Students
ACST1001 – Finance 1A
2023 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit convenor
Keith Woodward
Contact via After the lecture, during the online consultation or via the ilearn discussion forum
See ilearn
Teaching boss
Shahzada Imran
Contact via ilearn discussion forum or email
See ilearn
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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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 is an introductory unit in finance and is a core part of the first year knowledge base in most programs. Students will examine the roles and interaction of participants in Australia’s financial system and apply financial decision making tools to value and evaluate investment and financing opportunities. Students will learn about risk, the importance of cash flows and the various financial instruments traded in global financial markets, risk and regulation. Further, students will develop excel spreadsheet skills used by industry professionals. |
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 finance in the economy and apply its tools to make financial decisions.
- ULO2: Explain the concepts of time value of money, risk and return.
- ULO3: Apply discounted cash flow techniques to the valuation of financial instruments, including bonds, shares and loans.
- ULO4: Evaluate investment and financing opportunities.
- ULO5: Apply Excel spreadsheets to evaluate financial decisions.
General Assessment Information
Late Assessment Submission Penalty (written assessments)
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.
For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quizzes | 25% | No | Friday 18 August (5%) and Tuesday 5 September (20%). |
| Participation | 10% | No | Participation in best 8 of 11 tutorial classes. |
| Assignment | 25% | No | 11:59am Midday Monday 16 October |
| Final Examination | 40% | No | See central exam timetable when available. |
Quizzes
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Friday 18 August (5%) and Tuesday 5 September (20%).
Weighting: 25%
There are two online quizzes during the session. The first quiz is worth 5% and the second quiz is worth 20%.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain the role of finance in the economy and apply its tools to make financial decisions.
- Explain the concepts of time value of money, risk and return.
- Apply discounted cash flow techniques to the valuation of financial instruments, including bonds, shares and loans.
- Evaluate investment and financing opportunities.
Participation
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Participation in best 8 of 11 tutorial classes.
Weighting: 10%
Individual participation throughout the unit will be graded and is worth 10%.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain the role of finance in the economy and apply its tools to make financial decisions.
- Explain the concepts of time value of money, risk and return.
- Apply discounted cash flow techniques to the valuation of financial instruments, including bonds, shares and loans.
- Evaluate investment and financing opportunities.
Assignment
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 11:59am Midday Monday 16 October
Weighting: 25%
The assignment will cover quantitative and qualitative analysis of a financial scenario or problem.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain the role of finance in the economy and apply its tools to make financial decisions.
- Explain the concepts of time value of money, risk and return.
- Apply discounted cash flow techniques to the valuation of financial instruments, including bonds, shares and loans.
- Evaluate investment and financing opportunities.
- Apply Excel spreadsheets to evaluate financial decisions.
Final Examination
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: See central exam timetable when available.
Weighting: 40%
The final examination will be two-hours plus ten-minutes reading time, to be held during the University Examination period.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain the role of finance in the economy and apply its tools to make financial decisions.
- Explain the concepts of time value of money, risk and return.
- Apply discounted cash flow techniques to the valuation of financial instruments, including bonds, shares and loans.
- Evaluate investment and financing opportunities.
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
We look forward to seeing you in the weekly lecture (2 hours) and tutorials (1 hour)!
Tutorials start from week 2, lectures start from week 1
Lectures
We'll discuss some fascinating finance topics including stock investment, valuation and business projects! Each lecture we'll cover some theory and mathematical formulas, with practical examples of how both are applied in the real world and in the exams and assignments that you'll complete.
Tutorials
Tutorials are widely regarded as the best learning experience, with small classes led by expert and enthusiastic teachers. Students should register for a tutorial. Tutorial participation will be marked and assessed. Details will be available on ilearn.
Tutorial enrolment or change of tutorial can be made through eStudent in the first two weeks of the session. Students should attend their allocated tutorial, but exceptions may occur on a one-off basis. That is, where circumstances prevent you attending your own tutorial in a given week, you may attend an alternative tutorial if room is available. Please do NOT email the unit convenor or any member of the teaching team regarding changing of registered tutorials. We are unable to do this for you.
Additional learning support will be available during tutor consultation times!
Prescribed Text
Parino, R. et al. 2020, Fundamentals of Corporate Finance, 4th edition, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Milton. e-Text ISBN: 9780730382492.
https://www.wileydirect.com.au/buy/fundamentals-of-corporate-finance/
https://multisearch.mq.edu.au/permalink/61MACQUARIE_INST/7h5qs5/alma99244739307802171
Similar books:
Fundamentals of Corporate Finance, 3rd edition. Jonathan Berk, Peter DeMarzo, Jarrad Harford, Guy Ford & Vito Mollica. Pearson Education Limited. ISBN: 9781488611001
https://multisearch.mq.edu.au/permalink/61MACQUARIE_INST/467l3g/cdi_proquest_ebookcentral_EBC5637846
Fundamentals of Corporate Finance, 3rd Global Edition. Jonathan Berk, Peter DeMarzo, Jarrad Harford. Pearson Education Limited 2014. ISBN: 9781292068169
https://multisearch.mq.edu.au/permalink/61MACQUARIE_INST/1c87tk9/alma99244660728502171
Technology Used and Required
Calculator
A calculator will be required for the various calculations throughout the session, and for the Final Examination.
Scientific calculators need the following minimum functionality: xy or ^ functions. Non-programmable financial calculators are permitted too, but unnecessary.
Software
Students should have access to Excel software (version 2013 or more recent),
See https://students.mq.edu.au/support/technology/service-desk/office-365 for instructions on how to get your free copy of Microsoft Office!
Knowledge of Maths
A background of HSC General Mathematics or equivalent numerical competency is assumed.
Students requiring assistance with the unit's mathematical elements throughout the term may consult with the Numeracy Centre team during appointed hours (no appointment needed). https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/numeracy
Unit Schedule
| Week | Week date (Tuesday) | Lecture topic | Lectures scheduled | Tutorials scheduled |
| 1 | 25-Jul | The financial system and markets. | Yes | No |
| 2 | 1-Aug | Returns and interest rates. | Yes | Yes |
| 3 | 8-Aug | Time value of money. | Yes | Yes |
| 4 | 15-Aug | Perpetuities and annuities. 5% online quiz Friday 18 August. | Yes | Yes |
| 5 | 22-Aug | Capital budgeting principles: net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR) and payback period. | Yes | Yes |
| 6 | 29-Aug | Capital budgeting special cases: projects of different lives, profitability index. | Yes | Yes |
| 7 | 5-Sep | Mid-session test. 20% online quiz at 2pm Tuesday 5 September. | No | Yes |
| Mid-session break from Monday 11 September to Sunday 24 September. | No | No | ||
| 8 | 26-Sep | Bonds. | Yes | No |
| 9 | 3-Oct | Shares. | Yes | Yes |
| 10 | 10-Oct | Market efficiency and the capital asset pricing model (CAPM). 25% Individual assignment due Monday 16 October at 11:59am midday Sydney time | Yes | Yes |
| 11 | 17-Oct | Raising capital. | Yes | Yes |
| 12 | 24-Oct | Special topics. | Yes | Yes |
| 13 | 31-Oct | Final exam revision. | Yes | Yes |
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
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution 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
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.
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
New textbook.
Unit information based on version 2023.04 of the Handbook