Units
Finance 1
Unit code: EFB210
Contact hours: 3 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit covers the following topics: an introduction to the financial institutional framework; an introduction to debt and equity instruments; financial mathematics applied to the pricing of debt and equity securities; a firm's investment decision including Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR); introduction to risk and uncertainty using the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) and Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) concept and risk management.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2012 Semester 1 | Yes |
| 2012 Semester 2 | Yes |
| 2012 Summer | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
This unit provides an analysis of the financial management of a business organisation and it develops the framework necessary for the analysis of other and more advanced aspects of business finance.
Aims
The aim of this unit is for you to develop the core financial management skills that underpin the major financial decisions faced by organisations. These core skills will also form the basis for the advanced aspects of business finance covered in subsequent finance units.
Objectives
Course Learning Goals (Undergraduate)
The QUT Business School has established the Assurance of Learning (AOL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment:
Have knowledge and skills pertinent to a particular discipline (KS)
1.1 Integrate and apply disciplinary theory and skills to practical situations
1.2 Incorporate the use of technology appropriate to the discipline and context
Be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers (CTA)
2.1 Identify, research and critically analyse information relevant to a business problem or issue, be able to synthesise that information in order to evaluate potential solutions, make recommendations or otherwise effectively address the problem or issue
Be professional communicators in an intercultural context (PC)
3.1 Communicate effectively through written tasks appropriate to varied contexts and audiences
3.2 Communicate effectively through professional oral presentations appropriate to varied contexts and audiences
Be able to work effectively in a Team Environment (TW)
4.1 Demonstrate effective team skills in order to contribute appropriately to the production of a group output
Have a Social and Ethical Understanding (SEU)
5.1 Apply ethical reasoning, standards or codes of practice relevant to the discipline and make decisions that are informed by social and cultural understanding
Unit Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you should be able to:
1. Demonstrate the basic finance skills.
2. Apply economic principles to financial problems in an international and national context.
3. Understand the three major decisions made by a financial manager.
4. Understand the role of financial securities, markets and intermediaries.
The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.
Content
Major content areas may be described as follows:
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
This unit has a formal class contact time in lectures and tutorials of approximately three hours (lecture two hours, tutorial one hour). Furthermore, you should expect to devote, on average, nine further hours per week to self-study and assignments. The nine non-formal hours should be seen as a guide only, and not to be regarded as a restriction on the hours devoted to the unit.
Resources such as copies of overheads for each lecture topic, suggested weekly reading, tutorial questions with selected solutions and assignments are provided on the unit's Blackboard site. You will need your student number and password to access the relevant information.
Each week you will be set tutorial questions that test your understanding of the important elements of the week's work. Solutions are provided to selected questions and you are required to work through the solutions after you have attempted the questions. Any difficulties identified in the questions should be raised at the weekly tutorial. The tutorial questions for which solutions are not provided will be answered in the tutorial.
Assessment
Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:
Assessment name:
Progressive Assignment
Description:
Contains two parts that examine knowledge of topics and analytical tools. Part A examines financial securities and financial mathematics, while Part B examines capital budgeting topics. Given the relationship between the topics and the exams, Part A will be due prior to the mid-semester exam and Part B will be due prior to the final exam. Each part is worth 10%.
Length/Duration: 500 words for each part
Formative and Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), (1.2), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1)
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Wks 5 & 11 (approx.)
Assessment name:
Mid-Semester Exam
Description:
Multiple choice exam covering topics 1 to 5.
Length/Duration: 1 hour + 15 minutes perusal
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1)
Weight:
30%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 8 (approx.)
Assessment name:
End of Semester Examination
Description:
Short answer exam covering mainly topics 6 to 11.
Length/Duration: 2 hours + 10 minutes perusal
Formative or Summative: Summative
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1)
Weight:
50%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Central Exam Period
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Texts
References
Other Resources
Whenever possible, students are encouraged to use the ¿Financial Press¿, e.g., read information from the "Australian Financial Review" or business section of the ¿Sydney Morning Herald¿. Journals appropriate to the course include:
Additional references can also be found at the unit's Blackboard site.
Other Resources
The overheads used in the lectures are available from the Finance 1 Blackboard site. Tutorial questions and selected answers are also available from this site. Print the overheads in advance and bring them to the lecture.
Risk assessment statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to
view the Emergency video.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 04-Feb-2013
