Students
AFIN310 – Issues in Applied Finance
2014 – S1 Evening
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Lurion De Mello
Contact via lurion.demello@mq.edu.au
E4A 526
Mon 4.30-5.30pm
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
3
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
3cp in ACST or AFIN units at 300 level
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
Most lectures in this unit are presented by leading practitioners from the finance industry and some by experienced faculty members from Macquarie and other universities. The unit looks at a range of applied issues in finance, insurance, banking and economics that one might encounter in graduate careers or in a high-level position. The aim of this unit is to gain an understanding of how theory and practice mesh in the real world of financial markets. Previous topics covered include: legal issues surrounding financial services and financial products (eg, ASIC's RG146, carbon trading and other guidelines); equity valuation; venture capital; managing market risk; mergers and acquisitions; funds management; credit risk modelling; global portfolio management; behavioural finance/accounting; project finance modelling in MS Excel; and risk and insurance. Our speakers have come from renowned institutions and companies such as DLA Piper, Preceept Investment and Actuaries, MaCap Advisors (Macquarie Bank), Westpac Institutional Bank, and Lonegan and Edwards.
|
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Apply economic and finance theories to practical situations or problems.
- Understand the limitations of theories and techniques in finance and in particular be aware of the assumptions upon which the theory and practice is based.
- Become exposed to and gain some working knowledge of how models are implemented in MS Excel with particular emphasis on how these are modified for use within different areas of finance and banking.
- Learn the financial planning process in Australia with respect to setting up financial goals, managing superannuation and being aware of some of the case studies involving scandals in the financial planning industry in Australia.
- Understand how financial institutions are run and the influence of the legal and regulatory environment.
- Understand alternative sources of capital and have a good knowledge about private equity and venture capital markets and the latest area of interest to venture capitalists.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | 30% | Given in Lecture |
| Assignment | 25% | Given in Lecture |
| Final Exam | 25% | See Examination Timetable |
| Assignment | 20% | Given in Lecture |
Assignment
Due: Given in Lecture
Weighting: 30%
The project will be discussed by the guest lecturer.
This task will be completed individually. The formatting and structure of the project will be discussed by the guest lecturer and more information will be communicated via an ilearn announcement after the assignement is discussed in the lecture.
If the project report demonstrates extensive work, but is poorly written then you will lose marks.
You will need to submit a soft copy via Turnitin link provided on the course page in iLearn and a hard copy at BESS. Both copies have to be submitted before the due date.
No extensions will be granted unless you have a valid special consideration. Late tasks will only be accepted up to 48 hours after the submission deadline. There will be a deduction of 20% of the total available marks from the total awarded marks for each 24 hours period or thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission - 40% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for special consideration has been submitted and granted.
THE DUE DATE WILL BE COMMUNICATED IN THE LECTURE AND VIA ILEARN ANNOUNCEMENT. PLEASE CHECK YOUR STUDENT EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY.
ALL COMPONENTS OF THE PROJECT HAVE TO BE COMPLETED. THIS ASSESSMENT IS COMPULSORY AND WILL RESULT IN AN INCOMPLETE GRADE SHOULD YOU FAIL TO SUBMIT.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply economic and finance theories to practical situations or problems.
- Understand the limitations of theories and techniques in finance and in particular be aware of the assumptions upon which the theory and practice is based.
- Understand how financial institutions are run and the influence of the legal and regulatory environment.
Assignment
Due: Given in Lecture
Weighting: 25%
The project will be discussed by the guest lecturer.
This task will be completed individually. The formatting and structure of the project will be discussed by the guest lecturer and more information will be communicated via an ilearn announcement after the assignement is discussed in the lecture.
If the project report demonstrates extensive work, but is poorly written then you will lose marks.
You will need to submit a soft copy via Turnitin link provided on the course page in iLearn and a hard copy at BESS. Both copies have to be submitted before the due date.
No extensions will be granted unless you have a valid special consideration. Late tasks will only be accepted up to 48 hours after the submission deadline. There will be a deduction of 20% of the total available marks from the total awarded marks for each 24 hours period or thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission - 40% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for special consideration has been submitted and granted.
