- Level Foundation
- Duration 20 hours
- Course by University of Colorado Boulder
-
Offered by
About
This course discusses costs and business practices to establish the cost of a product. The concept of time value of money (TVM) is developed to determine the present and future values of a series of cash flows. TVM principles are then applied to personal finances and retirement planning. This is a practical course that uses spreadsheets to better prepare learners in engineering and science for a career in industry. This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The ME-EM is designed to help engineers, scientists, and technical professionals move into leadership and management roles in the engineering and technical sectors. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the ME-EM is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience. Learn more about the ME-EM program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder.Modules
Introduction to Financial Principles
1
Discussions
- Introduce Yourself!
4
Videos
- Course Introduction
- Week 1 Introduction
- Course Overview
- Course Mechanics
1
Readings
- Welcome and Where to Find Help
Overview of Finance and Accounting
2
Videos
- Introduction to Finance
- Goal of Financial Management
1
Quiz
- Overview of Finance and Accounting
The Capital Allocation Process
2
Videos
- The Capital Allocation Process
- Access to Capital
1
Readings
- YouTube Video: The Story of Muhammad Yunus
2
Quiz
- The Capital Allocation Process
- Financial Challenge #1
Types of Costs and the Break-Even Point
3
Videos
- Week 2 Introduction
- Types of Costs
- Break-Even Analysis
1
Quiz
- Types of Costs and the Break-Even Point
Cost Modeling
3
Videos
- Discrete Cost Models
- A Real Engineering Problem
- Continuous Cost Models
Cost Estimation Techniques
3
Videos
- Cost Estimation Overview
- Cost Estimation Techniques
- Learning Curve Analysis
1
Readings
- Residential Solar PV: Background & Instructions
3
Quiz
- Cost Estimation Techniques
- Residential Solar PV Viability Study
- Financial Challenge #2
All About Inventory
2
Videos
- Week 3 Introduction
- All About Inventory
1
Quiz
- All About Inventory
Job Cost Analysis
3
Videos
- Introduction to Job Cost Analysis
- Into the Weeds of Job Cost Analysis
- Manufacturing Overhead Allocation
1
Quiz
- Job Cost Analysis
Activity-Based Cost Analysis
1
Videos
- Activity-Based Cost Analysis
1
Quiz
- Financial Challenge #3
Introduction to Time Value of Money and Interest
3
Videos
- Week 4 Introduction
- Introduction to TVM
- Simple and Compound Interest
1
Quiz
- Time Value of Money and Interest
Single Payment Cash Flows
1
Videos
- Single Payment Cash Flows
1
Quiz
- Single Payment Cash Flows
Multiple Payment Cash Flows
1
Videos
- Multiple Payment Cash Flows
1
Quiz
- Multiple Payment Cash Flows
Cash Flows and the Power of Excel
2
Videos
- Excel to the Rescue
- More Excel to the Rescue
2
Quiz
- Cash Flows and the Power of Excel
- Financial Challenge #4
Introduction and Planning for Retirement
3
Videos
- Week 5 Introduction
- Personal Finance - The Basics
- Planning for Retirement
1
Quiz
- Planning for Retirement
Introduction to Stocks, Bonds, and Funds
4
Videos
- Stocks and Bonds
- Volatility and Risk
- Introduction to Funds
- All About Mutual Funds
1
Readings
- YouTube Video: The Man Behind Starbucks
1
Quiz
- Stocks, Bonds, and Funds
Asset Allocation Theory
1
Videos
- Asset Allocation Theory
1
Quiz
- Asset Allocation Theory
Building Your Retirement Plan
- Part 1: Creating a Retirement Portfolio
1
Peer Review
- Part 2: Your Portfolio Analysis
2
Videos
- Your Retirement Plan Spreadsheet
- Building Your Retirement Portfolio
2
Readings
- Creating a Retirement Plan Portfolio: Background & Instructions
- Creating a Retirement Portfolio: Solutions
Auto Summary
Explore the "Product Cost and Investment Cash Flow Analysis" course in the Business & Management domain, taught by experts at Coursera. This foundational course delves into product cost determination, time value of money, and its applications in personal finance and retirement planning. Ideal for engineers and scientists, it offers practical spreadsheet skills for industry careers. Part of CU Boulder’s ME-EM degree, it suits those aiming for leadership in technical sectors. Duration is 1200 minutes, with Starter and Professional subscription options available.

Michael J. Readey, Ph.D.