Students
AFIN2050 – Investments
2024 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Fan Yu
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(40cp at 1000 level or above including (AFIN1002 or ACST1052) and (ACCG1000 ) and (STAT1250 or STAT1170 or STAT1371)) or ACST2052
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit covers concepts in investment management including asset pricing, fixed income, industry analysis and derivatives contracts. Students will acquire the analytical tools and financial theory necessary for making sound investment decisions and understanding the methodologies by which financial securities are valued. Students learn the principles of modern portfolio theories and apply them to empirical asset pricing models. |
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: Illustrate the theory and empirical applications of asset pricing models.
- ULO2: Analyse bond prices and yields.
- ULO3: Explain macroeconomic and industry analysis, equity valuation and financial statement analysis.
- ULO4: Formulate derivatives strategies to modify portfolio risk-return attributes.
General Assessment Information
Assessment criteria for all assessment tasks will be provided on the unit iLearn site. It is the responsibility of students to view their marks for each within-session-assessment on iLearn within 20 days of posting. If there are any discrepancies, students must contact the unit convenor immediately. Failure to do so will mean that queries received after the release of final results regarding assessment tasks (not including the final exam mark) will not be addressed.
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.
Other assessment criteria for assessment tasks will be provided on the unit iLearn site.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Assignment | 25% | No | Week 9 |
| Mid Session Test | 25% | No | Week 7 |
| Final Examination | 50% | No | University Examination Period |
Individual Assignment
Assessment Type 1: Qualitative analysis task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: Week 9
Weighting: 25%
The assignment will involve the analysis of an investment scenario or problem.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Illustrate the theory and empirical applications of asset pricing models.
- Analyse bond prices and yields.
- Explain macroeconomic and industry analysis, equity valuation and financial statement analysis.
- Formulate derivatives strategies to modify portfolio risk-return attributes.
Mid Session Test
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 25%
A mid session test of 90 minutes will be held to give students practice on a summative task and to provide feedback on their progress midway through the session.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Illustrate the theory and empirical applications of asset pricing models.
- Analyse bond prices and yields.
- Formulate derivatives strategies to modify portfolio risk-return attributes.
Final Examination
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 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:
- Illustrate the theory and empirical applications of asset pricing models.
- Analyse bond prices and yields.
- Explain macroeconomic and industry analysis, equity valuation and financial statement analysis.
- Formulate derivatives strategies to modify portfolio risk-return attributes.
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
Required Text
Bodie, Z., Kane, A. and Marcus, A.J. (2022), Essentials of Investments, 12th edition, McGraw- Hill
Learning and Teaching Activities
The content for each week will comprise of lecture and a set of tutorial questions. Students will need to register for a tutorial. Tutorials are considered compulsory but no marks are allocated. The tutorial schedule will be made available on iLearn. Tutorial enrolment or change of tutorial can be made through eStudent in the first two weeks of the session. No tutorial changes are allowed after Week 2. Students should attend their allocated tutorial, but exceptions may occur on a one-off basis. That is, where circumstances prevent you from attending your own tutorial in a given week, you may attend an alternative tutorial if room available. Students are expected to complete the ‘Tutorial Questions’ as a self-directed study activity before attending a tutorial.
Additional learning support will be available in tutor consultation times.
See timetable for classes on the University web site at: https://timetables.mq.edu.au/2024/
Unit Schedule
| Week | Topic |
| 1 | Introduction to Financial Markets |
| 2 | Investment Vehicles |
| 3 | Risk and Return |
| 4 | Efficient Diversification |
| 5 | Asset Pricing |
| 6 | Market Efficiency |
| 7 | Mid-term Test (No Lecture) |
| 8 | Fixed Income Securities |
| 9 | Industry Analysis |
| 10 | Equity Securities |
| 11 | Futures Contacts |
| 12 | Options Contracts |
| 13 | Revision |
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 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.
- 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 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 2024.03 of the Handbook