Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor / Lecturer
Al Clark
Contact via Email
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Credit points |
Credit points
2
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(Admission to MAppFin or MAppFin(Adv) or GradDipAppFin) and (AFCP801 or ECFS865)
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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 as an introduction to alternative assets and covers the 3 broad categories of alternative investments, namely ‘real assets’, hedge funds and private equity. The unit examines the basic strategies and techniques within each of these categories, their return and risk characteristics and the potential role they play within an investment portfolio. Alternative assets introduce different risks than traditional assets and so a focus is given to their contribution to liquidity, fees, risk budgeting and factor analysis to help better understand the costs and benefits from a portfolio context. The unit content will also explore the contemporary challenges facing the alternative investments industry, providing context around issues like insider trading, fees and regulatory constraints.
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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:
To pass this unit the student needs to (1) Achieve an aggregate mark of 50 or more, and; (2) Pass the Final Exam.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
---|---|---|---|
Class Presentation | 10% | No | Refer to iLearn |
Case Study / Assignment | 30% | No | Refer to iLearn |
Final Exam | 60% | Yes | Refer to Timetable |
Due: Refer to iLearn
Weighting: 10%
Summary of Assessment Task
Individual / Group: Individual.
Due Date: During the lecture series.
Submission Method: In class.
Duration: Up to 10 minute presentation.
Extension Requests:
Other Information:
Due: Refer to iLearn
Weighting: 30%
Summary of Assessment Task
Individual / Group: Individual.
Due Date: Refer to the unit's iLearn site.
Submission Method: Online via Turnitin on the unit's iLearn site.
Duration: Refer to the Assignment section in iLearn.
Extension Requests:
Other Information: The assignment will be posted to iLearn on completion of the lectures.
Due: Refer to Timetable
Weighting: 60%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Summary of Assessment Task
Individual / Group: Individual.
Due Date: Refer to Timetable.
Submission Method: As per MAFC Program Rules at www.mafc.mq.edu.au
Duration: 2 hours plus 10 minutes reading time
Examination Conditions:
Extension Requests:
Other Information:
Face-to-Face Teaching: Generally 20 hours.
Timetable: Detailed timetable for classes are on the Centre’s website at www.mafc.mq.edu.au
Consultation Times:
Students who wish to contact any of the teaching staff may do so through:
Text: Nil.
Additional Readings:
Lecture Notes: Available in printed form and electronically via iLearn.
Study Problems: Students are required to work systematically through suggested technical examples. These examples will not be collected but they will help you prepare for the exams.
Pre-unit Materials: Information papers on statistics, regression, accounting and other material may be found at http://mafcstudents.mq.edu.au/new-to-mafc/pre-course-materials/. Students should work through this material prior to commencing the degree. The material will remain a useful reference as students progress through the program.
Useful Article References:
Calculators: Only non-programmable calculators (no text/storage retrieval) are permitted to be used in the exam.
Assumed Access: Access to a computer with word processing and spreadsheet capability is assumed, as is general student computer literacy.
Unit iLearn Site:
Important Notice:
Topics:
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 published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Students should also consult the MAFC Program Rules 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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 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 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:
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Note: ECFS992 Alternative Assets was previously known as Hedge Funds.
ECFS992 has broadened beyond hedge funds to now include the full range of alternative investments, namely real assets, hedge funds and private equity. The unit explores the investment strategies utilised within each category and the role they play in constructing a diversified portfolio.
This Unit Guide may be subject to change. Students will be advised, via an "Announcement" on iLearn, if the Unit Guide is changed.
The latest version is available at https://unitguides.mq.edu.au/.
Students should read the Unit Guide carefully at the start of term. It contains important information about the unit. If anything is unclear, please consult one of the unit lecturers.