Students
AFIN250 – Investments
2017 – S1 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Senior Lecturer in Finance
Dr James Cummings
Contact via email
Room 228, Building E4A
Friday, 2:00-4:00 pm
Teaching Assistant
Ms Veronica Chen
Contact via email
Room 622C, Building E4A
by appointment
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| Credit points |
Credit points
3
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
((15cp at 100 level or above) including ((AFIN100 or AFIN102 or ACST152) and (ACCG100 or ACCG106) and (STAT150 or STAT170 or STAT171))) or ACST252
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit is designed to provide a sound foundation of fundamental concepts in investments. Students who master the unit material will acquire the analytical tools and financial theory necessary for making sound investment decisions and understanding the methodologies by which financial securities are valued. The unit provides an overview of the investment environment. Students learn to construct optimal portfolios using the principles of modern portfolio theory and to illustrate the theory and empirical applications of asset pricing models. The unit provides an introduction to debt securities and markets, equity valuation and how derivatives can be used as part of a well-designed portfolio strategy.
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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:
- Construct optimal portfolios applying the principles of modern portfolio theory.
- Illustrate the theory and empirical applications of asset pricing models: the CAPM, APT and multi-factor models.
- Analyse bond prices and yields.
- Explain macroeconomic and industry analysis, equity valuation and financial statement analysis.
- Formulate derivatives strategies to modify portfolio risk-return attributes.
General Assessment Information
It is the responsibility of students to view their marks for each within session assessment on iLearn within 20 working days of posting. If there are any discrepancies, students must contact the unit convenor immediately. Failure to do so will mean that queries received after the release of final results regarding assessment marks (not including the final exam mark) will not be addressed.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online quiz | 5% | No | 24 March 2017, 5:00 pm |
| Mid-semester test | 15% | No | Week 7 in lecture |
| Case study/report | 20% | No | 12 May 2017, 5:00 pm |
| Final examination | 60% | No | University examination period |
Online quiz
Due: 24 March 2017, 5:00 pm
Weighting: 5%
The online quiz will cover the topics studied during weeks 1 and 2.
No extensions will be granted. Students who do not complete the online quiz prior to the deadline will be awarded a mark of 0 for the online quiz, except for cases in which an application for disruptions to studies is made and approved.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Construct optimal portfolios applying the principles of modern portfolio theory.
- Illustrate the theory and empirical applications of asset pricing models: the CAPM, APT and multi-factor models.
Mid-semester test
Due: Week 7 in lecture
Weighting: 15%
The mid-semester test will cover the topics studied during weeks 1 to 5 inclusive. The duration of the mid-semester test is one and a half hours. The test will be closed book (no notes or textbooks permitted).
Students who do not sit for the mid-semester test will be awarded a mark of 0 for the mid-semester test, except for cases in which an application for disruption of studies is made and approved.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Construct optimal portfolios applying the principles of modern portfolio theory.
- Illustrate the theory and empirical applications of asset pricing models: the CAPM, APT and multi-factor models.
Case study/report
Due: 12 May 2017, 5:00 pm
Weighting: 20%
Each student will write an individual report about issues raised in a case study on managing client conflicts. Instructions and marking criteria for the report will be provided on the unit iLearn site. The report must be submitted as a PDF file to Turnitin via the unit iLearn site.
No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission – 20% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for disruption of studies is made and approved.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Construct optimal portfolios applying the principles of modern portfolio theory.
- Illustrate the theory and empirical applications of asset pricing models: the CAPM, APT and multi-factor models.
Final examination
Due: University examination period
Weighting: 60%
The final exam will cover the topics studied throughout the semester. The duration of the final exam is two and a half hours plus 10 minutes reading time. The exam will be closed book (no notes or textbooks permitted).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Construct optimal portfolios applying the principles of modern portfolio theory.
- Illustrate the theory and empirical applications of asset pricing models: the CAPM, APT and multi-factor models.
- Analyse bond prices and yields.
- Explain macroeconomic and industry analysis, equity valuation and financial statement analysis.
- Formulate derivatives strategies to modify portfolio risk-return attributes.
Delivery and Resources
Required technology
Non-programmable calculator
Tutorial and lecture times
Students are required to enrol in one two-hour lecture and one one-hour tutorial per week and attend the lecture and tutorial in which they are enrolled. See details from the timetable.
Learning and teaching strategy
Face-to-face
Lectures are used to set the scene and show how the topic fits into the overall unit of study aims. Tutorials are essential for helping you to further your understanding and apply concepts to more difficult problems. Participation is strongly encouraged for you to check your progress towards achieving the learning outcomes for the unit.
The textbook for the unit is Bodie, Z., Kane, A. and Marcus, A.J. (2017), Essentials of Investments, 10th edition, McGraw-Hill (denoted BKM on the reading list). Textbook material will be supplemented by articles and handouts. Chapters from the textbook and specified articles should be read prior to attending the scheduled lecture on that topic. Homework problems will be assigned at the end of lectures and these should be completed before coming to the tutorial the following week. Important handouts can be downloaded from the unit's iLearn site.
Online
iLearn (https://ilearn.mq.edu.au) provides the main online learning support. It is essential that you log in at least twice per week to keep abreast of unit-wide announcements and use the resources to supplement your learning. Lecture slides are available by the Friday before each lecture for you to download from iLearn. Solutions to homework problems are made available online after the problems are discussed in the tutorial.
The multiple choice quizzes available with the textbook are a useful revision resource.
Unit Schedule
Week |
Commencing |
Topic |
Readings |
| 1 | 27 February | Introduction | BKM chapters 1 and 2 |
| 2 | 6 March | Investment vehicles | BKM chapters 3 and 4 |
| 3 | 13 March | Risk and return | BKM chapter 5 |
| 4 | 20 March | Efficient diversification | BKM chapter 6 |
| 5 | 27 March | Asset pricing | BKM chapter 7 |
| 6 | 3 April | Market efficiency | BKM chapters 8 and 9 |
| 7 | 10 April | Mid-semester test | |
| Mid-semester break | |||
| 8 | 1 May | Fixed income securities | BKM chapters 10 and 11 |
| 9 | 8 May | Industry analysis | BKM chapter 12 |
| 10 | 15 May | Equity securities | BKM chapters 13 and 14 |
| 11 | 22 May | Options contracts | BKM chapters 15 and 16 |
| 12 | 29 May | Futures contracts | BKM chapter 17 |
| 13 | 5 June | Review |
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_2016.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration
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/
Results
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Supplementary Exams
Further information regarding supplementary exams, including dates, is available here
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://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources 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
- Construct optimal portfolios applying the principles of modern portfolio theory.
- Illustrate the theory and empirical applications of asset pricing models: the CAPM, APT and multi-factor models.
Assessment task
- Case study/report
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
- Construct optimal portfolios applying the principles of modern portfolio theory.
- Illustrate the theory and empirical applications of asset pricing models: the CAPM, APT and multi-factor models.
- Analyse bond prices and yields.
- Explain macroeconomic and industry analysis, equity valuation and financial statement analysis.
- Formulate derivatives strategies to modify portfolio risk-return attributes.
Assessment tasks
- Online quiz
- Mid-semester test
- Case study/report
- Final examination
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
- Construct optimal portfolios applying the principles of modern portfolio theory.
- Illustrate the theory and empirical applications of asset pricing models: the CAPM, APT and multi-factor models.
- Analyse bond prices and yields.
- Explain macroeconomic and industry analysis, equity valuation and financial statement analysis.
- Formulate derivatives strategies to modify portfolio risk-return attributes.
Assessment tasks
- Case study/report
- Final examination