THE DUE DATE WILL BE COMMUNICATED IN THE LECTURE AND VIA ILEARN ANNOUNCEMENT. PLEASE CHECK YOUR STUDENT EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY.
ALL COMPONENTS OF THE PROJECT HAVE TO BE COMPLETED. THIS ASSESSMENT IS COMPULSORY AND WILL RESULT IN AN INCOMPLETE GRADE SHOULD YOU FAIL TO SUBMIT.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply economic and finance theories to practical situations or problems.
- Understand the limitations of theories and techniques in finance and in particular be aware of the assumptions upon which the theory and practice is based.
- Understand alternative sources of capital and have a good knowledge about private equity and venture capital markets and the latest area of interest to venture capitalists.
Final Exam
Due: See Examination Timetable
Weighting: 25%
This examination is compulsory and failure to attend will result in an FA grade. If you are granted a special consideration then the nature of the asessment might change and this might not be in the same format nor contain the same topics as those allocated to the end of semster examination.
Supplementary assessment will only take place during the supplementary examination period.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand the limitations of theories and techniques in finance and in particular be aware of the assumptions upon which the theory and practice is based.
- Become exposed to and gain some working knowledge of how models are implemented in MS Excel with particular emphasis on how these are modified for use within different areas of finance and banking.
- Learn the financial planning process in Australia with respect to setting up financial goals, managing superannuation and being aware of some of the case studies involving scandals in the financial planning industry in Australia.
- Understand how financial institutions are run and the influence of the legal and regulatory environment.
Assignment
Due: Given in Lecture
Weighting: 20%
This task will be completed in groups of minimum 1 to maximum 4.
This Excel based assignment will be completed soley in MS Excel (including any written components).
You only have to submit a soft copy of the assignment via a folder/link provided in ilearn.
Any issues with members not contributing to group discussions/meetings/own deadlines/ will have to approach me prior to submission. If there are discrepancies in contribution, individuals will receive an adjusted mark. If a group member makes no contribution then a zero mark will be awarded to that person.
No extensions will be granted. Late tasks will be accepted up to 48 hours after the submission deadline. There will be a deduction of 20% of the total available marks from the total awarded marks for each 24 hour period or thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission - 40% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for special consideration has been submitted and granted.
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU NEED TO SUBMIT ALL ASSESSMENTS INORDER TO PASS AFIN310.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply economic and finance theories to practical situations or problems.
- Understand the limitations of theories and techniques in finance and in particular be aware of the assumptions upon which the theory and practice is based.
- Become exposed to and gain some working knowledge of how models are implemented in MS Excel with particular emphasis on how these are modified for use within different areas of finance and banking.
Delivery and Resources
Changes Since the Last Offering of this Unit
There percentage weighting given to individual assessments has increased. There is also an in class exam on the 9th of June.
Classes
Lecture: W6D Lotus Theatre Monday 6 – 9pm
The campus map can be downloaded from the following link http://www.ofm.mq.edu.au/maps_campus.html
The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site https://timetables.mq.edu.au/2014/
Classes in AFIN310 are composed of a three hour lecture. Unit materials are learnt by attending lectures and through independent learning. The lectures provide a general overview of the topics highlighting a number of concepts and techniques. Students are strongly advised to study any additional reading material provided by the unit convenor, the guest lecturers and further explore all relevant concepts and techniques.
Students should attend a three-hour lecture every week. Lecture slides will be mostly available prior to the lecture on iLearn and in some instances after the lecture. PLEASE NOTE THAT IN SOME WEEKS THE LECTURE NOTES WILL BE ONLY AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD ON THE DAY OF THE LECTURE.
The lecture recording (audio and video) will also be available via Eco360 (approximately 1 hr after the end of the lecture). Please see the Eco360 link in your course iLearn page.
Prizes
The Financial Services Institute of Australasia, FINSIA, has kindly sponsored a prize of $500 for the most outstanding student in AFIN310.
Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials
There are no required or recommended texts for FIN310. Notes for each of the lectures will be made available in iLearn. If required, additional readings will also be provided either via iLearn and eReserve.
