The School of Management is offering a new concentration that can help students land jobs as quantitative analysts—or “quants”—the latest variety of Wall Street rock stars.

Quants are specialists who use their expertise in mathematics, finance and statistics to identify and solve complex issues for financial institutions. They have been called “the rock stars on the Street” by Phil Albinus, editor-in-chief of Advanced Trading, because “the more volatile the markets, the more valuable quantitative analysts become.”

The new quantitative finance track for MS students in the School of Management offers various techniques and mathematical methods in finance, which will help students train for careers as quantitative analysts.

“There is a high demand for graduates in this field, which makes the concentration an attractive option,” says David Frasier, assistant dean and director of graduate programs in the School of Management. “Starting salaries are also attractive—ranging in the upper five figures to low six figures.”

“Financial markets have become more volatile and financial instruments more complex in recent decades,” notes Kee Chung, chair of the Department of Finance and Managerial Economics. “The quantitative track in our MS Finance program provides students with training to effectively manage risks and accurately assess the value of complex securities.”

Other career options for graduates of the quantitative finance concentration include investment banking, trading, portfolio management and investment advisement.