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Academic Colleges:
College of Business


Department Programs:
Accounting
Economics
Finance & Insurance
Information Systems and Operations Management
Marketing and Management 
 
 
 
 
 
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Business at Ball State University
Department of Finance and Insurance
 
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Programs:
Majors: Finance (options: Business finance; Financial planning and investments; Financial analysis); Risk Management and Insurance
Minors: Consumer Finance; Finance; Legal Studies in Business; Risk Management and Insurance

Courses:
BL: Business Law
FIN: Finance
RE: Real Estate
RMI: Risk Management and Insurance

The Finance and Insurance Department provides opportunities to pursue two majors: finance, and risk management and insurance as well as four departmental minors.  Finance majors may choose any of the following options: business finance, financial planning and investments, and financial analysis. The department also offers business majors an option to earn a minor in finance. Non-business majors have an opportunity to earn minors in consumer finance or legal studies in business. Students may also pursue a minor in risk management and insurance.

Finance examines the creation and management of wealth. It is especially concerned with the study of raising funds, deploying funds, and managing liquidity in order to achieve a set of objectives for individuals and business.

The finance curriculum is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the mechanisms of financial markets. The student will gain the analytical and quantitative skills necessary to allocate scarce financial resources to attain set goals. The student will gain an appreciation of the role of risky assets in financial markets and how to value such assets. Students will be trained to use problem-solving skills in corporate finance, management of financial institutions, managing funds in portfolios, security analysis, and personal financial planning.

Students are trained to pursue careers such as financial analysts, investment analysts, bank officers, financial planners, and executives in for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.

The risk management and insurance curriculum is designed to provide the student with an understanding of how risk is managed by individuals and businesses. Students are prepared for careers in insurance and risk management. Career opportunities include underwriters, claim adjusters, agents, and risk managers. Students gain an understanding of life and health insurance, personal insurance, commercial insurance, insurance law, and risk management.

Programs:

Students will be guided by the outline of baccalaureate Degrees, the University Core Curriculum, and the concentration areas listed below.

MAJOR IN FINANCE, 66 hours
(complete Miller College of Business core, Finance core and one option)
PREFIX NO SHORT TITLE CR HRS
Miller College of Business core, 39 hours
ACC 201 Prin Acct 1 3
202 Prin Acct 2 3
BL 260 Prin Bus Law 3
ECON 201 Elem Micro 3
202 Elem Macro 3
221 Bus Stats 3
FIN 300 Bus Fin 1 3
ISOM 135 Bus I S 3
249 Fnds Bus Com 3
351 Op Mgt 3
MGT 300 Mgt Beh Org 3
491 Policy Strat 3
MKG 300 Prin Market 3
______
39 hrs
Finance Core (required of all finance majors), 18 hours  
FIN 301 Bus Fin 2 3
310 Invest 1 3
311 Invest 2 3
  320 Fin Mkt 1 3
  321 Fin Mkt 2 3
  490 Fin Decision 3
Complete one option
Business finance option, 9 hours  
FIN 352 Global Fin (3)  
353 Shrt Trm Fin (3)
367 Prac Fin (3)
  369 Fin Intern (3 or 6)  
445 Fin Stmt (3)  
497 Indpen Study (3) 9
  _____
    66 hrs
Financial planning and investments option, 9 hours  
ACC 401 Intro to Tax (3)  
BL 367 Estate Plan (3)  
FIN 367 Prac Fin (3)  
  369 Fin Intern (3 or 6)  
RMI 270 Prin R M I (3)  
  330 Emp Benefits (3) 9
______
66 hrs 
Financial analysis option, 9 hours  
9 hours from  
Any ACC courses 300 and above  
FIN 353 Shrt Trm Fin (3)  
  367 Prac Fin (3)  
  369 Fin Intern (3 or 6)  
  445 Fin Stmt (3) 9
      _____
      66 hrs
FIN 369 may be substituted for coursework in any option with permission of the chairperson.
       

