Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Co Unit Convenor / Lecturer
Stephanie Brooks
Contact via Email
Co Unit Convenor / Lecturer
Al Clark
Contact via Email
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MAppFin or MAppFin(Adv) or GradCertFin
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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 provides the important building blocks in microeconomic and quantitative analysis required for advanced study in applied finance. Microeconomic analysis develops tools in demand and supply and critically applies these to the consumer and the firm. It concludes with an analysis of market structure. The second part of the unit develops quantitative skills that are used in finance, including descriptive statistics, probability, statistical inference, correlation and regression analysis. Spreadsheets are extensively used in statistical modelling.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
---|---|---|---|
Assessed Coursework | 30% | No | In iLearn |
Online Participation | 15% | No | In iLearn |
Assignment | 25% | No | In iLearn |
Final Examination | 30% | No | Exam week |
Due: In iLearn
Weighting: 30%
Summary of Assessment Task
Individual / Group: Individual
Description: You will be required to participate in three assessment tasks for Economic Analysis and three quizzes for Quantitative Analysis. Details of the assessments can be found in iLearn
Due Dates: See iLearn for due dates
Grading Method: Refer to Assessment Summary in iLearn
Submission Method: Online via iLearn.
Extension Requests: No extensions will be granted. Students who have not submitted the task prior to the due date will be awarded a mark of zero for the task, except for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved. If you have serious and unavoidable circumstances that prevent you from submitting an assessment task by the due date, you must apply for Special Consideration no later than five (5) working days after the assessment due date. Refer to MAFC Program Rules & Procedures at www.mafc.mq.edu.au for information on the University’s Special Consideration Policy.
Due: In iLearn
Weighting: 15%
Summary of Assessment Task
Individual / Group: Individual
Due Dates: See iLearn for due dates.
Timing: Online discussions and tasks will be conducted during the term. You are required to participate actively in these forums, and your contributions will be assessed.
Grading Method: See assessment summary in iLearn.
Submission Method: Online via the Unit's iLearn site.
Extension Requests: No extensions will be granted. Students who have not submitted the task prior to the due date will be awarded a mark of zero for the task, except for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved. If you have serious and unavoidable circumstances that prevent you from submitting an assessment task by the due date, you must apply for Special Consideration no later than five (5) working days after the assessment due date. Refer to MAFC Program Rules & Procedures at www.mafc.mq.edu.au for information on the University’s Special Consideration Policy.
Due: In iLearn
Weighting: 25%
Summary of Assessment Task
Individual / Group: Individual
Due Dates: The assignment is in two parts. See iLearn for the due dates for each part.
Grading Method: Refer to ‘Standards Required to Complete the Unit Satisfactorily’.
Submission Method: Via iLearn.
Extension Requests: No extensions will be granted. Students who have not submitted the task prior to the due date will be awarded a mark of zero for the task, except for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved. If you have serious and unavoidable circumstances that prevent you from submitting an assessment task by the due date, you must apply for Special Consideration no later than five (5) working days after the assessment due date. Refer to MAFC Program Rules & Procedures at www.mafc.mq.edu.au for information on the University’s Special Consideration Policy.
Due: Exam week
Weighting: 30%
Summary of Assessment Task
Individual / Group: Individual
Due Date: See iLearn for due dates.
Grading Method: Refer to ‘Standards Required to Complete the Unit Satisfactorily’.
Submission Method: The final exam will be an open book online exam submitted in iLearn.
Duration: 3 hours
Examination Conditions:
Extension Requests: No extensions will be granted. Students who have not sat the final examination prior to the due date will be awarded a mark of zero for the task, except for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved. Refer to MAFC Program Rules & Procedures at www.mafc.mq.edu.au for information on the University’s Special Consideration Policy.
Required Text:
The required textbooks for this unit are:
Details on the eBook (a VitalSource eText) can be found at: https://www.cengagebrain.com.au/shop/isbn/9780170380096
It is recommended that students purchase the text with the Coursemate option.
