Students
AFCP6016 – Finance Principles
2021 – AFC term 1, Fully online/virtual
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Yin Liao
Contact via Email
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to GradCertFin or GradDipAppFin or MAppFin or MAppFin(Adv)
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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 students with the key building blocks of finance within a single unifying conceptual framework. Students will be introduced to three of the key ideas in finance: the analysis of trade-offs over time, asset valuation and risk management. These concepts will then be applied to the following subfields of finance: corporate finance, investments, and financial markets and institutions. |
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:
- ULO1: Explain the role of financial institutions and markets in the economy and evaluate their effectiveness in allocating resources over time and transferring risk.
- ULO2: Explain and demonstrate how time value of money concepts and discounted cash flow techniques are used in the analysis of financial decisions of individuals and firms.
- ULO3: Explain and assess the key theories, concepts and models used in asset valuation, risk management, and portfolio theory.
- ULO4: Apply key theories, concepts and models to develop solutions to problems in asset valuation, risk management, and portfolio theory.
- ULO5: Explain and assess the key theories and concepts used in the analysis of a firm's financing decision.
General Assessment Information
Information - Extension Requests / Penalties
Online Participation (20%)
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 andapproved.
Further information on submitting an Application for Special Consideration can be found at https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration.
Online Quizzes (20%)
You are expected to make yourself available for assessment during the relevant quiz window.
Students who do not submit this task by the due date and time receive a result of zero. This penalty does not apply when an application for Special Consideration has been made and approved.
Students who do not attempt the quiz receive a mark of zero. This penalty does not apply in cases where an application for Special Consideration has been made and approved.
Further information on submitting an Application for Special Consideration can be found at https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration.
Assignments (two worth 10% each)
Students who do not submit this task by the due date and time receive a result of zero. This penalty does not apply when an application for Special Consideration has been made and approved.
Further information on submitting an Application for Special Consideration can be found at https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration.
Final Exam (40%)
Deferral of an examination is not permitted unless an application for Special Consideration is made and approved.
Students who do not attend receive a mark of zero. This penalty does not apply in cases where an application for Special Consideration has been made and approved.
Further information on submitting an Application for Special Consideration can be found at https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Quizzes | 20% | No | Refer to iLearn |
| Online Participation | 20% | No | Refer to iLearn |
| Assignment | 20% | No | Refer to iLearn |
| Final Exam | 40% | No | Refer to iLearn |
Online Quizzes
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 3.00 hours
Due: Refer to iLearn
Weighting: 20%
A number of short online topic quizzes
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain and demonstrate how time value of money concepts and discounted cash flow techniques are used in the analysis of financial decisions of individuals and firms.
- Explain and assess the key theories, concepts and models used in asset valuation, risk management, and portfolio theory.
- Apply key theories, concepts and models to develop solutions to problems in asset valuation, risk management, and portfolio theory.
Online Participation
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50.00 hours
Due: Refer to iLearn
Weighting: 20%
Participation in online discussion forums
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain the role of financial institutions and markets in the economy and evaluate their effectiveness in allocating resources over time and transferring risk.
- Explain and assess the key theories, concepts and models used in asset valuation, risk management, and portfolio theory.
- Apply key theories, concepts and models to develop solutions to problems in asset valuation, risk management, and portfolio theory.
Assignment
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10.00 hours
Due: Refer to iLearn
Weighting: 20%
Assignment on a unit topic set by the Convenor
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain and demonstrate how time value of money concepts and discounted cash flow techniques are used in the analysis of financial decisions of individuals and firms.
- Explain and assess the key theories, concepts and models used in asset valuation, risk management, and portfolio theory.
- Apply key theories, concepts and models to develop solutions to problems in asset valuation, risk management, and portfolio theory.
- Explain and assess the key theories and concepts used in the analysis of a firm's financing decision.
Final Exam
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12.00 hours
Due: Refer to iLearn
Weighting: 40%
A 3 hour online exam on all topics
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain the role of financial institutions and markets in the economy and evaluate their effectiveness in allocating resources over time and transferring risk.
- Explain and demonstrate how time value of money concepts and discounted cash flow techniques are used in the analysis of financial decisions of individuals and firms.
- Explain and assess the key theories, concepts and models used in asset valuation, risk management, and portfolio theory.
- Apply key theories, concepts and models to develop solutions to problems in asset valuation, risk management, and portfolio theory.
- Explain and assess the key theories and concepts used in the analysis of a firm's financing decision.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND/OR MATERIALS
Required Text:
The required textbook for this unit is Finance Principles 3e published by McGraw-Hill. This is a customised textbook for use in the Finance Principles unit, based on chapters from Principles of Corporate Finance, 13th edition by Brealey, Myers, Allen, 2019, McGraw-Hill and Fundamentals of Corporate Finance, 10th edition by Brealey, Myers, Marcus, 2019, McGraw-Hill.
- Finance Principles 3e; ISBN: 9781307653373, available at https://www.mheducation.com.au/ebook-afcp6016-finance-principles-3e-customised-9781307653373-aus
Additional Readings:
- Additional readings are included in iLearn.
- Students should assume these readings are assessable unless otherwiseadvised.
Calculators:
- Financial calculations can be performed in either Excel or a financialcalculator.
- If you purchase a financial calculator, it must be able to handle time value of money, logs and power calculations. The Hewlett Packard calculator hp17bII+, Hewlett Packard hp12C-PT and Texas Instruments BA II Plus are suitable for thisunit.
Assumed Knowledge: Mathematical content
- Finance has a high level of numerate content. Consequently this unit is, in parts, mathematical and arithmetical. The applied nature of this unit means the focus is on application of knowledge rather than complex mathematical derivations. What's important is that you are comfortable working with numbers and are not afraid to use formulas to solve problems infinance.
- The "Essential Maths" document in iLearn can be used to revise your maths skills.
Assumed Access: Access to a computer with word processing and spreadsheet capability is assumed, as is general student computer literacy. A recent version of Excel is the preferred choice of spreadsheet.
TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED
This is an online unit which will make use of the University's iLearn system.
Unit's iLearn Site:
- Found by logging on to iLearn ilearn.mq.edu.au, then clicking on AFCP6016 Finance Principles.
- This is where you will find forums, downloadable resources and links to important pages.
- The forum allows you to communicate with other students and lecturer(s) and may provide supplementarymaterial.
- You are requested to post your questions on the forums at least 24 hours prior to the assignment submission date or the examination date. Questions posted after that time maynotbeanswered.Please try to not leave your questions to the last few days.
Important:
- It is important that you familiarise yourself with the unit’s iLearnsite.
- All students should check iLearn regularly and look for updates and distribution of materials related to the unit or assessments and participate in forum discussions.
Unit Schedule
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 |
|
0 |
Topic 0: Essential pre-work |
11 January 2021 |
|
1 |
Topic 1: Introduction to finance |
18 January 2021 |
|
2 |
Topic 2: Financial markets and institutions |
25 January 2021 |
|
3 |
Topic 3: Time value of money |
1 February 2021 |
|
4 |
Topic 4: Valuation of financial assets |
8 February 2021 |
|
5 |
Topic 4: Valuation of financial assets |
15 February 2021 |
|
6 |
Topic 5: Analysing the firm's investment decision |
22 February 2021 |
|
7 |
Topic 6: Analysing the firm's financing decision |
1 March 2021 |
|
8 |
Topic 7: Risk management |
8 March 2021 |
|
9 |
Topic 8: Portfolio theory |
15 March 2021 |
|
10 |
Exam preparation |
22 March 2021 |
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
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
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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.