MiFIT at Perm State University

Rapid changes in financial landscape demand finance professionals to double-quick develop practical solutions applying theoretical models to the real data. This requires deeper knowledge of modern day finance and most recent information technologies.
To meet these demands the Chair of Information Systems and Mathematical Methods in Economics of Perm State University offers an Master in Finance and Information Technology (MiFIT) designed for students who wish to pursue a career in finance / IT.
The MiFIT program an exciting learning environment that enables our students to develop systematic understanding of quantitative finance with the professional skills to apply IT within a financial institution. You will gain a command of analytical techniques in the relevant areas and an increased confidence in solving problems.
Program is closely linked with PROGNOZ – one of the largest IT developers in Russia recently named IT Company of the year 2010 and #1 Russian customized software developer. Master students will have a possibility to be involved in real projects in production. Fruitful research environment is created in the university Risk Lab, providing infrastructure for hi-tech financial engineering and risk management studies.
The curriculum consists of three semesters of coursework followed by the writing of a Masters Thesis. The program starts each year (mid September) and interested persons need to apply for a place of study by the end of July.
Graduates are well prepared to be employed within IT companies and financial institutions.

Main features

Enrollment and costs: Accepted applicants will be enrolled as students at the Faculty of Economics, of the Perm State University. The tuition fee for the program is 32500 Roubles per semester (half year). An application fee might be changed.

Curriculum summary: This specialized Master program offers its prospective students an advanced education in quantitative finance and information technology. Its Curriculum consists of a combination of mathematical methods in finance (econometrics, data mining, risk management, etc.) and IT courses (information systems, data management, etc.).

Target participants and expected prerequisite knowledge: Graduates with (at least) a Bachelor degree (or equivalent) having a finance, economics and/or science background (mathematics, physics, engineering, computer science). Practitioners with a corresponding academic qualification, who feel that they need additional and more specialized training in quantitative finance and IT are mostly welcome. The candidates must exhibit a good knowledge of the English language, good intermediate knowledge of financial sciences as well as probability theory and statistics on a bachelor level. Every candidate who fulfils the requirements of the Admission rules is admitted to join the program.

Language: The program is taught in English so that international as well as Russian participants can attend.

Duration: The expected period of study is four semesters: 3 semesters of courses followed by the completion of a Master Thesis. The students have to achieve 120 ECTS in order to receive the degree "Master in Finance & Information Technology at Perm State University".

Exchange programs: We welcome cooperation and exchange programs with other international universities offering similar programs.

Curriculum

The program comprises 13 core courses and 10 elective courses*.

Core courses:

1. Advanced macroeconomics
2. Advanced microeconomics
3. Advanced econometrics
4. Games theory
5. Quantitative research methods
6. Financial engineering I: Interest rates modeling
7. Operation research & Optimization
8. Financial markets modeling
9. Risk management
10. Data mining
11. Information systems
12. Data management
13. Advanced calculations in Excel

Elective courses:

1. Hedge funds
2. Financial engineering II: Derivatives
3. Banks and banking supervision
4. Global business
5. Innovations & Start-ups
6. Object-oriented programming
7. Math applications
8. E-Commerce
9. Simulation & Copula theory
10. Time Series Analysis

Each student needs to acquire at least 120 ECTS points as follows:
• 49 ECTS credit points from the core courses
• 12 ECTS credit points from the elective courses
• 59 ECTS credit points from the Master Thesis.

* The courses can be changed.