Technology Used and Required
iLearn is an online program available at https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ/ through which students will be able to access resources such as lecture notes and ilectures to assist them throughout the semester. The discussion forum environment will be extensively used to allow students to interact with each other.
Unit Web Page
Course material is available on the learning management system at http://iLearn.mq.edu.au
You are strongly encouraged to regularly visit the website and use it as a resource centre to assist with your learning.
If you are unable to access the website because you are not aware of or have forgotten your username and password, please contact the IT helpdesk. All information can be found at http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/
With regards to assistance in using iLearn please visit the following link.
http://www.mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/index.htm
You can follow the tabs on the left, i.e., “Getting Started” and “Access iLearn”
Please remember to log out when you have finished using iLearn. Failure to do so could result in unauthorised access to your iLearn account.
Learning and Teaching Activities
The teaching strategy in AFIN310 recognises that students learn independently and assume responsibility for the learning process and with academic integrity.
Students are expected to participate in the unit by attending lectures, reading the provided material and thoroughly revising the lecture notes. You are also expected to use the full suite of research databases available from the library. This includes reference to journal articles and industry reports.
What we aim to achieve in AFIN310 is deep (as opposed to surface) learning. Thus, learning is interpreted as making sense or abstracting meaning. Learning involves relating parts of the subject matter to each other and to the real world. Further learning is understood as comprehending the world by understanding and re-interpreting knowledge.
This unit also gives you the opportunity to go beyond your discipline and exposes you to areas of finance and law that is essestial when starting your career in the finance and banking industry.
Unit Schedule
|
Week |
Lecturer and Topic |
|
Week 1 3rd Mar |
Introduction - Assessment criteria and expectations (Lurion) Financial Planning Career Opportunities/Work Exprience Placement (Alisdair Barr)
|
|
Week 2 10th Mar |
Nidal Danoun (Principal Director of Prosperity Financial Services Pty Ltd)
Regulatory and Compliance Issues (Part 1) |
|
Week 3 17th Mar |
Nidal Danoun (Principal Director of Prosperity Financial Services Pty Ltd) Regulatory and Compliance Issues (Part 2) |
|
Week 4 24th Mar |
Mr. Brendon Blacker (Vice President, Macquarie Capital Advisors) Venture Capital Investments (Part 1) |
|
Week 5 31st Mar |
Mr. Brendon Blacker (Vice President, Macquarie Capital Advisors) Venture Capital Investments (Part 2) |
|
Week 6 7th Apr |
Mr. Mark Hancock (Precept Investment Actuaries Pty Ltd) Ms Kimberly Kishore (Senior Analyst: Precept Investment Actuaries Pty Ltd) Equity Analysis (Part 1) |
|
Week 7 28th Apr |
Mr. Mark Hancock (Precept Investment Actuaries Pty Ltd) Ms Kimberly Kishore (Senior Analyst: Precept Investment Actuaries Pty Ltd) Equity Analysis (Part 2) |
|
|
Mid -Semester Break (Monday 16 September - Friday 27 September) |
|
Week 8 5th May |
Mr David Beaton (Investment Manager, John Liang) www.laing.com Financial Modelling in Excel (Part 1) |
|
Week 9 12th May |
Mr David Beaton (Investment Manager, John Liang) www.laing.com Financial Modelling in Excel (Part 2) |
|
Week 10 19th May |
Ms Claire McKay (Director at Qantum Financial) Financial Planning (Part 1) |
|
Week 11 26th May |
Ms Claire McKay (Director at Qantum Financial) Financial Planning (Part 2) |
|
Week 12 2nd Jun |
Lurion De Mello Financial Databases and Library Resources Relevant to the Financial Industry. Discsussion of format and topics for final exam.
|
|
Week 13 9th Jun |
Public Holiday (No Class)
|
Learning and Teaching Activities
Lectures
Independent learning
Group Learning
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Academic Honesty
The nature of scholarly endeavour, dependent as it is on the work of others, binds all members of the University community to abide by the principles of academic honesty. Its fundamental principle is that all staff and students act with integrity in the creation, development, application and use of ideas and information. This means that:
- all academic work claimed as original is the work of the author making the claim
- all academic collaborations are acknowledged
- academic work is not falsified in any way
- when the ideas of others are used, these ideas are acknowledged appropriately.
