uOttawa Finance Course Sequence

The University of Ottawa’s finance program provides a structured course sequence designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in various financial careers. The program emphasizes both theoretical understanding and practical application of financial principles.

Typically, the introductory finance course, ADM 2350 – Introduction to Finance (or an equivalent foundational course), is a prerequisite for most upper-level finance courses. This course covers fundamental concepts such as the time value of money, risk and return, financial statement analysis, and basic valuation techniques.

Building upon this foundation, students progress to core finance courses such as ADM 3318 – Corporate Finance. This course delves into capital budgeting, cost of capital, dividend policy, and corporate valuation, giving students insights into how firms make financial decisions. A strong understanding of accounting principles (often covered in ADM 1300/1301 – Introduction to Accounting) is beneficial for grasping the intricacies of corporate finance.

Another key course is ADM 3317 – Investments, which covers topics such as portfolio management, asset pricing models (like CAPM), bond valuation, and the analysis of various investment instruments. This course provides a solid grounding in the principles of investment analysis and portfolio construction.

Advanced finance electives allow students to specialize in specific areas of interest. These may include courses like ADM 4315 – Financial Derivatives, which explores options, futures, and other derivative securities, or ADM 4318 – International Finance, which examines exchange rate risk, international capital markets, and multinational financial management. Other specialized electives might cover topics like fixed income securities, real estate finance, or financial modeling.

Mathematical proficiency is crucial for success in finance. Courses like MAT 1300 – Mathematical Methods I and MAT 1302 – Mathematical Methods II (or equivalent calculus courses) are often prerequisites for finance courses, particularly those involving quantitative analysis. Knowledge of statistics (usually covered in a course like ADM 2303 – Statistics for Management) is also essential for understanding and applying statistical models in finance.

The uOttawa finance course sequence encourages students to develop analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, which are highly valued by employers in the financial sector. The curriculum is regularly updated to reflect the latest developments in the field, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of a career in finance.