Computing and Financial Management (CFM) is designed to teach you a balance of computer science and finance to prepare you for work in financial technology. Some of our classes combine both of these studies together to show where the intersection between computer science and finance lies. CFM 101 is your first chance in the program to experience and learn about this combination.
Students in CFM will take CFM 101 in their 1A term, the first term in their first year of study (September to December).
Course description
CFM 101 was designed to help students get their first co-op position.
Case competition
The Robo-Advising Challenge
A major component of CFM 101 is a friendly team-based competition. Students work in groups of three to four people to write code using Python, a programming language, to run on a secret list of stocks for one week in real time to generate an investment portfolio. They are tasked with combining their skills in computer science and finance to create the best portfolio possible based on a set of competition goals.
This competition allows students to apply what they have learned in the classroom to real-world financial decisions, in a low-risk way. Winners are announced for the competition and these are those teams that come as close as possible to the chosen goals. This competition requires students to use coding, problem-solving, and flexible planning to achieve results. Many students that have already taken CFM 101 cite this class as being an asset in developing their resume, helping them apply and interview for jobs, to land a co-op.
The rules for the competition change year to year, but future CFM first-year students can anticipate similar challenges to previous years.
We are always so impressed with the talent and skills of our students in this competition. Congratulations to everyone for maintaining a high standard of excellence in the CFM program!
Top (left to right): Professor James Thompson, Jay, Sardul, Aryan, Jaimin, Phelan | Bottom (left to right): Jack, Manal, Frank, Elliot, Mane
2025 Competition Winners
This year, we are happy to announce the following winners of our Robo-Advising Challenge.
- Goal 1: Winners — Mane, Nelson, and Phelan
- Goal 2: Winners — Elliot, Frank, and Jaimin
- Goal 3: Winners — Aryan, Jack Smith, and Samyak
- Goal 3: Runners-Up — Jay, Manal, and Sardul
Thank you to all of our students for a great effort in this friendly competition. We are excited for the future of your studies in CFM.