Students
AFIN8037 – Capital Markets
2021 – Session 2, Special circumstances
Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update
The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.
This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.
Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Damian Bridge
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(Admission to MAppFin or MAppFin(Adv) or MFin or MActPrac) or (ACST603 or ACST6003 or AFIN858)
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit provides an overview of the operation of the capital markets with evidence from Australian and international markets. The financial institutions are described and the securities offered by these institutions are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on the financial instruments available to companies and investors from the equity, debt and derivative markets. |
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: Distinguish between various sectors of the financial market and the nature of financial assets.
- ULO2: Identify the factors responsible for trends in regulation, the role of and the growth in the sources and uses of funds of the banking sector and non-bank financial institutions.
- ULO3: Explain the characteristics of corporate funding sources and the processes involved in raising funds.
- ULO4: Review the complex interactions between the banks, government and central bank.
- ULO5: Work productively in a group to undertake financial analysis.
General Assessment Information
Assessment criteria (including information about late submissions and extensions) for all assessment tasks will be provided on the unit iLearn site.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid Session Test | 30% | No | Week 9 |
| Group Assignment | 20% | No | Week 11 |
| Final Examination | 50% | No | University Examination Period |
Mid Session Test
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 16 hours
Due: Week 9
Weighting: 30%
A 90 minute mid session test will be held.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Distinguish between various sectors of the financial market and the nature of financial assets.
- Identify the factors responsible for trends in regulation, the role of and the growth in the sources and uses of funds of the banking sector and non-bank financial institutions.
- Explain the characteristics of corporate funding sources and the processes involved in raising funds.
- Review the complex interactions between the banks, government and central bank.
Group Assignment
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 11
Weighting: 20%
The assignment will cover quantitative and qualitative analysis of a finance scenario or problem. Students will be required to produce a report of 1,500-2,000 words.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Distinguish between various sectors of the financial market and the nature of financial assets.
- Identify the factors responsible for trends in regulation, the role of and the growth in the sources and uses of funds of the banking sector and non-bank financial institutions.
- Explain the characteristics of corporate funding sources and the processes involved in raising funds.
- Review the complex interactions between the banks, government and central bank.
- Work productively in a group to undertake financial analysis.
Final Examination
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: University Examination Period
Weighting: 50%
A two hour exam will be held during the University Examination Period.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Distinguish between various sectors of the financial market and the nature of financial assets.
- Identify the factors responsible for trends in regulation, the role of and the growth in the sources and uses of funds of the banking sector and non-bank financial institutions.
- Explain the characteristics of corporate funding sources and the processes involved in raising funds.
- Review the complex interactions between the banks, government and central bank.
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
Classes
The timetable for classes can be found on the University website at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/
Recommended text
C. Viney, Financial Institutions, Instruments and Markets, McGraw-Hill, Ninth Edition, 2019. Students are advised to use the book to improve their understanding of the lectures. Older versions are also fine.
Unit web page
The course material is available at https://ilearn.mq.edu.au Students are advised to check the unit website regularly, and ensure that all material posted on the website can be accessed without difficulties. If you are unable to access any of the material on the website, check with your classmates first before notifying your lecturer of the problem.
Unit Schedule
|
Week |
Week Beginning |
Topic |
Textbook chapters |
|
1 |
26 Jul |
A modern financial system. |
1 |
|
2 |
2 Aug |
Commercial banks. |
2 |
|
3 |
9 Aug |
Non-bank financial institutions. |
3 |
|
4 |
16 Aug |
The share market and corporations. |
4 |
|
5 |
23 Aug |
Issuing new equity & investing in the share market. |
5, and Ch.6 sections1-3 |
|
6 |
30 Aug |
Performance measurement, share pricing & forecasting in equity market. |
6 sections 4-6, and Ch.7 |
|
7 |
6 Sep |
Short-term debt. |
9 |
|
Break |
|
Mid Session Break |
|
|
8 |
27 Sep |
Medium-to-long term debt. |
10 |
|
9 |
4 Oct |
Mid session test (30%) covering topics 1 to 8. |
|
|
10 |
11 Oct |
Futures contracts and forward rate agreements. |
19 |
|
11 |
18 Oct |
Options. |
20 |
|
12 |
25 Oct |
Government debt, monetary policy, and the payments system. |
12 |
|
13 |
1 Nov |
An introduction to interest rate determination and forecasting. |
13 |
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
Updated textbook to the newest version.
Unit information based on version 2021.05 of the Handbook