Note: The last term for admission into this program is Autumn 2024.
The Master of Science in Computational Finance provides students the ability to understand existing financial models in a quantitative and mathematical way. Graduates will be able to apply these quantitative tools to solve complex problems in the areas of portfolio management, risk management and financial engineering. Offered as a joint degree of the College of Computing and Digital Media and the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, the program is designed to meet the industry-wide need for financial professionals with exceptional programming skills, as well as in-depth understanding of financial concepts and business language.
Program Features
Taught by faculty members with both industry and academic expertise, this degree will help you to develop skills to:
- Build a trading engine.
- Implement financial concepts into computer programs.
- Develop and use numerical algorithms and analytical techniques.
- Explore pricing of derivative securities.
- Understand and analyze simulation of financial systems.
STEM Designation
| Program Requirements | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| Degree Requirements | 52 |
| Total hours required | 52 |
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Analyze and simulate time series data using a stochastic process.
- Implement a portfolio optimization algorithm based on Modern Portfolio Theory.
- Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of Bond Valuation Models, Stock Valuation Models, Options Valuation Models.
Degree Requirements
Course Requirements
The Master of Science in Computational Finance is a joint degree with the College of Computing and Digital Media, CDM. The degree is structured to develop financial management knowledge and proficiency. The GMAT test is required for admission for students admitted via the College of Business. Students admitted via the College of Computing and Digital Media may submit either GMAT or GRE test results. The TOEFL test is required for international students. Calculus I and Calculus II with at least a B- average. Business Calculus is not sufficient for the Calculus requirement.
Students complete the degree by taking 13 required courses; 7 from KGSB and 5 from CDM and 1 elective.
Introductory Courses
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CSC 401 | INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING | 4 |
| CSC 404 | ACCELERATED C++ | 4 |
| CSC 412 | TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES FOR COMPUTATIONAL ANALYSIS | 4 |
| IT 403 | STATISTICS AND DATA ANALYSIS | 4 |
The introductory courses may be waived for any of the following conditions:
- The student has appropriate course work to satisfy an introductory course.
- The student has appropriate and verified professional experience to satisfy an introductory course.
- The student passes a graduate assessment examination (GAE) to demonstrate competence in an introductory course equivalent.
KGSB Courses (7 Courses)
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ACC 500 | FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING | 4 |
| ECO 555 | MANAGERIAL ECONOMICS | 4 |
| FIN 555 | FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT | 4 |
| FIN 523 | INVESTMENT ANALYSIS | 4 |
| FIN 525 | PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT | 4 |
| FIN 562 | RISK MANAGEMENT | 4 |
| FIN 662 | DERIVATIVES VALUATION | 4 |
CDM Courses (5 Courses)
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DSC 423 | DATA ANALYSIS AND REGRESSION | 4 |
| DSC 425 | TIME SERIES ANALYSIS AND FORECASTING | 4 |
| CSC 431 | SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING | 4 |
| or CSC 485 | NUMERICAL ANALYSIS | |
| CSC 521 | MONTE CARLO ALGORITHMS | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| MASTER'S RESEARCH | ||
| GRADUATE INTERNSHIP | ||
| SOFTWARE ENGINEERING FOR FINANCIAL MARKETS | ||
Major Elective Course (1 Course)
Students must take one 500-level course in CDM, Kellstadt, or the Department of Mathematics.
Degree Requirements
- Satisfactory completion of the college residency requirement.
- Satisfactory completion of the 13 required and elective courses.
- All courses for credit toward the degree must be completed within six calendar years after the candidate’s first term of enrollment in the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. After a lapse of six years a course is expired. An expired course is not acceptable for the purpose of satisfaction of degree requirements and is not applicable to the degree without the written approval of the director of the program or the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.