Students

AFIN7002 – Finance Empirical

2024 – Session 2, Online-scheduled-In person assessment, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Tom Smith
tom.smith@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Permission by special approval
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
AFIN8002
Unit description Unit description
This unit introduces students to the empirical methods of modern finance, and will highlight some of the key concepts involved in current empirical work in finance, such as a review of econometrics, intertemporal asset pricing models, CAPM, data issues, serial dependence, etc. After completing the unit, students should be able to reproduce (or otherwise) the results reported in the studies which have been examined.

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: Critically assess different financial models by using modern multivariate statistical methods.
  • ULO2: Gain expertise in testing empirical models.
  • ULO3: Appreciate data acquisition and data issues.
  • ULO4: Explore what the editors are looking for in terms of endogeneity sample selection and natural experiments.
  • ULO5: Effectively communicate results to an academic audience.

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
Final Examination 60% No 7th Nov 2-5pm
Research Assignments 40% No During each Module

Final Examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 7th Nov 2-5pm
Weighting: 60%

 

A three hour exam will be held during the University Examination Period.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically assess different financial models by using modern multivariate statistical methods.
  • Gain expertise in testing empirical models.
  • Appreciate data acquisition and data issues.
  • Explore what the editors are looking for in terms of endogeneity sample selection and natural experiments.

Research Assignments

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: During each Module
Weighting: 40%

 

There will be two research assignments. Students will be required to reproduce results reported in the studies and present solutions to the problems generated. The report should not exceed 3,500 words.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically assess different financial models by using modern multivariate statistical methods.
  • Gain expertise in testing empirical models.
  • Appreciate data acquisition and data issues.
  • Explore what the editors are looking for in terms of endogeneity sample selection and natural experiments.
  • Effectively communicate results to an academic audience.

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

Textbooks

    There are no required texts for this course. The following books are useful references:

  • Campbell, Lo and MacKinlay, 1997, The Econometrics of Financial Markets, Princeton University Press
  • Cochrane, 2005,  Asset Pricing Revised Edition, Princeton University Press

 

Venue

Online with a 3-5 pm Zoom session the Saturday of each module.

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