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MA170A: Introduction to Mathematics for Finance (Fall 2020)

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Calendar Description

An introduction to the theory of interest. Mathematical models and their analysis for problems involving fixed interest rates. Simple and compound interest. Cash flows, annuities, amortization and sinking funds. (Zero-)coupon bonds.

Prerequisites

12U Advanced Functions, or equivalent, or permission of the department.

Instructor

Andrew Kabbes (MSc)
Office hours: As announced in class, or by appointment.
E: akabbes@wlu.ca

Lectures

Tuesday and Thursday 4 p.m. - 5:20 p.m. via zoom

Lab Coordinator

Andrew Kabbes
E: akabbes@wlu.ca

Textbook

Brown, R.L., Kopp, S., and Zima, P. (2015) Mathematics of Finance, 8th Canadian Edition.

Calculators

Students may use a non-programmable, non-graphing calculator on courses tests and the final examination.

Zoom

Zoom will be used for online lecture and lab meetings each week. Please be sure to register your
Zoom account as soon as possible.

Mobile Device or Digital Camera

Throughout the term you will have to use a camera (mobile device
camera or generic digital camera) to take pictures of your written work and submit them digitally to
Gradescope to be graded. See MyLS for resources and details regarding file creation and uploading.


Piazza

This term we will be using Piazza for class discussion. The system is highly catered to getting you
help fast and efficiently from classmates , and myself. Rather than emailing questions to the instructor
directly, I encourage you to post your questions on Piazza. If you have any problems or feedback for the
developers, email team@piazza.com.
Find our class signup link at: https://piazza.com/wlu.ca/fall2020/ma170

MyLearningSpace

Materials related to this course and the full course outline will be posted on the MA170 MyLearningSpace website. You are responsible for checking here on a regular basis for important announcements.

Evaluation

A final mark out of 100 will be calculated as follows:

  • WeBWorK Homework Assignments (1 each week): 15%
  • Lecture participation 15%
  • Lab Assignments (completed during each lab): 25%
  • Midterm Exam (Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020; exact time and format to be announced on MyLS): 20%
  • Final Exam (2.5 hours; exact date, time and location to be announced): 25%

Students must achieve a score of at least 40% of the marks available on the final examination to be eligible to pass the course. The final mark will be reported as a letter grade in accordance with the conversion table of the current undergraduate calendar.

This document is a summary of the course outline for MA170 and is provided for the convenience of students.