FNCE 4040 – Derivative Securities
Daniel Brown
Roberto Caccia
Email: daniel.brown@colorado.edu
Office Phone: KOBL-N483 – 303-492-5684
Office Hours: Tue-Thu –1:45-3:00pm, or by appt.
FNCE 4040-003: T/TH 11-12:15
FNCE 4040-004: T/TH 12:30-1:45
No Classes: March 26 and March 28
Email: roberto.caccia@colorado.edu
Office: KOBL-N411 – Phone: 303-492-3512
Office Hours: Tue-Thu –11am-12:30pm, or by appt.
FNCE 4040-001: T/TH 8:00-9:15
FNCE 4040-002: T/TH 9:30-10:45
No Classes: March 26 and March 28
Course Description
Develops the modern theory of contingent claims in a mathematical framework oriented toward applications.
Examines how to use derivatives for risk management and to tailor portfolio payoffs. Provides an in-depth analysis
of the properties of options.
Required Textbook
Options, Futures and Other Derivatives, John C. Hull, 8th Edition
Other Course Material
We will assign other readings as we go through the course and also use information from various websites. We will
attach links to this material on the course webpage.
Course Grading
5 Homework Assignments – 20% total
2 Midterm exams – 20% each. The midterms will only cover material covered in the previous section.
1 Final – 40%. The final will be cumulative and cover the entire course.
Homework Due Dates
January 31st, February 14th, March 7th, April 4th and May 2nd
Midterm Dates
February 19th and April 9th, in class
Final Exam
According to http://registrar.colorado.edu/calendar/pdf/spring_2013_final_exam_schedule.pdf
Attendance Policy
We will not take attendance in class. The course will cover a mixture of textbook, extra reading and classroombased material. If you do not attend the class then you will miss out on material that may appear on the tests.
Laptop, tablet and Cellphone Policy
Laptops and tablets are permitted in the classroom. Usage for non-academic purposes is not allowed and is a
distraction to the rest of the class. Please avoid browsing the web, engaging in social media such as Facebook,
playing video games etc. during class hours. If we notice or it is brought to my attention that individuals in the
class are using tablets/laptops for non-academic purposes then we will not allow them in the classroom. Equally
please switch phones off during class.
Course Topics
1. Introduction
2. Futures and Forwards
a. Players, Market Place, Contract Mechanics
b. Pricing
c. Hedging
3. Swaps
4. Options
a. Players, Market Place, Contract Mechanics
b. No-Arbitrage Relationships
c. Trading Strategies
d. Binomial Pricing
e. Models of Stock Returns
f. Black-Scholes Pricing
g. Beyond Black-Scholes
h. The Greeks
i. Corporate Hedging
j. Monte Carlo Pricing
5. Risk Management
a. Value at Risk
b. Estimating Volatilities
c. Credit Risk
Statements required or recommended by the Office of Undergraduate Education
If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to your professor a letter from Disability Services in a timely
manner (for exam accommodations provide your letter at least one week prior to the exam) so that your needs can be addressed. Disability
Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact Disability Services at 303-492-8671 or by e-mail at
mailto:dsinfo@colorado.edu.
If you have a temporary medical condition or injury, see Temporary Injuries under Quick Links at Disability Services website
(http://disabilityservices.colorado.edu/) and discuss your needs with your professor.
Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to deal reasonably and fairly with all students who,
because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. Please call to my attention any
religious observances that will conflict with assigned work, including, but not limited to, scheduled exams within the first two weeks of the
semester. See full details at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html
Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Those who fail to adhere to such
behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals
and topics dealing with differences of race, color, culture, religion, creed, politics, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity
and gender expression, age, disability, and nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. I will
gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the semester
so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. See policies at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and at
http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code
The University of Colorado Boulder (CU-Boulder) is committed to maintaining a positive learning, working, and living environment. The
University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation,
or veteran status in admission and access to, and treatment and employment in, its educational programs and activities. (Regent Law, Article
10, amended 11/8/2001). CU-Boulder will not tolerate acts of discrimination or harassment based upon Protected Classes or related
retaliation against or by any employee or student. For purposes of this CU-Boulder policy, "Protected Classes" refers to race, color, national
origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or veteran status. Individuals
who believe they have been discriminated against should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or
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member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the
Honor Code can be found at
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