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Module Catalogue

IB3K2-15 Financial Optimisation

Department
Warwick Business School
Level
Undergraduate Level 3
Module leader
Nalan Gulpinar
Credit value
15
Module duration
10 weeks
Assessment
30% coursework, 70% exam
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

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Introductory description

N/A.

Module web page

Module aims

The module aims to introduce modelling and solving approaches for mathematical programming problems arising in finance. The optimization methods such as linear, integer, dynamic, nonlinear and stochastic programming will be motivated through practical financial decision making problems. The main topics to be covered in Financial Optimisation include asset allocation, portfolio optimisation, risk management, asset/liability cash-flow matching, and option pricing and hedging. A modelling language AMPL using different commercial solvers for financial decision-making problems will be introduced.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

  • Revision (linear algebra, calculus and optimisation).
  • Introduction to AMPL: modelling and solving optimization problems.
  • Linear programming: dedication and cash flow matching.
  • Duality: applications to asset pricing, option pricing and arbitrage detection.
  • Quadratic programming: mean-variance portfolio optimization.
  • Nonlinear programming: parameter estimation in portfolio optimization, robust assset allocation.
  • Modelling with discrete decisions: constructing an index fund.
  • Dynamic optimization for fixed-income securities.
  • Stochastic programming: asset and liability management, corporate debt management, robust asset allocation.
  • Scenario optimization: mean-absolute deviation models, risk management (Conditional Value-at-Risk).

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Define concepts and optimisation methods commonly used in finance.
  • Use a range of techniques to solve typical financial optimisation problems.
  • Understand the particular challenges of modelling and solving financial optimisation problems.
  • Identify appropriate methods for financial optimisation problems.
  • Determine the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches.
  • Analyse case studies and model the underlying problems properly.

Indicative reading list

  • S. A. Zenios, Practical Financial Optimization: Decision Making for Financial Engineers, John Wiley & Sons, 2008.
  • G. Cornuejols and R. Tutuncu, Optimization Methods in Finance, Cambridge University Press, 2007.
  • W. T. Ziemba and R. G. Vickson, Stochastic Optimization Models in Finance, World Scientific, 2006.
  • G. Cornuejols and R. Tutuncu, Optimization Methods in Finance, Cambridge University Press, 2007.
  • F. Fabozzi, P. Kolm, D. Pachamanova, S. Focardi, Robust Portfolio Optimization and Management, John Wiley & Sons, 2007.
  • D. G. Luenberger, Investment Science, 2nd Edition, Oxford University Press, 2013.

Subject specific skills

Use AMPL to model decision making problems in finance.
Apply bult-in/add-on solvers to solve optimisation problems.

Transferable skills

Distinguish between different modelling and solution approaches for finance problems.

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 10 sessions of 2 hours (13%)
Tutorials 10 sessions of 1 hour (7%)
Private study 48 hours (32%)
Assessment 72 hours (48%)
Total 150 hours

Private study description

Private Study.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group D2
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Assessment component
Quiz Work 10% 7 hours No

Quiz work (scores from the nine/ten weekly quizzes would be added up and the percentage of the whole would be given as this score).
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment component
Individual Assignment (15 CATS) 20% 14 hours Yes (extension)

The written assessment is based on problem solving. The number of questions will vary from 2 to 4 related to subjects to be covered in the module. Depending on the complexity of real cases and their application areas, each question may have several parts. Accordingly the page limit will vary from 5 to 8 pages. A supplementary document can be used for presenting data, intermediate calculations and/or computer codes if necessary.
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment component
Online Examination 70% 51 hours No

Exam

~Platforms - AEP

  • Online examination: No Answerbook required
Reassessment component is the same
Feedback on assessment

Feedback via my.wbs.

Past exam papers for IB3K2

Pre-requisites

Students are required to have basic knowledge on modelling and solving linear (and/or integer) programming problems.

To take this module, you must have passed:

Courses

This module is Optional for:

  • UECA-3 Undergraduate Economics 3 Year Variants
    • Year 3 of L100 Economics
    • Year 3 of L116 Economics and Industrial Organization
  • USTA-G300 Undergraduate Master of Mathematics,Operational Research,Statistics and Economics
    • Year 3 of G300 Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics and Economics
    • Year 4 of G300 Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics and Economics
  • USTA-G1G3 Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics (BSc MMathStat)
    • Year 3 of G1G3 Mathematics and Statistics (BSc MMathStat)
    • Year 4 of G1G3 Mathematics and Statistics (BSc MMathStat)
  • Year 4 of USTA-G1G4 Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics (BSc MMathStat) (with Intercalated Year)

This module is Unusual option for:

  • Year 3 of UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics

This module is Option list A for:

  • Year 3 of USTA-G300 Undergraduate Master of Mathematics,Operational Research,Statistics and Economics
  • USTA-G301 Undergraduate Master of Mathematics,Operational Research,Statistics and Economics (with Intercalated
    • Year 3 of G30E Master of Maths, Op.Res, Stats & Economics (Actuarial and Financial Mathematics Stream) Int
    • Year 4 of G30E Master of Maths, Op.Res, Stats & Economics (Actuarial and Financial Mathematics Stream) Int
  • Year 3 of USTA-Y602 Undergraduate Mathematics,Operational Research,Statistics and Economics

This module is Option list B for:

  • Year 3 of USTA-GG14 Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics (BSc)
  • Year 4 of USTA-GG17 Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics (with Intercalated Year)

This module is Option list C for:

  • Year 4 of USTA-G300 Undergraduate Master of Mathematics,Operational Research,Statistics and Economics
  • Year 5 of USTA-G301 Undergraduate Master of Mathematics,Operational Research,Statistics and Economics (with Intercalated

This module is Option list D for:

  • Year 3 of USTA-G300 Undergraduate Master of Mathematics,Operational Research,Statistics and Economics
  • USTA-G301 Undergraduate Master of Mathematics,Operational Research,Statistics and Economics (with Intercalated
    • Year 3 of G30G Master of Maths, Op.Res, Stats & Economics (Operational Research and Statistics Stream) Int
    • Year 4 of G30G Master of Maths, Op.Res, Stats & Economics (Operational Research and Statistics Stream) Int

This module is Option list G for:

  • Year 2 of UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics