Pre-requisite modules
Co-requisite modules
- None
Prohibited combinations
- None
Occurrence | Teaching period |
---|---|
A1 | Semester 1 2024-25 |
A2 | Semester 1 2024-25 to Semester 2 2024-25 |
B1 | Semester 2 2024-25 |
B2 | Semester 2 2024-25 to Semester 1 2025-26 |
The module enables students to acquire in-depth knowledge of the main features of Ito stochastic calculus as applied in mathematical finance, including:
The emphasis is on fundamental concepts which underlie the main continuous-time models of option pricing, principally the Black-Scholes model. Both plain vanilla (European) and exotic options (for example, barrier options) are dealt with, and the relationship between the approaches based on martingale theory and partial differential equations is explored. The module aims to equip students with a thorough understanding of the sophisticated mathematical results and techniques encountered in financial market modelling.
By the end of this module students should
a) Be competent in calculations involving the precise mathematical details of the definition and construction of the Ito integral, and understand its structure and properties;
b) Demonstrate fluency in the use of the Ito formula in applications;
c) Be able to solve linear SDEs;
d) Have a thorough grasp of Black-Scholes methodology, both in its PDE and martingale formulations, and its application in deriving option prices in continuous-time models;
e) Have a clear understanding of the impact of the simplifying assumptions in the Black-Scholes model, and understand the role of the 'Greek parameters';
f) Be able to use measure transformations to price European options via expectations of martingale measures, and apply martingale calculus in pricing options and finding optimal trading strategies in complete models;
g) Be familiar with the Feynman-Kac formula and its use in representing the price of an option;
h) Be able to compare European and exotic options, and to discuss the differences between their pricing methodologies;
i) Have a working knowledge of the mathematical analysis of the American put option (time allowing).
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Coursework - extensions not feasible/practicable | 100 |
Oral presentation/seminar/exam | 0 |
None
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Coursework - extensions not feasible/practicable | 100 |
Oral presentation/seminar/exam | 0 |
Information currently unavailable
1. R.A. Dana and M. Jeanblanc, Financial Markets in Continuous Time, Springer 2001.
2. T. Bjork, Arbitrage theory in continuous time, Oxford University Press 1999.
3. M. Baxter and A. Rennie, Financial Calculus, Cambridge University Press 1996.
4. R.J. Elliott and P.E. Kopp, Mathematics of Financial Markets, Springer 1999.
5. P. Wilmott, Derivatives, Wiley 1997.
6. R. Korn and E. Korn, Option Pricing and Portfolio Optimization, Graduate Studies in Mathematics, vol. 31, American Mathematical Society, 2001.
7. D. Lamberton and B. Lapeyre, Introduction to Stochastic Calculus Applied to Finance, Chapmans & Hall/CRC, 2000.