FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
FINA 3342
Fall Semester 2001
Course Prerequisites: All 2000 level business courses
Time of Class: 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. T Th
Course Description: The internal workings of financial institutions and markets that form our nation’s financial system.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of the course, the student should:

-understand financial markets and how they function.

-understand financial institutions and the role they play in the financial markets.

-be knowledgeable of how financial institutions manage assets and liabilities in an environment of varying interest rates and asset prices.

-be aware of the regulatory agencies and the constraints under which financial institutions operate.

-understand the many types of financial assets including derivative instruments.

-comprehend the structure of depository institutions and the Federal Reserve System.

-have a comprehension of the determinants of asset prices and interest rates.
Text(s): Financial Markets and Institutions, by Fabozzi, Modigliani, and Fern, 2nd Edition, Prentice Hall.
Other Materials: Readings in Wall Street Journal and other Financial Publications. Note book required to be kept of readings.
Grading Methods:

Midterm & Final exams

80 % of final grade

Notebook of reading

20% of final grade

A

85-100%

B

75 to 85%

C

65 to 75%

D

55 to 65%

F

0-55%

HOMEWORK (LAB ASSIGNMENT) POLICY:

Assignments will be taken up for a grade. To be considered on time they must be handed in during roll call. Any point after a student’s name is called is considered late.

TEST POLICY:

Make-up exams will be given only for documented (on letterhead), approved absences. See ATTENDANCE POLICY. Make up exams are administered only to students who have received approval from the professor prior to the test date. The make-up exam must be taken within one week of the student's return to class. Make-ups are different from exams given in class. A grade of zero will be assigned for an exam missed due to an unexcused absence.
Class Procedure and Requirements: There are NO social promotions! You must earn a passing grade by meeting course objectives. Faithful attendance, a pure heart, noble intentions, curly hair, blue eyes, etc. -- without genuine achievement -- will not enable you to pass the course. Examinations, lab assignments, quizzes, and the teacher evaluation will be the criteria for grades.

CLASSROOM ADMINISTRATION

Students are expected to:

1. Punctually attend all scheduled classes. Students who arrive at class after roll call will be counted absent. See attendance policy.

2. Be responsible for all instructions and assignments given in class as well as for the supporting textbook content.

3. Read the textbook material before the lecture or lab covering that material. This leads to a better understanding of the lecture as well as the opportunity to ask questions about material(s) in the text that were unclear or that the student did not understand.

4. Hand in assignments on the assigned due date during roll call. See homework policy.

5. Not wear hats nor sunglasses in the classroom.

6. No food, tobacco products, nor drinks are allowed in the computer labs

7. Exams, except the final, will be temporarily returned and reviewed. If the student needs to spend more time reviewing or questioning the grading the exam he/she may see the professor during office hours.
  
Daily Assignments:
First day of class: August 20
Deadline for adding course August 27
Deadline to process administrative drops August 27
Holidays September 3, November 12
Mid-term grades due October 5
Last day to drop a course October 12  without academic penalty
Last day to withdraw October 12 without academic penalty
Thanksgiving break November 21-25
Classes end December 4
Dead day December 5
Additional Services: AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT: Any student whose disabilities fall within ADA must inform the instructor at the beginning of the term of any special needs or equipment necessary to accomplish the requirements for this course.
Attendance Policy: 1. Class Roll: Class roll will be taken at the beginning of the class session. Students who arrive after their name is called will be marked absent.

2. Attendance is mandatory. If a student misses a class or lab it is his/her responsibility to obtain all information and materials presented (including materials covered, handouts, skills learned, and homework assignments) during his/her absence. If a lab session is missed, the student should make up lab work before returning to the lab. A student in the lab, who does not know how to do the work, distracts everyone and slows down progress.

I do not repeat lectures nor perform the tutoring function for students who are absent. Each absence will make the successful completion of this course more difficult, since computer courses are cumulative in nature and days missed from class are lost knowledge. Exams will include not only the material from the assigned chapters in the text, but also from any other materials covered in class lectures and/or labs.

3. Excused absences: Excused absences have the following characteristics:

a. Professor was informed prior to the absence.

b. Professor determines that the absence is excused.

c. Absence is of the following type:

1. Participation in a documented official university function that does not permit the student’s class attendance (e.g., participation in athletic events, field trips, etc.)

2. Severe illness (this does not include scheduled medical appointments nor driving someone else to doctor), a hospital stay, or a doctor's excuse saying that it is impossible for student to attend class(es)

3. Death of immediate family member (grandparent, parent, sibling, or child)

4. Appearance in court

5. Personal situations that are approved by the professor in advance of the time the student is to be absent.

d. Written documentation (on letterhead) must be provided.
Incomplete Work Policy: Any incomplete work at the end of the term will not be accepted unless the student can provide acceptable and clear documentation prior to grades being submitted to the Registrar.
Cheating Policy: If you are caught cheating, you will get a course grade of "F".