Focus on Faculty

Esmeralda Lyn, Ph.D.
DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR OF FINANCE
FRANK G. ZARB SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

"In finance, we teach the tools for making investment and finance decisions," Professor Lyn says. "Students will have to learn those tools, which are mathematical and not very easy. But I try to make the topic interesting and keep them from being intimidated."

Moreover, she points out, finance will have applications to students' lives for years to come. "Knowing finance is even more important now, since they'll be more responsible than ever for their pension and retirement benefits. They will use what they learn in my class."

Few students major in finance as undergraduates, she adds, but many are required to take two finance courses as business majors.

Once students major in finance, class size is "20 to 25, or even less," she notes.

Technology plays a key role in her classes. "Very much so. I use Blackboard as a big part of class, also Excel and the Internet. When we analyze live companies like IBM common stock, we look up actual quotes and charts." Then there's Zarb's simulated high-tech trading floor, complete with real-time market information.

What does she hope students will get out of her class? "Basic tools for making financial and business decisions - tools they'll take with them no matter what field they enter," she replies. "Finance is the main driver for how business works."