Students

AFIN3010 – PACE: Issues in Applied Finance

2024 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Di Bu
di.bu@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
10cp in ACST or AFIN units at 3000 level
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit gives students the opportunity to test how their finance skills can be applied in practice by exposure to leading industry professionals. The topics selected go beyond traditional corporate and investment finance, and include coverage of the latest issues and real world scenarios. Students will learn first hand from practitioners on current and future trends and skills required in finance to prepare them as they embark on their careers in the industry. The projects completed in the unit are carefully set in conjunction with the industry professionals, giving students the opportunity to show evidence of demonstrated learning and the application of finance knowledge from a broader perspective. Visit Employability Connect for important information on this unit.

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: Synthesise financial theory with real-world practice.
  • ULO2: Apply critical thinking to complex financial problems.
  • ULO3: Demonstrate effective teamwork and communication skills.
  • ULO4: Reflect on the impact of financial decisions on various stakeholders and the wider community.
  • ULO5: Integrate technology and sustainability considerations into financial decision-making.

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
Industry Partner Project 40% No Week 7
Final Report 30% No Week 12
Group Presentation 30% No Week 13

Industry Partner Project

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 40%

 

In collaboration with our industry partners, students will be engaged in a significant project that reflects the real-world challenges and practices of the finance industry. The project will encourage students to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world situations, develop innovative solutions, and engage in analytical thinking. The nature and focus of the project will vary depending on the specific industry partner and current trends in the industry.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Synthesise financial theory with real-world practice.
  • Apply critical thinking to complex financial problems.

Final Report

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 30%

 

At the end of the semester, students are expected to submit a final report that critically evaluates the strategies employed and the outcomes of the project. This report should display the students' understanding of the relevant financial concepts, critical evaluation of their application, and reflection on the learnings from the project.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Synthesise financial theory with real-world practice.
  • Reflect on the impact of financial decisions on various stakeholders and the wider community.

Group Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 30%

 

Each group will present their project to the class, including a critical analysis of the process, strategies used, results achieved, and their reflections. The presentation should showcase the group's problem-solving skills, teamwork, and their ability to communicate complex financial concepts and strategies effectively.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate effective teamwork and communication skills.
  • Integrate technology and sustainability considerations into financial decision-making.

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

No textbooks required

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 2024.04 of the Handbook