Students

ACST101 – Finance 1A

2017 – S3 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor & Lecturer
Chong It Tan
E4A609
Please refer to iLearn
Veronica Chen
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This is an introductory unit in finance and is a core part of the first year knowledge base in most programs. Students will examine the Australian financial system as well as an introduction to financial mathematics and the pricing of financial instruments. They will also learn about financial institutions, financial markets, and risk and regulation. Students will develop spreadsheet skills in finance which is a critical employment skill. A background of at least HSC General Mathematics or equivalent numerical competency is highly desirable. Students who do not have this background and who do not intend to continue with AFIN102 Finance 1B, are advised to enrol in ECON131 Quantitative Methods in Economics, Business and Finance. Students who plan to continue their studies in finance are strongly advised to have studied at least HSC Mathematics (2 Unit) or its equivalent or MATH123 before enrolling in AFIN102.

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:

  • Identify major functions, risks and regulation of financial markets.
  • Explain key fundamental concepts in finance including determinants of the time value of money.
  • Value cash flows including single and multiple amounts, annuities, company bonds and shares.
  • Explain the relationship between risk and return.
  • Evaluate financial information using a spreadsheet.

General Assessment Information

Assessment Criteria: Assessment Criteria for all assessment tasks will be provided on the ilearn site.

Feedback Prior to Census Date: Online Quiz 1 is to be completed before the census date. The results from these quizzes provide an indication of whether you are progressing satisfactorily in the unit. If you are having difficulties, please arrange to see the Unit Convenor and consider withdrawing before the census date.

Final Exam Reference Sheet: In the Final Examination students will be permitted a "Reference Sheet": a ONE A4 sheet of paper containing reference material printed on both sides. The material may be handwritten and/or typed (any font, any colour(s)). The Reference Sheet will be collected at the end of the examination, and will not be returned to you. 

Within Session Assessment Task Marks: 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 in total) 18% No Weekly
Excel Assignment 7% No 22 December 11:59pm
Class Test 15% No 9 January
Final Exam 60% No University Examination Period

Online Quiz (5 in total)

Due: Weekly
Weighting: 18%

An online quiz (open-book) will be held weekly. Each of the first 4 quizzes carries a weight of 3%, while the last quiz has a weight of 6%. Students are given a single attempt at each quiz. No extensions will be granted.

Students should not delay completion of any quiz until the last day. Students who do not complete the quiz prior to the deadline will be awarded a mark of zero (0) for the task except for cases in which an application for Special Consideration Policy is made and approved. Any approved application in relation to an online quiz will normally only be considered for special consideration where the disruption lasted for at least three days of the assessment period. Where the special consideration is granted, the student may be offered an alternative assessment or may receive a mark based on the percentage mark achieved by the student in one or more other assessment tasks, at the Unit Convenor’s discretion.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify major functions, risks and regulation of financial markets.
  • Explain key fundamental concepts in finance including determinants of the time value of money.
  • Value cash flows including single and multiple amounts, annuities, company bonds and shares.
  • Explain the relationship between risk and return.
  • Evaluate financial information using a spreadsheet.

Excel Assignment

Due: 22 December 11:59pm
Weighting: 7%

The Excel assignment requires preparation of an excel spreadsheet. The assignment is to be completed individually. Details of the assignment, the submission procedure and marking guide will be posted on iLearn. No extensions will be granted. Students who do not complete the assignment prior to the deadline will be awarded a mark of 0 for the task except for cases in which an application for Special Consideration Policy is made and approved. Where the special consideration is granted, the student may be offered an alternative assessment or may receive a mark based on the percentage mark achieved by the student in one or more other assessment tasks, at the Unit Convenor’s discretion.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Value cash flows including single and multiple amounts, annuities, company bonds and shares.
  • Evaluate financial information using a spreadsheet.

Class Test

Due: 9 January
Weighting: 15%

In Class Test (ICT) (closed book) will be held in lectures on 9 January. The Class Test will be 1-hour in duration and will be based on topics 1 to 6 (inclusive) content. This test will be worth 15%. Students must attend the lecture in which they are enrolled. Students who fail to attend the test for their enrolled lecture time will be awarded a mark of zero (0) except in cases where an application for Special Consideration Policy is made and approved.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify major functions, risks and regulation of financial markets.
  • Explain key fundamental concepts in finance including determinants of the time value of money.
  • Value cash flows including single and multiple amounts, annuities, company bonds and shares.
  • Explain the relationship between risk and return.
  • Evaluate financial information using a spreadsheet.

Final Exam

Due: University Examination Period
Weighting: 60%

Final Examination (closed book) will cover all topics. It will be a two hour exam, with 10 minutes reading time. Students will be permitted one 'Reference Sheet' in the examination room comprising ONE A4 page of paper containing reference material printed on both sides. The material may be handwritten and/or typed. The page will not be returned to students at the end of the final examination. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify major functions, risks and regulation of financial markets.
  • Explain key fundamental concepts in finance including determinants of the time value of money.
  • Value cash flows including single and multiple amounts, annuities, company bonds and shares.
  • Explain the relationship between risk and return.
  • Evaluate financial information using a spreadsheet.

