Master's Thesis Master of Financial Economics
1. Master's Thesis Coordinator
2. Aims
The MFE Master's thesis aims to develop skills in gathering and processing of financial-economic information and to stimulate independent analysis and scientific research. It integrates theoretical insights from the courses of the program and applies them to financial and economic problems. The various modules of the Master's thesis also aim to develop teamwork, writing, and presentations skills.
3. Selection of the topic
MFE faculty members suggest a number of topics for a research paper that they are willing to supervise on Toledo. Students are expected to select one of these topics after a discussion with the supervisor. The list of topics is not exhaustive; some of the faculty members also allow students to suggest their own research topics.
4. Content
The Master's thesis consists of three modules:
1. Portfolio management: students construct and manage a hedge fund, subject to a zero market-sensitivity constraint. This module is supported by an introductory lecture series about hedge funds. Students motivate all their decisions and report the ex-post performance of their fund in a scientific report. (5 credits).
2. Seminar series: students take a seminar series dealing with current topics in Banking and Finance where guest speakers come and talk about various aspects of financial markets. Students write a critical individual report about each guest lecture (5 credits).
3. Individual research paper: students write an individual research paper of around 25 pages that is supervised by one of the MFE faculty members (5 credits).
5. Evaluation
Each component of the Masterproject accounts for 5 credits and is weighted equally in the final score for the Masterproject. A student cannot pass the Masterproject if he/she has a failing score for the research paper.
The evaluation of the research paper is done by an examination committee of at least two members. The research paper needs to be orally defended before the examination commitee. Students do not have to present their paper during this defense but will be asked to answer some questions.
The evaluation of the portfolio-management is done by the lecturer of the course.
The evaluation of the seminar-series is done by the lecturer of the course.
6. Other specific information
Specific information will be posted on Toledo.
