COMM_V 298 - Introduction to Finance

Course Description

This course introduces students to key concepts and practices in corporate finance and investments. Topics include corporate objectives, debt and equity valuation, market efficiency, risk and return, portfolio diversification, the Capital Asset Pricing Model, capital budgeting, personal financial decision-making, and international finance. Content is delivered through in-person lectures paired with hands-on activities and discussions, with student engagement fostered through practice quizzes, group case assignments, and peer evaluation. Emphasis is placed on applied, quantitative problem-solving, preparing students to apply financial concepts to real-world corporate and personal decisions. Assessment methods include a midterm test, a final test, a personal finance case assignment, and an equity research challenge.

Responsible Business Content

This course addresses responsible business and sustainable development by examining how financial markets and corporate decision-making intersect with sustainability outcomes. Students explore how valuation frameworks can support risk assessment for innovative and sustainability-linked projects (Environmental Sustainability), how investor behavior and asset allocation can drive climate action (Environmental Sustainability), and how the alignment of corporate objectives with stockholder interests shapes responsible business practices (Responsible Business and Ethics).

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

• Describe the objectives of a corporation, the features of financial markets, and the securities (debt and equity) used to finance it.
• Apply time value of money and valuation principles to price bonds and stocks.
• Analyze risk and return by calculating portfolio risk measures, distinguishing systematic from idiosyncratic risk, and interpreting market efficiency.
• Evaluate investment and corporate finance decisions, including risk-return trade-offs and capital budgeting.
• Apply financial concepts to personal investment decisions and international finance contexts, synthesizing course material for real-world use.

 Corequisite: COMM_V 293 and COMM_V 190 (formerly numbered as COMM 290).