IS423
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Financial Markets Processes and Technology
Course (UG/PG)
Undergraduate
Offering Unit/Department
Course Description
Financial Institutions are among the most intensive and innovative users of information technology. Voice- and paper-based trading have been replaced with electronic channels linking up market participants globally. Technology has equipped traders with real-time price and market information, and enables performance of complex data analytics to advance competitive edge. Open outcry trading floors at exchanges have been replaced by automated trade matching and straight-thru-processing (STP) has replaced error-prone paper-based settlements processing resulting in shorter settlement cycles.
But amid the loss of colorful trading jackets and the hype around technological advances, the fundamentals of markets, trading and risk management have not changed. And in order to provide products and services salient to the financial market community, one must understand these fundamentals.
This course introduces the roles within the types of markets, products and services, and how associated risks are harnessed and managed. Focus will be placed on the foreign exchange and equities products and the processes that support the trading and settlement of these instruments. The course will include the schematic architecture and design of the systems that support these processes. Learners will be placed in multiple simulations, taking on different roles from broker, to trader to risk manager, allowing them to gain insights to the practical application of what otherwise remains theory.
But amid the loss of colorful trading jackets and the hype around technological advances, the fundamentals of markets, trading and risk management have not changed. And in order to provide products and services salient to the financial market community, one must understand these fundamentals.
This course introduces the roles within the types of markets, products and services, and how associated risks are harnessed and managed. Focus will be placed on the foreign exchange and equities products and the processes that support the trading and settlement of these instruments. The course will include the schematic architecture and design of the systems that support these processes. Learners will be placed in multiple simulations, taking on different roles from broker, to trader to risk manager, allowing them to gain insights to the practical application of what otherwise remains theory.
Course Learning Outcomes
1. Understand the integration of business and technology in a the context of financial markets
2. Compare and contrast the system requirements based on business processes
3. Derive systems requirements based on understanding of business process flows, data, and interface connectivity requirements
4. Identify key business requirements and risks to ensure successful application of proposed technology
5. Explain factors that are changing use of technology in the financial markets
6. Ideate solutions that help overcome business changes and challenges.
7. Compare markets and solutions across countries and regions
Discipline-Specific Competencies
Business Risk Management, Enterprise Architecture, Solution Architecture, Applications Integration, Audit and Compliance
SMU Graduate Learning Outcomes
Disciplinary Knowledge, Innovation and enterprising skills, Collaboration and leadership, Communication
Grading Basis
GRD - Graded
Course Units
1