School
Business, Entrepreneurship, and Professional Development
Division
Business & Economics
Department
Economics & Finance
Academic Level
Undergraduate
Course Subject
Business Finance
Course Number
130
Course Title
Beginning Investment
Credit Hours
3.00
Instructor Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Student Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Grading Method
A-E
Pre-requisites
None
Co-requisites
None
Catalog Course Description
Introduces the principles of investing by examining the security selection process. Covers an examination of cash equivalent, debt (bond), and equity (stock) asset classes as well as other investment options. Discusses how to select securities and mutual funds to build investment portfolios; the mechanics involved with setting up accounts; the buying and selling of securities; tax consequences; and the psychology of investing.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
Core Course Topics
- Introduction to Investing
- Define Basic Investing Concepts
- List the Categories of Investments
- Explain Financial Intermediaries
- Financial Markets and Indexes
- Explain the difference between Primary and Secondary Markets
- Define Equity (Stock) Markets
- Explain Stock Market Indexes
- Define Debt (Bond) Markets
- Discuss other Investing Markets
- Discuss Government regulation of Financial Markets
- Risk and Return
- Define Risk
- Discuss the different types of Financial Risk
- Explain Diversification
- Define and discuss Return
- Explain Compounding
- Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Deposit Accounts
- Discuss Cash and Cash Equivalents
- Discuss Time Deposits, Money Market Accounts, and Money Market Funds
- Equity (Stock) Investments
- Define basic stock concepts
- Explain how a return is earned through stock ownership
- Compare and contrast Preferred and Common Stock
- Bonds (Debt) Investments
- Explain secured versus unsecured debt
- Explain the rating of corporate debt
- Explain the Term of Debt
- Discuss the different types of corporate bonds
- Explain how corporate bonds work and earning a return on bonds
- Discuss Government Bonds and Municipal Bonds
- Comparing Stocks and Bonds
- Compare and contrast the risks and returns of stocks versus bonds
- Explain the impact of interest rates on stocks versus bonds
- Explain the impact of inflation or deflation on stocks versus bonds
- Discuss Convertible Securities
- Buying and Selling Stocks and Bonds
- Explain the different types of Brokerage Firms
- Compare Cash versus Margin Accounts
- Discuss the different types of orders when buying or selling securities
- Explain Short Selling
- Explain Stock Splits
- Evaluating Stocks and Bonds
- Discuss Fundamental Analysis
- Discuss Technical Analysis
- Investing Strategies
- Explain the basics of Modern Portfolio Theory
- Explain the Efficient Market Hypothesis and Passive Investing
- Explain Active Investing
- Explain Focus Investing
- Discuss the Psychology of Investing
- Explain Dollar Cost Averaging
- Mutual Funds
- Discuss the different types of Mutual Funds
- Explain how to buy and sell Mutual Funds
- Discuss the costs of investing in Mutual Funds
- Portfolio Construction and Retirement
- Explain Asset Allocation
- Explain the use of Mutual Funds in Portfolio Construction
- Discuss the principles of Investing for Retirement
- Discuss the different types of retirement accounts
- Discuss Social Security
- Real Estate
- Discuss the different types of real estate investing
- Discuss the Pros and Cons of investing in real estate
- Explain Depreciation
- Precious Metals, Commodities, Futures, Collectibles, and Crypto Currencies
- Discuss Investing in Precious Metals
- Discuss Investing in Commodity Markets
- Discuss Futures Markets
- Discuss Investing in Collectibles
- Discuss Investing in Crypto Currencies
- The Federal Reserve and the Yield Curve
- Explain the role of Federal Reserve
- Explain Federal Reserve control of Interest Rates
- Discuss the Yield Curve
- Options
- Define Options
- Explain Call Options
- Explain Put Options
- Discuss basic Option Strategies
Assessment and Requirements
Assessment of Academic Achievement
Students will be assessed through tests, quizzes, homework, assignments, and/or class participation.
Outcomes
Satisfies Wellness Requirement
Yes
Approval Dates
Effective Term
Fall 2020
Review Semester
Fall 2020