Further information on the academic honesty can be found in the Macquarie University Academic Honesty Policy at http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Grades
To pass this course you must get an overall average of at least 50% for the internal assessments. You must also pass the final exam inorder to pass the course. If you do not submit one of the group projects then you will be awarded an F grade regardless of your overall mark.
Macquarie University uses the following grades in coursework units of study:
- HD - High Distinction (85 - 100)
- D - Distinction (75 - 84)
- CR - Credit (65 - 74)
- P - Pass (50 - 64)
- F - Fail (0 - 49)
Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Grading Policy which is available at:
http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grading Appeals and Final Examination Script Viewing
If, at the conclusion of the unit, you have performed below expectations, and are considering lodging an appeal of grade and/or viewing your final exam script please refer to the following website which provides information about these processes and the cut off dates in the first instance. Please read the instructions provided concerning what constitutes a valid grounds for appeal before appealing your grade.
Special Consideration Policy
The University is committed to equity and fairness in all aspects of its learning and teaching. In stating this commitment, the University recognises that there may be circumstances where a student is prevented by unavoidable disruption from performing in accordance with their ability. A special consideration policy exists to support students who experience serious and unavoidable disruption such that they do not reach their usual demonstrated performance level. The policy is available at:
http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/special_consideration/policy.html
Supplementary Exams Further information regarding supplementary exams, including dates, is available here http://www.businessandeconomics.mq.edu.au/current_students/undergraduate/how_do_i/special_consideration
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Apply economic and finance theories to practical situations or problems.
- Understand the limitations of theories and techniques in finance and in particular be aware of the assumptions upon which the theory and practice is based.
- Become exposed to and gain some working knowledge of how models are implemented in MS Excel with particular emphasis on how these are modified for use within different areas of finance and banking.
- Learn the financial planning process in Australia with respect to setting up financial goals, managing superannuation and being aware of some of the case studies involving scandals in the financial planning industry in Australia.
- Understand how financial institutions are run and the influence of the legal and regulatory environment.
Assessment tasks
- Assignment
- Final Exam
- Assignment
Learning and teaching activities
- Lectures – Large group learning (3 hours for each teaching week) Lectures are intended to provide an overview of conceptual frameworks and issues in applied finance that are critical to the core themes of the unit.
- Independent learning – learning by doing (about 6 hours each teaching week and 9 hours each week during the 2-week mid-semester recess) AFIN310 relies heavily on independent learning where students read the relevant material, listen to ilectures, revise the lecture notes, participate in iLearn discussion forums and extend themselves by doing additional reading and research using the library online databases and data sources. Additionally students are expected to keep themselves abreast by reading key financial newspapers and referring to Factiva and Business Source Premier available online via the library databases.
- Group Projects - learning through close interaction between members of the group. Identifying unique skills of individuals and utilising each potential to the successful completion of the project while maintaining quality. Group projects expose students to the intricacies of working in groups and teach them valuable team skills.
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Apply economic and finance theories to practical situations or problems.
- Understand the limitations of theories and techniques in finance and in particular be aware of the assumptions upon which the theory and practice is based.
- Become exposed to and gain some working knowledge of how models are implemented in MS Excel with particular emphasis on how these are modified for use within different areas of finance and banking.
- Learn the financial planning process in Australia with respect to setting up financial goals, managing superannuation and being aware of some of the case studies involving scandals in the financial planning industry in Australia.
- Understand how financial institutions are run and the influence of the legal and regulatory environment.
Assessment tasks
- Assignment
- Assignment
- Final Exam
- Assignment
Learning and teaching activities
- Lectures – Large group learning (3 hours for each teaching week) Lectures are intended to provide an overview of conceptual frameworks and issues in applied finance that are critical to the core themes of the unit.
- Independent learning – learning by doing (about 6 hours each teaching week and 9 hours each week during the 2-week mid-semester recess) AFIN310 relies heavily on independent learning where students read the relevant material, listen to ilectures, revise the lecture notes, participate in iLearn discussion forums and extend themselves by doing additional reading and research using the library online databases and data sources. Additionally students are expected to keep themselves abreast by reading key financial newspapers and referring to Factiva and Business Source Premier available online via the library databases.
