Baruch College Section: QMWA 36572
The City University of New York Principles of Finance
FIN 3000
Principles of Finance
This course provides students with a rigorous introduction to
the fundamental principles of finance. The primary concepts
covered include the time value of money, principles of
valuation and risk, and the nature and characteristics of
domestic and international financial securities and markets.
Course Description Specific applications include the valuation of debt and equity
securities and capital budgeting analysis.
Prerequisite: ECO 1001, ECO 1002, STA 2000, and ACC 2101
Credits: 3
Instructor: John Bowden, CFA
Email: john.bowden@baruch.cuny.edu
Classroom: TO ADD
Office: TBD
Office hours: by appointment
Phone: 201 370 1946
Notice This course syllabus is subject to change.
Course Learning Goals
Time Value of Students will understand how compounding and discounting
Money concepts are utilized when calculating the value of money.
Students then will be able to estimate the prices of bonds and
stocks.
Risk and Return Students will understand the concept and measurement of risk.
Students will study the relationship between risk and return of
assets.
Characteristics of Students will understand the key characteristics of different
Domestic and financial securities and markets, across different countries.
International Students will be able to identify security types based on the
Financial Securities characteristics given.
and Markets
Baruch College Section: QMWA 36572
The City University of New York Principles of Finance
Assurance of Learning
Analytical Skills Students will possess the analytical and critical thinking skills
to evaluate issues faced in business and professional careers.
Technological Skills
Students will possess the necessary technological skills to
analyze problems, develop solutions and convey information.
Communication Students will have the necessary oral communication skills to
Skills: Oral convey ideas and information effectively and persuasively.
Communication Students will have the necessary written communication skills
Skills: Written to convey ideas and information effectively and persuasively.
Civic Awareness Students will have the knowledge base and analytical skill to
and Ethical guide them when faced with ethical dilemmas in business.
Decision-making Students will have an awareness of political, civic and public
policy issues affecting business.
Global Awareness Students will know how differences in perspectives and
cultures affect business practices around the world.
Proficiency in a Students will possess a deep understanding of and intellectual
Single Discipline competence in at least one business discipline.
BBA Majors: Finance
Corporate Finance Students will develop an understanding of the key concepts of
time value of money, corporate finance models for project
valuation, and basic capital structure and dividend theory.
Investments Students will be able to define and calculate standard risk and
return measures, value simple equity and bonds securities, and
explain the modern portfolio theory and the capital asset pricing
model.
Derivatives Students will understand the basic applications of derivatives in
investments and corporate finance and will be able to discuss
the characteristics of derivative products.
Data Analysis Students will be able to analyze data and estimate models for
project valuation to support business decisions
Baruch College Section: QMWA 36572
The City University of New York Principles of Finance
Required Materials
Text (Baruch College) Principles Finance FIN 3000 Selected Chapters Connect
Book 11th edition. This custom edition book is available at:
https://www.mheducation.com/highered/custom/product/1266629432.html
The bookstore also carries the custom edition. This edition (including a
bundle of Connect access and loose-leaf textbook) is around $68 before
tax and shipping. You do not need the “fancy” complete version the cost
of which ranges from $130 to $200 depending on the choice of either print
book or e-book.
The book contains an activation code to Connect, the online tool that we
will be using throughout the semester.
Steps for Connect registration:
STEP 1 - WATCH VIDEO BY CLICKING BELOW ON THE FIRST
BULLET:
● https://www.mheducation.com/highered/support/connect/first-day-
of-class/d2l-ltia.html
STEP 2 - CLICK ON THE CONNECT ORIENTATION ASSIGNMENT
(*** Yao, if you do not use Connect Orientation, then have students start
with their first assignment of your choice***) IN THE MODULES.
ONCE IN, PLEASE FOLLOW THE PROMPTS.
STEP 3 - IF YOU ENCOUNTER ANY ISSUES, PLEASE CONTACT
MCGRAW HILL TECHNICAL SUPPORT AT 1-800-331-5094
VERY IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE YOUR CASE NUMBER.
● Student Support Video
● Technical issues: 800-331-5094 or
https://mhedu.force.com/CXG/s/ContactUs
Calculator A financial calculator is necessary for this class. We will have quantitative
financial questions that require the use of a financial calculator. Texas
Instruments BA II Plus is the best choice (You do not need to buy the
professional version). I will show you how to use this calculator in class.
