Pitt Business: College of Business Administration

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Finance Major

The major in finance is designed to provide students with the financial knowledge and skills required for successful business careers. It attempts to give students a thorough understanding of the theoretical financial principles and the practical implementation of these principles in the world of business. Students learn how financial markets operate and how to make effective investment and financial decisions for firms and individuals. The major is designed to develop analytical skills and problem-solving abilities.

Finance knowledge and practice have become crucial for the success of corporations and of the individuals employed by them. Financial markets are the major conduits through which investments are channeled in the global marketplace. Understanding these markets and how to make investment decisions are crucial for success in business.

Finance majors in the College of Business Administration have an excellent opportunity to gain experience in the Pitt Business financial analysis laboratory. The $2.3 million, 3000 square foot facility allows for hands-on training with the equipment and technology used in the capital markets industry. The lab provides students with exposure to real-time financial information flows and analytic tools. It resembles the trading floor maintained by an investment bank or financial firm, and is equipped with 58 computer stations, tote display boards, a ticker, plasma display screens, and presentation technologies.

To earn the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree, finance majors must earn a minimum of 120 credits. Finance majors fulfill all arts and sciences foundation requirements as well as all BSBA core curriculum requirements. In addition to the BSBA core course, BUSFIN 1030 Introduction to Finance, at least 15 credits in finance course work are required for the finance major. A cumulative GPA of 2.25 (C+) is required in all courses applied toward a finance major. A C- or better is required in each course applied toward the finance major.

BSBA Core Course in Finance

Course ID	Name
BUSFIN 1030	Introduction to Finance

This course must be completed with a C or better to take additional finance courses.

Required Finance Major Courses

Course ID	Name
BUSFIN 1311	Corporate Finance
BUSFIN 1321	Investment Management

Finance Electives (a minimum of three courses must be taken)

Please note that elective courses are offered on a rotating basis.

Course ID	Name
BUSFIN 1316	Advanced Corporate Finance
BUSFIN 1326	The Efficiency of Capital Markets
BUSFIN 1327	Futures and Options
BUSFIN 1328	Capital Markets
BUSFIN 1331	Financial Institutions and Markets
BUSFIN 1341	International Finance
BUSFIN 1345	Markets and Trading
BUSFIN 1347	Mergers, Acquisitions and Corporate Structures
BUSFIN 1351	Financial Modeling
BUSFIN 1355	Valuation
BUSFIN 1390	Finance Internship**

Elective courses are usually offered at least once a year. Please consult with a CBA advisor to determine elective availability in a particular term.

**Plans for internships must be approved by CBA Career Services before registration for the course is permitted. Effective for fall 2012 and after, internships for credit will be graded on a Satisfactory/No Credit (S/NC) basis only. This applies to all CBA students completing internships for credit.

In addition, CBA is phasing out the option of substituting an internship for a required elective course in CBA majors. Internship credit will no longer be applied to the minimum number of credits required for a major. Students who have already declared a major in finance as of August 27, 2012 may still substitute an internship for a finance elective course. New students entering CBA and those who have not declared their CBA major by August 27, 2012 may take an internship for credit, but will do so in addition to completing 15 credits in upper-level finance coursework for the major.

A CFA Institute Partner

Pitt Business is a proud partner of the CFA Institute, the global association for investment professionals. The CFA Institute administers the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Certificate in Investment Performance Management (CIPM) curriculum and exam programs worldwide; publishes research; conducts professional development programs; and sets voluntary, ethics-based professional and performance reporting standards for the investment industry.