Mastering Mathematical Finance Online Courses - Portfolio Theory and Risk Management Department of Mathematics University of York - Online Programs

The courses are based on 8 books from the "Mastering Mathematical Finance" (MMF) series published by Cambridge University Press. There are 8 individual courses - each covering the contents of one of the books.

Delivery is by means of one-to-one tutorials conducted via Skype by the authors and editors of the series, and regular coursework.

Who are the courses aimed at?

The courses are designed to meet the continuing professional development and training needs of:

• Finance or IT professionals working in quantitative finance and risk management
• Individuals seeking a career change, managers who need to keep abreast with progress in these fields
• Prospective students who would like to prepare for entry to relevant postgraduate degree programmes

Pre-sessional course

(Pre-sessional course "Mathematics for Quantitative Finance" - This course is suitable for candidates who need to consolidate their mathematics background before embarking on some or all of the 8 courses. Cost - £1500)

Method of Delivery List of Courses

• Each online course to be based on a book from the MMF series, with an additional set of exercises, and involves 10 rounds of activities culminating in 10 one-to-one online sessions. Each course takes approximately 4 - 8 months to complete.
• Each of the 10 rounds consists of:
  • self-study based on the book,
  • problem-solving: solutions submitted and marked electronically,
  • model solutions to the problems attempted,
  • written feedback on the work submitted,
  • one-hour one-to-one online session via Skype with screen sharing, conducted by one of the authors of the MMF series, tailor-made for individual requirements, a combination of lectures and tutorials.
• Additionally, each module to provide:
  • an online discussion forum,
  • email support,
  • final test.
• Induction meeting via Skype to cover technical matters before the start of the first module (including help in using the software needed for online delivery). Each student will need a decent internet connection (broadband standard), a Windows or Mac computer and a Skype account. There is some additional free software to install such as the LyX mathematical editor.
• Additional pre-sessional course available for delegates who need to revise or acquire relevant mathematical background.

About the Portfolio Theory and Risk Management

With its emphasis on examples, exercises and calculations, this book suits advanced undergraduates as well as postgraduates and practitioners. It provides a clear treatment of the scope and limitations of mean-variance portfolio theory and introduces popular modern risk measures. Proofs are given in detail, assuming only modest mathematical background, but with attention to clarity and rigour. The discussion of VaR and its more robust generalizations, such as AVaR, brings recent developments in risk measures within range of some undergraduate courses and includes a novel discussion of reducing VaR and AVaR by means of hedging techniques. A moderate pace, careful motivation and more than 70 exercises give students confidence in handling risk assessments in modern finance.

• Provides a solid foundation in modern risk management techniques
• Assumes only basic calculus and linear algebra as prerequisites
• Exercises range from simple verification to more challenging problems