You MUST bring your own financial calculator to exams. If you are not
willing to purchase a financial calculator or you forget it on an exam day,
remember that the calculators are available to borrow from the library. I
will not lend you a calculator on an exam day.
Baruch College Section: QMWA 36572
The City University of New York Principles of Finance
Course Structure and Policies
Class Class sessions combine
Sessions ● Topic lectures
● Problem solving
Homework Homework will be assigned on Connect. Each homework is offered
with two trials. You can work either individually or with your
classmates. Remember you must submit your answers to receive the
credit. Late homework will not be accepted. No extensions will be
given.
Excel Project See Appendix A for details.
Exam Policies 1. Midterms will be given in-class online. There will be two
midterms. Midterms will not be cumulative and will be related to
recent studies. Each midterm accounts for 25% of your grade.
Each midterm is 1 hour and 15 minutes.
2. Final exam will be cumulative. It will account for 30% of your
grade. Final will be departmental. See Appendix B for specific
topics.
3. Exams will be given in different versions.
4. Exams will be in closed-book fashion. A formula sheet will be
provided by the instructor, along with scratch papers. You only
need to bring pencils, erasers, a financial calculator, and your
Baruch student ID. Please be sure that all phones are powered off
and put away. Restroom breaks are allowed, but your cellphone(s)
must be left behind with the instructor during the restroom break.
5. If you miss an exam, you can only take the make-up exam if you
provide a ‘valid document proof’. The make-up exam will
generally be harder than the one you miss.
Attendance Attendance will account for 5% of your grade. Each additional
(online quiz) absence will lower your grade by 1% until you lose all 5% of your
attendance grade. Late absence excuses will not be accepted. If you
miss a considerable amount of the classes, I will treat it as a factor
of your grade
Baruch College Section: QMWA 36572
The City University of New York Principles of Finance
Other Polices 1. Brightspace and email will be used primarily for announcements. Please
check your email and Brightspace frequently to keep in pace with the
class.
2. Class documents will be available on Brightspace or Connect.
3. Electronic devices are allowed in class but must be muted.
4. Food and drinks are allowed in class but must be consumed subtly.
5. There will be a short break each class, around 10 – 15 minutes.
Final Exam (30%): Departmental In-Person Exam (Date/Time TBD)
All final exams will be conducted in person for all sections on the same day and at the same
time, as determined by the Registrar. Students must arrange their work schedules accordingly
and notify their professor if they have another exam scheduled at the same time and date.
Make-up policy for the final exam. Please note that the date and time for the final exam
cannot be changed as this is a departmental level standardized exam for all sections of FIN
3000. If you miss the final exam, you will receive a zero for this exam, and your final grade
for the course will include this. If you will miss the final exam, you should send me an e-mail
before the final exam with a valid reason (determined by the instructor) with supporting
documentation. If it is determined by the instructor to be a valid reason, you may attend a
makeup exam scheduled by your instructor with a different set of questions, or may receive an
incomplete for the course. This incomplete comes with the understanding that your only
opportunity to take the final exam (and receive a grade for this course) will be at the end of the
Fall 2025 semester (December 2025). Please keep this in mind as you make plans for this
course.
