This course is part of the Finance for Everyone Specialization

Arshad Ahmad

Offered By

Finance for Everyone SpecializationMcMaster University

About this Course

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Markets begins with one of the most common and important elements of the financial system – interest rates.  You will learn why interest rates have always been a key barometer in determining the value of everything.  You will explore the changing influence of interest rates; the impact of interest rates on consumption, investment and economic growth; and the bizarre realities of negative interest rates. Markets explains how interest rates change the value of all financial instruments, highlighting the role of the bond and stock markets that have toppled empires.  We take a closer look at the equity pricing models and equity markets that reverberate across the globe, and explore everything from the first stock ever issued – by the Dutch East India Company – to the little-understood but powerful derivative securities market.  By the end of the course, you will have developed insight into the intersections of the financial markets with worlds of policy, politics, and power. You will have demonstrated that insight by teaching an important financial concept and translating a financial product or transaction to someone who will clearly benefit from your advice.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

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Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 2 of 5 in the

Finance for Everyone Specialization

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 11 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Italian, Vietnamese, Korean, German, Russian, Turkish, English, Spanish

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.69/5 (68 Ratings)

Arshad Ahmad

Professor

DeGroote School of Business

62,600 Learners

5 Courses

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 2 of 5 in the

Finance for Everyone Specialization

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 11 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Italian, Vietnamese, Korean, German, Russian, Turkish, English, Spanish

Offered by

McMaster University

Founded in 1887, McMaster University is committed to creativity, innovation, and excellence by inspiring critical thinking, personal growth, and a passion for learning. Ranked amongst the Top 100 universities in the world, McMaster pioneered a learner-centred, problem-based, interdisciplinary approach to learning that is now known worldwide as the “McMaster Model”.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating94%(1,213 ratings)

Week

Week 1

3 hours to complete

Week 1: Welcome & Interest Rates

Welcome! This first week will orient you to the specialization and help set you up to make the most of your experience with us in Finance for Everyone: Markets. You will also engage with a fundamental concept that has tremendous influence on financial markets, communicate with your fellow learners, and familiarize yourself with the course culminating project.

3 hours to complete

3 videos (Total 24 min), 7 readings, 2 quizzes

3 videos

Introduction to Finance for Everyone: Markets5m

Interest Rates Part 110m

Interest Rates Part 27m

7 readings

F4E Specialization Snapshot10m

Course Outline10m

Course Connections: Where are our learners from?10m

Keeping a Learning Portfolio10m

LearnSmart - What it is & how to use it10m

(Optional) LearnSmart: Chapter 7 Interest Rates10m

Introduction to Presentation Final Assignment10m

2 practice exercises

Markets Intro Survey30m

Making a Difference in Week 130m

Week

Week 2

3 hours to complete

Week 2: Bonds

Week 2 is all about bonds! You will explore this market from its inception to present day, discuss a current curious phenomenon, develop skills for pricing bonds, and have the opportunity to engage in experiencing the market for yourself! Don't forget to continue working towards your course culminating project!

3 hours to complete

3 videos (Total 44 min), 4 readings, 2 quizzes

3 videos

Bonds Part I: Introduction7m

Bonds Part II: Pricing25m

Solutions to Bond Quiz12m

4 readings

Background Information on Bonds10m

(Optional) LearnSmart Chapter 7B: Bond Valuation10m

MarketEx: Bonds Week Instructions10m

Bond Resources10m

2 practice exercises

Bonds30m

Making a Difference in Week 230m

Week

Week 3

3 hours to complete

Week 3: Stocks

Week 3 is Stocks week! You will familiarize yourself with this market from its creation to present day, review key moments of market turbulence, develop skills for pricing stocks, and turn your MarketEx focus to experience stocks! As you explore all things stocks, you will continue to prepare your course culminating assignment.

3 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 54 min), 3 readings, 2 quizzes

4 videos

Stocks: Introduction8m

Stocks: Pricing17m

Stocks: Turbulence16m

Solutions to Stocks Quiz12m

3 readings

(Optional) LearnSmart Chapter 8: Stocks10m

MarketEx: Stocks Week Instructions10m

Stock Resources10m

2 practice exercises

Stocks30m

Making a Difference in Week 330m

Week

Week 4

2 hours to complete

Week 4: Deriviates & Course Presentation

In Week 4, you will synthesize your learnings for Finance for Everyone: Markets. You will participate in a peer review of Presentation materials submitted by your classmates, reflect on your key learnings from this course, and look ahead to Finance for Everyone: Value!

2 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 27 min), 1 reading, 2 quizzes

4 videos

Introduction to Derivative Securities6m

Derivative Securities Part II5m

Derivative Securities Part III7m

Course 2 Epilogue8m

1 reading

(Optional) LearnSmart Chapter 25 Options and Corporate Securities10m

1 practice exercise

End of Course Feedback30m

About the Finance for Everyone Specialization

Watch this intro video to learn more about the Specialization curriculum and Capstone Project!

The Finance for Everyone Specialization will help you learn the language of finance and understand how the flow of money relates to the most important key social issues influencing our lives and communities. You’ll examine the connections between global and local finance; the flow of assets through businesses, governments, and other institutions; and the commodity, bond, and equity market dynamics that create and destroy financial value. When you complete the Specialization, you’ll be able to better understand both global financial news and your own personal financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You'll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. You'll need to complete this step for each course in the Specialization, including the Capstone Project. Learn more.
What will I be able to do upon completing this course?
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
1. Develop your understanding of the broader context of finance as it relates to financial markets.
2. Explain the importance of interest rates to financial markets.
3. Familiarize yourself with bond, stock, and derivative financial markets.
4. Perform financial calculations with accuracy.
5. Gain experience researching investment options and tracking their performance over time.
6. Converse with others about financial concepts with confidence.
7. Build confidence in your ability to participate in financial markets.
8. Relate important financial concepts and issues to experiences in your daily life and the real world.
How long does it take to complete this course?
The course is structured to be 4 weeks in length.
How often is this course offered?
This course will be offered every month.
What background knowledge is necessary?
No previous knowledge is required. It is recommended that learners have basic mathematics knowledge.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Finance for Everyone: Markets