Units
Finance Capstone
Unit code: EFB340
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit is designed to encompass the theory and knowledge gained in the entire Finance Major. The topics included in this unit are project evaluation, investment analysis, corporate valuation and advanced financial decision making. This unit aims to provide students with the forum to practice their finance skills in an applied setting which acts as a bridge between university studies and real-world employment in the financial services industry.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 1 | Yes |
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
This capstone unit is the final finance course and is designed with the aim of drawing upon and reinforcing your understanding of finance. It offers you the opportunity to apply the concepts, theories and competencies you have acquired throughout the finance program in finding optimal solutions to problems encountered in the competitive real-life business environment. It integrates the materials covered in the two major sub-disciplines of finance (corporate finance and investments). The unit will also help to further develop your graduate skills capabilities. No new course materials will be introduced. Successful completion of this unit will ensure that you are equipped, as much as possible, for success in that next stage of your exciting career.
Aims
The aim of this unit is to provide students with a solid grounding on how real-life problems in financial management can be addressed and solved.
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
At the end of the unit, you should be able to:
1. propose an appropriate financial strategy for a company when faced with certain challenges;
2. assess the underlying performance of a company through systematic financial analysis;
3. apply the concept of shareholder value creation;
4. make strategic changes to an investment portfolio when faced with changes in the economic environment;
5. communicate both strategic and financial information; and
6. apply personal and interpersonal skills appropriate to being an effective member of a finance team.
The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.
Content
To achieve the above aims, the unit has two broad themes. The first theme focuses on financial decision-making from a corporate financial officer's perspective. It deals with typical financial problems faced by firms, which may include forecasting, funding of new projects, acquisitions, capital structure and payout decisions, and agency problems. We will see how the role of a thoughtful and skilled financial decision-maker can improve shareholder value.
The second theme deals with decision-making of a portfolio manager and explores issues which may include market efficiency, risks and prospects of an industry, portfolio restructuring and risk mitigation. Once again, we emphasize how managing these matters can enhance the value of an investment portfolio.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
Lectures and tutorials will be used to convey the key concepts. However, the main teaching vehicle will be case studies and group work, enabling active discussions of the practical application of finance concepts and theories. This is a highly interactive unit designed to combine theory with interactive debate and case studies to solve real-world problems. Students are encouraged to learn from each other through group work and discussion as well as from the formal classroom sessions.
All resources are provided on the unit's Blackboard site.
Assessment
Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:
Assessment name:
Case Study
Description:
Students are required to critically analyse three real-world cases, the first case worth 10% and the second and third cases are 20% each.
Length/Duration: Maximum of 1,000 words for each case
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1), TW 4.1, SEU (5.1)
Weight:
50%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Group
Due date:
Weeks 5, 8 & 11
Assessment name:
Technical Report
Description:
Each student will prepare his/her answer to a case study. The student will be required to prepare a written submission. The case study will combine elements of problem solving as well as requiring students to make a series of recommendations to the client.
Length/Duration: Maximum of 1,500 words
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1)
Weight:
30%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 13
Assessment name:
Participation & Presentation
Description:
You will be marked on your individual reflection on teamwork effectiveness, as well as presentations made to the class during the semester. The marks are allocated as follows: Self-reflection 5%, Presentations 15%
Length/Duration: To be advised
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives: 5, 6 and AOL goals: PC (3.2), TW (4.1)
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
During Semester
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
Recommended Textbook:
Bruner, R. F. Case Studies in Finance: Managing for Corporate Value Creation McGraw-Hill (6th edition)
All lecture notes and readings provided during the semester will be available online through the unit's Blackboard site.
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: 05-Oct-2012
