MFE--Research Component?

[isomorphism]

As quants, we have the exciting opportunity to rely on our strong technical foundation to implement financial models by programming, quantify different types of risk, and constantly refine models. The professional career of a quant involves not only having mastery of these models and the underlying mathematics, but also the ability to motivate new models and implement them. With this said, should MFE programs integrate a research component into their curriculum? Or do we conclude that these programs are too short and there is already enough foundational material to learn?

I would assert that a research component after the completion of some advanced courses would be a valuable addition to a quant program, and arguably, necessary. Some programs already offer this option...

 

[Joy Pathak]

As quants, we have the exciting opportunity to rely on our strong technical foundation to implement financial models by programming, quantify different types of risk, and constantly refine models. The professional career of a quant involves not only having mastery of these models and the underlying mathematics, but also the ability to motivate new models and implement them. With this said, should MFE programs integrate a research component into their curriculum? Or do we conclude that these programs are too short and there is already enough foundational material to learn?

I would assert that a research component after the completion of some advanced courses would be a valuable addition to a quant program, and arguably, necessary. Some programs already offer this option...

Baruch has a capstone project which is basically a research thesis. It is a requirement for graduation.