Fall Semester 2016 Syllabus First Semester- 2 hours Genna Brown 404.413.

7330
Friday 1:00 12:40 ALC 204 M & W 1:30 4; Friday by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Prerequisites: FI 4000, Bloomberg certification, CSP 1,2,6; Registration is subject to instructor approval; Co-requisite: None
Students meet weekly to manage an all equity security portfolio. Financial decision making is emphasized through use of quantitative
and relative valuation models. Topics include sources of investment information, financial statement analysis, determination of cash
flows, equity valuation, relative valuation, technical analysis, behavioral finance, investment policy statement, sector allocation, risk
measurement, and performance attribution. Effective presentation and persuasion skills are emphasized. The first semester Bloomberg
certification is part of evaluation criteria. Series 65 and CFA Ethics Self-Test are part of the evaluation for the second semester. Students
are expected to repeat this course for a maximum of 3 hours course credit.
Essentials of Investments; 9th edition; Bodie Kane and Marcus ISBN: 978.0.07.338240.1
Say it with Presentations; Gene Zelazny; McGraw-Hill Irwin; ISBN: 0.07.147289 available on Amazon,
etc.
GSU Student Managed Fund Investment Policy and By-Laws (.Pdf posted on iCollege)
Date Topic Source Class Activity
26 Aug Intro, Investment Policy Syllabus, IP Econ, Sector weights, beta
Valuation, Pitches SIWP 1 - 6 Determine risk premium
2 - Sep Macro & Industry BKM 12 Cash Flow & Excel workshop
9 Define Presentation SIWP 7 38 Updates, Pitch
16 Required Return BKM 5 & 7 Updates
23 Equity Valuation BKM Ch 13 Update, Pitch
Fin Statements BKM Ch 14 Update Pitch
30 Exam 1 Due BKM 5,7,12 14; SIWP 1 38
7 - Oct Design Presentation SIWP 38 57 Updates; Pitch
14 Performance Analysis BKM 18 Updates; Pitch
21 Semester midpoint last day to drop with PW
28 Performance Analysis BKM 18 Updates; Pitch
4 - Nov Behavioral, Technical BKM 9 Updates; Pitch
Investment Strategy BKM 21, 22 Updates; Pitch
11 Investment Process Performance Review to Advisors
18 Exam 2 due BKM 9,18,21,22 Updates; Pitch
2 - Dec Presentations SIWP 58 - 110 Wrap up & Catch up

Your semester grade will depend upon your performance on two exams 10% each, at least two
investment presentations 20% each; Average on weekly sector updates 20%; passage of
Bloomberg Market Concepts 10%; and your active participation in the performance review as
well as others presentations 10%. Your two exams, projects and your final semester grade are
determined on a 0 100 point basis. A final average of 97 or greater is an A+; 90 96.99 is an A;
88.99 to 89.99 is an A-; B+ is from 87.00 to 88.98, which would make a B 80 86.99 and a B- 78.99 to
79.99 etc. You must retake the course unless you make a grade of C-, which means a minimum
grade of 68.99.

Attendance is required and will be recorded. Failure to sign the attendance sheet counts as an
absence. There are no excused or unexcused absences. Everyone is allowed to miss 2 classes. On
the occasion of the 3th class absence you will be withdrawn from class. Bring a financial calculator
and laptop to class, always.
Late students will sign a late list. On the occasion of the third appearance on the late list, 3 points will
be taken off the next exam; fourth time late is 4 points off the next exam, etc. This is cumulative from
the beginning of the semester. Late means entering or leaving the class room between 11 12:40.

Academic Honesty is assumed and is required in this class. If you are unfamiliar with the academic
honesty policy of Georgia State, review it (page 74 pdf version Undergraduate Catalog; or section
1380) before attending this class.

Exams (1 & 2 are 10% each) will be administered through iCollege and will cover the material
indicated on the syllabus. You will receive the midterm approximately one week before the due
dates and complete it no later than the indicated due date before class. Late exams are not
accepted. Exams are individual achievement. You may use your text book etc. The work should be
yours and yours alone. All discussion and questions about the exams should be directed to me.

Sector Updates (Average 20%) will be given weekly. If you miss your sector update, you will receive
a zero for that week. Prepare a short update and post on iCollege prior to class if you cannot
attend. Listen and ask question about other analysts updates. Meaningful participation in sector
discussions is required for full credit.

Pitches (20% each-- minimum of 2) Pitch dates will be determined at least one week in advance.
Priority is based upon achieving the correct sector allocation the quickest. You MUST turn in your
complete presentation on Thursday no later than 9AM on the day before your presentation. If the
complete presentation is not turned in by 9AM, 10 points will be taken off every hour until its posted.
So, top possible grade will be 90 at 9:01 AM, etc. You are encourage to work with classmates on
your presentations. The rubric I use to determine your grade is posted on iCollege under class notes.

Bloomberg Market Concepts (10%) BMC is an 8 hour (approximate) four module, certification. You
may complete the modules on the Bloomberg terminals for free or pay $149 to access the modules
online, anywhere.

PPG Participation (10%) this course requires active thinking and questioning all assumptions. Your
active participation in all student presentations as well as the year end performance review is
required.

I will be in my office during stated office hours, and available by email otherwise. There is no need to
make an appointment. Information about your grade can only be provided in person or through
your GSU student email address. I will not respond to requests for grades from any account other
than your GSU address. Questions that can be answered by reading the syllabus will not receive a
response. Read and be familiar with the syllabus. All policies will be followed for all students.

To do well in this course, you need to keep up with current financial events and markets. You must
file concise and interesting sector updates for the team. You will prepare your presentations
carefully and attractively in order to persuade the team to your view of your sector. You will turn in
assignments on time and in an organized manner. It is your responsibility to obtain a grade of 68.99
or better in order to complete the course.

Your constructive assessment of this course plays an indispensable role in shaping education at Georgia State. Upon
completing the course, please take the time to fill out the online course evaluation.

Students who wish to request accommodation for a disability may do so by registering with the Office of Disability Services
in Suite 230 or the Student Center. Students may only be accommodated upon issuance by the Office of Disability Services
of a signed Accommodation Plan and are responsible for providing a copy of that plan to instructors of all classes in which
an accommodation is sought.