GRA 6518 Fundamentals of Quantitative Finance

GRA 6518 Fundamentals of Quantitative Finance

Course code: 
GRA 6518
Department: 
Finance
Credits: 
6
Course coordinator: 
Paolo Giordani
Course name in Norwegian: 
Fundamentals of Quantitative Finance
Product category: 
Master
Portfolio: 
MSc in Quantitative Finance
Semester: 
2018 Autumn
Active status: 
Active
Level of study: 
Master
Teaching language: 
English
Course type: 
One semester
Introduction

This course covers the fundamental econometric and numerical tools used by quantitative analysts with a focus on programming and implementation. It starts with discussing fundamental concepts and econometric analysis of financial time series and model estimation. It then moves to review calculus and linear algebra to then cover a number of methods in numerical analysis; solution of linear and nonlinear systems of equations, least squares, interpolation and approximation of functions as well as numerical differentiation and integration.

Learning outcomes - Knowledge

By the end of the course, the students are expected to know:

  • Linear and non-linear regressions with least squares
  • The method of moments
  • The basic idea behind maximum likelihood estimation
  • Instrumental variables estimation
  • The Generalized method of moments (GMM)
  • How to interpolate and approximate functions
  • Basic and more advanced methods optimization (constrained vs. unconstrained, one-dimensional vs. multi-dimensional, …)
  • Numerical differentiation and numerical integration
Learning outcomes - Skills

By the end of the course, the students should have developed further the following key skills:

  • written communication,
  • oral communication,
  • ethical awareness in conducting research,
  • teamwork,
  • problem solving and analysis,
  • using initiative, and
  • computer literacy.
Learning Outcome - Reflection

The students by the end of the course are expected to be able to reflect on the workings and limitations of the different econometric and numerical tools.

Course content
  • Introduction: The toolbox of a quantitative analyst
  • Statistics and Econometrics
    • Least squares estimation and method of moments
    • Maximum likelihood estimation (MLE)
    • Instrumental variables estimation
    • Generalized method of moments (GMM)
  • Numerical analysis
    • Numerical analysis in a nutshell
    • Linear equations and least square problems
    • Basic methods of optimization
    • Heuristic methods of optimization in a nutshell
    • Solving linear and non-linear systems
    • Interpolation and approximation of functions
    • Numerical differentiation and integration
Learning process and requirements to students

Please note that while attendance is not compulsory in all courses, it is the student’s own responsibility to obtain any information provided in class that is not included on the course homepage/itslearning or text book.

This is a course with continuous assessment (several exam components) and one final exam code. Each exam component is graded by using points on a scale from 0-100. The components will be weighted together according to the information in the course description in order to calculate the final letter grade for the examination code (course). Students who fail to participate in one/some/all exam elements will get a lower grade or may fail the course. You will find detailed information about the point system and the cut off points with reference to the letter grades when the course starts.

At resit, all exam components must, as a main rule, be retaken during next scheduled course.

Software tools
Matlab
R
Additional information

Honour Code

Academic honesty and trust are important to all of us as individuals, and represent values that are encouraged and promoted by the honour code system. This is a most significant university tradition. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the ideals of the honour code system, to which the faculty are also deeply committed. The expected behaviour and honour code is outlined here.

Any violation of the honour code will be dealt with in accordance with BI’s procedures for cheating. These issues are a serious matter to everyone associated with the programs at BI and are at the heart of the honour code and academic integrity. If you have any questions about your responsibilities under the honour code, please ask.

Qualifications

All courses in the Masters programme will assume that students have fulfilled the admission requirements for the programme. In addition, courses in second, third and/or fourth semester can have specific prerequisites and will assume that students have followed normal study progression. For double degree and exchange students, please note that equivalent courses are accepted.

Assessments
Assessments
Exam category: 
Submission
Form of assessment: 
Written submission
Weight: 
50
Grouping: 
Group/Individual (1 - 3)
Duration: 
1 Week(s)
Comment: 
Assignment
Exam code: 
GRA65181
Grading scale: 
Point scale leading to ECTS letter grade
Resit: 
All components must, as a main rule, be retaken during next scheduled course
Exam category: 
Submission
Form of assessment: 
Written submission
Invigilation
Weight: 
50
Grouping: 
Individual
Support materials: 
  • BI-approved exam calculator
  • Simple calculator
  • Bilingual dictionary
Duration: 
2 Hour(s)
Comment: 
Final written examination under supervision.
Exam code: 
GRA65181
Grading scale: 
Point scale leading to ECTS letter grade
Resit: 
All components must, as a main rule, be retaken during next scheduled course
Exam organisation: 
Continuous assessment
Grading scale: 
ECTS
Total weight: 
100
Student workload
ActivityDurationComment
Teaching
36 Hour(s)
Prepare for teaching
50 Hour(s)
Submission(s)
40 Hour(s)
Student's own work with learning resources
34 Hour(s)
Sum workload: 
160

A course of 1 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of 26-30 hours. Therefore a course of 6 ECTS credits corresponds to a workload of at least 160 hours.