Courses

The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular term. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on the MyBU Student Portal for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.

• QST MF 821: Algorithmic and High-Frequency Trading
  This course will introduce concepts of electronic markets, and statistical and optimal control techniques to model and trade in these markets. We will begin with a description of the basic elements of electronic markets, some of the features of the data, its empirical implications and simple microeconomic models. Next, we will study statistical tools to estimate and predict price and volatility of the high-frequency price. Then we will investigate algorithmic trading problems from the stochastic optimal control perspective, including the optimal execution problem and show how to modify the classical approaches to include order-flow information and the effect that dark pools have on trading. Trading pairs of assets that mean-revert is another important algorithmic strategy, and we will see how stochastic control methods can be utilized to inform agents how to optimally trade. (Mathematical Finance courses are reserved for students enrolled in the Mathematical Finance program.)
• QST MF 825: Portfolio Construction
  This course is designed for students seeking to work as quants in a quantitative finance investments group. It covers utility theory, portfolio optimization, asset pricing, and some aspects of factor models, incorporating the impact of parameter uncertainty. The course does not cover risk management or fixed income instruments, nor does it describe how the financial services industry works. Rather, it teaches how a quant should optimize a portfolio. The course makes extensive use of R (Excel or VBA are not substitutes), optimization theory, statistics, regression theory (OLS, GLS, testing theory), and matrix algebra. Students should be very comfortable with these concepts before taking the course; further, students should already have taken a finance course covering expected returns models (CAPM), options and futures. The course emphasizes the ability to prove theoretical results and their validity, an essential trait for investments quants. Students who completed QST FE825 may not take this course for credit. (Mathematical Finance courses are reserved for students enrolled in the Mathematical Finance program.)
• QST MF 840: Data Analysis and Financial Econometrics
  Graduate Prerequisites: (QSTMF793) - This is the second course of the econometrics sequence in the Mathematical Finance program. The course quickly reviews OLS, GLS, the Maximum Likelihood principle (MLE). Then, the core of the course concentrates on Bayesian Inference, now an unavoidable mainstay of Financial Econometrics. After learning the principles of Bayesian Inference, we study their implementation for key models in finance, especially related to portfolio design and volatility forecasting. We also briefly discuss the Lasso and Ridge methods, and contrast them with the Bayesian approach Over the last twenty years, radical developments in simulation methods, such as Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) have extended the capabilities of Bayesian methods. Therefore, after studying direct Monte Carlo simulation methods, the course covers non-trivial methods of simulation such as Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC), applying them to implement models such as stochastic volatility. (Mathematical Finance courses are reserved for students enrolled in the Mathematical Finance program.)
• QST MF 850: Deep Learning, Statistical Learning
  Graduate Prerequisites: (none) - This course explores algorithmic and numerical schemes used in practice for the pricing and hedging of financial derivative products. The focus of this course lies on data analysis. It covers such topics as: stochastic models with jumps, advanced simulation methods, optimization routines, and tree-based approaches. It also introduces machine learning concepts and methodologies, including cross validation, dimensionality reduction, random forests, neural networks, clustering, and support vector machines. (Mathematical Finance courses are reserved for students enrolled in the Mathematical Finance program.)
• QST MF 921: Topics in Dynamic Asset Pricing
  This course provides a comprehensive and in-depth treatment of modern asset pricing theories. Extensive use is made of continuous time stochastic processes, stochastic calculus and optimal control. Particular emphasis will be placed on (i) stochastic calculus with jumps; (ii) asset pricing models with jumps; (iii) the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation and stochastic control; (iv) numerical methods for stochastic control problems in finance. (Mathematical Finance courses are reserved for students enrolled in the Mathematical Finance program.)
• QST MF 998: Directed Study: Mathematical Finance
  Graduate Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and the program director - PhD-level directed study in Mathematical Finance. 1, 2, or 3 cr. Application available on the Graduate Center website.
• QST MF 999: Directed Study: Mathematical Finance
  Graduate Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and the program director - PhD-level directed study in Mathematical Finance. 1, 2, or 3 cr. Application available on the Graduate Center website.
• QST MG 730: Ethical Leadership in the Global Economy
  The purpose of this course is to explore ethical issues throughout our global economy in a pragmatic, responsible, and decisive manner in order to prepare you to resolve these issues when faced with them in your personal and professional lives. This course will bridge the gap between an individual's personal moral values and the challenges presented by corporate activity in a marketplace -- be it local or global. Our work in this course will raise your awareness of the interrelated legal, moral, and ethical challenges inherent in business. We will critically examine the ethical implications of business decisions and equip you with frameworks and strategies for managing your own and others' behavior. We will formulate a process to evaluate complex leadership decisions and enhance your own ability to effectively navigate multi-faceted decision-making scenarios.
• QST MG 735: Crisis Management
  Dealing with a crisis is not just one particular event, it is about positioning your business to minimize the effect if a crisis occurs. In fact, it is an issue that needs constant attention. Failure to do so can destroy value and even threaten the very survival of your company. Risks can arise from various sources. Some risks are external to the company, such as interest rates or demand fluctuations or systemic forces like climate change. Others are internal, like technology innovations, model error, brand crisis, or cyberattacks. Managers from different departments may perceive or prioritize risks differently or deal with different risks, but they all must manage risk while balancing resource constraints. In this one-day class, students will learn how to effectively identify, assess, and manage crisis situations, from natural disasters to organizational failures. You will develop your decision-making skills and learn strategies to minimize the impact of crises on your organization. A team of instructors will guide you through real-world case studies and interactive exercises, providing you with the tools to handle crisis situations with confidence and proficiency. By the end of this workshop, you will have a deep understanding of crisis management principles and be able to apply them.
