ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION:
Your final grade will be determined as follows:
1. Midterm Exam 60 points
2. AYCO Financial Plan- First Draft 5 points
3. AYCO Financial Plan- Final Draft 65 points
4. Final Exam 70 points
5. Extra Credit up to 5 additional points
Your final grade will be based on 200 possible points:
182-200 A
180-181 A-
178-179 B+
162-177 B
158-159 C+
142-157 C
140-141 C-
120-137 D
All exams are open book open notes. A financial calculator is a necessity in order to successfully answer test questions. Financial calculators cannot be shared during exams. Computers cannot be used during the exams. All cell phones must be turned off during the exams. Also, anyone caught cheating on exams or the AYCO project will receive an F in the course. Please review the University of Illinois Student Code.
Throughout the course, some of the lecture materials will be presented by recognized professionals from various insurance and wealth management sectors. It is essential that you attend these lecture presentations, not only from a viewpoint of professional courtesy, but also because the materials discussed will be covered on the exams.
Thirty-five percent (35%) of your grade will be based on your development of a wealth management plan for a fictitious client. The AYCO Company, the major National Financial Planning Company for executives of Fortune 1000 Companies, will independently grade your wealth management project. Their staff will choose up to the three best plans submitted, and the students will be recognized by AYCO during an in-class presentation by representatives from AYCO.
One additional item: All class material has been totally revised this semester. Therefore, the purchase of “canned” notes from a service is a total waste of money. Furthermore, the “canned” notes that I have personally reviewed are at best incomplete, and at worst, misleading and inaccurate.
Class starts promptly at 8:30 AM.
I expect everyone to be on time—excepting unusual weather conditions. I do not appreciate people walking in late or leaving early—unless they have informed me prior to class about an upcoming interview or other appropriate reason. Also, over the past several years, there appears to be a strong correlation between class attendance and earning a high grade in the course. If you are sleeping in class, I will send you home. If you are playing video games on your computer during class and otherwise not paying attention, I will send you home without your computer!
I expect everyone to come prepared to class. That means you have read all of the assigned materials prior to class, and you have come prepared to participate in class discussion. I do not intend to lecture for 80 minutes per class period. It is important to understand that we will be covering a tremendous amount of material. It is imperative that you keep up.
If you study the assigned materials, attend class, and study the lecture notes, you will be exposed to financial information, which will better prepare you for “Life After College.”