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B-COM-HONS in Applied Finance at GITAM (Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management)
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
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About the Specialization
What is Applied Finance at GITAM (Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management) Visakhapatnam?
This Applied Finance program at Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM) focuses on equipping students with deep knowledge and practical skills in financial markets, investment management, and corporate finance. Given India''''s rapidly expanding economy and growing financial sector, the program is designed to meet the increasing demand for skilled finance professionals, emphasizing analytical thinking and strategic financial decision-making crucial for the evolving Indian financial landscape.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for fresh graduates with a strong aptitude for numbers and an interest in financial markets, seeking entry into core finance roles. It also suits working professionals aiming to upskill in specialized financial domains like investment banking or wealth management, and career changers transitioning into the dynamic financial industry. A prerequisite background in commerce, economics, or mathematics at the 10+2 level is beneficial for maximizing program outcomes.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse India-specific career paths in investment banking, equity research, portfolio management, and financial analysis. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 4-7 lakhs per annum, growing significantly with experience. Growth trajectories in Indian companies often lead to senior analyst, portfolio manager, or financial advisor roles. The curriculum aligns with requirements for professional certifications like CFA or NISM, enhancing employability in the Indian finance sector.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Build Strong Quantitative Foundations- (Semester 1-2)
Diligently focus on Business Mathematics and Statistics, as these form the bedrock for advanced finance concepts. Utilize online platforms like Khan Academy and BYJU''''S for extra practice to strengthen problem-solving skills, crucial for both academic excellence and entrance exams for higher studies or quantitative roles in Indian banks.
Tools & Resources
Textbooks, Khan Academy, BYJU''''S, Practice Worksheets
Career Connection
A solid quantitative base is essential for understanding financial models and data analysis, which are core requirements for roles in financial analysis, risk management, and quantitative finance in India.
Develop Business Communication Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Actively participate in group discussions, debates, and presentations to hone communication abilities. Make it a habit to read financial news from Indian sources like The Economic Times and Business Standard daily to improve vocabulary and comprehension. Strong communication is vital for client-facing roles, corporate reports, and effective teamwork in the Indian business environment.
Tools & Resources
The Economic Times, Business Standard, Toastmasters Club (if available), Presentation Software
Career Connection
Effective communication is a key soft skill sought by all recruiters, particularly for roles in relationship management, sales, and senior leadership positions in finance companies across India.
Engage with Financial News & Concepts- (Semester 1-2)
Start reading financial newspapers, magazines, and watching business news channels (e.g., ET Now, CNBC-TV18, Zee Business) regularly. This builds early financial literacy and helps contextualize theoretical concepts within the current Indian economic scenarios and financial markets, developing a proactive mindset.
Tools & Resources
ET Now, CNBC-TV18, Moneycontrol.com, The Ken (for in-depth Indian business analysis)
Career Connection
Staying updated with market trends and economic policies provides a significant edge in interviews and demonstrates commercial awareness, which is highly valued in the Indian finance industry.
Intermediate Stage
Gain Practical Software Proficiency- (Semester 3-5)
Begin mastering Excel for financial modeling, even before the dedicated course. Explore basic financial software tutorials on platforms like YouTube for tools commonly used in Indian finance. This hands-on skill is highly valued by Indian employers for financial analysis, reporting, and dashboard creation roles.
Tools & Resources
Microsoft Excel (with financial add-ins), YouTube tutorials, Coursera/edX courses on Excel for Finance
Career Connection
Proficiency in Excel is a fundamental requirement for almost all finance roles, from entry-level analyst positions to senior management in India, enabling efficient data manipulation and decision support.
Seek Early Industry Exposure- (Semester 3-5)
Actively pursue short-term projects, virtual internships, or volunteer roles with local financial firms, NGOs working in microfinance, or fintech startups during academic breaks. Attend webinars and workshops organized by NISM, SEBI, or industry associations. This provides practical insights into the Indian financial ecosystem and helps build a professional network.
