structured learning and discussion. Usually offered every year.
Staff
BUS
295a
Field Projects
May be repeated for a total of 8 credits in BUS 295a and BUS 295f with permission of Program Director.
Students work in teams as consultants to external clients. Each section (see section description) focuses on a type of project or industry. Requires strong foundation in business, and good presentation, teamwork, and interviewing skills. Enrollment by permission of instructor. Usually offered every semester.
Staff
BUS
295f
Field Projects
Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit. May be repeated for a total of 8 credits in BUS 295a and BUS 295f with permission of Program Director.
Students work in teams as consultants to external clients. Each section (see section description) focuses on a type of project or industry. Requires strong foundation in business, and good presentation, teamwork, and interviewing skills. Enrollment by permission of instructor. Usually offered every semester.
Staff
BUS
297a
Internship
Prerequisite: Two semesters at IBS or permission of program director. Yields half-course credit. This course may not be repeated for credit.
Offers students an opportunity to apply the theories and key themes covered in the core courses in a real-life setting. Requires completion of at least six weeks of a paid or unpaid internship approved and monitored by a faculty advisor. The project could involve a research or consulting assignment or a structured internship in the school's fields. Interested students should consult the guidelines established by the school. Usually offered every semester.
Staff
ECON
270a
Economic Development Strategies
Prerequisites: At least one semester of undergraduate microeconomics and one semester of undergraduate macroeconomics, or the equivalent.
Discusses the current situation of developing countries and the main theories of development and underdevelopment. Introduces the field and tools of development economics, explores the theoretical and policy debates around developing economies, and looks at alternative development strategies. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Dean
FIN
235a
Investing in Energy: Fossil Fuels to Cleaner Energy
How do energy companies and investors make investment decisions in our current economic/political environment? How do investors assess the risks and the long term opportunities, and what are the potential returns? And how do companies manage energy projects and implement new technologies across many markets and countries? To evaluate energy investments students need to acquire the background knowledge, the technical skills, and an appreciation of the politics of energy policy. This course will establish a broad framework of analysis and it will also let students analyze the economic viability of a specific energy project. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Ballantine
Courses of Related Interest
ECON
122b
The Economics of the Middle East
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or 10a or the equivalent. Does not count toward the upper-level elective requirement for the major in economics.
Examines the Middle East economies – past experiences, present situation, and future challenges – drawing on theories, policy formulations and empirical studies of economic growth, trade, poverty, income distribution, labor markets, finance and banking, government reforms, globalization, and Arab-Israeli political economy. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Habibi
ECON
134b
Public Sector Economics
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 83a or permission of the instructor.
The effect of tax and expenditure policies on economic efficiency and equity. Topics include externalities and public goods, public choice, cost-benefit analysis, income redistribution, social security, and health care. Also discussion of U.S. tax system, public debt, and state and local finance. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Coiner
ECON
135a
Industrial Organization
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 83a or permission of the instructor.
Microeconomic analysis of firm behavior under alternative market structures and implications for market outcomes. Topics include strategic interaction, entry and exit, collusion, predation, price discrimination, product differentiation, vertical relations, imperfect information, advertising, and patents and innovation. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Graddy and Mr. Shiller
ECON
141b
Economics of Innovation
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 83a or permission of the instructor.
Studies the innovation and technological change as the central focus of modern economies. Topics include the sources of growth, economics of research and development, innovation, diffusion and technology transfer, appropriability, patents, information markets, productivity, institutional innovation, and global competitiveness. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Jefferson
ECON
173a
Central Banking: Theory and Policy
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Prerequisite: ECON 82b.
Studies the purposes and functions of central banks over time and the challenges they confront. Examines central banks' roles in the recent financial crisis and explores current debates over the policies that central banks are following in its aftermath. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Browne
ECON
175a
Introduction to the Economics of Development
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or 10a or permission of the instructor. Does not count toward the upper-level elective requirement for the major in economics.
An introduction to various models of economic growth and development and evaluation of these perspectives from the experience of developing and industrial countries. Usually offered every second year.
Ms. Menon
ECON
182a
Topics in Advanced Macroeconomics
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Prerequisite: ECON 80a, 82b, and 83a.
Contemporary theories of economic growth, business cycles, monetary economics, and financial crises and their implications for monetary and fiscal policy. Emphasis on empirical work and computer modeling. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Hall
ECON
184b
Econometrics
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Prerequisites: ECON 83a. Corequisite: ECON 80a or permission of instructor. Students must earn C- or higher in MATH 10a, or otherwise satisfy the calculus requirement, to enroll in this course. This course may not be taken for credit by students who have previously taken or are currently enrolled in ECON 185a or ECON 311a.
An introduction to the theory of econometric regression and forecasting models, with applications to the analysis of business and economic data. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Brainerd, Mr. Pei and Mr. Pettenuzzo