chore: prep v1.1.0-Beta release

Author: MeridianAlgo

Documentation/01-Learning Paths/Advanced Track.md

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+# 📈 Learning Paths - Structured Curriculum Guide
+
+## 🎯 Complete Learning Roadmap
+
+This comprehensive learning path is designed to take you from beginner to advanced quantitative finance practitioner through structured, hands-on coding projects.
+
+---
+
+## 🗺️ Master Learning Path
+
+### **Phase 1: Foundation (Weeks 1-4)**
+
+#### **Week 1: Python Programming Fundamentals**
+**🎯 Learning Objectives:**
+- Master Python syntax and basic data types
+- Understand control flow and functions
+- Learn file I/O operations
+- Practice with basic financial calculations
+
+**📚 Required Utilities:**
+- `UTILS - Logging` - Learn file operations and data persistence
+- `UTILS - Currency Converter` - Practice functions and user input
+
+**📖 Key Concepts:**
+- Variables, data types, and operators
+- Conditional statements and loops
+- Functions and modules
+- File reading and writing
+- Error handling basics
+
+**🧪 Practice Exercises:**
+1. Create a simple interest calculator
+2. Build a basic expense tracker
+3. Implement a currency conversion tool
+4. Write a log file analyzer
+
+#### **Week 2: Data Structures Fundamentals**
+**🎯 Learning Objectives:**
+- Master Python collections
+- Understand data organization principles
+- Learn basic algorithmic thinking
+- Practice with financial data structures
+
+**📚 Required Utilities:**
+- `UTILS - Data Structures - Lists` - Master list operations
+- `UTILS - Data Structures - Dictionaries` - Learn key-value mappings
+
+**📖 Key Concepts:**
+- Lists, tuples, and sequences
+- Dictionaries and hash tables
+- Sets and unique collections
+- Basic sorting and searching
+- Memory efficiency considerations
+
+**🧪 Practice Exercises:**
+1. Build a transaction logger
+2. Create a portfolio position tracker
+3. Implement a simple order book
+4. Develop a basic stock screener
+
+#### **Week 3: Numerical Computing**
+**🎯 Learning Objectives:**
+- Master NumPy for numerical operations
+- Understand vectorized computing
+- Learn matrix operations
+- Practice with financial calculations
+
+**📚 Required Utilities:**
+- `UTILS - Data Structures - Arrays` - NumPy fundamentals
+- `UTILS - Data Structures - Matrices` - Linear algebra
+
+**📖 Key Concepts:**
+- NumPy arrays and operations
+- Broadcasting and vectorization
+- Matrix operations and linear algebra
+- Random number generation
+- Performance optimization
+
+**🧪 Practice Exercises:**
+1. Implement portfolio return calculations
+2. Build a covariance matrix calculator
+3. Create a Monte Carlo simulation
+4. Develop a risk metrics calculator
+
+#### **Week 4: Data Analysis with pandas**
+**🎯 Learning Objectives:**
+- Master pandas DataFrames and Series
+- Learn data manipulation techniques
+- Understand exploratory data analysis
+- Practice with financial datasets
+
+**📚 Required Utilities:**
+- `UTILS - Data Structures - DataFrames` - pandas operations
+- `UTILS - Data Structures - Series` - Time series analysis
+
+**📖 Key Concepts:**
+- DataFrame creation and manipulation
+- Data cleaning and preprocessing
+- Group operations and aggregation
+- Time series handling
+- Data visualization basics
+
+**🧪 Practice Exercises:**
+1. Analyze historical stock prices
+2. Build a financial statement analyzer
+3. Create a dividend tracking system
+4. Develop a portfolio performance dashboard
+
+---
+
+### **Phase 2: Quantitative Methods (Weeks 5-12)**
+
+#### **Week 5-6: Time Value of Money**
+**🎯 Learning Objectives:**
+- Master TVM calculations
+- Understand discounting and compounding
+- Learn annuity and perpetuity calculations
+- Practice with loan and investment analysis
+
+**📚 Required Utilities:**
+- `UTILS - Quantitative Methods - TVM` - Core TVM calculations
+
+**📖 Key Concepts:**
+- Present value and future value
+- Compounding and discounting
+- Ordinary and annuity due
+- Effective annual rates
+- Continuous compounding
+
+**🧪 Practice Exercises:**
+1. Calculate loan payments and amortization
