Bachelor of Commerce - Finance

The School of Business offers a program leading to the degree of Bachelor of Commerce. This program provides education in business as well as exposure to the liberal arts, social sciences, and natural sciences. The program offers students the ability to major in the areas of Accounting, Finance, General Business, International Business or Marketing. Although all students must follow the program of study of at least one of the specified majors, the Bachelor of Commerce degree program has been designed to provide students with an exposure to all aspects of the contemporary business world. The objective of the program is to adequately prepare students to deal with the increasingly complex and dynamic environment in which business and labour must operate. While the program focuses on a wide range of business activities and types of organizations, special emphasis is placed on industries and firms of relevance to the region of northern British Columbia including small business/entrepreneurship, tourism and forestry. Exposure to these industries will occur within individual courses as part of course content, as well as through the use of relevant case studies and practica. In addition, individual courses relating to the industries emphasized are available either within the Commerce program, or through other relevant programs.

Finance involves evaluating profitability and valuing real investments such as capital projects, as well as financial securities such as stocks, bonds, options and futures. In addition to the study of sources of capital and financing decisions of the firm and individual investors, the Finance major also studies the management of financial institutions such as banks and trust companies. The tools of Finance are used by small and large firms, government and individual investors. Instruction in Finance provides valuable information regarding financing and evaluating investment opportunities to students planning to enter into business for themselves. Government and firms employ Finance majors as financial analysts as well as in general management positions. In addition, the financial services industry is one of the fastest growing industries in Canada. Individuals interested in positions in the financial sector, or pursuing either the Chartered Financial Planner (CFP) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designations, or completing the Canadian Securities Course (CSC), should consider majoring in Finance.