The financial services analytics (FSAN) doctoral program at the University of Delaware (UD) is the first of its kind, developing fundamental data science theories and models, and creating data-driven decision-making tools applicable to the financial services industry and other technology industries. It is an interdisciplinary STEM-designated program a joint effort between UD's Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics and College of Engineering.
FSAN students have very diverse academic backgrounds, they have B.S. and/or M.S. degrees in areas such as math, statistics, computer science and many related business and engineering disciplines. Financial services analytics is an emerging multidisciplinary field that studies information systems design, analysis and techniques utilizing data produced and used in the financial services industry, with a primary focus on scientific inquiry, innovation in business functions, and ultimately improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the financial services industry for economic and societal benefit. It is a rapidly expanding field where business, engineering, technology, management science, finance and economics disciplines converge.
The financial services industry supports society's processes and institutions, including financial markets, by creating, distributing and intermediating financial products and services globally. The industry includes banks and similar institutions that take deposits and make loans, investment banks, investment companies, hedge funds, private equity and venture capital, brokerages, trading firms, securities, commodities and derivatives exchanges and over-the-counter markets, government-sponsored entities, insurance companies, consumer finance and other similar producers or intermediaries of financial products.
The financial services industry is fast moving and innovative, an industry where new products are developed, brought to market and commoditized perhaps more quickly than in any other industry. Technology has always been essential to the financial services industry.