Basic Business Statistics, 4th edition (2015) by Berenson, Levine, Szabat, O’Brien, Watson and Jayne, Pearson Australia (ISBN 9781486018956). Details on the textbook can be found at http://www.pearson.com.au/9781486018956. The textbook is available from the publisher's website as a paperback or as a VitalSource eText. The textbook is also available as a paperback from the Co-op Bookshop.
Additional Readings:
Assumed Knowledge: Mathematical content
Assumed Access: Access to a computer with word processing and spreadsheet capability is assumed, as is general student computer literacy. In particular, students need access to a version of Microsoft Excel which includes regression analysis.
This is an online unit which will make use of the University's iLearn system.
Unit's iLearn Site:
Important Notice:
The following schedule is a guide to the timing of each topic. Details of the required readings are provided in iLearn.
Week | Topic |
Date when you should have started working on this topic |
1 | Topic 0: Essential pre-work | 1 January 2018 |
2 | Topic 1: Key concepts, supply & demand model | 8 January 2018 |
3 | Topic 2: Market analysis & elasticity | 15 January 2018 |
4 | Topic 3: Cost curves & the competitive market | 22 January 2018 |
5 | Topic 4: Market structures | 29 January 2018 |
6 | Topic 5: Descriptive statistics | 5 February 2018 |
7 | Topic 6: Probability & random variables | 12 February 2018 |
8 | Topic 7: Statistical estimation & inference | 19 February 2018 |
9 | Topic 8: Correlation, regression & indices | 26 February 2018 |
10 | Complete assessment tasks | 5 March 2018 |
11 | Exam preparation | 12 March 2018 |
12 | Exam week | 17-21 March 2018 |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
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.
Students should also consult the MAFC Program Rules & Procedures found at http://www.mafc.mq.edu.au
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
For all student enquiries, please contact studentsupport@mafc.mq.edu.au
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Learning Skills (http://www.students.mq.edu.au/support/learning_skills/) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
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.
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
This unit guide contains important information about the Unit. If anything is unclear, please consult one of the unit lecturers.
University Policy on Grading:
Specific Unit Grading:
Grade | Expectation |
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High Distinction | Provides consistent evidence of deep and critical understanding in relation to the learning outcomes. There is substantial originality and insight in identifying, generating and communicating competing arguments, perspectives or problem solving approaches; critical evaluation of problems, their solutions and their implications; creativity in application as appropriate to the discipline. |
Distinction | Provides evidence of integration and evaluation of critical ideas, principles and theories, distinctive insight and ability in applying relevant skills and concepts in relation to learning outcomes. There is demonstration of frequent originality in defining and analysing issues or problems and providing solutions; and the use of means of communication appropriate to the discipline and the audience. |
Credit | Provides evidence of learning that goes beyond replication of content knowledge or skills relevant to the learning outcomes. There is demonstration of substantial understanding of fundamental concepts in the field of study and the ability to apply these concepts in a variety of contexts; convincing argumentation with appropriate coherent justification; communication of ideas fluently and clearly in terms of the conventions of the discipline. |
Pass | Provides sufficient evidence of the achievement of learning outcomes. There is demonstration of understanding and application of fundamental concepts of the field of study; routine argumentation with acceptable justification; communication of information and ideas adequately in terms of the conventions of the discipline. The learning attainment is considered satisfactory or adequate or competent or capable in relation to the specified outcomes. |
Fail | Does not provide evidence of attainment of learning outcomes. There is missing or partial or superficial or faulty understanding and application of the fundamental concepts in the field of study; missing, undeveloped, inappropriate or confusing argumentation; incomplete, confusing or lacking communication of ideas in ways that give little attention to the conventions of the discipline. |
Review of Grade and final examination Script viewing:
Date | Description |
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11/12/2017 | Assessment Tasks section updated. |