To pursue this program students must have sufficient mathematical preparation to meet the prerequisite for ECON 221.  A C or better grade in MATHS 135 or its equivalent is the prerequisite for ECON 221.  (MATHS 135 substitutes for the University Core Curriculum math requirement and serves as the prerequisite course.)  The prerequisite for ISOM 135 is sophomore standing and a demonstrated proficiency in computer skills.  Proficiency may be demonstrated by examination or credit in ISOM 125 or CS 104 or its equivalent.

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MAJOR IN RISK MANAGEMENT AND INSURANCE, 66 hours
PREFIX NO SHORT TITLE CR HRS
Miller College of Business core, 39 hours
ACC 201 Prin Acct 1 3
202 Prin Acct 2 3
BL 260 Prin Bus Law 3
ECON 201 Elem Micro 3
202 Elem Macro 3
221 Bus Stats 3
FIN 300 Bus Fin 1 3
ISOM 135 Bus I S 3
249 Fnds Bus Com 3
351 Op Mgt 3
MGT 300 Mgt Beh Org 3
491 Policy Strat 3
MKG 300 Prin Market 3
______
39 hrs
RMI 270 Prin R M I 3
371 Life/Health 3
377 Oper Ins Ent (3)  
  or    
  330 Emp Benefits (3) 3
378 Commercial 3
474 Seminar RMI 3
12 hours from  
RMI 330 Emp Benefits (3)  
  369 Intern R M I (3-6)  
  377 Oper Ins Ent (3)  
  473 Ins Law (3)  
  497 Indpen Study (1-6)  
ACC 306 Int Mgt Acct (3)  
  401 Intro to Tax (3)  
BL 367 Estate Plan (3)
ECON 348 Health Econ (3)  
FIN 301 Bus Fin 2 (3)  
  310 Invest 1 (3)  
  311 Invest 2 (3)
320 Fin Mkt 1 (3)
321 Fin Mkt 2 (3)
  352 Global Fin (3)  
  353 Shrt Trm Fin (3)  
  367 Prac Fin (3)  
  369 Fin Intern (3 or 6)  
  445 Fin Stmt (3)  
  490 Fin Decision (3)  
MKG 325 Prof Selling (3)
425 Adv Selling (3)
429 Sales Tech (3)
MGT 301 Intrnalt Mgt (3)
341 Intro Entr (3)  
ISOM 341 Bus Mgl Comm (3) 12
______
66 hrs
To pursue this program students must have sufficient mathematical preparation to meet the prerequisite for ECON 221.  A C or better grade in MATHS 135 or its equivalent is the prerequisite for ECON 221.  (MATHS 135 substitutes for the University Core Curriculum math requirement and serves as the prerequisite course.)  The prerequisite for ISOM 135 is sophomore standing and a demonstrated proficiency in computer skills.  Proficiency may be demonstrated by examination or credit in ISOM 125 or CS 104 or its equivalent.
See the Miller College of Business for the major in business administration.

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MINOR IN CONSUMER FINANCE, 15 hours
Open to all non-business majors. Not open to students with minors in business information technology, entrepreneurship, foundations of business, foundations of management, legal studies in business, marketing, professional selling, or risk management and insurance.
PREFIX NO SHORT TITLE CR HRS
FIN 110 Per Finance 3
255 Intro Fin In 3
RE 230 Real Estate 3
RMI 270 Prin R M I 3
BL 160 Consumer Law 3
______
15 hrs

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MINOR IN FINANCE, 15 hours
Open only to Miller College of Business majors except those majoring in finance.
PREFIX NO SHORT TITLE CR HRS
FIN 301 Bus Fin 2 3
310 Invest 1 3
320 Fin Mkt 1 3
6 hours from  
FIN 311 Invest 2 (3)
321 Fin Mkt 2 (3)
352 Global Fin  (3)
353 Shrt Trm Fin (3)
369 Fin Intern (3)
445 Fin Stmt (3)  
  490 Fin Decision (3) 6
______
15 hrs

