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AFCP8102 – Financial Structure and Insights

2024 – Term 1, In person-scheduled-infrequent, City

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Cosmas Kapsanis
Contact via Email
By arrangement
Lecturer
Lydia Liu
Contact via Email
By arrangement
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MAppFin or GradDipAppFin
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit addresses the practical application of financial evaluation and appraisal techniques commonly used by firms and by investors. A primary focus is the optimisation of value creation by the firm as it undertakes corporate finance activities. Within this context, the unit addresses the various capital requirements of the firm as it progresses through the corporate development life cycle as an enterprise. The unit builds on prior knowledge of key corporate finance concepts with progression involving more detail, increased complexity and an emphasis on practical applications within financial 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: Examine and assess the practical application of financial models and methods commonly used by firms and by financial markets for the purpose of taking investment and capital management decisions.
  • ULO2: Critically assess the role and importance of value creation to the firm and its stakeholders as evidenced in financial markets.
  • ULO3: Effectively collate and communicate the quantitative and qualitative aspects of information used to support investment and capital management decisions.
  • ULO4: Reflect on how to effectively manage a multidisciplinary team as it addresses the diverse needs of various stakeholders including the client firm and financial market participants.

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
Online quizzes 20% No Will be discussed during Lecture 1
Discussion Forum 10% No Week 7 & Week 9
Group Assignment 30% No One week before exam date - TBC
Final Exam 40% No Exam week end T1 - TBC

Online quizzes

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Will be discussed during Lecture 1
Weighting: 20%

 

Students will be required to attempt four Quizzes conducted during the term. A Case Study will be progressed in stages . Each quiz will relate to a milestone event within the case study.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Examine and assess the practical application of financial models and methods commonly used by firms and by financial markets for the purpose of taking investment and capital management decisions.
  • Critically assess the role and importance of value creation to the firm and its stakeholders as evidenced in financial markets.

Discussion Forum

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 7 & Week 9
Weighting: 10%

 

Students will be required to contribute to two Discussion Forums. The forums will be conducted online within specified windows of time. The contribution will be in the form of several posts on specified contemporary issues within financial markets.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Examine and assess the practical application of financial models and methods commonly used by firms and by financial markets for the purpose of taking investment and capital management decisions.
  • Critically assess the role and importance of value creation to the firm and its stakeholders as evidenced in financial markets.

Group Assignment

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: One week before exam date - TBC
Weighting: 30%

 

Students are required to work in groups to appraise a proposed corporate finance transaction. The assignment will involve the preparation of a report and a presentation.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Examine and assess the practical application of financial models and methods commonly used by firms and by financial markets for the purpose of taking investment and capital management decisions.
  • Critically assess the role and importance of value creation to the firm and its stakeholders as evidenced in financial markets.
  • Effectively collate and communicate the quantitative and qualitative aspects of information used to support investment and capital management decisions.
  • Reflect on how to effectively manage a multidisciplinary team as it addresses the diverse needs of various stakeholders including the client firm and financial market participants.

Final Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Exam week end T1 - TBC
Weighting: 40%

 

A final exam to be held.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Examine and assess the practical application of financial models and methods commonly used by firms and by financial markets for the purpose of taking investment and capital management decisions.
  • Critically assess the role and importance of value creation to the firm and its stakeholders as evidenced in financial markets.
  • Effectively collate and communicate the quantitative and qualitative aspects of information used to support investment and capital management decisions.
  • Reflect on how to effectively manage a multidisciplinary team as it addresses the diverse needs of various stakeholders including the client firm and financial market participants.

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

Online lectures and weekend face to face block sessions.

The block sessions will be live streamed on Zoom for those unable to be in Sydney, however in person attendance is strongly recommended.

Slides used in lectures will be made available post lecture on iLearn.

The recommended text is Principals of Corporate Finance, latest edition (13th) by Brearly Myers and Allen.

Unit Schedule

Lectures are Monday evenings, 6.00 pm - 7.30 pm starting January 8th 2024 and finishing 11th March 2024.  These lectures are Zoom meetings and details of the Zoom login will be posted on iLearn.

Two weekend blocks on campus at MAFC, Angel Place, L24, Pitt Street, Sydney

Weekend Block 1: 3rd-4th February 10am - 3pm 

Weekend Block 2: 2nd-3rd March 10am - 3pm 

 

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 connect.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 the Service Connect Portal, 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.


Unit information based on version 2024.02 of the Handbook