The Purpose of the "Courses" Page

RM 301 Risk and Decisions is an introduction to decision-making under uncertainty. Concepts are covered in mathematical probability and statistics, decision theory and game theory. The course teaches how to conceptualize decisions involving risk, how to analyze choices, how to estimate risk, and how to communicate and defend one’s analysis to others.

Sustainability risk management questions to consider:

• What social and environmental data is needed for the statistical analysis and modeling of risk?
• How can statistical models be used to make optimal decisions for both sustainability-outcomes and profitability?
• What is the unique role enterprise risk management professionals can play in supporting the sustainability/ESG performance of the enterprise?

RM 320W Risk Management and Insurance covers the risk management process used by organizations to deal with the risks that they face with an emphasis on the types of risk commonly handled through the commercial insurance market. It addresses the costs and benefits of risk management, the goals of the process and the methods available to handle risks. 

Sustainability risk management questions to consider:

• How are regulations like those pertaining to environmental, social and governance risks integrated into the corporate ERM function?
• How does the enterprise risk management process address the issue of climate change?
• How are the objectives of sustainability consistent with the objectives of corporate risk management?

RM 405: Corporate Risk Management covers risk management for firms and organizations; loss control, risk transfer, and loss financing alternatives; and corporate employee benefit program design and financing. 

Sustainable risk management questions to consider: 

• How can the risk management process be used to deal with climate change? 
• What is the role of enterprise risk management in corporate governance? 
• Do investors value the money that corporations spend on sustainability? 

RM 330W Real Estate Risk Analysis covers risk and value associated with real estate decision making, which includes purchasing, leasing renovation, financing, and investing. The purpose of this course is to demonstrate how value and risk is central to virtually all real estate decision making, including whether and how to lease, buy or mortgage a property acquisition; whether to renovate, refinance, demolish or expand a property; and when and how to divest a property. 

Sustainable risk management questions to consider: 

• How much do sustainable features (i.e. solar panels, LEED certification, electric car stations, etc.) add to the value of property? 
• What local regulations may impact a development project with sustainable requirements?  
• What are the tax savings benefits to including sustainable features in a development project?  

RM 450 Contemporary Issues in Real Estate Markets covers historical performance, land use issues, market valuation, real estate development, and public policy issues. 

Sustainable risk management questions to consider: 

• What property attributes are related to sustainability? 
• How does a property’s sustainability attributes affect real estate values? 
• How does properties’ sustainability affect investors’ acquisition decisions? 

RM (FIN) 460 Real Estate Financial Analysis covers debt and equity financing, capital structure, “creative financing,” risk analysis, and corporate asset management. The objective of this course is to provide in-depth coverage of real estate investment and financing decisions. The focus is on the private market including corporate asset management. 

Sustainable risk management questions to consider:  

• How will environmental regulations change income and expenditures, value, location, and density of commercial real estate? 
• How can mortgage lenders incorporate ESG factors in loan origination and securitization? 
• How will the housing affordability issue affect cities? 

RM (FIN) 470 Real Estate Capital Markets explores the issues associated with the analysis of “public” (“Wall Street”) real estate, including both equities (such as Real Estate Investment Trusts or REITs) and debt vehicles (such as Mortgage-Backed Securities or MBSs). In addition, the course will focus on the increasingly globalization of real estate capital markets as the real estate sector becomes integrated into the global financial system. 

Sustainable risk management questions to consider: 

• How do different large-scale companies and REITs incorporate sustainability into their investment portfolios?
• How do different REITs focus on different aspects of sustainability?
• What opportunities for economically sound sustainability are available within the real estate industry?

RM 475 Quantitative Analysis for Business provides students with working knowledge of some widely used quantitative methods, such as Monte Carlo simulations, t-tests, linear regressions, nonlinear regressions, regressions with dummy variables, and regressions with interacting explanatory variables, as well their applications in business. The course will focus on understanding and applying each method, but not on statistical theory or their proof. 

Sustainable risk management questions to consider: 

• How can we test the effectiveness of businesses’ sustainability policies?
• How can computer programming help improve sustainability?
• How can statistical methods help improve sustainability?