Students
AFCP8104 – Contemporary Issues in Applied Finance
2021 – Term 3, Infrequent attendance, City
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
Lindesay Brine
Contact via Email
Alison Belot
Contact via Email
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(AFCP8101 or AFCP8004) and (AFCP8102 or AFCP8003) and (AFCP8103 or AFCP8005)
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit examines a range of topical real-world issues in applied finance. The issues will depend on current financial and economic market conditions. Potential areas of interest are to be drawn from the fields of investment management, the financial system, corporate financial strategy and risk management. The focus will be on current and likely future conditions, and will seek to combine underlying theory, research skills and a strong practical emphasis. Personal communication, negotiation and collaborative skills will be further developed. This Capstone unit will be undertaken towards the end of the program of study. |
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: Synthesise knowledge of advance finance theories, models and concepts and recent research issues and apply it to a practical research-based project in applied finance.
- ULO2: Design and execute a major project that solves a current business challenge in applied finance, in a practical and well-justified manner.
- ULO3: Effectively communicate complex information, decisions and recommendations to a professional audience.
- ULO4: Reflect on skills and knowledge gained and recognise common preconceptions and assumptions within the finance profession.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1A: Proposal for Research Project | 10% | No | Due week 2. Further details in iLearn |
| Assessment 2: Reflection | 30% | No | Due week 6. Further details in iLearn |
| Assessment 1B: Research Presentation | 10% | No | Due week 7. Further details in iLearn |
| Assessment 1C: Research Project | 50% | No | Due Week 10. Further details in iLearn |
Assessment 1A: Proposal for Research Project
Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Due week 2. Further details in iLearn
Weighting: 10%
Initial Proposal for Research Project. Prepared in class. Maximum of 1,000 words.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Synthesise knowledge of advance finance theories, models and concepts and recent research issues and apply it to a practical research-based project in applied finance.
- Design and execute a major project that solves a current business challenge in applied finance, in a practical and well-justified manner.
Assessment 2: Reflection
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Due week 6. Further details in iLearn
Weighting: 30%
Reflect on knowledge and skills gained and recognise common preconceptions and assumptions made within the finance profession. Group discussion and individual presentation.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Synthesise knowledge of advance finance theories, models and concepts and recent research issues and apply it to a practical research-based project in applied finance.
- Effectively communicate complex information, decisions and recommendations to a professional audience.
- Reflect on skills and knowledge gained and recognise common preconceptions and assumptions within the finance profession.
Assessment 1B: Research Presentation
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: Due week 7. Further details in iLearn
Weighting: 10%
Presentation of Research Project. Approximately 2-3 minutes.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Design and execute a major project that solves a current business challenge in applied finance, in a practical and well-justified manner.
- Effectively communicate complex information, decisions and recommendations to a professional audience.
Assessment 1C: Research Project
Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 55 hours
Due: Due Week 10. Further details in iLearn
Weighting: 50%
An individual assessment of up to 5,000 words on an agreed research topic.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Synthesise knowledge of advance finance theories, models and concepts and recent research issues and apply it to a practical research-based project in applied finance.
- Design and execute a major project that solves a current business challenge in applied finance, in a practical and well-justified manner.
- Effectively communicate complex information, decisions and recommendations to a professional audience.
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
Learning and Teaching Activities
Strategy: Programs in the Applied Finance Centre adopt a deep teaching and learning strategy. Students acquire and retain knowledge and can make sense of the issues and concepts and apply them in the “real world”. The program relies heavily on student engagement and participation by: (a) Continuous learning throughout the term. This is encouraged through a combination of students undertaking prescribed reading throughout the units and/or completion of practice problems, online activities, case studies, assignments, class discussions, etc and interaction via forums; and (b) Assessments, which enable the student to demonstrate his/her understanding of the learning objectives achieved through the continuous learning.
Student Participation: This is a blended unit where students need to complete assigned activities before live Zoom sessions and weekend sessions. Students participate in this unit by: (a) Actively engaging with the videos and required readings of this unit; (b) Working systematically through and completing online activities; (c) Interacting in forums and face-to-face/online sessions, and (d) Completing all assessment tasks.
Unit Schedule
|
Topic |
Live Session / Class |
| 1. Bringing it all together and research topic considerations
|
Zoom Session |
| 2. Research methods and topic presentations | Zoom Session |
| 3. Sustainable Development Goals and Applied Finance | Zoom Session |
| 4. Skills development | Weekend Session 1 | Attendance options:
|
| 5. Self-study | No session
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| 6. SDGs and Applied Finance | Presentations | Zoom session |
| 7. Research project presentations | Weekend Session 2 | Attendance options:
|
|
8. Self Study |
No session
|
| 9. Tips and Guidance, Research Paper Q&A | Zoom Q&A |
| 10. Finalise Research paper | No session |
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.
Changes from Previous Offering
First offering of this unit
Changes since First Published
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 11/06/2021 | Changes made to Assessment Task numbers |
Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook