New Students

Congratulations on being admitted to the Masters of Financial Mathematics Program!

As soon as possible, register for your Fall core classes, ECG 528, ISE 711, and ST 521 (or MA 546). You can modify your schedule after arriving at NCSU for the Fall, but we cannot guarantee seats in courses, so early registration for the core classes is very important.

For Fall 2011, the core courses and sections are

ISE 711, 0805-0955 M W
ST 521, sec 1, 1:30PM - 2:45PM M W
ST 521, lab sec 201, 3:00PM - 3:50PM M
ECG 528, 11:45AM - 1:00PM TH
MA 591, sec 2, 1:30-3:20 F (Financial Mathematics Seminar)
MA 591, sec 3, 1:30-2:45 T H (Monte Carlo Methods for FM Students)

As a more challenging alternative to ST 521, you are invited to consider MA 546

It is your responsibility to make sure you have the pre-requisites for the courses you take at NCSU. You were admitted based on your quantitative ability, and your background may be missing some areas that are required to complete the program.

Computer account (Unity ID and password) information is available from NCSU's Information Technology Department (IT). You can obtain your Unity ID by sending a request to help@ncsu.edu that includes your Student ID number (000______). You will be using the MyPack portal to our Student Information System (link to student guide).

Self-study guides for required pre-requisites

Introduction to Quantitative Finance, by Robert Reitano, available from the NCSU library, covers nearly all the background material needed to start the MFM at NCSU. In addition, the following study guides cover portions of the background.

Linear Algebra: Schaum's Outline of Linear Algebra

Probability and Statistics : Schaum's Outline of Probabililty and Statistics

Ordinary Differential Equations: Schaum's Outline of Advanced Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists

Finance: Schaum's Outline of Investments

Introduction to Programming: at least one of the following --> Matlab (e.g. Chapman, Moore, almost any well-liked book from Amazon) C++, Java,

Core courses prerequisite notes

Asset Pricing (ECG 528) requires knowledge of Differential Equations (MA 341), Linear Algebra (MA 405), and Probability/Statistics (MA 421 or ST 421/422). An understanding of elementary economics is recommended (EC 201, 202, 205).

Capital Investment Economic Analysis (ISE 711) requires a good foundation in mathematics and introductory Statistics (ST 421/422).

Statistical Theory II* (ST 521) requires Analysis (MA 425) and Linear Algebra (MA 405). A working knowledge of Statistics (ST 421/422) is a good idea.

In Spring, Computational Methods in Economics and Finance (ECG 786) requires Asset Pricing (ECG 528), Statistical Theory II (ST 521), and a working knowledge of Matlab (MA 116).

What you can do

NCSU Summer School. NCSU offers ST 421 and 422 on campus, and MA 501 and 502 both live and through distance education. (The course listings can be confusing -- contact the Graduate Coordinator for guidance.)

Summer School at another institution.

Self Study. Contact the Director for suggestions for textbooks and/or other study aids.

General Information

The Arrival Survival guide from the Graduate School provides information about registering for classes, places to live, etc.

 

*ST 521 aims to provide a theoretical treatment on the basics of probability and statistical inferences, including random variables, transformations, common distribution families, laws of large numbers, and convergence concepts.