Master of Science - Quantitative Finance

Program Overview

The UNLV Lee Business School's Master of Science in Quantitative Finance (MSQF) is a 12-month, 30-credit program that provides advanced training in finance with an emphasis on quantitative methods and financial technologies. Students gain a strong foundation in core finance areas and choose electives to specialize in corporate finance, investment management, or financial technology. The program culminates in a capstone project and prepares graduates for careers in financial analysis, portfolio management, and other finance-related fields.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The UNLV Lee Business School Master of Science in Quantitative Finance (MSQF) is a 10-course (30-credit) program that can be finished in 12 months. The program will provide advanced education and training on core finance knowledge and skills at the graduate level, with special emphasis on quantitative methods in finance and new financial technologies. These quantitative methods include mathematical finance theories as well as statistical and computer-program-based techniques to manage and analyze large financial data sets. Examples of finance theories are those related to capital structure, capital budgeting, valuation, stocks, bonds, derivatives, and portfolio management. Examples of empirical quantitative methods are programming and modeling skills using SAS, Stata, Excel, Python etc. to manage and analyze large databases of financial and investment information. Students will be able to choose from a menu of electives to prepare themselves for careers in corporate finance, investment management, and the application of technology to financial applications. The purpose of the program is to prepare successful finance professionals who are capable of utilizing the latest technologies to perform sophisticated financial analysis and management.

Outline:

The MSQF program is a 10-course (30-credit) program that can be finished in 12 months. The program's curriculum is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the core areas of finance, as well as the quantitative methods and skills necessary to succeed in the field. The program's core courses include:

• ECO 770 - Econometrics I, Statistical Modeling
• FINQ 708 - Corporate Finance: Theory and Quantitative Applications
• FINQ 710 - Investments: Theory and Quantitative Applications
• FINQ 761 - Corporate Finance Modeling
• FINQ 762 - Investments Modeling
In addition to the core courses, students will choose 12 credits of elective courses from a menu of offerings. Elective courses may include:
• FINQ 721 - CFA Level I Prep
• FINQ 754 - Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation
• FINQ 757 - Special Topics in Corporate Finance
• FINQ 763 - Quantitative Investment Strategies
• FINQ 764 - Derivatives and Risk Management
• FINQ 765 - Fixed Income Securities
• FINQ 766 - Fintech (Financial Technology)
• FINQ 767 - Applied Fund Management
• FINQ 781 - Finance Internship
• FINQ 790 - Independent Study
The program culminates in a 3-credit capstone project, in which students will work on a real-world financial problem under the supervision of a faculty member.

Assessment:

Students in the MSQF program will be assessed through a variety of methods, including:

• Exams
• Quizzes
• Homework assignments
• Presentations
• Projects
• Capstone project
The program's assessment system is designed to evaluate students' understanding of the course material, their ability to apply their knowledge to real-world problems, and their overall progress in the program.

Teaching:

The MSQF program is taught by a team of experienced faculty members who are experts in their respective fields. The program's faculty use a variety of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures
• Discussions
• Case studies
• Simulations
• Guest speakers
The program's faculty are committed to providing students with a high-quality learning experience and preparing them for success in their careers.

Careers:

Graduates of the MSQF program will be prepared for a variety of careers in the financial industry, including:

• Financial analysts
• Portfolio managers
• Investment bankers
• Corporate finance analysts
• Risk managers
• Financial planners
The program's graduates will also be well-prepared for careers in financial technology and data science.