+2. Build a retirement planning calculator
+3. Create an investment comparison tool
+4. Develop a bond pricing model
+
+#### **Week 7-8: Statistical Analysis**
+**🎯 Learning Objectives:**
+- Master statistical distributions
+- Understand hypothesis testing
+- Learn risk measurement techniques
+- Practice with Monte Carlo simulations
+
+**📚 Required Utilities:**
+- `UTILS - Quantitative Methods - Statistics` - Statistical analysis
+
+**📖 Key Concepts:**
+- Descriptive and inferential statistics
+- Probability distributions
+- Confidence intervals
+- Hypothesis testing
+- Risk metrics (VaR, CVaR)
+
+**🧪 Practice Exercises:**
+1. Perform portfolio risk analysis
+2. Build a statistical arbitrage model
+3. Create a hypothesis testing framework
+4. Develop a Monte Carlo option pricer
+
+#### **Week 9-10: Financial Statement Analysis**
+**🎯 Learning Objectives:**
+- Master financial statement analysis
+- Understand ratio analysis
+- Learn IFRS vs GAAP differences
+- Practice with real financial data
+
+**📚 Required Utilities:**
+- `UTILS - Financial Statement Analysis - Balance Sheet`
+- `UTILS - Financial Statement Analysis - Income Statement`
+- `UTILS - Financial Statement Analysis - Cash Flow`
+
+**📖 Key Concepts:**
+- Balance sheet analysis
+- Income statement analysis
+- Cash flow statement analysis
+- Financial ratios and metrics
+- Accounting principles
+
+**🧪 Practice Exercises:**
+1. Analyze company financial health
+2. Build a ratio analysis dashboard
+3. Create a financial model validator
+4. Develop a credit risk assessment tool
+
+#### **Week 11-12: Investment Analysis**
+**🎯 Learning Objectives:**
+- Master equity valuation methods
+- Understand industry analysis
+- Learn market efficiency concepts
+- Practice with fixed income analysis
+
+**📚 Required Utilities:**
+- `UTILS - Equity Investments - Valuations`
+- `UTILS - Fixed Income - Bonds`
+- `UTILS - Portfolio Management - CAPM`
+
+**📖 Key Concepts:**
+- DCF and relative valuation
+- Industry analysis frameworks
+- Market efficiency hypothesis
+- Bond pricing and yields
+- Capital Asset Pricing Model
+
+**🧪 Practice Exercises:**
+1. Value a company using multiple methods
+2. Build an industry analysis framework
+3. Create a bond portfolio manager
+4. Develop a CAPM-based stock analyzer
+
+---
+
+### **Phase 3: Advanced Applications (Weeks 13-20)**
+
+#### **Week 13-14: Portfolio Management**
+**🎯 Learning Objectives:**
+- Master Modern Portfolio Theory
+- Understand diversification strategies
+- Learn optimization techniques
+- Practice with portfolio construction
+
+**📚 Required Utilities:**
+- `UTILS - Portfolio Management - MPT`
+- `UTILS - Portfolio Management - Diversification`
+- `UTILS - Portfolio Tracker`
+
+**📖 Key Concepts:**
+- Mean-variance optimization
+- Efficient frontier
+- Risk parity and other strategies
+- Portfolio rebalancing
+- Performance attribution
+
+**🧪 Practice Exercises:**
+1. Build an optimal portfolio constructor
+2. Create a risk parity model
+3. Develop a portfolio rebalancer
+4. Implement performance attribution analysis
+
+#### **Week 15-16: Derivatives**
+**🎯 Learning Objectives:**
+- Master options pricing models
+- Understand futures and swaps
+- Learn hedging strategies
+- Practice with derivatives valuation
+
+**📚 Required Utilities:**
+- `UTILS - Derivatives - Options`
+- `UTILS - Derivatives - Futures`
+- `UTILS - Options Chain Simulator`
+
+**📖 Key Concepts:**
+- Black-Scholes model
+- Option Greeks
+- Futures pricing
+- Swap valuation
+- Risk management strategies
+
+**🧪 Practice Exercises:**
+1. Build an options pricing calculator
+2. Create a futures trading simulator
+3. Develop a hedging strategy optimizer
+4. Implement a volatility surface model
+
+#### **Week 17-18: Alternative Investments**
+**🎯 Learning Objectives:**
+- Master alternative asset classes
+- Understand private equity valuation
+- Learn hedge fund strategies
+- Practice with real estate analysis
+
+**📚 Required Utilities:**
+- `UTILS - Alternative Investments - Private Equity`
+- `UTILS - Alternative Investments - Hedge Funds`