Tools & Resources
Internshala, LinkedIn, NISM webinars, Local Chamber of Commerce events
Career Connection
Early exposure helps clarify career interests, builds a professional network, and provides valuable experience that differentiates candidates during campus placements in India.
Participate in Investment Challenges- (Semester 3-5)
Join inter-college stock market simulation games, investment challenges, or virtual trading competitions. This allows for practical application of security analysis and portfolio management concepts in a low-risk environment, highly relevant for roles in Indian equity markets and fund management.
Tools & Resources
Virtual stock trading platforms (e.g., Dalal Street Investment Journal virtual portfolio), College Investment Clubs
Career Connection
Demonstrating practical investment skills through competitions can be a significant advantage in interviews for roles in equity research, portfolio management, and wealth advisory firms in India.
Advanced Stage
Undertake Certification Programs- (Semester 6-8)
Pursue industry-recognized certifications like NISM certifications for specific market segments (e.g., Equity Derivatives, Mutual Funds) or begin preparation for CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Level I. These certifications significantly enhance employability and demonstrate specialized knowledge to Indian financial firms.
Tools & Resources
NISM study material, CFA Institute resources, Prep providers like Kaplan Schweser
Career Connection
Certifications signal a commitment to the finance profession and provide a competitive edge in securing roles in investment banking, asset management, and financial planning in India.
Network Strategically and Prepare for Placements- (Semester 6-8)
Attend industry conferences, alumni meets, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. Start rigorous preparation for interviews, aptitude tests, and group discussions focusing on financial case studies, as these are commonly used by Indian recruiters for assessment. Refine your resume and cover letter with program-specific achievements.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, Professional networking events, Mock interview sessions, Placement cell resources
Career Connection
A strong network can open doors to opportunities, and thorough placement preparation is critical for securing desired roles in leading financial institutions and corporates across India.
Develop a Specialization Portfolio- (Semester 6-8)
Work on a comprehensive research project or a live financial model using real Indian company data, focusing on areas like valuation, risk management, or fintech applications. This portfolio piece demonstrates analytical capability, practical skills, and deep subject knowledge to potential employers in investment banking, asset management, or corporate finance in India.
Tools & Resources
Bloomberg Terminal (if accessible), Equity databases (e.g., Ace Equity, Capitaline), Advanced Excel, Statistical software
Career Connection
A well-structured portfolio showcases hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities, making you a more attractive candidate for specialized finance roles in the competitive Indian job market.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Minimum 50% aggregate marks in 10+2 with Mathematics / Statistics / Accountancy / Computer Science / Informatics Practices / Business Studies as one of the subjects from a recognized Central / State Board or its equivalent.
Duration: 4 years / 8 semesters
Credits: 156 Credits
Assessment: Assessment pattern not specified
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCOF 101 | Business Communication | Core | 3 | English Grammar and Vocabulary, Communication Process, Listening and Reading Skills, Writing Business Correspondence, Presentation Skills |
| BCOF 102 | Financial Accounting | Core | 4 | Accounting Concepts and Conventions, Journal and Ledger, Trial Balance and Final Accounts, Depreciation Accounting, Inventory Valuation |
| BCOF 103 | Business Mathematics | Core | 4 | Matrices and Determinants, Calculus (Differentiation and Integration), Functions and their Applications, Linear Programming, Financial Mathematics (Interest, Annuities) |
| BCOF 104 | Principles of Economics | Core | 4 | Microeconomic Fundamentals, Demand and Supply Analysis, Market Structures, Macroeconomic Indicators, National Income and Inflation |
