Barney School of Business, University of Hartford, West Hartford Connecticut

Insurance-Finance Course Descriptions

AC 210 Financial Accounting [3] An introduction to financial accounting fundamentals in today's business world. The basic financial statements are presented: balance sheet, income statement, statement of cash flows, and statement of retained earnings. Students are exposed to the recording, summarization, and presentation of financial information and methods of analyzing financial statements.

FIN 310 Business Finance [3] An introduction to general principles of business finance. Subjects include financial statements, forecasting, working capital management, discounted cash flow, capital structure, cost of capital and capital budgeting. Emphasis will be placed on the development of problem solving skills and financial applications in the business community; ethical issues and uses of technology will be explored. Prerequisite: AC 210.

FIN 430 Investment Analysis [3] In this course, students will learn about the analysis and valuation of stocks and bonds and the measurement of investment performance. Topics will include trading mechanisms and the structure of financial markets around the world. The risk associated with such investments and techniques for measuring them will be analyzed. Valuation of contingent claims such as options and futures will also be discussed. International topics and ethics will be an integral part of the course. Prerequisites: FIN 310.

FIN 432 Investment Management [3] In this course, students will learn about the theory and practice of portfolio management. These subjects will be covered for both individual and institutional portfolios. Topics included are alternative techniques for designing investment portfolios and the criteria for revision and performance evaluation. Portfolio insurance and the use of options and futures markets will also be discussed. International topics, ethics, and social issues will be an integral part of the course. A group project in portfolio management is designed to develop student skills to work cooperatively in teams. Prerequisite: FIN 430.

FIN 450 International Finance [3] Analysis of the international financial environment with particular emphasis on the foreign exchange markets and their interrelationships with international financial management, overview of major international financial markets and instruments, foreign exchange hedging, speculation and arbitrage, optimal short-term and long-term borrowing and investing decisions, analysis of currency futures, forwards, and options markets and their uses in international corporate financial management, forecasting foreign exchange rates, measuring and managing foreign exchange risks, multinational corporate cost of capital and capital budgeting, and instruments of international trade finance. Prerequisites: FIN 310.

INS 210 Principles of Insurance [3] The course focuses on the financial tool of insurance and the involvement of government, employers, and individuals in the decision-making process. Emphasis is placed on methods of dealing with risk from both the business and consumer viewpoints. This includes the changing risk exposures that are evident in today's society, including globalization and technological risks.

INS 320 Social Insurance [3] An examination of financial insecurity caused by occupational injuries, unemployment, old age, premature death and general illness. The emphasis is on government approaches in dealing with these economic and social problems. This course examines political and economic issues of health care, social security, worker's compensation and unemployment insurance and the effect of social policy on individual and corporate decision making.

INS 322 Fundamentals of Life Insurance [3] The course examines the needs and uses of life insurance and annuities. Different types of life policies, life contract provisions, life insurance company operations, and marketing programs are reviewed. Ethical issues facing life insurance company management are discussed, as are selected strategic planning matters.

INS 324 Property and Casualty Insurance [3] This course examines the structure of insurance markets and the financial management of property-liability insurance companies. The key operational functions of an insurer are discussed in a financial context. These areas include underwriting, marketing, pricing, reinsurance, accounting contracts and investments. Emphasis is given to understanding the strategy and vision that property-liability insurers incorporate and how they affect operations, and how insurers are implementing new technology in distribution systems.

INS 430 Fundamentals of Employee Benefits [3] A comprehensive analysis of employee benefits from management, insurance, and public viewpoints. The design and financing aspects of individual benefits, ranging from health care to dependent care to pensions are examined in meeting the business and individual needs of a diverse work force.

INS 434 Corporate Risk Management (3): This course examines the scientific approach to the problem of dealing with risks that companies face today. Students will learn to develop comprehensive risk management plans incorporating identification, control, and financing of all corporate risks. Risk management tools covered include loss control, insurance, captives, options, swaps, and futures/forward contracts. Emphasis is given to today's global marketplace and the risks faced by multinational firms. Since risk management is usually a multi-disciplinary team effort, all assignments and class discussions will involve teamwork.

INS 480 Internship in Insurance [3] This course fulfills the required internship for students majoring in Insurance/Finance. Under the supervision of a faculty advisor, students will gain field experience with a for-profit or not-for-profit organization. Prerequisites: BAR 210, INS 210 or 322 or 324, junior status, departmental approval, cumulative GPA of 2.0.

INS 481 Independent Study in Insurance [3] Content to be determined between advisor and student.