+- `UTILS - Alternative Investments - REITs`
+
+**📖 Key Concepts:**
+- Private equity valuation methods
+- Hedge fund strategies and fees
+- REIT analysis and valuation
+- Alternative investment risks
+- Due diligence processes
+
+**🧪 Practice Exercises:**
+1. Build a private equity valuation model
+2. Create a hedge fund strategy analyzer
+3. Develop a REIT screening tool
+4. Implement an alternatives portfolio optimizer
+
+#### **Week 19-20: Ethics and Professional Standards**
+**🎯 Learning Objectives:**
+- Master professional ethics
+- Understand regulatory frameworks
+- Learn compliance requirements
+- Practice ethical decision-making
+
+**📚 Required Utilities:**
+- `UTILS - Ethics - CFA Code`
+- `UTILS - Ethics - Standards of Conduct`
+- `UTILS - Ethics - GIPS`
+
+**📖 Key Concepts:**
+- CFA Code of Ethics and Standards
+- Professional conduct guidelines
+- GIPS standards
+- Regulatory compliance
+- Ethical decision-making frameworks
+
+**🧪 Practice Exercises:**
+1. Analyze ethical case studies
+2. Build a compliance monitoring system
+3. Create a GIPS reporting tool
+4. Develop an ethical decision-making framework
+
+---
+
+## 🎓 Assessment and Certification
+
+### **Self-Assessment Tools**
+- **Weekly Quizzes** - Test understanding of key concepts
+- **Coding Challenges** - Practice implementation skills
+- **Project Evaluations** - Assess practical application
+- **Performance Benchmarks** - Measure progress against standards
+
+### **Certification Preparation**
+- **CFA Level 1** - Quantitative methods and ethics
+- **FRM Part 1** - Risk management and valuation
+- **CAIA Level 1** - Alternative investments
+- **Python for Finance** - Programming and data analysis
+
+### **Industry Certifications**
+- **Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)**
+- **Financial Risk Manager (FRM)**
+- **Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA)**
+- **Certified Financial Planner (CFP)**
+
+---
+
+## 📈 Progress Tracking
+
+### **Learning Milestones**
+- **Milestone 1**: Complete Python fundamentals (Week 4)
+- **Milestone 2**: Master quantitative methods (Week 8)
+- **Milestone 3**: Build investment analysis skills (Week 12)
+- **Milestone 4**: Develop advanced applications (Week 16)
+- **Milestone 5**: Achieve professional competence (Week 20)
+
+### **Skill Progression**
+1. **Basic** - Understanding concepts and basic implementation
+2. **Intermediate** - Applying concepts to real problems
+3. **Advanced** - Optimizing and extending implementations
+4. **Expert** - Creating new solutions and mentoring others
+
+---
+
+## 🤝 Support and Resources
+
+### **Learning Support**
+- **Office Hours** - Weekly Q&A sessions
+- **Study Groups** - Peer learning communities
+- **Mentorship** - One-on-one guidance
+- **Tutoring** - Individual support sessions
+
+### **Additional Resources**
+- **Recommended Books** - Curated reading list
+- **Online Courses** - Complementary learning materials
+- **Research Papers** - Academic and industry research
+- **Industry Reports** - Current market analysis
+
+---
+
+## 📝 Study Tips and Best Practices
+
+### **Effective Learning Strategies**
+1. **Practice Daily** - Code every day, even if only for 30 minutes
+2. **Build Projects** - Apply concepts to real problems
+3. **Teach Others** - Explain concepts to reinforce understanding
+4. **Review Regularly** - Spaced repetition for long-term retention
+5. **Stay Curious** - Explore beyond the curriculum
+
+### **Coding Best Practices**
+1. **Write Clean Code** - Follow PEP 8 and best practices
+2. **Document Everything** - Comment code and create documentation
+3. **Test Thoroughly** - Write comprehensive tests
+4. **Version Control** - Use Git for all projects
+5. **Code Reviews** - Review and improve your code
+
+---
+
+*This learning path provides a structured approach to mastering quantitative finance through practical, hands-on projects. Follow the path, practice consistently, and you'll develop the skills needed for a successful career in quantitative finance.*
+
+**Made with ❤️ by MeridianAlgo**