Department of Finance
Dr. Nikhil Rao
Assistant Professor of Finance
Faculty profile
About Dr. Nikhil Rao
Nikhil Rao teaches Investments, Derivative Securities, and the senior finance capstone, and he advises the student-managed investment fund. His research studies options markets and investor behavior.
Dr. Nikhil Rao is a member of the Department of Finance in the School of Business.
Areas of expertise
- Investments
- Derivatives
- Portfolio management
- Behavioral finance
Contact
- Office
- Tidewell Hall 314
- Building
- Tidewell Hall
Fall 2026 office hours
- Monday & Thursday, 9:00–10:30 a.m.
In person, Tidewell Hall 314 - Friday, 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Virtual (Zoom link posted in Canvas)
Also available by appointment. Office hours follow Faculty Handbook §5.3.
2026–27
Teaching
| Course | Title | Credits | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIN 320 | Investments | 3 | Instructor, Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 |
| FIN 450 | Derivative Securities | 3 | Instructor, Spring 2027 |
| FIN 490 | Senior Finance Capstone Seminar | 3 | Instructor, Spring 2027 |
Department chairs make teaching assignments each year (Faculty Handbook §5.1). Multi-section courses have many instructors; the coordinator works with them on shared requirements, and your own section's instructor is listed in AlkimiHub.
Meeting with faculty
At least 3 hours per week during the semester, across at least 2 days, with at least 1 hour available virtually. Times are on each course syllabus in Canvas.