Students

AFIN7008 – Corporate Finance

2023 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convener
Clara Zhou
clara.zhou@mq.edu.au
E4A Room 532
12: pm to 1:00 pm Wednesday
Chris Meier
chris.meier@mq.edu.au
TBA
TBA
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
AFIN8008
Unit description Unit description
The objective of this unit is to explore the theory and application of corporate finance issues at an advanced level, and to equip students with the required depth of knowledge and skill expected of a professional. Following a brief revision of basic financial concepts covered in earlier finance courses, the unit investigates the more complicated theoretical issues and analytical techniques in corporate finance. In particular, a critical approach is adopted which involves identifying the assumptions and limitations of these techniques when applied to the real world. Students are encouraged to understand that often the best method is a matter of debate, and that they must choose a method from a group of methods all of which have various limitations. This critical approach is reinforced by examining a number of real life corporate finance projects.

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: Apply investment and financing concepts to business decisions.
  • ULO2: Evaluate cost of capital, project risks and the financial viability of projects.
  • ULO3: Assess the effect of capital structure on value of firms and projects.
  • ULO4: Use options methodology to value business opportunities and firms.
  • ULO5: Critically appraise and review the contemporary literature in corporate finance.

General Assessment Information

Online Quizzes

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours Due: Week 3 Weighting: 5%

 

Online quizzes consisting of multiple choice and short answer questions.

 

On successful completion, you will be able to:

  • Apply investment and financing concepts to business decisions.
  • Evaluate the cost of capital, project risks and the financial viability of projects.
  • Assess the effect of capital structure on the value of firms and projects.
  • Use options methodology to value business opportunities and firms.

Mid Session Test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours Due: Week 7 Weighting: 20%

 

A mid-session test of 60-75 minutes will be held during the session.

 

On successful completion, you will be able to:

  • Apply investment and financing concepts to business decisions.
  • Evaluate the cost of capital, project risks and the financial viability of projects.
  • Assess the effect of capital structure on the value of firms and projects.

Individual Research Report

Assessment Type 1: Report Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours Due: Week 10 Weighting: 25%

 

Students will research a topic and prepare a 1,500-word report.

 

On successful completion, you will be able to:

  • Apply investment and financing concepts to business decisions.
  • Evaluate the cost of capital, project risks and the financial viability of projects.
  • Assess the effect of capital structure on the value of firms and projects.
  • Use options methodology to value business opportunities and firms.

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:

  • Apply investment and financing concepts to business decisions.
  • Evaluate the cost of capital, project risks and the financial viability of projects.
  • Assess the effect of capital structure on the value of firms and projects.
  • Use options methodology to value business opportunities and firms.

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

 

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
Online Quizzes 5% No Week 3
Mid Session Test 20% No Week 7
Individual Research Report 25% No Week 10
Final Examination 50% No University examination period

Online Quizzes

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 3
Weighting: 5%

 

Online quizzes consisting of multiple choice and/or short answer questions.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply investment and financing concepts to business decisions.
  • Evaluate cost of capital, project risks and the financial viability of projects.
  • Assess the effect of capital structure on value of firms and projects.
  • Use options methodology to value business opportunities and firms.

Mid Session Test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 20%

 

A mid session test of 60-75 minutes will be held during the session.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply investment and financing concepts to business decisions.
  • Evaluate cost of capital, project risks and the financial viability of projects.
  • Assess the effect of capital structure on value of firms and projects.

Individual Research Report

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 10
Weighting: 25%

 

Students will conduct a literature review and produce a 1,500 word report.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply investment and financing concepts to business decisions.
  • Evaluate cost of capital, project risks and the financial viability of projects.
  • Assess the effect of capital structure on value of firms and projects.
  • Use options methodology to value business opportunities and firms.
  • Critically appraise and review the contemporary literature in corporate finance.

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:
  • Apply investment and financing concepts to business decisions.
  • Evaluate cost of capital, project risks and the financial viability of projects.
  • Assess the effect of capital structure on value of firms and projects.
  • Use options methodology to value business opportunities and firms.

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

Textbook

Corporate Finance 12th Edition 

By Stephen Ross and Randolph Westerfield and Jeffrey Jaffe and Bradford Jordan

Published by McGraw Hill

It is available for purchase online via the below options:

Print copy: 9781260091878

McGraw Hill Website:

https://www.mheducation.com.au/ise-corporate-finance-9781260091878-aus

eBook: 9781260289541

VitalSource Website:

https://www.vitalsource.com/en-au/products/ise-corporate-finance-stephen-ross-v9781260289541?term=9781260091878

Unit Web Page

The unit Website AFIN8008-iLearn is only available to students enrolled in AFIN8008 and AFIN7008.

The Website will contain important unit materials, including:

  • Course details — an outline of the unit, including assessment tasks
  • Announcements — notices updating students on important matters regarding the unit.
  • Assignment 
  • Suggested answers and solutions to homework questions
  • Results — for assignment and other assessable material

Technology​ Used and Required

The textbook provides access to various online resources. Further, a number of the class exercises are designed to be completed using Excel. Students are encouraged to use excel when attempting these exercises.  

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:

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.

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:

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 since First Published

Date Description
03/02/2023 Late assessment policy, office location and consultation hours

Unit information based on version 2023.01 of the Handbook