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Rice University - Pre-MBA Quantitative Skills: Finance 

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Pre-MBA Quantitative Skills: Finance
 at 
Coursera 
Overview

A solid groundwork for understanding financial data and making informed decisions in a business environment

Duration

13 hours

Start from

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Mode of learning

Online

Difficulty level

Beginner

Official Website

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Course Level

PG Degree

Pre-MBA Quantitative Skills: Finance
 at 
Coursera 
Highlights

  • Earn a certificate after completion of course from
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Pre-MBA Quantitative Skills: Finance
 at 
Coursera 
Course details

Who should do this course?

Individuals preparing to enter an MBA program who want to build a strong foundation in quantitative skills

Professionals transitioning into finance or business roles who need to enhance their analytical abilities

Candidates from non-quantitative backgrounds or educational systems who may need additional preparation for an MBA program

What are the course deliverables?

Review key mathematical concepts, including algebra, statistics, and calculus, relevant to financial analysis

An understanding of financial statements, ratios, and key performance indicators used in business evaluation

Learn how to apply statistical methods to interpret data, make forecasts, and assess risks

Understand the principles of present and future value, discounting cash flows, and investment valuation

 

 

More about this course

This course is designed to equip prospective MBA students with essential quantitative skills necessary for success in finance and business courses

Focusing on foundational mathematical concepts and analytical techniques, this course provides a solid groundwork for understanding financial data and making informed decisions in a business environment

By the end of the course, learner will develop an understanding of the major conceptual levers that push and pull on financial decision making and how they relate to other areas of business

The course should also serve as a roadmap for where to further your finance education and it would be an excellent introduction of any students contemplating an MBA or Finance concentration, but who has little background in the area

Pre-MBA Quantitative Skills: Finance
 at 
Coursera 
Curriculum

Course Overview and Basic Principles of Financial Valuation Discounting

Course Trailer

Course Overview & Demonstration

Week 1 Overview

Human Nature and the Time Value of Money

Compounding and Earning Returns Over Time

Basic Principals of Valuation and Discounting

Discounting Future Cash Back to the Present

Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) as the Basis for All Valuation

DCF Practical Example

Valuation by Comparables

Examples and Applications: Bonds

Examples and Applications: Mortgages

Examples and Applications: Annuities

Examples and Applications: Capstone Example

Conversations with a Practitioner

General Course Information

Discussion Forum Guidelines

Pre-Course Survey

Homework Assignment

Week 1 Quiz

 

How to Spend Money (Capital Budgeting tools)

Week 2 Overview

Overview of the Capital Budgeting Process

Net Present Value (NPV)

Payback Period

Accounting Ratios

Internal Rate of Return (IRR)

Wrinkles with IRR

Using All the Metrics Together

Sensitivity Analysis

Spreadsheet Modeling

Conversations with a Practitioner

Real World Application: A Refresher on Net Present Value

Homework Assignment

Week 2 Quiz

 

Measuring Cash Creation and Flow

Week 3 Overview

Brief Overview of the Financial Statements

Hunting for Cash Creation

Working Capital Adjustments

Depreciation and Capital Expenditures

Salvage and Terminal Values

Taxes

Calculating Free Cash Flow

Using Capital Budgeting Tools

Conversations with a Practitioner

Real World Application: Obama Administration Releases Report Outlining Benefits of Expensing Proposal in Encouraging Business Expansion, Hiring Now

Homework Assignment

Week 3 Quiz

 

How Much Does Money Cost? Evaluating the Cost of Capital

Week 4 Overview

Debt vs. Equity Financing

Risk Free Rate

Historical Risk and Return

The Equity Risk Premium

Beta and the Cost of Equity

Credit Ratings and Quality Spreads

Estimating the Cost of Debt

Putting it All Together as the WACC (Weighted Average Cost of Capital)

Conversations with a Practitioner

Real World Application: U.S. oil companies closer to balancing capital investment with operating cash flow

Real World Application: Why aren't companies spending?

Homework Assignment (Optional)

Week 4 Quiz

 

Capstone Case: Putting it All Back Together from Main Street to Wall Street

Overview of Capstone Case

Background: Sunrise Bakery Expansion

Instructions: Sunrise Bakery Expansion

End-of-Course Survey

Capstone Case Questions

Final Exam

Pre-MBA Quantitative Skills: Finance
 at 
Coursera 
Admission Process

    Important Dates

    Oct 29, 2024
    Course Commencement Date

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