- Group Projects - learning through close interaction between members of the group. Identifying unique skills of individuals and utilising each potential to the successful completion of the project while maintaining quality. Group projects expose students to the intricacies of working in groups and teach them valuable team skills.
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Apply economic and finance theories to practical situations or problems.
- Understand the limitations of theories and techniques in finance and in particular be aware of the assumptions upon which the theory and practice is based.
- Become exposed to and gain some working knowledge of how models are implemented in MS Excel with particular emphasis on how these are modified for use within different areas of finance and banking.
- Learn the financial planning process in Australia with respect to setting up financial goals, managing superannuation and being aware of some of the case studies involving scandals in the financial planning industry in Australia.
- Understand how financial institutions are run and the influence of the legal and regulatory environment.
Assessment tasks
- Assignment
- Assignment
- Final Exam
- Assignment
Learning and teaching activities
- Lectures – Large group learning (3 hours for each teaching week) Lectures are intended to provide an overview of conceptual frameworks and issues in applied finance that are critical to the core themes of the unit.
- Independent learning – learning by doing (about 6 hours each teaching week and 9 hours each week during the 2-week mid-semester recess) AFIN310 relies heavily on independent learning where students read the relevant material, listen to ilectures, revise the lecture notes, participate in iLearn discussion forums and extend themselves by doing additional reading and research using the library online databases and data sources. Additionally students are expected to keep themselves abreast by reading key financial newspapers and referring to Factiva and Business Source Premier available online via the library databases.
- Group Projects - learning through close interaction between members of the group. Identifying unique skills of individuals and utilising each potential to the successful completion of the project while maintaining quality. Group projects expose students to the intricacies of working in groups and teach them valuable team skills.
Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Apply economic and finance theories to practical situations or problems.
- Understand the limitations of theories and techniques in finance and in particular be aware of the assumptions upon which the theory and practice is based.
- Become exposed to and gain some working knowledge of how models are implemented in MS Excel with particular emphasis on how these are modified for use within different areas of finance and banking.
- Learn the financial planning process in Australia with respect to setting up financial goals, managing superannuation and being aware of some of the case studies involving scandals in the financial planning industry in Australia.
- Understand how financial institutions are run and the influence of the legal and regulatory environment.
Assessment tasks
- Assignment
- Assignment
- Final Exam
- Assignment
Learning and teaching activities
- Lectures – Large group learning (3 hours for each teaching week) Lectures are intended to provide an overview of conceptual frameworks and issues in applied finance that are critical to the core themes of the unit.
- Independent learning – learning by doing (about 6 hours each teaching week and 9 hours each week during the 2-week mid-semester recess) AFIN310 relies heavily on independent learning where students read the relevant material, listen to ilectures, revise the lecture notes, participate in iLearn discussion forums and extend themselves by doing additional reading and research using the library online databases and data sources. Additionally students are expected to keep themselves abreast by reading key financial newspapers and referring to Factiva and Business Source Premier available online via the library databases.
- Group Projects - learning through close interaction between members of the group. Identifying unique skills of individuals and utilising each potential to the successful completion of the project while maintaining quality. Group projects expose students to the intricacies of working in groups and teach them valuable team skills.
Research and Practice
This unit gives the students multiple group projects that require research from traditional journal type articles, industry reports published by third parties and also current government legislation supporting the finance and banking industry. It also exposes students in identifying key data sources used by the industry in writing various stock/share recommendation and company valuation reports. This unit gives you opportunities to conduct your own research based on skills obtained from using MS Excel and from exposure to different financial products. Being at the forefront of the legal environment gives one the chance to remain vigilant when giving advice to clients. One can also apply valuations techniques in their personal investment decisions which might enhance the performance of their assets. Please note however that under no circumstances is neither Macquarie University nor the lecturer liable for any losses suffered from the application of investment techniques learnt in this subject.
Changes since First Published
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 03/03/2014 | Typo in Week 12 of Unit Schedule. |
| 14/01/2014 | The Prerequisites was updated. |