Founders Option

The Founders Option of the Master in Financial Technology and Computing supports student entrepreneurs in developing their startups individually or collaboratively with fellow USI students.

In addition to receiving academic mentoring and training on launching a start-up, students can obtain up to 30 ECTS in recognition of the practical experience gained in working on their own start-up.

First Semester

Core Courses (18 ECTS)

Data Analytics for Finance I & II

6

Introduction to Fintech

6

Investments*

6

Advanced Track (12 ECTS)

Distributed Systems

6

Machine Learning

6

Core Track (12 ECTS)

 

Fundamentals of Informatics

6

Introduction to Programming (Python)

6

Founders Option (6 ECTS) - mandatory

 

Fintech Innovations in Financial Services

3

Writing Business Plan

3

Total ECTS

30
   

Second Semester

 

Core Courses (12 ECTS)

 

Information Security

6

Financial Intermediation*

6
   

Advanced Track (6 ECTS)

 

Risk Management*

6

Core Track (12 ECTS)

 

Data Management

6

Algorithms & Data Structures
or
Theory of Computation**

6

6

Founders Option (6 ECTS) - mandatory

 

Founders I

6

Elective Courses (6 ECTS)

 

Blockchains & Digital Currencies

3

Business Analytics

3

Critical Consumer Behavior

6

Discrete Structures***

6

ESG I: Corporate Governance*

3

Human Resources Management

3

Robotics

6

Text Analysis and Spatial Data for Economists

6

Trading and Market Microstructure

3

Risk Management*/***

6

Total ECTS

30
   

Third Semester

 

Core Courses (6 ECTS)

 

Financial Econometrics

6

Advanced Track (12 ECTS)

 

Distributed Algorithms

6

Systems Security

6

Core Track (12 ECTS)

 

Distributed Systems

6

Financial Modeling*

6

Founders Option (12 ECTS) - mandatory

 

Founders II

12

Elective Courses (12/0***** ECTS)

 

Informatics

 

Algorithms & Complexity

6

Mobile and Wearable Computing

6

Software Performance

6

User Experience Design

6

Finance

 

Advanced Topics in Finance

3

Alternative Investments

3

Financial Stability*

6

Finance and Sustainability*

3

Fintech Innovations in Financial Services

3

Fixed Income Securities and Credit Markets*

6

Innovation

3

Project Management

3

Qualitative Marketing Research and Data Analysis

3

Total ECTS

30
   

Fourth Semester

 

Core Course (30/18***** ECTS)

 

Master Thesis (merit-based)*****

30

Field Project (12 ECTS)

 

Mandatory for non-Thesis and Founders Option students

12

Founders Option (12 ECTS) - mandatory

 

Founders III

6

Elective Courses (0/18 ECTS)

 

Informatics

 

Robotics

6

Software Quality &Testing***

6

Economics

 

Human Resources Management

3

Text Analysis and Spatial Data for Economists

6

Communication

 

Critical Consumer Behaviour

6

Total ECTS

30
   

Total ECTS

120
 

* To obtain the SFI accreditation, students have to achieve 45 ECTS among these courses.

** Only if Fundamentals of Informatics passed with at least 7.5/10

***Only for Core track students

**** If 18 ECTS of SFI courses passed, can be swapped with Financial Stability
**** The Master Thesis can be started in the 3rd semester.

 

Please be aware that slight changes in the study programme may occur.