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MINOR IN LEGAL STUDIES IN BUSINESS,
18 hours
PREFIX NO SHORT TITLE CR HRS
BL 260 Prin Bus Law 3
363 Uni Code Law 3
RMI 270 Prin R M I 3
9 hours from  
BL 362 Lw Bus Assoc (3)
367 Estate Plan (3)
ECON 346 Law Econ (3)
POLS 347 Env Law Poly (3)
RE 230 Real Estate (3)
332 Legal Asp RE (3)
RMI 473 Ins Law (3) 9
_____
18 hrs
Open to both business and non-business majors except those minoring in business information technology, consumer finance, entrepreneurship, foundations of business, foundations of management, marketing, professional selling, or risk management and insurance.

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MINOR IN RISK MANAGEMENT AND INSURANCE, 18 hours
Option 1, 18 hours
Open only to Miller College of Business (except those majoring in risk management and insurance) and actuarial science majors.
PREFIX NO SHORT TITLE CR HRS
RMI 270 Prin R M I 3
BL 260 Prin Bus Law 3
12 hours from  
RMI 369 Intern R M I (3)
371 Life/Health (3)
377 Oper Ins Ent (3)
378 Commercial (3)
473 Ins Law (3)
497 Indpen Study (3) 12
______
18 hrs
Option 2, 18 hours  
Open to non-business majors except those minoring in business information technology, consumer finance, entrepreneurship, foundations of business, foundations of management, legal studies in business, marketing, or professional selling.     
RMI 270 Prin R M I 3
BL 260 Prin Bus Law 3
FIN 110 Pers Finance (3)
or
255 Intro Fin In (3) 3
9 hours from  
RMI 369 Intern R M I (3)
371 Life/Health (3)
378 Commercial (3)
473 Ins Law (3) 9
______
18 hrs

COURSES:

BUSINESS LAW (BL)

160 Law of Personal Finance. (3)
Examines the law affecting a person's everyday financial dealings and legal disputes, including topics such as consumer rights, legal liability, employee rights, personal bankruptcy, debtor-creditor rights, basis of property ownership, and landlord-tenant disputes.

260 Principles of Business Law. (3)
The nature, role, structure, and historical development of the legal system. The essential elements of legal liability, contracts, and government regulation of business. Law, ethics, and commercial relations that constitute the legal environment of business.

362 The Law of Business Associations. (3)
The principles of business law applicable to agencies including employer and employee rights and obligations, partnerships including limited partnership, corporations including fiduciary obligations of directors, security regulations, bankruptcy, and corporate reorganization in bankruptcy.
Prerequisite: BL 260.

363 Uniform Commercial Code Law. (3)
Principal articles of the code including sales, commercial paper, and security interests, in addition to creditors' rights and property law. Includes state and federal consumer protection laws as they affect commercial law.
Prerequisite: BL 260.

367 Estate Planning and Administration. (3)
An introduction to problems associated with planning of financial resources during working life, retirement, and after the death of the principal income producer. Included are techniques for fact gathering, tax principles, use of trusts, and will drafting.
Prerequisite: BL 260.

497 Independent Study in Business Law. (1-6)
An opportunity for students with superior scholastic records to study some special phase of business law. The topic selected, methods of study, and credit hours allowed must be approved by the department chairperson.
Prerequisite: permission of the department chairperson.
A total of 6 hours of credit may be earned.

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FINANCE (FIN)

110 Personal Finance. (3)
The fundamental principles of general business and related economic concepts are considered from the consumer's point of view. Some of the topics studied are consumer buying and the use of credit, banking, insurance, investment, budgeting, and taxation.
Not open to juniors and seniors majoring in business.