Delivery and Resources

Learning and Teaching Activities

There are 3 hours of face-to-face teaching per topic consisting of 1 x 2 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial.

The schedule of lecture and tutorial class times is available at: http://timetables.mq.edu.au

Lectures

Lectures will be held multiple times a week. Lecture notes will be available on the iLearn.

Tutorials

Tutorials will be held following each lecture. Tutorials are considered compulsory. Attendance will be recorded and may be considered in instances where applications for Special Consideration Policy are made or applications are made for withdrawal without penalty.

Tutorial enrolment or change of tutorial can be made through eStudent in the first two weeks of the semester. No tutorial changes are allowed after that. Students should check on eStudent for their tutorial room, especially as tutorial room allocations may have been changed since time of enrolment. Students should attend only their allocated tutorial.

Students are expected to complete the ‘Tutorial Questions’ as a self-directed study activity before attending a tutorial. Solutions will be posted after the questions are discussed. Additional learning support will be available in tutor consultation times. 

Required Text

Parino, R. et al. 2014. Fundamentals of Corporate Finance (Australian 2nd Ed.). Milton, QLD: John Wiley & Sons Ltd. 

e-text version (cheapest) ISBN : ISBN : 978-0-7303-0571-2 http://www.wileydirect.com.au/buy/fundamentals-of-corporate-finance-2nd-edition/

The Wileyplus add-on should not be purchased for ACST101.

hardcopy alternative: ISBN : 978-0-7303-0542-2

Technology Used and Required

Calculator

A calculator will be required during the In Class Test  (ICT), and the Final Examination. Note: students are expected to clearly show all steps (workings) in their solutions to 'calculation' questions.

Non-programmable calculators with no text-retrieval functionality are permitted. Calculators that have a full alphabet on the keyboard are not permitted. Graphics calculators are not permitted. Calculators need the following minimum functionality: xy or ^, 1/x and log or ln functions, and a memory. Non-programmable financial calculators are permitted but it is not a requirement to use a financial calculator.

Students are expected to be familiar at least with the basic operation of their calculator. 

Computing

Students are expected to be familiar at least with the basic operation of their computing device, ensuring the device is Wi-Fi enabled to access lecture activities in 'real-time'.

Software

Students should have access to Excel software, and are expected to have viewed the 'Excel Tutorials' in iLearn 'Kick-Start' prior to Lecture 1.  Excel will be used in lectures and tutorials. A review of Excel fundamentals and time value of money functionality is scheduled for the Lecture 4. To maximise the benefit of the Lecture 4 content, we strongly recommend students to engage with Excel from Lecture 1. Students should refer to iLearn for links to obtain free access to Excel software.

Knowledge of Maths

A background of at least HSC General Mathematics or equivalent numerical competency is assumed. A small self-diagnostic online Maths Revision exercise will be available on iLearn from the beginning of the session. The self-diagnostic exercise is not assessable but may assist in providing an indication of your understanding of the type of mathematics functions we will use in the unit. Students requiring assistance with the unit's mathematical elements throughout the term may consult with the Numeracy Centre team during appointed hours (no appointment needed). Students without HSC General Mathematics or equivalent, are best advised to not undertake ACST101 until completing a math unit (MATH123 or ECON131).

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.

Special Consideration Policy: https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration The Special Consideration Policy is effective from December 4th 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.

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

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

  • Identify major functions, risks and regulation of financial markets.
  • Explain key fundamental concepts in finance including determinants of the time value of money.
  • Value cash flows including single and multiple amounts, annuities, company bonds and shares.
  • Explain the relationship between risk and return.
  • Evaluate financial information using a spreadsheet.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Quiz (5 in total)
  • Excel Assignment
  • Class Test
  • Final Exam

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

  • Identify major functions, risks and regulation of financial markets.
  • Explain key fundamental concepts in finance including determinants of the time value of money.
  • Value cash flows including single and multiple amounts, annuities, company bonds and shares.
  • Explain the relationship between risk and return.
  • Evaluate financial information using a spreadsheet.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Quiz (5 in total)
  • Excel Assignment
  • Class Test
  • Final Exam

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

  • Identify major functions, risks and regulation of financial markets.
  • Explain key fundamental concepts in finance including determinants of the time value of money.
  • Value cash flows including single and multiple amounts, annuities, company bonds and shares.
  • Explain the relationship between risk and return.
  • Evaluate financial information using a spreadsheet.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Quiz (5 in total)
  • Excel Assignment
  • Class Test
  • Final Exam

Changes since First Published

Date Description
26/12/2017 Online Quiz 1 is to be completed before the census date, instead of Online Quizzes 1 and 2.