Overview

Course code: XFN1-GB 8107 83

This course will help you learn how to program so that they can effectively retrieve, store, manipulate, and visualize data. You will develop practical programming and data manipulation skills using Python. Python is a beginner-friendly programming language that is widely used in industry. In recent years, it has also become the de facto standard in data science. The courses focuses on practical tasks when dealing with data using Numpy and Pandas; obtaining data from online sources via APIs and web scraping; plotting using Matplotlib, and writing and reading data to/from files (CSV and Excel files).

The course teaches you how to manipulate and analyze financial data in Python using professional tools. While no prior programming/Python experience is assumed, it does involve coding.

The course covers the following skills:

  1. Structured thinking about financial analysis tasks so that you can automate them using organized and maintainable code.
  2. Automating financial data input and output by interacting with financial statement data in Excel, SQL, and CSV formats.
  3. Financial data analytics for exposure to data analytics packages.

Takeaways

Structured thinking

Automating financial data input and output

Financial data analytics for exposure to data analytics packages

Exams and Grading

There are no in-class quizzes, midterms, or final exams.

NYU Stern Policies

Please read the NYU Stern Policies for this course.

Help and Office

Administrative and System Requirements

Videotaping

Classes are normally not videotaped, except for EMBA classes. If the class is videotaped, the link is posted to Brightspace by NYU Stern IT within a day.

Registered Students Only

Only registered students can attend classes. I cannot override this NYU Stern rule. We do not allow unregistered students to "audit" a class.

Albert and NYU Brightspace

You must be in Albert and NYU Brightspace before starting the first class. If you register late, there might be a delay of a day before you appear in these systems. If you cannot access these systems after a day, please contact the relevant REGISTRAR. I cannot add you to these systems regardless of what someone in IT tells you.

Computer Requirements

You need to bring a computer to every class. If you have any technical questions, please contact Stern IT at (212-998-0180) or servicedesk@stern.nyu.edu, or NYU IT at +1 (212) 998-3333 or askit@nyu.edu. I cannot help you with your computer issues.

NYU.EDU versus STERN.NYU.EDU

Almost all NYU systems (Brightspace, Class emails, Zoom, Excel download, Excel Bootcamp, Gemini, important messages from Wasserman Career Center, and Moses Center) require you to sign up using your NYU.EDU profile. The STERN.NYU.EDU profile will fail.

Even if you forward your NYU.EDU email to STERN.NYU.EDU, the spam will not be forwarded, and some important messages might be in your NYU.EDU spam.

Therefore, I strongly recommend creating a separate browser profile for NYU.EDU and dragging the browser shortcut to your desktop. This way, when you log in, you will use the NYU.EDU profile, not the STERN.NYU.EDU profile. If you are not sure how to do this, ask AI or contact NYU/Stern IT.

Excel 365 Desktop Version Required

The desktop version of Excel 365 is required. Excel Online and Google Sheets are NOT OK. Read this page regarding Excel 365 Desktop access for NYU students.

Materials

Assignments