255 Introduction to Financial Investments. (3)
Topics include financial markets and investment alternatives such as stocks, bonds, convertible securities, mutual funds, options, and futures. Market indexes (Dow Jones, etc.), market practices and timing, sources of financial data, and investing in an international environment will be discussed.
Not open to juniors and seniors majoring in business.

299X Experimental/Developmental Topics. (1-6)
Topics relevant to the discipline. Course titles will be announced before each semester.
A total of 6 hours of credit may be earned.

300 (350) Principles of Finance 1. (3)
Miller College students study financial decision making in a business. The managers decision to invest (capital budgeting), finance (cost of capital), manage on a daily basis (working capital management), and long-term planning is the focus.
Prerequisite: ACC 202; ECON 202, 221; junior standing.

301 (354) Principles of Finance 2. (3)
Examines advanced topics in business finance. Topics include valuation, capital budgeting, finance (cost of capital), manage on a daily basis (working capital management), and long-term planning.
Prerequisite: FIN 300.

310 (355) Principles of Investments 1. (3)
Introduces the workings of the stock market. Financial investments: stocks and bonds; futures and options; mutual funds are studied. Security analysis and principles of diversification are examined.
Prerequisite or parallel: FIN 300.

311 (459) Principles of Investments 2. (3)
Advanced topics in investments include: capital market and portfolio theories, portfolio selection and analysis, and derivative instruments.
Prerequisite: FIN 300, 310.

320 (356) Financial Markets 1. (3)
The U.S. financial system is examined. The role of intermediaries in the saving and lending process, the ensuing need for regulation locally and globally is the focus. Prerequisite or parallel: FIN 300; may also be taken concurrently with FIN 310.

321 (461) Financial Markets 2. (3)
Topics include: local and global financial markets; term structure of interest rates, and the management of financial institutions.
Prerequisite: FIN 300, 320.

352 Global Finance. (3)
Financial problems and opportunities that confront the management of global firms. Sources and instruments of global finance, import and export financing, interrelationship of governmental and global agencies, and the current status of some.
Prerequisite: FIN 300.

353 Short-Term Financial Management. (3)
Topics include treasury (and banking) functions such as: cash accounting cycle, check clearing and float, electronic (ACH) payments, accounts receivable and collections, disbursements and accounts payable, paper versus electronic commerce, treasury MIS software, short-term borrowing and investing, and bank relationship management.
Prerequisite: FIN 300.

367 Practicum in Finance. (3)
A unique and practical educational experience designed for students with interests in investment management. Students will manage a portfolio and will be responsible for security selection, risk management, and designing the strategy that will drive the fund’s performance. A maximum of 3 credit hours will count as elective credit on the Finance major.
Prerequisite: a grade-point average of 3.0; FIN 300; permission of the instructor.
A total of 6 hours of credit may be earned, but no more than 3 in any one semester or term.

369 Internship in Finance. (3 or 6)
Professional practice during a summer or semester as an intern in an approved program with a banking institution, business firm, or government agency for pay under the supervision of the finance department. Requires periodic written reports of job experience.
Prerequisite: FIN 300; second-semester junior or senior standing; permission of the department chairperson.
A total of 6 hours of credit may be earned.

445 Financial Statement Analysis. (3)
Provides a conceptual framework for financial statement and business analysis and examines the valuation fundamentals of a business. Students will use the theory and develop their ability to work with cases and applied problems. Topics such as evaluation of business entities will be covered.
Prerequisite: FIN 301.

490 (460) Decision Making in Finance. (3)
Capstone course focuses on decision making in businesses, institutions, and wealth creation and management. Primarily a case class.
Prerequisite: FIN 301, 311, 321.

497 Independent Study in Finance. (3)
Designed for academically qualified students who want to study some phase of finance. An intensive individualized program of reading, researching, or analyzing various finance topics under the guidance of a faculty member.
Prerequisite: FIN 301, 311, 321; senior standing; permission of the department chairperson.

