BS in Finance
Degree Requirements
To earn a Bachelor of Science in Finance degree from UIC, students need to complete university, college, and department degree requirements. The Department of Finance degree requirements are outlined below. Students should consult the College of Business Administration section for additional degree requirements and college academic policies.
In order to complete the department courses required for the major and to take advantage of the available career path groups listed below, the following requirements must be met by the second semester of the sophomore year: average grade B or better in FIN 301 and FIN 302 with both taken at UIC; or a grade of C or better in both FIN 301 and FIN 302 with both taken at UIC and a passing grade in the Finance Placement Exam (FPE). Information on FPE is available on the Department of Finance website.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Summary of Requirements | ||
| General and Basic Course Requirements | 48 | |
| Business Core | 45 | |
| Major Requirements | 18 | |
| Business Electives | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
General and Basic Course Requirements
See General and Basic Course Requirements in the College of Business Administration section for the list of courses needed to meet this requirement.
Business Core
See Business Course Requirements in the College of Business Administration section for the list of courses needed to meet this requirement.
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| FIN 310 | Investments | 3 |
| FIN 320 | Managerial Finance | 3 |
| Twelve additional hours of 300- or 400-level courses in the Department of Finance. See lists below for career path suggestions. | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Business Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||
| Nine hours at the 200-, 300-, or 400-level chosen from courses in the College of Business Administration with a maximum of three hours at the 200-level. See lists below for career path suggestions. Students may elect any combination of business courses to fulfill the elective requirement. | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Course Suggestions for Finance Careers
Students should select courses based upon their interests and career goals. The finance courses listed below suggest which courses are most appropriate for alternative career paths.
Corporate Financial Analysis
This area provides an introduction to the work of the financial officer of a company focusing on financial statements, financial characteristics, and financial strategies of different types of firms.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||
| ACTG 315 | Intermediate Financial Accounting I | 3 |
| ACTG 316 | Intermediate Financial Accounting II | 3 |
| ENTR 444 | Entrepreneurial Finance | 3 |
Investment Management
This area provides an introduction to the theory and practice of managing investments. The professional investment manager must be aware of the vast range of investments available in the modern economy, the factors that determine returns and risks, and methods used to hedge risks.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||
| FIN 412 | Portfolio Management | 3 |
| FIN 415 | Fixed Income Securities | 3 |
| FIN 416 | Options and Futures Markets | 3 |
| FIN 449 | Applied Equity Investment Management | 3 |
| FIN 455 | Asset Management | 3 |
| FIN 494 | Special Topics in Finance a | 1-4 |
Banking
The banking system is crucial to the proper functioning of modern industrialized economies. This area provides an introduction to the structure and functions of the modern financial system, the roles played by commercial and central banks, the impact of regulatory and monetary policies, and the management of commercial banks.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||
| FIN 415 | Fixed Income Securities | 3 |
| FIN 430 | Introduction to Money and Banking | 3 |
| FIN 431 | Management in the Financial Services Industry | 3 |
| FIN 494 | Special Topics in Finance (when topic is Islamic Finance) a | 3 |
Global Finance
This area provides an introduction to international financial markets and the firm’s financial management in a global context. FIN 340 and FIN 442 are the central courses. Among other topics covered are the international monetary system, markets for foreign exchange, management of foreign investments, and exchange rate risks.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||
| FIN 340 | International Financial Markets | 3 |
| FIN 415 | Fixed Income Securities | 3 |
| FIN 416 | Options and Futures Markets | 3 |
| FIN 442 | International Corporate Financial Management | 3 |
| FIN 494 | Special Topics in Finance a | 3 |
Risk Management
This area prepares students for careers in areas of the financial industry that involve financial risk management.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||
| FIN 415 | Fixed Income Securities | 3 |
| FIN 416 | Options and Futures Markets | 3 |
| FIN 473 | Introduction to Risk Management | 3 |
| FIN 479 | Enterprise Risk Management | 3 |
Wealth Management
Professionals in this field are responsible for managing the financial assets of their clients.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||
| FIN 412 | Portfolio Management | 3 |
| FIN 455 | Asset Management | 1-4 |
| FIN 494 | Special Topics in Finance a | 1-4 |
| a | FIN 494 topics available can be found on the department website. |
Sample Business Major Curriculum
See Sample Business Major Curriculum in the College of Business Administration section. See your academic advisor for an individualized major map in your field of study.