Grading Policies
Homework 10%
Excel Project 5%
Attendance 5%
Midterm 1 25%
Midterm 2 25%
Final Exam 30%
Total 100%
Grading Criteria
Grades Grades Percentage GPA
A 93% – 100% 4.00
A- 90% – 92.9% 3.67
B+ 87.1% – 89.9% 3.33
B 83% – 87% 3.00
Baruch College Section: QMWA 36572
The City University of New York Principles of Finance
B- 80% – 82.9% 2.67
C+ 77.1% – 79.9% 2.33
C 73% – 77% 2.00
C- 70% – 72.9% 1.67
D+ 67.1% – 69.9% 1.33
D 60% – 67% 1.00
F 59.9% and below 0.00
Chapters Covered
Chapter 1 Goals and Governance of the Corporation
Chapter 2 Financial Markets and Institutions
Chapter 3 Accounting and Finance
Chapter 4 Measuring Corporate Performance
Chapter 5 The Time Value of Money
Chapter 6 Valuing Bonds
Chapter 7 Valuing Stocks
Chapter 11 Introduction to Risk, Return, and the Opportunity Cost of Capital
Chapter 12 Risk, Return and Capital Budgeting
Class Schedule (Preliminary)
Class 1 Course Organization and Chapter 1
Class 2 Chapter 2 and Chapter 3
Class 3 Chapter 3 and Chapter 4
Class 4 Chapter 4 and Chapter 5
Class 5 Chapter 5
Class 6 Chapter 5
Class 7 Chapter 6
Class 8 Chapter 6
Class 9 Chapter 6 and Chapter 7
Class 10 Chapter 7
Class 11 Chapter 7
Class 12 Chapter 11
Spring Break
Class 13 Chapter 11 and Chapter 12
Class 14 Chapter 12 and Review
Final (Departmental, online, Date/time TBD)
Academic Integrity
The Department of Economics and Finance fully supports Baruch College's policy on
Baruch College Section: QMWA 36572
The City University of New York Principles of Finance
Academic Honesty, which states, in part:
Academic dishonesty is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Cheating, forgery,
plagiarism and collusion in dishonest acts undermine the college's educational mission
and the students' personal and intellectual growth. Baruch students are expected to bear
individual responsibility for their work and to uphold the ideal of academic integrity.
Any student who attempts to compromise or devalue the academic process will be
sanctioned.
Additional information can be found here.
Any infringement of this rule will be treated as a serious violation of Academic Integrity. Any
suspected academic dishonesty in this regard will result in a grade of F on the exams and most
likely an F in the course as well. Students should also understand that a report of suspected
academic dishonesty will be sent to the Dean of Students’ office and becomes a permanent part
of the student’s file.
Students with Disabilities and Other Special Needs
Students with disabilities are supported in their academic studies by Baruch College’s
Office of Services for Students with Disabilities according to their Mission Statement:
The Office of Services for Students with Disabilities exists to provide reasonable
accommodations to students with disabilities to ensure they have equal access to the
college’s programs and services. Through student intake, faculty consultation, and
outreach to the community, students can develop interpersonal, social, vocational and
emotional growth.
Students who feel that they may need a reasonable accommodation based on a disability should
contact the staff at the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities, Newman Vertical
Campus, Room 2-271, or by phone at (646) 312-4590. More information is available on their
website here.
Consent to Recording
Students who participate in this class with their camera on or use a profile image are agreeing
to have their video or image recorded solely for the purpose of creating a record for students
enrolled in the class to refer to, including those enrolled students who are unable to attend live.
If you are unwilling to consent to have your profile or video image recorded, be sure to keep
your camera off and do not use a profile image. Likewise, students who un-mute during class
and participate orally are agreeing to have their voices recorded. If you are not willing to
consent to have your voice recorded during class, you will need to keep your mute button
activated and communicate exclusively using the "chat" feature, which allows students to type
questions and comments live.
Assurance of Learning Chart
BBA Learning Goals Significant Moderate Minimal Not
Part of Part of Part of Part of
Baruch College Section: QMWA 36572
The City University of New York Principles of Finance
Course Course Course Course
Analytical Skills ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐
Technological Skills ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐
Communication Skills: Oral ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐
Communication Skills: Written ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐
Civic Awareness and Ethical
☐ ☒ ☐ ☐
Decision-Making
Global Awareness ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐
Proficiency in a single
☒ ☐ ☐ ☐
discipline: Finance
Assignment Mapping
Assignments Course Learning Goals BBA Learning Goals
Participation Time Value of Money Analytical skills
Risk and Return Proficiency in Finance
Markets and Securities Communication Skills
Characteristics
Excel Project Time Value of Money Technological skills
Risk and return
Lectures Time Value of Money Financial reasoning skills
Risk and Return Global awareness
Markets and Securities Ethical decision making
Characteristics
Exams Time Value of Money Proficiency in Finance
Risk and Return Analytical skills
Markets and Securities Technological skills
Characteristics
Baruch College Section: QMWA 36572
The City University of New York Principles of Finance
DO NOT CONTACT YOUR PROFESSOR OR RECITATION INSTRUCTOR FOR
ASSISTANCE OF ANY KIND RELATED TO EXCEL PROJECTS – DIRECT YOUR
QUESTIONS TO THE EXCEL HELPDESK (http://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/excelhelp)
The Excel Project
The Excel Project consists of 4 projects to be completed via the SAM online platform. These
projects are intended to improve your Excel skills and familiarize you with business
spreadsheet applications.
nd
The last submission date for ALL projects is May 2 , 2025. No extension will be given after
nd
May 2 , 2025.
