ETC3520 Foundations of quantitative finance
Faculty of Business and Economics
ETC3520 Foundations of quantitative finance is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Business and Economics, offered in 2026 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It needs ETC2430, ETC2440 and ETC2520.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 60%
- and 1 other task
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before ETC3520
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
After ETC3520
No unit lists ETC3520 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
To be successful in this unit, background knowledge and application of maths is required at the equivalent of VCE Year 12 Higher level. You may have satisfied this by completing relevant prerequisite unit/s, or you have covered relevant topics in your final years of secondary study. You should self-assess your maths competency prior to enrolling in this unit.
Overview
This unit will introduce you to the basic theories of financial market behaviour, modelling of investment risk, interest rate models and option pricing models. You will be introduced to the mathematical and statistical foundations of financial modelling, especially the tools used to analyse interest rates and investment risk. Option pricing models will also be introduced, and related to the work of an Actuary.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Quiz / Test40%
- Examination60%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
understand the foundational theories of financial market behaviour
- 2
understand measures of investment risk as they relate to insurance
- 3
estimate, interpret and utilise models of investments returns, term structure of interest rates, and credit risk models
- 4
understand the theoretical foundations and practice of option pricing models, including various methods for pricing options.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops12 hours
- Seminars24 hours
- Tutorials12 hours
- Assessments-
- Teaching approachActive learning
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. You are expected to complete all pre-class activities prior to your scheduled class, and post-class activities should be completed after your scheduled class. Learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed, peer directed and online engagement activities.
This unit engages you in actively applying your knowledge, skills and attributes in interactive, collaborative and reflective activities.
Learning resources
Technology resources
There may be an additional cost associated with purchasing a physical and/or virtual calculator. Specific details will be provided in the Learning Management System by commencement of Orientation week.
Where it fits
ETC3520 is part of 3 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Athanasios Pantelous
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for ETC3520?
You need ETC2430, ETC2440 and ETC2520 before you enrol. Enrolment rules also apply.
When is ETC3520 offered?
In 2026, ETC3520 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
How much work is ETC3520?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does ETC3520 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 60% of the final mark, alongside 1 other task.
Which majors and minors include ETC3520?
ETC3520 is part of Actuarial studies.