BA4349, Fall 2005 Mark Frost

UTD --- Financial Economics & Institutions Day Phone: (972) 371-1465
Tuesday 7:00-9:45 p.m., SOM2.102 Cell: (214) 693-6031
Website: http://utd.mark-frost.com/ba4349/ Office Hours: After Class and
Email: mark.econman.frost@gmail.com by appointment

Objectives
Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the student should possess:
9 A solid foundation in microeconomic theory and mastery of its tools of analysis.
9 An ability to apply theory empirically as well as analytically across various forms
of time-series data.
9 An ability to engage in intelligent analysis and conversation using the analytical
tools and language of monetary economics.
9 An ability to advocate and defend a political-economic position regarding the
ethical and institutional structure of financial markets.

Teaching Philosophy
Economics is not an easy subject and the only way to make it easy would be to teach
something besides economics. Therefore, I think it only fair to tell you something of
what I expect from my successful students. I don't believe in grade inflation and believe
university-level work should be challenging. Hence, you should know that I will and do
assign “F’s” to those who deserve them. I estimate the "average" student will require a
time investment of at least three additional hours per week to earn an "A" in this
course. If you are desiring a course that requires little effort and class attendance, you
may wish to reconsider taking this one.

Texts
Financial Institutions, Markets, and Money, 9th Edition (David S. Kidwell, David W.
Blackwell, David A. Whidbee, Richard L. Peterson)

Equipment & Software

In class I will utilize the Texas Instruments BAII Plus financial calculator. Excel will be
referenced as well.

Preparation
It is assumed you are literate adults and can therefore read. Hence, you will not be
“taught the book.” It is suggested you utilize the textbook as a study guide and
reference. Ideally, you should read the relevant chapters before I discuss them in the
lectures, as published in the schedule below. Again, considerable information will be
presented and/or discussed in class that is not necessarily presented in the book;
hence, class attendance highly recommended.

Lectures
It is assumed you are rational adults. Hence, there is no mandatory attendance policy.
With the exception of exam dates, attendance is completely optional and no one will
ever be directly penalized for failing to attend class. Therefore, if you should decide the
marginal cost of your time invested in class attendance exceeds its marginal benefit, I
respect your right to not attend and order your own preferences. However, again, I do
not “teach the book” and have noticed a strong correlation between poor grades and
poor attendance in my classes. If all you do is read the book, you will have a high
statistical probability of failing the course.
Grading Structure
9 Two Homework Projects at 25% each
9 One Comprehensive “Final” Exam weighted at 50%.
This exam is mandatory therefore anyone not taking it will receive an “F” for the
course. Under no circumstances will anyone be allowed to take this exam early,
so please do not schedule your travel at this time.
Possible grades are: “A , B+, B, C+, C, D+, D, & F” computed on a 10% (base)
and 5% (+) scale. Hence, for an A you need an average of 90 or above; for a B
you need an average of 80 or above; for a B+ you need an average of 85 or
above; etc.
9 Occasional “bonus” points award for exceptional thinking and meaningful class
participation.

Controversy & Academics

In this class we will cover many controversial topics. I do not want to sterilize our
discussion/debate by making arbitrary "politically correct" rules. However, remember
we are in a university setting and should behave in a professional manner. Needless to
say, racist and sexist language and/or statements obviously made "just to be offensive"
will not be tolerated.

Policy on Cheating and Plagiarism

The minimum penalty if caught cheating or plagiarizing the work of another will be a
grade of “F” for this course. The University may also take additional disciplinary
action.

Disability Accommodations
Students needing academic accommodations for a disability must first contact Services
for Students with Disabilities to verify the disability and establish eligibility for
accommodations. They should then schedule an appointment with the professor to
make appropriate arrangements per University policy.

Religious Observance
Religiously observant students wishing to be absent on holidays that require missing
class should notify their professors in writing at the beginning of the semester, and
should discuss with them, in advance, acceptable ways of making up any work missed
because of the absence.

Excused Absences for University Extracurricular Activities:

Your professor believes other activities besides academics can also be important within
your university experience. Hence, students participating in an officially sanctioned,
scheduled University extracurricular activity may be given the opportunity to make up
graded assignments missed as a result of their participation. It is the responsibility of
the student to make arrangements with the instructor prior to any missed scheduled
examination or other missed assignment for making up the work.
 Expected Schedule
L = Lecture; , E = “Essays…”, HO = Hand Out
Date Subject Matter to be Covered Chapter
SECTION 1: Basics
1 ⇒ Introductions and Expectations L
23-Aug ⇒ Econ Review
⇒ Probability & Statistics Review
SECTION 2: Time, Fear, Hope, and Money
2 ⇒ Money L, 1-3
30-Aug ⇒ Time Preference
⇒ The Federal Reserve and Commercial Banking
3
6-Sep Project Work

4 ⇒ Financial Institutions I: Money Markets L, 4-6

13-Sep ⇒ Bonds and Valuation
⇒ The Time Value of Money
5 ⇒ Applied Problems: Bonds L, 7-8
20-Sep ⇒ Bonds and the Money Supply
⇒ Guest Speaker TBA
SECTION 3: Financial Derivatives I
6 ⇒ Financial Institutions II: Stock Markets L, 10
27-Sep ⇒ Applied Problems: Stocks and Valuation
⇒ Volatility
7
4-Oct Project Work

8 ⇒ Financial Derivatives II: Options and Futures The Yield Curve L, 11

11-Oct
⇒ Financial Derivatives I: Strips
9 ⇒ Financial Institutions III: Swaps - Interest Rate L, 11, 12
18-Oct ⇒ Financial Derivatives IV: Swaps – Currency
⇒ Foreign Exchange and the Law of One Price
SECTION 4: Commercial Bank Management
10 ⇒ Operations L, 13, 14,
⇒ Risk Management
25-Oct
⇒ International Banking
⇒ Project 1 Due
11 ⇒ Applied Problems 7: So you want to be a consultant? L, 19
1-Nov ⇒ Venture Capital and Investment Banking
⇒ Guest Speaker
SECTION 5: Financial Regulation and Ethics
12 ⇒ Financial Institutions III: Moral Hazard & Adverse Selection L, 16
⇒ Corporate (ir)responsibility
8-Nov
⇒ Insider Trading Laws: Good or bad?
⇒ The Fed: Good or Bad Idea
13
15-Nov Exam – Everything

14
22-Nov Project Work

15 ⇒ Careers in Financial Economics L

⇒ Return of Exams
29-Nov
⇒ Project 2 due
⇒ Evaluation of Professor
Thank you for taking our class