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Prerequisites, MFE Program, Berkeley-Haas

C U RRE N T ST U D E N T S C O M P A N I E S & RE C RU I T E RS C O NTA C T

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Haas Home Program Overview Curriculum Prerequisites Pre-Program C ourses Academic C alendar Degree Requirements C ontact MFE Admissions

Prerequisites
Successful candidates for the MFE Program will have a strong background in
C omputer programming High-level math and statistics Finance studies Language skills Statistical and econometric applications (Sas, Gauss, RATS, S-Plus, or Garch) Mathematical tools (MatLab, Mathematica, or MathC ad) Before the program you are applying to is scheduled to begin, you should: Have takenor have a plan in place to takethe prerequisite courses listed below for a grade of "B" or higher Plan to take all of the pre-program courses in addition to the prerequisites to reinforce your understanding of the basic concepts Please note that you do not necessarily need to complete all of the coursework prior to submitting your application, but you do need to have a clear plan in place to complete the coursework between the time of application and the time the program begins. For students who have not taken a math course in more than 5 years, we do recommend some type of refresher course in order to excel in the program.

Tadaaki Tsunoda MFE 13

Internship: Mizuho Corporate Bank Tokyo, Japan "The Berkeley MFE curriculum is very practical. Ive learned solutions to problems that I face in my work."
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Prerequisite Course List

Computer Programming Experience Requirement: Prior experience in computer programming (C , C ++) and familiarity with computers as a computational and management tool. Area: C , C ++ Programming Suggestion: 1 course OR equivalent work experience Quantitative Background Requirement: A strong quantitative background including multivariate calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, numerical analysis and advanced statistics and probability. Calculus Suggestion: 2 courses Examples: 1A, 1B. C alculus. (A) An introduction to differential and integral calculus of functions of one variable, with applications and an introduction to transcendental functions. (B) Techniques of integration; applications of integration. Infinite sequences and series. First-order ordinary differential equations. Second-order ordinary differential equations; oscillation and damping; series solutions of ordinary differential equations. 53. Multivariable C alculus. Parametric equations and polar coordinates. Vectors in 2- and 3-dimensional Euclidean spaces. Partial derivatives. Multiple integrals. Vector calculus. Theorems of Green, Gauss, and Stokes. Linear Algebra Suggestion: 1 course Examples: 54. Linear Algebra & Differential Equations. Basic linear algebra; matrix arithmetic and determinants. Vector spaces; inner product as spaces. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors; linear transformations. Homogeneous ordinary differential equations; first-order differential equations with constant coefficients. Fourier series and partial differential equations. 110. Linear Algebra. Matrices, vector spaces, linear transformations, inner products, determinants. Eigenvectors. QR factorization. Quadratic forms and Rayleigh's principle. Jordan canonical form, applications. Linear functionals.

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Suggestion: 1 course

Prerequisites, MFE Program, Berkeley-Haas

Differential Equations

Example: 126. Introduction to Partial Differential Equations. C lassification of second order equations, boundary value problems for elliptic and parabolic equations, initial value problems for hyperbolic equations, existence and uniqueness theorems in simple cases, maximum principles, a priori bounds, the Fourier transform. Statistics Suggestion: 2 courses (one introductory, one advanced) Examples: LOWER DIVISION: 5. Probability models for random experiments. Random variables. Expectation and variance. The normal approximation. Testing hypotheses. Non parametric tests. Point estimation. Bias and variance of estimates. Ideas of experimental design. Illustrations from many fields. 20. Relative frequencies, discrete probability, random variables, expectation. Testing hypotheses. Estimation. Illustrations from various fields. 21. Descriptive statistics, probability models and related concepts, sample surveys, estimates, confidence intervals, tests of significance, controlled experiments vs. observational studies, correlation and regression. 25. Emphasis on concepts and applications. C onditional probability. Independence. Expectation. Standard discrete and continuous distributions. Regression and correlation. Point and interval estimation. Illustrations from engineering. UPPER DIVISION: 101. Introduction to the Theory of Probability. Random variables and their distributions, expectation, univariate models, central limit theorem, statistical applications, dependence, multivariate normal distribution, conditioning, simulation, and other computer applications. 102. Introduction to the Theory of Statistics. Least squares estimates, t tests, F tests, and the application of these procedures to the design and analysis of experiments. Maximum likelihood estimates, Wald test and likelihood ratio tests in the context of logistic regression and Poisson regression. C omputer-based applications. 134. C oncepts of Probability. An introduction to probability, emphasizing concepts and applications. C onditional expectation, independence, laws of large numbers. Discrete and continuous random variables. C entral limit theorem. Selected topics such as the Poisson process, Markov chains, characteristic functions. 135. C oncepts of Statistics. A comprehensive survey course in statistical theory and methodology. Topics include descriptive statistics, maximum likelihood estimation, goodness-of-fit tests, analysis of variance, and least squares estimation. The laboratory includes computer-based data-analytic applications to science and engineering. Numerical Analysis Suggestion: 1 course Example: 128A. Numerical Analysis. Programming for numerical calculations, roundoff error, approximation and interpolation, numerical quadrature, and solution of ordinary differential equations. Practice on the computer. Training In Finance Requirement: Sufficient training to undertake graduate study in the chosen field. Area: Finance Suggestion: 2 courses OR equivalent work experience Examples: 131. C orporate Finance and Financial Analysis. This course will cover the principles and practice of business finance. It will focus on project evaluation, capital structure, and corporate governance. Firms' policies toward debt, equity, and dividends are explored. The incentives and conflicts facing managers and owners are also discussed. 132. Money and C apital Markets. Organization, behavior, and management of financial institutions. Markets for financial assets and the structure of yields, influence of Federal Reserve System and monetary policy on financial assets and institutions. 133. Investments. Sources of and demand for investment capital, operations of security markets, determination of investment policy, and procedures for analysis of securities. 100A, 101A. Microeconomics. Resource allocation and price determination with an emphasis on microeconomic principles. 100B, 101B. Macroeconomics. A study of the factors/theories which determine national income, employment, and price levels, with attention to the effects of monetary and fiscal policy.

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Language Skills

Prerequisites, MFE Program, Berkeley-Haas

Requirement: Excellent writing, speaking, and presentation skills (in English). Area: English Writing, English C omposition, Speech/Rhetoric Suggestion: 1 course OR equivalent work experience Examples: 100. Business C ommunication. Theory and practice of effective communication in a business environment. Students practice what they learn with oral presentations and written assignments that model real-life business situations. R1A, R1B. The C raft of Writing. (A) Rhetorical approach to reading and writing argumentative discourse. C lose reading of selected texts; written themes developed from class discussion and analysis of rhetorical strategies. (B) Intensive argumentative writing drawn from controversy stimulated through selected readings and class discussion. R1A, R1B. Reading and C omposition. Instruction in expository writing in conjunction with reading literature. [Back to top]

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