Quantitative Finance Track
The Quantitative Finance track is suitable for students interested in careers in investment management and trading that require proficiency in quantitative analytic skills. There is rising demand for such skills with the ever-increasing availability of large datasets. Students with this background may be hired as quantitative financial analysts by firms specializing in quantitative portfolio management, trading, or risk management. Outside of the financial industry, there is increasing demand for quantitative analysts by firms in energy and related industries, healthcare, and consulting.
The curriculum in this track combines core finance courses with specialized courses in financial econometrics (intersection of finance and statistical techniques), stochastic calculus, computational finance, data analytics, and programming for algorithmic or machine learning applications. MSF students can earn the Quantitative Finance Certificate by taking the following courses, which amount to a total of 15 credit hours:
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Fixed Income I (7A40) | 1.5 |
| Fixed Income II (7A41) | 1.5 |
| Derivatives I (7A50) | 1.5 |
| Derivatives II (7A51) | 1.5 |
| Financial Econometrics (7354) | 3 |
| Stochastic Calculus and Computational Finance (7355) | 3 |
| Programming in R - Finance Applications (7358) | 3 |
We present below a recommended course schedule for full-time students entering the program in the Fall semester who plan to graduate in 18 months, and wish to earn the Quantitative Finance Certificate. The required foundation courses are listed in red, the required advanced courses are listed in blue, whereas the advanced elective courses are listed in black. The course schedule below represents the optimal sequencing of finance courses by ensuring that students complete the necessary prerequisite courses before taking advanced electives. However, students may choose their own electives and the pace through the program.
Quantitative Finance
Recommended Course Schedule
| Semester | Course | Credit Hours |
| FALL (Year 1) | 9 | |
| 1st half only: | Analyzing Financial Statements (6A31) | 1.5 |
| Managerial Finance (6A35) | 1.5 | |
| 2nd half only: | Intermediate Corporate Finance: Valuation (7A10) | 1.5 |
| Capital Markets (7A20) | 1.5 | |
| Full Semester: | Financial Econometrics (7354) | 3 |
| SPRING (Year 1) | 10.5 | |
| 1st half only: | Derivatives I (7A50) | 1.5 |
| 2nd half only: | Portfolio Theory and Practice (7A23) | 1.5 |
| Derivatives II (7A51) | 1.5 | |
| Full Semester: | Programming in R - Finance Applications (7358) | 3 |
| Stochastic Calculus and Computational Finance (7355) | 3 | |
| SUMMER (Year 1) | (Choose 6 credits from below) | 6 |
| Risk Management (7361) | 3 | |
| Introduction to Quantitative Investing (7A97) | 1.5 | |
| Electric Power Markets (7377) | 3 | |
| Midstream Energy Finance (7374) | 3 | |
| Industry Consulting Project - 12 weeks (7397)* | 3 | |
| FALL (Year 2) | (Choose 4.5 credits from below) | 4.5 |
| 1st half only: | Fixed Income I (7A40) | 1.5 |
| Retirement and Estate Planning (7A62) | 1.5 | |
| 2nd half only: | Fixed Income II (7A41) | 1.5 |
| Banking and Credit Analysis (7A42) | 1.5 | |
| Total Program Credits: | 30 | |
*: Subject to availability