Page 321 of Boston College 2006-2007 University Catalog by Boston College University

Summer MF 808 Financial Policy One elective M.S. in Finance Curriculum, Part-Time Fall MF 801 Investments MF 852 Financial Econometrics Spring MF 807 Corporate Finance MF 820 Management of Financial Institutions Summer MF 880 Fixed Income Analysis or MF 803 Portfolio Theory One elective Fall MF 860 Derivatives and Risk Management MF 881 Corporate Finance Theory Spring MF 808 Financial Policy One Elective PH.D. IN MANAGEMENT WITH A CONCENTRATION IN FINANCE The Ph.D. in Management with a concentration in Finance provides graduates with the knowledge and analytical abilities they need to teach and to pursue research of the highest quality. These goals require an education that combines theory, applied research, and teaching experience. The program begins with systematic and rigorous training in quantitative methods and economic and financial theory. A research paper, due at the end of the students first summer in the program, begins to develop the students ability to do original research. This development culminates in the dissertation. Training in teaching is provided in the second through fourth years, when the student participates in teaching workshops and acquires experience in the classroom. The Ph.D. Program contains five components: Course Requirements Research Paper Comprehensive Examination Dissertation Research/Teaching Requirements Each of these requirements is described below. Detailed standards for the Ph.D. candidate are published and provided to all students. Course Requirements Students complete a program of study that leads to competency in three areas: quantitative methods, economics and finance. When a student enters the program he or she will be assigned an advisor. Together with the advisor the student will design a program of study to be completed prior to the comprehensive examination. The requirements of the program of study are typically satisfied by completing 18 courses in the first two-and-a-half years of the program. Required courses include five courses in quantitative methods, three in economics, six in finance and several electives. In some cases coursework prior to entering the program or successful performance on waiver examinations may be substituted for required courses. However, each student must complete a minimum of 14 courses while in the program. Research Paper Students are expected to engage in research early in the program. All students work as research assistants for 15 hours per week for the first two years of the program. By the end of their first summer, students are required to submit a research paper. A more detailed description of the research paper, its standards and criteria used to evaluate it is available from, maintained and updated by the Ph.D. Committee. Comprehensive Examination Satisfactory performance on a written comprehensive examination marks the students transition from coursework to full-time thesis research. The examination is intended to allow the student to demonstrate substantial knowledge of finance, economics and quantitative methods. The examination is taken within three months of the completion of the second year of the program. A student will have completed most course work, satisfied the breadth requirements and submitted a satisfactory research paper prior to taking the comprehensive examination. Dissertation The doctoral dissertation is expected to be a substantial, significant and original contribution to knowledge. It is prepared under the guidance of a thesis committee of three or more faculty members selected by the candidate in consultation with his or her thesis advisor. Early in the process, the candidate submits a thesis proposal. The proposal is presented in a seminar to which the finance faculty and doctoral students are invited. The purpose of the presentation is to give the student an opportunity to hear the suggestions and comments of members of the Boston College finance community while the research plan is still fluid. A thesis-defense seminar, open to the Boston College community, is held when the research is completed. Student Support and Research/Teaching Requirement Doctoral students are offered financial support at a competitive rate. A student in good standing may receive this support for a maximum of four years. In return for this support, the student acts as a research assistant for approximately 15 hours per week for the first two years of the program, then teaches one course per semester or acts as a research assistant in the third and fourth years of the program. This generous level of support is based on the fact that students are expected to devote their full energies to the program during the entire calendar year, not just the academic year. PH.D. IN MANAGEMENT WITH A CONCENTRATION IN ORGANIZATION STUDIES The Ph.D. in Management with a concentration in Organization Studies prepares students for careers in research and teaching in organizational behavior and related fields. The intellectual theme of the program emphasizes organizational transformation: fundamental changes in organizations that influence their character and effectiveness. The program combines courses in theory and applied research, along with practical experience in teaching and consulting. Students are expected to engage in research from the outset of the program. Students typically fulfill requirements by completing 18 courses, the majority in the first two years of the program. In the first year, students receive systematic and rigorous training in organizational theory, statistics, research methods, and organizational change. During the second year, students also receive training in teaching skills, as well as the opportunity to teach. Additional requirements include successful completion of a comprehensive exam at the end of the first year, a research The Boston College Catalog 2006-2007 321 MANAGEMENT

[close]