Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

The field of finance is broad and dynamic and directly affects the lives of every person. Managerial Finance is an essential component of an Applied Finance masters course as it covers not only how we can use finance in a commercial sense, but also from the perspective of individuals functioning in an increasingly complex and demanding financial environment. This unit provides a building block for more advanced topics in finance.

Aims

This unit aims to give students a solid grounding in the world of finance. This will involve gaining a knowledge of financial markets and instruments as well as the key financial decisions made within the firm.

Objectives

Course Learning Goals (Postgraduate)

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 Well-researched knowledge and critical understanding applied to issues at the forefront of a specialised discipline area
1.2 Ability to select and use effectively a range of tools and technologies to locate and/or generate information appropriate to the disciplinary context

Be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers (CTA)
2.1 Apply logical, critical and creative thinking and judgement to generate appropriate solutions to problems in the disciplinary context

Be professional communicators in an intercultural context (PC)
3.1 Ability to create and present professional documents and/or reports using high levels of analysis/synthesis/evaluation for a range of contexts and audiences
3.2 Ability to orally communicate and justify ideas and information, at a professional level, for a variety of contexts and audiences, including peers and discipline specialists

Be able to work effectively in a Team Environment (TW)
4.1 Operate effectively and with flexibility to achieve common goals in collaborative settings, using a range of skills, including leadership, negotiation, reflection, proactivity and support for team members

Have a Social and Ethical Understanding (SEU)
5.1 Apply knowledge of the ethical, social and cultural dimensions relevant to business situations, including appropriate standards or codes of practice, to provide courses of action

Unit Objectives
After completing this unit, all students should:
1. be competent at solving practical problems in financial management at an advanced level
2. have a sound understanding of various financial instruments
3. be capable of carrying out the evaluation of investment proposals using a variety of practical methods
4. understand the concepts of risk, diversification and market efficiency

The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.

Content

The major topics covered in the unit are:

• Financial Markets and Instruments


• Financial Mathematics


• Valuation


• Market Efficiency


• Capital Budgeting


• Risk and Return


• Cost of Capital


• Financial Derivatives


• Introduction to FOREX

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching Strategies
Each week students are set an assignment, which tests their understanding of the important elements of the week's work. Solutions are provided to assignment questions and students are required to work through the solutions after they have attempted the questions. Any difficulties identified in the questions should be raised at the weekly tutorial.

Learning Strategy
On completion of the unit students should fully understand the finance institutional framework and developed the tools necessary for application and advance study in the discipline. Refer to the section of the outline that identifies the Key Points to look for in your Readings for instruction on how to advance your knowledge in the finance area. It is more important to understand concepts and methods then be able to answer specific assignment questions.

In accordance with QUT policy, all units are to be subject to Criterion Referenced Assessment (CRA). The unit coordinator will provide students with further details regarding CRA during the course of the semester during class and on the unit's Blackboard site.

Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

• Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation


• Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary


• Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation


• Indirect: to the whole class

Assessment name: Online Quizzes
Description: Multiple Choice, True False, and short calculation questions.
Length/Duration:20 minutes each approximately
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: All and AOL goals: KS (1.1), KS (1.2), CTA (2.1)
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Weekly

Assessment name: Progressive Case
Description: Progressive case assesses the student's ability to use analytical skills to solve complex problems in finance. Part A due week 5 and Part B due week 10 (approximately).
Length/Duration:approx 500 words each part. Two parts
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: All and AOL goals: KS (1.1), KS (1.2), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1)
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Weeks 5 & 10 approx.

Assessment name: End of Semester Examination
Description: Short answer and calculation questions.
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), KS (1.2), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1), SEU (5.1)
Weight: 60%
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

Prescribed Text
Peirson G., Brown R., Easton S., Howard P. & Pinder S., (2012). Business Finance (11th edn.). McGraw-Hill.

Other Resources
Additional references can also be found at the unit's Blackboard site http://blackboard.qut.edu.au

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