New economics class

A new class will be offered this fall in the Economics Department. Financial Economics, Econ. 4810, will be offered to students wishing to look at the application side of finance rather than the theories of finance.

"The class focuses on the economic aspects of finance," said Clifford Nowell, the associate dean of faculty development for the Goddard School of Business and Economics. "Financial economics is more analytical than traditional finance, so it will focus more on the applications than simply the theories."

Economics 4810 is an experimental class. It cannot be taken as non-credit and requires some prerequisites.

Nowell hopes to make the class not only permanent, but to also transform the class into an emphasis. Nowell said the managerial curriculum has not changed since he came to Weber State University 20 years ago and it is time for a change.

"We're getting the curriculum up to date," Nowell said.

According to Nowell, most economics majors get jobs as financial analysts. Financial analysts need to be able to use skills that will be taught in the new class and be able to apply their knowledge.

Ahmad Nazneen will be the professor for the new class. She said she believes the class will help students become more marketable.

She plans to divide her curriculum into three different categories to cover both theories and applications of finance. She hopes the class will draw more students because students are generally afraid of theory classes.

This class will offer a blend of both theory and application. She also believes that this class is practical and will help students make sound financial decisions.

To make students aware that the class exists, fliers are posted in the business department and is available for registration online.

According to the registration office, only four people have enrolled in the class.

Regardless of how many students join, Ahmad is still looking forward to teaching the new class.

"Actually, I am really excited," Ahmad said. "This is the first time the department has offered this class."