• QST MK 223: Marketing: Concepts to Consumers
  Pre-requisite: QSTSM 131; QSTBA 221 previously or concurrently; sophomore standing. This course Introduces students to the field of marketing, including the analysis, planning, and implementation of marketing strategies as the means for achieving an organization's objectives. Students analyze cases and participate in workshops that focus on key marketing management tasks, including marketing research, consumer research, segmentation and targeting, sales forecasting, brand management, analysis of distribution channels, pricing and promotion practices, the development of advertising strategies, and marketing ethics.
• QST MK 323: Marketing Management
  Undergraduate Prerequisites, Questrom students only: QST AC221; MO221; QM221; QM222 or BA222; SM131; SM132; SM275 - Component of QST SM323, The Cross Functional Core. Introduces students to the field of marketing management: analysis, planning and implementation of marketing strategies as the means for achieving an organization's objectives. Students analyze cases and participate in workshops that focus on key marketing management tasks: marketing research, consumer behavior, segmentation and targeting, sales forecasting, brand management, distribution channels, pricing, promotion and advertising strategies, and marketing ethics. A semester-long business plan project where students collect primary and secondary research explores the interactions and the cross functional integrations between marketing, operations, and finance, while leveraging business analytics. cr. 4
• QST MK 345: Consumer Insights
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: QST SM131 and sophomore standing - Formerly MK445. Provides insight into the motivations, influences, and processes underlying consumption behavior. Considers relevant behavioral science theories/frameworks and their usefulness in formulating and evaluating marketing strategies (i.e., segmentation, positioning, product development, pricing, communications).
• QST MK 435: Introduction to the Music Business and Music Marketing
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: (QSTMK323) - Survey of the music industry with a focus on understanding of its structure and the intersection of business and music. Discusses key areas of music marketing, including opportunities for musicians, including publicity, advertising, promotion (online and traditional), digital distribution, touring, licensing/synch, and radio.
• QST MK 447: Marketing Research
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: (QSTMK323) - Required for Marketing concentrators. Introduces tools and techniques of marketing research as an aid to marketing decision making. Definition of research problems, selection of research methodologies, design of research projects, interpretation of research results, and translation of research results into action.
• QST MK 465: Omni-channel Retailing
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: QST MK323. Pre-req for SHA students: SHA HF260 - The days of brick and mortar vs. online are gone and retailing has transitioned into omni-channel retailing. In this course, you will learn how retailers are successfully navigating this transformation. The course will explore topics such as how to attract omni-channel customers, the customer purchase journey, buying and merchandising management for such settings, and what retailers need to support an omni-channel strategy. Through a combination of class discussions, cases, articles, books, and projects, the course will prepare students to enter any facet of retailing and to benefit generally from a better understanding of this dynamic industry.
• QST MK 467: Global Marketing Management
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: QST MK323. Pre-req for SHA students: SHA HF260 - Develops a critical appreciation of both the opportunities and challenges associated with the increasing globalization of markets. Students will learn about the key environmental forces shaping the needs and preferences of the global consumer and the impact of foreign, political, and economic factors on the marketing mix. 4 cr.
• QST MK 469: Advertising in the Digital Age
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: (QSTMK323) - Advertising has changed in the age of digital media with companies realizing the importance of traditional media as well as owned media, paid media, and earned media. This course focuses on developing an advertising strategy that integrates traditional and digital advertising media for efficient and effective communication. Topics include trends and practices associated with media planning and buying across the various media platforms as well as advertising creative best practices. The course also examines how to measure the effectiveness of a firm's advertising to gain insights into brand performance. A combination of cases, readings, textbook and projects will guide the student to a thorough understanding of advertising.
• QST MK 470: Pricing Strategy and Tactics
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: QST MK323. Pre-req for SHA students: SHA HF260 - Focuses on the practical needs of the marketing manager when making pricing decisions. Students learn the techniques of strategic analysis necessary to price more profitably by evaluating the price sensitivity of buyers, determining relevant costs, anticipating and influencing competitors' pricing, and formulating an appropriate pricing strategy.
• QST MK 475: Luxury Brands
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: (QSTMK323) - Creating and leveraging luxury brand equity is a significant challenge. This course will explore luxury entrepreneurship, innovation, and disruptive business models, the role of technology, craftsmanship, and design in the creation and evolution of luxury brands. We will address brand extensions, dilutions, and stretching as well as the ability to expand the brand globally. Tied to these are issues of the critical role of distribution channels, particularly retail channels, and luxury services in delivering the luxury promise. Threats to sustaining the value of one's brand (e.g., threats to the supply chain) will be examined. The course will rely on cases, guest speakers, and a significant project.
• QST MK 478: Customer Analytics
  In this course, students learn the principal methods of analytics used to maximize customer profitability. We learn statistical tools to identify, target, acquire, and develop profitable customers for the long term. Using a rich range of cases drawn from B2C and B2B companies, we emphasize drawing insights from the analyses to inform business strategy.