| BCOF 105 | Digital Skills for Business | Core | 3 | MS Office Applications, Internet and Web Technologies, Data Security and Privacy, Digital Communication Tools, Business Presentation Software |
| BCOF 106 | Sustainability and Social Responsibility | Core | 2 | Concept of Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Business Ethics, Environmental Issues in Business, Corporate Governance |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCOF 201 | Business Statistics | Core | 4 | Data Collection and Presentation, Measures of Central Tendency, Measures of Dispersion, Correlation and Regression Analysis, Probability and Probability Distributions |
| BCOF 202 | Organizational Behavior | Core | 3 | Foundations of Organizational Behavior, Personality and Perception, Motivation Theories, Leadership and Power, Group Dynamics and Team Building |
| BCOF 203 | Corporate Accounting | Core | 4 | Accounting for Share Capital, Accounting for Debentures, Amalgamation and Reconstruction, Liquidation of Companies, Accounting Standards |
| BCOF 204 | Indian Economy | Core | 3 | Characteristics of Indian Economy, Economic Reforms in India, Agriculture and Industrial Sector, Service Sector and Foreign Trade, Poverty, Unemployment, and Inequality |
| BCOF 205 | Environmental Studies | Core | 2 | Ecosystems and Biodiversity, Environmental Pollution, Natural Resources and Conservation, Climate Change, Sustainable Development |
| BCOF 206 | Human Values & Professional Ethics | Core | 2 | Concept of Human Values, Ethical Dilemmas, Professional Ethics, Value-based Living, Ethics in Business |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCOF 301 | Cost Accounting | Core | 4 | Cost Concepts and Classification, Elements of Cost, Methods of Costing (Job, Process), Variance Analysis, Budgeting and Cost Control |
| BCOF 302 | Income Tax Law and Practice | Core | 4 | Basic Concepts of Income Tax, Residential Status and Tax Incidence, Heads of Income, Deductions from Gross Total Income, Computation of Tax Liability |
| BCOF 303 | Financial Markets and Services | Core | 4 | Indian Financial System Overview, Money Market Instruments, Capital Market (Primary & Secondary), Financial Intermediaries, Mutual Funds and Merchant Banking |
| BCOF 304 | Business Law | Core | 3 | Indian Contract Act, 1872, Sale of Goods Act, 1930, Consumer Protection Act, 2019, Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, Introduction to Cyber Law |
| BCOF 305 | Introduction to Business Analytics | Core | 3 | Concepts of Business Analytics, Types of Data Analytics, Data Visualization Techniques, Predictive Analytics Models, Analytics Tools (e.g., Spreadsheets) |
| BACG 301 | Yoga and Meditation / Sports and Games | Ability Enhancement Course | 2 | Basic Yoga Asanas, Meditation Techniques, Stress Management, Rules of Popular Sports, Physical Fitness |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCOF 401 | Goods and Services Tax (GST) | Core | 4 | Introduction to GST, GST Registration, Input Tax Credit, GST Returns and Payments, Composition Scheme and Reverse Charge |
| BCOF 402 | Corporate Law | Core | 4 | Companies Act, 2013, Types of Companies, Formation and Incorporation of Company, Shares and Debentures, Company Meetings and Management |
| BCOF 403 | Management Accounting | Core | 4 | Funds Flow Statement, Cash Flow Statement, Ratio Analysis, Budgetary Control, Standard Costing and Marginal Costing |
| BCOF 404 | Principles of Marketing | Core | 3 | Core Marketing Concepts, Marketing Mix (4Ps), Consumer Behavior, Market Segmentation and Targeting, Product Life Cycle |
| BCOF 405 | Essentials of Entrepreneurship | Core | 3 | Entrepreneurial Process, Business Idea Generation, Business Plan Development, Funding for Start-ups, Legal Aspects of Entrepreneurship |
| BCOF 406 | Financial Management | Core | 2 | Goals of Financial Management, Time Value of Money, Capital Budgeting Decisions, Working Capital Management, Cost of Capital |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCOF 501 | Indian Financial System | Core | 4 | Structure of Indian Financial System, Financial Institutions (Banking, NBFCs), Financial Markets (Money, Capital), Financial Regulators (RBI, SEBI), Recent Reforms in Indian Finance |