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REAL ESTATE (RE)

230 Real Estate Principles. (3)
Economic import of real estate, real estate characteristics, land-use and environmental controls, legal concerns of real estate, methods of valuation, mortgage credit sources, secondary mortgage markets and financing techniques, investment analysis, land development, and real estate operations.
Prerequisite: completion of general studies math requirement or permission of the instructor.

331 Real Estate Construction Law and Finance. (3) 
The financial and legal implication of the contracts used in real estate construction and development.  Examines contracts, techniques, and strategies in the construction and financing of real estate development projects; and the role of banks, bonding, and mortgage markets.  Gives students an introduction to real estate law and finance important to real estate construction and development projects.  
Not open to students who have credit in ITCST 420.

332 Legal Aspects of Real Estate. (3)
Elementary concepts of real estate law and practice, particularly in the state of Indiana. Other topics include estates, property, leaseholds and ownerships, easements, transfers, escrows, contracts, zoning, brokers' regulations, license law, and title insurance.

369 Internship in Real Estate. (1-6)
Professional practice during a summer or semester as an intern in an approved program in the real estate industry or government agency for pay under the supervision of the finance department. Requires periodic written reports of job experience.
Prerequisite: permission of the department chairperson.
A total of 6 hours of credit may be earned.

497 Independent Study in Real Estate. (3)
Designed for the academically qualified who wish to study some phase of real estate. Intensive individualized program of reading, research, or analysis of various real estate topics under the guidance of a faculty member.
Prerequisite: permission of the department chairperson.

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RISK MANAGEMENT AND INSURANCE (RMI)

270 Principles of Risk Management and Insurance. (3) 
An analysis of the risk management process, individual and business property and liability loss exposures, social insurance programs, and effective use of financial planning products such as pension plans and life, health, and disability insurance.

330 Employee Benefits and Retirement Planning. (3)
The design, management, and financing of employee benefit plans. Topics include group life, group health, group disability, Social Security, and retirement plans. The implications for employers and employees, public and private approach to providing benefits, and regulatory and tax issues will be examined.

369 Internship in Risk Management and Insurance. (3-6) Professional practice during the summer or semester as an intern in an approved program in risk management or insurance under the supervision of the risk management and insurance faculty.
Prerequisite: permission of the risk management and insurance faculty.
A total of 6 hours of credit may be earned.

371 Life and Health Insurance. (3)
A study of important methods of handling loss of income risks affecting individuals. Life and health insurance, disability income, and annuities will be examined. Business uses of life and health insurance and disability income insurance will also be analyzed.
Prerequisite recommended: RMI 270.

377 Operations of Insurance Enterprises. (3)
The study of the decision making of insurers and consulting firms in areas such as pricing, underwriting, reinsurance, distribution, and loss control. 
Prerequisite recommended: RMI 270.

378 Commercial Risk Management and Insurance. (3)
A study of appropriate risk control techniques, noninsurance risk transfer techniques, and insurance as tools of risk management for commercial property, liability, marine, auto, and workers compensation exposures. 
Prerequisite recommended: RMI 270.

473 Insurance Law. (3) 
The law as it is applied to the insurance industry emphasizing the law of torts as the foundation of the insurer’s liability, the law of contracts and agency as applied to the policy, and government regulation of insurance. 
Prerequisite: RMI 270; BL 260.

474 Seminar in Risk Management and Insurance. (3) Designed to meet the needs of the advanced student for study of current topics and problems in any risk management or insurance area. 
Prerequisite: RMI 270, 378.

497 Independent Study in Risk Management and Insurance. (1-6) 
Designed for academically qualified students who want to study some phase of risk management and insurance. An individualized program of reading, research, or analyzing various risk management and insurance topics under the guidance of a faculty member. 
Prerequisite: permission of the RMI faculty. 
A total of 6 hours of credit may be earned.

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