ACE 444: Financial Services & Investment Planning
This course covers equity and debt instruments that typically make up an individual investor’s portfolio. Much of this course looks at risk and returns in a portfolio and a Capital Asset Pricing Model framework. Also, structure of interest rates are examined. Model portfolios of an individual investor are put forward and examined from a risk/return standpoint.
Prerequisites (Must be complete BEFORE taking this course):
ACE 240, ACE 345, or FIN 221; AND ECON 302
Instructor Teaching the Course:
This course is taught by the instructor below. You may click on their name to learn more about them. Teaching schedules vary by semester. Please check the Course Explorer for the most up-to-date information about the sections they will teach.
Gary Schnitkey
Bruce Sherrick
View the Course Explorer:
See when the course is offered as well as section details here: https://courses.illinois.edu/schedule/terms/ACE/444
Spring 2019 Restrictions
There are Graduate sections (GR and GR2) and Undergraduate sections (UG and UG2). Students should register for the appropriate section. The course will require time outside of the classroom for online lectures.
Additional Course Information
Read more about what Dr. Schnitkey has to say about ACE 444!
Is this class discussion-based or lecture-based? How would you describe your teaching style?
I teach this class in person on Tuesdays. These are meant to be discussion based sections. Lecture material are handled through online modules.
How are students evaluated (e.g. multiple choice or essay tests, papers, etc.)?
The course has three exams and weekly assignments. The course includes a project where students build an investment portfolio for their retirement.
What careers does this course help prepare students to pursue?
This course prepares students for careers in financial planning.
What courses can students take to prepare for this material?
Students should enter into the course having already taken a financial course and a statistics course.
In what ways does this course prepare students to move through the program and/or into the work force?
We examine portfolios that would be typically used by financial planning.
What is your background in Agricultural and Consumer Economics?
I have been an agricultural economist my entire career.
What is your attendance policy?
I give an occasional in-class quiz.
