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WHAT IS FINANCE? Finance is the study of how individuals, businesses, and organizations acquire and utilize capital (i.e. money).  Two basic elements of finance include the tradeoff between expected returns and risk and the importance of timing of future cash flows. LSU'S DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE IN THE E. J. OURSO COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Is home to top-notch students (undergraduate, MS, and PhD) in high demand.  Finance faculty members (including five distinguished chairs) are of national caliber, dedicated to research, teaching, and service. Houses LSU's Real Estate Research Institute (RERI), which is ranked third in the nation for core real estate publications and has brought in over $1.5 million in grants (including NSF and Sea Grant) and gifts over the last decade. Offers students access to the Securities Markets Analysis Research and Trading (SMART) Lab, a 44-station classroom/laboratory modeled after an investment company's trading room.  The SMART Lab provides state-of-the-art software and data feeds for financial analysis. STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTIVITIES Student Finance Association - The Student Finance Association is an informative support group for finance students and faculty.  Activities encourage students to socialize with fellow students, faculty members, and financial economists in the business community.  The society also offers assistance with job searches and graduate school information. Student Managed Investment Fund - The LSU Foundation has committed to invest $1,000,000 in SMIF.  Established in 2006, SMIF has given students hands-on experience in security research, valuation of risky assets, asset allocation, and portfolio management.  The object of SMIF is to exceed the total return of the Standard & Poor's 100 index.  OPPORTUNITIES IN FINANCE Areas Business Finance, Investments, Capital Markets and Institutions, Real Estate, Risk Insurance Employers Investment Banking, Financial Management, Financial Services Consultants, Banks/Financial Institutions, Private Equity Companies, State Retirement Systems, Industry (Credit Analysts), Real Estate Investment Trusts, Appraisers