General description

The minor study program in Fiancial Mathematics (30 ECTS credits) provides students with a in depth education in financial mathematics and the ability to think and work methodically and scientifically. The focus of the minor program is on precise mathematical techniques (with modern statistical approaches based on machine learning and data science) and programming.

Admission requirements

The conditions for admission to the Bachelor’s degree programme are regulated in: „Verordnung über die Zulassung zum Studium an der Universität Zürich (VZS)".

Specific requirements

Sufficient basic knowledge of mathematics is required. The minor program in Financial Mathematics in any case requires a solid basic knowledge of analysis and linear algebra (as for example taught, in the modules MAT182 Analysis for Natural Sciences and MAT141 Linear Algebra for Natural Sciences or equivalent).
Bachelor's students should therefore ideally begin the minor program in Financial Mathematics in their second year of study or later.

Educational goals

Upon completion of the minor program, students will have acquired knowledge of advanced mathematical models and will be able to apply this knowledge to practical situations with the programming and data processing skills they have acquired.
At the end of their studies, graduates of a minor study program in Financial Mathematics are able to,
1. understand the mathematical foundations of quantitative finance and the concepts and methods of risk management,
2. understand the fundamentals of the functioning of financial markets and the role of regulation in the financial sector,
3. use their mathematical and statistical knowledge to develop and implement quantitative models for the pricing of financial instruments, risk management and investment strategies,
4. use mathematical techniques to design and implement financial models, develop pricing algorithms and create trading strategies.

ECTS credits

30 ECTS Credits

Program structure

The minor study program in Financial Mathematics (30 ECTS credits) provides an introduction to the mathematical techniques that are used in finance, in combination with modern statistical and numerical approaches.

Examination and assessment regulations

The student's achievement is assessed at the end of each module.
Achievements are graded on a scale from 1 to 6, whereby 6 denotes the highest grade of achievement and 1 the lowest. A grade below 4 is insufficient. Achievements can also be graded with 'passed' or 'failed'.