Grading Rules. Successful completion of the 4 projects will constitute 5% of your final FIN
3000 grade. The projects are self-graded and you’ll have 3 trials to complete each one of
them. Assignments submitted with scores of 80% and above will receive full credit for the
assignment (i.e. 100/100 points). On-time assignments that score less than 80% will receive
the exact credit earned (i.e. a score of 75% on an assignment submitted on time will be
recorded as 75/100 points). Late submissions are now allowed; students will lose 1 point per
day that the assignment is late. Also, late assignments will receive the exact credit earned if
the adjusted total falls below 80% (e.g. a late assignment with a score of 84% and 5 days
late will be recorded as [79=84-5]/100 points).
Please note: Windows Excel 2019 is the best version to work on all the SAM assignments as we are
using SAM 2019, which was developed around Windows Excel 2019. You can choose to use Mac or
other Windows Excel versions, but we will not be responsible for the possible grading errors that are
caused by using versions other than Windows Excel 2019. You can find Windows Excel 2019 on all
PCs in Baruch students labs, which you can access remotely at onlinelabs.baruch.cuny.edu
Due dates. Late Submissions are allowed, with points deducted accordingly as explained in
nd
Grading Rules. The last submission date for ALL projects is May 2 , 2025. No extension
will be given after that date.
Assignment Schedule date Due date
Project 1: Pivot Tables and ChartsFirst day of classes February 14th
Project 2: Revenue Analysis First day of classes March 7th
Project 3: Financial Projection First day of classes March 28th
Project 4: Data Analyses First day of classes April 25th
Baruch College Section: QMWA 36572
The City University of New York Principles of Finance
Pricing. You need to purchase access to the SAM platform in order to complete the
projects. The cost is $55. Once purchased, your SAM account will be active until you
graduate and you’ll be able to access Excel projects in other classes at not cost. If you have
a SAM account from a previous class, simply login to SAM (you do NOT need to purchase
access again) and join your new class (see instructions below).
Obtaining access to SAM if you already have a SAM Login:
A PowerPoint file explaining the registration procedure is posted on the course 2025 Spring
Excel Module for FIN 3000 under Content.
1. Go to sam.cengage.com.
2. Enter your username and password, and then click “Log In”. (If you have forgotten
your password, click “Forgot your password?” and enter your username. You will be
asked to answer your secret security question and a reset password link will be sent to
your email address).
Obtaining access to SAM if you are a NEW USER:
A PowerPoint file explaining the registration procedure is posted on the course 2025 Spring
Excel Module for FIN 3000 under Content.
1. Go to sam.cengage.com.
2. First-time SAM User? Click “New User” or log in with your Cengage
credentials and follow the on-screen prompts to create your account. You might
already have a Cengage account if you’ve used MindTap, CNOWv2, OWLv2,
WebAssign or another Cengage platform/eTextbook in a different course
3. Enter your institution key. The institution key for Baruch College is T2031850.
4. Set Up Your Profile. Please use your Baruch email address and official roster
name when you create your profile. (Not using your Baruch email address may
lead to issues when merging your SAM grade into your final grade.) Enter a
secret question and answer that will be used for security purposes should you
forget your password. Confirm your profile information and accept the License
Agreement.
5. If the Username you enter exists in Cengage, a prompt displays so you can enter
your Cengage password. If you cannot retrieve your password using the Forgot
your password link, you can create a new SAM account with a different
username.
6. You will then be asked to Enter Your Key Code, please select ‘Enter Later’ to
move onto the next step
Once you have access to SAM (for NEW or EXISTING USERS)
Baruch College Section: QMWA 36572
The City University of New York Principles of Finance
1. Join a Section. If not already enrolled in a section, click the “Sections” tab at the top
of the screen. Click “Join a Section”, and locate your section (FIN 3000) and term
(Spring 2025), then click the blue arrow icon in the “Join Section” column on the
right. You MUST join the section to see your assignments.
