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Calculus and Probability & Statistics recommendations…

Since many of the topics covered in Finance 4335 require a basic knowledge and comfort level with algebra, differential calculus, and probability & statistics, the second class meeting during the Spring 2021 semester will include a mathematics tutorial, and the third and fourth class meetings will cover probability & statistics. I know of no better online resource for brushing up on (or learning for the first time) these topics than the Khan Academy.

So here are my suggestions for Khan Academy videos that cover these topics (unless otherwise noted, all sections included in the links which follow are recommended):

Finally, if your algebra skills are generally a bit on the rusty side, I would also recommend checking out the Khan Academy’s review of algebra.

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Course Requirement: Email subscription to the Risk Management Course Blog (instructions given here)

A course blog has been established for Finance 4335 at the address http://risk.garven.com; it is also linked from the “Course Blog” button located on the course website. This resource provides a convenient means for Dr. Garven to distribute important announcements outside of class. Topics covered on the course blog typically include things like changes in the course schedule, clarifications, and hints concerning problem sets, information about upcoming exams, announcements concerning extra credit opportunities, and short blurbs showing how current events relate to many of the topics covered in Finance 4335.

All students enrolled in Finance 4335 are required to subscribe to the course blog via email. Students may also follow the course blog on Facebook or Twitter but are not required to do so.

Email Subscription Instructions:

In order to subscribe to the course blog via email, go to http://risk.garven.com and enter your email address in the form provided on the right-hand side of that webpage:

After clicking “Subscribe”, the following information will appear on the screen:

Next, check for an email from “Risk Management Blog <donotreply@wordpress.com> ”:

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Next, simply click the “Confirm Follow” button. This will cause you to receive the following email:

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From that point forward, whenever I post to the course blog, you will immediately receive a nicely formatted version of the blog posting via email.

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How to obtain a Wall Street Journal subscription

A subscription to the Wall Street Journal is required for Finance 4335. For online access only, sign up for a “Student Digital Pack” at https://education.wsj.com/search-students. A Student & Digital Pack option (which provides daily home delivery in addition to online access) is available at https://r.wsj.com/PROFxypa.

Throughout the semester, I will often reference specific WSJ articles on the course blog and in class. Finance 4335 topics (as well as topics in many of your other business school courses) come to life in the world outside the Baylor bubble when you read make a habit of reading the WSJ on a regular basis. Furthermore, if you expect to interview for jobs or internships anytime soon, reading the WSJ will give you a leg up on the competition, since you will be better informed and have more compelling ideas and insights to share with recruiters.

In closing, the following (2 minute) video provides a helpful introduction to the WSJ, providing time-saving tips to help you get the most from WSJ and succeed not only in Finance 4335 but also your other courses and careers:

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Finance 4335 Honor Code – Based on Section III.C.16 of Baylor’s Honor Code Policy and Procedures

It has come to my attention that past problem set and exam solutions for Finance 4335 are available from one or more so-called “course sharing” websites.  These documents were uploaded to these sites without my knowledge or permission and as such, constitute copyright infringement and theft of intellectual property.

According to Section III.C.16 of Baylor’s Honor Code Policy and Procedures, “… using, uploading, downloading, or purchasing any online resource that has been derived from material pertaining to a Baylor course without the written permission of the professor” constitutes dishonorable conduct; i.e., an act of academic dishonesty.  Section IV.A. of this very same document obligates faculty members who suspect that a student has engaged in dishonorable conduct to either handle the matter directly with the student or refer it to the Honor Council.

While students are encouraged to use course-related documents that I distribute in class and on the course website for personal academic purposes, anything other than your personal use of these documents, (including sharing such documents with others who are not enrolled in Finance 4335 or uploading such documents to course-sharing websites) is in violation of Section III.C.16 of Baylor’s Honor Code Policy and Procedures and therefore, expressly forbidden. This policy also applies to the use of course-related documents from any source other than me.