Queen’s University, Smith School of Business, Master of Finance, MFIN 843 — Sustainable Finance

Teacher

Course overview

MFIN 843 (Sustainable Finance) is offered to provide students with an opportunity to engage in an intensive and interactive course dealing with sustainable finance. The emphasis will be on the major financial implications associated with climate change and the transition to a low-carbon economy. Particularly the course will examine business opportunities and risks associated with climate change and sustainability. The structure and role of the major elements of the finance industry and finance policy, and the resulting shifts will be the major focus of the first half of the course, while the second half focuses on sustainable investing.

Course structure and content

The course is comprised of two parts, (sessions 1-4) focusing on climate systems overview, including the Canadian expert panel review, climate disclosures, fiduciary duty and green bonds and transition bonds. The second half of the course (sessions 5-8) will focus on sustainable investing, including a thorough discussion of ESG integration considerations as well as impact investing. Course materials will include:

slides for each session, which will be posted on the course portal at least 5 days in advance of the scheduled session. It is the student’s responsibility to download and read these slides before class, and bring them to class in print and/or electronic form.
There is no textbook for the course, but a comprehensive reading list will be provided.

Teaching and assessment

The course is awarded on the basis of class participation, group projects and individual reports. Group projects, presentations and reports account for 50% of the grade. Individual reports are accounted for 50% of the grade. Students must achieve a passing grade (>50%) in the individual component(s) of this course in order to pass the course. The 20% of the total grade received by each student on the “Group Project” will be the result of peer evaluations of other group members.

Entry requirements, fees and application

This is an elective course offered as a part of the curriculum through the Master of Finance program at Smith School of Business, Queen’s University.

To be considered for admission to the Smith Master of Finance program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

An undergraduate degree from a recognized university
Minimum two years’ relevant work experience
Successful completion of the GMAT or CFA Level 1 exam
Successful completion of an English facility test if your first language is not English and you have not lived in Canada for a minimum of three years, or if you did not do your undergraduate program in English
For more information, please go here: https://smith.queensu.ca/grad_studies/mfin/program-details/admissions.php

Career opportunities

Offered through the Master of Finance program at Smith, the course enables you to build an invaluable network of classmates passionate about sustainable finance and climate change, while also gaining access to the impressive Smith School of Business alumni network around the world. Students get the opportunity to work closely with faculty, and get access to Smith School of Business Career Centre allowing them to secure jobs in industry, government and multilateral corporations.