2. Access your Assignments. Click on Activity List on the top navigation bar to
retrieve the assignments (“Projects”) scheduled for your section. You can access the
Excel Tutorials (“Training”) for help in completing the assignments. You also have
access to 21 voluntary projects with no deadlines. (“Projects”).
3. You must have pop-up windows ENABLED for the SAM site in order to see your
assignments.
Purchasing SAM access
1. Navigate to your Cengage dashboard via www.cengage.com
2. Log in with your SAM username and password
3. Select ‘My Home’ under your name in the left-hand pane of your screen
4. You will then see a prompt that says ‘Ready to purchase? Review your
options now”
5. Click on the yellow ‘Review Purchase Options Button’
6. Select the option that works best for you. The ‘materials for a single
course’ option gets you access to all SAM courses at Baruch. If you are
taking other courses at Baruch outside of SAM, you might want to consider
Cengage Unlimited’ If you decide to buy the SAM code to start, you can
upgrade to Unlimited at a later date by paying the difference between $55
and $129.99.
7. Go to your cart and click on ‘Start Secure Checkout’
8. Once purchased, you will see in your Cengage dashboard that the
materials are marked as ‘paid’ and you are then able to work in the
course by logging into sam.cengage.com or through www.cengage.com
Viewing the SAM tutorials before doing the projects increases your chances of a successful
and quicker project completion. Completing the voluntary projects will significantly
improve your Excel skills which are invaluable both in your future academic and
professional career.
Academic Integrity. SAM detects files shared with other students and generates a report for
the instructors with the names of plagiarizing students and all parties involved. Students
caught cheating will be reported to the Office of the Dean of Students for disciplinary
action.
Troubleshooting. Several resources are available to you should you encounter any
problems:
Brightspace. Baruch has now transitioned away from Blackboard and on to
Brightspace. The SAM portion of your course has its own Brightspace page that you
must enroll in to retrieve important SAM materials and receive relevant
announcements. Click on this link and select Enroll in Course: Spring 2025 - Excel
SAM Course FIN 3000 (Baruch College) - Discover - City University of New York.
Baruch College Section: QMWA 36572
The City University of New York Principles of Finance
SAM Help Desk. Students with questions about SAM can access the help desk either
of two ways: through Brightspace or at http://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/excelhelp. The
help desk is supported by PhD students familiar with SAM and the SAM projects.
Emails will be answered daily, Monday-Friday. If many inquiries arise about a
common issue, then responses will be posted on Brightspace.
Technical Support. For any problems accessing or using SAM contact Technical
Support at:
Phone: 1-800-354-9706 (Mon-Thurs, 8:30am to 9:00pm EST & Friday, 8:30am to
6:00pm EST) or Chat (24/7) or E-mail (24/7): http://www.cengage.com/support/
Excel tutors. Student Academic Consulting Center (SACC) will provide tutors who
are trained in your assigned SAM projects and can help you learn how to use Excel.
To schedule an appointment, visit https://www.baruch.cuny.edu/sacc. To sign up for
a tutoring session, enter your SACC login information if you have already created
an account otherwise follow the step to register with SACC. Select the SAM
Software Projects Tutoring.
“Walk-in” workshops. The SACC tutoring center will offer remote workshops on
using Excel with SAM the week BEFORE every project is due. We will send
reminders as to the date, time and place of each workshop via Brightspace. To sign
up for a workshop, go to https://www.baruch.cuny.edu/sacc. Enter your SACC
login information if you have already created an account; otherwise follow the steps
to register with SACC. Select the SAM Software Projects Workshop from the drop-
down list and choose the session that you would like to sign up for from the
calendar.
Internet browsers. It is recommended that you use Chrome, Safari or Firefox with
SAM. Avoid Internet Explorer.
DO NOT CONTACT YOUR PROFESSOR OR RECITATION INSTRUCTOR FOR
ASSISTANCE OF ANY KIND RELATED TO EXCEL PROJECTS – DIRECT YOUR
QUESTIONS TO THE EXCEL HELPDESK (http://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/excelhelp)
