Students
AFCX6017 – Case Studies in Applied Finance
2025 – Term 4, Online-flexible
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Slava Platkov
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to GradCertFin (OUA)
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
The unit provides an understanding of the finance industry and its integral role in the modern economy. The focus is on a high level, fully integrated overview of the major participants, their roles, interactions and the purpose they endeavour to fill for all stakeholders in the economy. The key structures of the finance system are examined, and how they usually work and sometimes do not work. Case studies of actual events and participants will be used to provide a sense of the application of finance in the real world - what actually happens as well as what should happen. |
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: Identify and assess the functions of the financial system in modern economies.
- ULO2: Critically examine participants and their markets in the finance industry.
- ULO3: Apply knowledge and skills to assess contemporary case studies in applied finance.
- ULO4: Demonstrate effective communication to diverse audiences across different industry sectors.
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 apply for Special Consideration.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Practice: Financial Analysis of a Corporate Action | 35% | No | 16/11/2025 |
| Skills Development: Knowledge Quiz | 25% | No | See Assessment Summary on iLearn |
| Professional Practice: Portfolio Construction and Professional Benchmarking | 40% | No | 01/12/2025 |
Professional Practice: Financial Analysis of a Corporate Action
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 16/11/2025
Weighting: 35%
The purpose of this assessment is to develop your expertise in analysing the events surrounding a major corporate actions from an investor’s perspective.
You will be required to critically analyse price movement, assess performance and ascertain the benefits associated with a corporate action of a listed company.
Skills in focus: - Critical thinking and Problem Solving - Communication - Discipline knowledge - Digital Skills
Deliverable: Financial report [max 2,000 words] Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify and assess the functions of the financial system in modern economies.
- Critically examine participants and their markets in the finance industry.
- Apply knowledge and skills to assess contemporary case studies in applied finance.
- Demonstrate effective communication to diverse audiences across different industry sectors.
Skills Development: Knowledge Quiz
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: See Assessment Summary on iLearn
Weighting: 25%
The purpose of this assessment is for you to demonstrate expertise on key finance concepts and their application in practice. .
You will solve a set of multiple choice questions at a pre-specified time and important information will be made available on the unit iLearn page.
Skills in focus: - Critical thinking - Problem Solving - Discipline Knowledge
Deliverable: Online Quiz Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify and assess the functions of the financial system in modern economies.
- Critically examine participants and their markets in the finance industry.
- Apply knowledge and skills to assess contemporary case studies in applied finance.
- Demonstrate effective communication to diverse audiences across different industry sectors.
Professional Practice: Portfolio Construction and Professional Benchmarking
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 01/12/2025
Weighting: 40%
The purpose of this assessment is for you to construct an investment portfolio that meets a varety of pre-defined objectives. Additional purpose is to assess and compare the performance of professional investment managers.
You will be required to assess and quantify the asset allocation of a portfolio and evaluate the managers performance.
Skills in focus: - Critical thinking and problem solving - Communication - Discipline knowledge, - Digital skills
Deliverable: Written report [max 2,000 words] Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify and assess the functions of the financial system in modern economies.
- Critically examine participants and their markets in the finance industry.
- Apply knowledge and skills to assess contemporary case studies in applied finance.
- Demonstrate effective communication to diverse audiences across different industry sectors.
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
Please refer to iLearn
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/
Academic Success
Academic Success 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 2025.04 of the Handbook