Finance For Computer Science Course Outline
Finance For Computer Science Course Outline
Course Description:
Financial markets form the source of a vast number of challenging computational problems. These
are not only intellectually challenging from the point of view of computational modelling, but the
financial sector is also an employer of a significant fraction of students of Computer Science. This
course covers the use of computational processing in Finance such as the use of computation in the
analysis of finance algorithmic instruments.
Learning Outcomes
Students will able to:
Identify the primary goal of finance to maximize shareholder wealth and not profits and its
relationship to decision-making within the firm.
Identify key components of the financial market system and the role of different market
players, costs, vehicles, efficient markets, interest rate determinant, and risk-return tradeoffs.
Evaluate a company's financial performance, using a comprehensive set of financial tools.
Analyze the use of time value of money in present value and future value models for
investment/project decision-making purposes.
Define and measure the expected rate of return and risk for an individual investment, to
explain the relationship between risk and return, and how diversification affects risk and
return.
Describe a firm's financing process, including concepts underlying a firm's cost of capital, the
difference between internally and externally generated funds, a firm's financing needs,
working capital, and optimum financing mix.
Also keep in mind some general rules in the class as given below:
Cell phones should be powered off.
Eatables are not allowed in the class.
The teacher will not tolerate any disruptive behavior in the class.
The University Dress Code has to be observed, no warnings will be given, and violators will
be asked politely to leave the class and consequently will be marked absent.
Participation:
Students are required to attend all classes and read all the assigned material in advance of class
(although not necessarily with perfect comprehension). Advanced preparation and class participation
are crucial for proper conceptual understanding. During discussion sessions, the instructor generally
keeps track of the insightful and useful comments students make. (Irrelevant and Unproductive
contribution is not rewarded)
Grade Distribution:
Evaluation Type Percentage (%) Activities
Quizzes 10 Minimum 4
Assignments 10 Minimum 4
Project 10 Minimum 1
Mid Term 30
Final Term 40
Total Points 100
2-3 Assignment 1
Understanding Financial Statements and Cash Flows: (Week 2)
The Income Statement
Measuring Cash Flows Quiz 1
(Week 3)
4 Evaluating a Firm’s Financial Performance
The Purpose of Financial Analysis
Measuring Key Financial Relationships
The Limitations of Financial Ratio Analysis
5-6 The Time Value of Money Assignment 2
Compound Interest, Future, and Present Value (Week 5)
Annuities
Quiz 2
Making Interest Rates Comparable (Week 6)
The Present Value of an Uneven Stream and Perpetuities