| BCOF 502 | Security Analysis and Portfolio Management | Elective | 4 | Investment Environment and Process, Risk and Return Analysis, Equity Valuation Models, Modern Portfolio Theory, Mutual Funds and Hedge Funds |
| BCOF 503 | Derivatives and Risk Management | Elective | 4 | Introduction to Derivatives, Forwards and Futures Contracts, Options Pricing and Strategies, Swaps and Exotic Derivatives, Hedging Strategies and Risk Management |
| BCOF 504 | Financial Reporting and Analysis | Elective | 4 | Understanding Financial Statements, Financial Ratio Analysis, Cash Flow Statement Analysis, Corporate Governance and Ethics, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) |
| BCOE 501 | Open Elective - I | Open Elective | 2 | Topics vary based on student choice |
| BCIS 591 | Summer Internship | Internship | 2 | Industry Exposure, Practical Application of Knowledge, Professional Skill Development, Project Report Preparation, Networking |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCOF 601 | Strategic Financial Management | Core | 4 | Financial Strategy Formulation, Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate Restructuring, Dividend Policy Decisions, Valuation for Strategic Decisions |
| BCOF 602 | International Financial Management | Elective | 4 | Foreign Exchange Markets, Exchange Rate Determination, International Investment Decisions, Managing Transaction and Translation Risk, Global Financial System |
| BCOF 603 | Wealth Management | Elective | 4 | Personal Financial Planning, Investment Avenues (Equity, Debt, Real Estate), Retirement Planning, Estate Planning, Tax Planning for Individuals |
| BCOF 604 | Financial Econometrics | Elective | 4 | Time Series Analysis, Regression Models in Finance, Volatility Modeling, Financial Forecasting, Risk Measurement Models |
| BCOE 601 | Open Elective - II | Open Elective | 2 | Topics vary based on student choice |
| BCSE 601 | Skill Enhancement Course - I | Skill | 2 | Advanced Communication Skills, Presentation Techniques, Negotiation Skills, Problem Solving, Teamwork |
Semester 7
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCOF 701 | Financial Modelling using Excel | Core | 4 | Excel Functions for Finance, Building Financial Statements Models, Valuation Models (DCF, Multiples), Project Finance Models, Sensitivity and Scenario Analysis |
| BCOF 702 | Investment Banking and Financial Services | Elective | 4 | Functions of Investment Banks, Mergers & Acquisitions Process, Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), Private Equity and Venture Capital, Asset Management Services |
| BCOF 703 | Fintech and Digital Finance | Elective | 4 | Digital Payments and Wallets, Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies, Artificial Intelligence in Finance, Robo-Advisors and Automated Investing, Cybersecurity in Financial Services |
| BCOF 791 | Project / Research Project | Project | 4 | Research Methodology, Data Collection and Analysis, Report Writing and Documentation, Presentation Skills, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving |
| BCDE 701 | Discipline Specific Elective - I | Discipline Specific Elective | 2 | Topics vary based on specialization area |
| BCSE 701 | Skill Enhancement Course - II | Skill | 2 | Advanced Digital Tools, Business Communication Strategies, Leadership Development, Critical Analysis, Professional Etiquette |
Semester 8
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCOF 801 | Risk Management in Financial Institutions | Core | 4 | Types of Financial Risks (Credit, Market, Operational), Asset Liability Management (ALM), Basel Accords and Regulations, Risk Measurement Techniques (VaR), Enterprise Risk Management |
| BCOF 802 | Behavioral Finance | Elective | 4 | Cognitive Biases in Investing, Heuristics and Prospect Theory, Investor Psychology, Market Anomalies and Bubbles, Nudge Theory in Finance |
| BCOF 803 | Financial Due Diligence and Valuations | Elective | 4 | Due Diligence Process, Business Valuation Methodologies, Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis, Relative Valuation (Multiples), Merger & Acquisition Valuations |
| BCOF 804 | Strategic Business Decision Making | Core | 4 | Strategic Management Process, Decision Making Models, Case Study Analysis, Ethical Considerations in Business Decisions, Competitive Strategy |
| BCDE 801 | Discipline Specific Elective - II | Discipline Specific Elective | 2 | Topics vary based on specialization area |
