Students

AFCX6018 – Quantitative and Economic Analysis

2025 – Term 3, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Geoff Brianton
geoff.brianton@mq.edu.au
George Lin
george.lin@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to GradCertFin (OUA)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
AFCP6018
Unit description Unit description

This unit provides the important building blocks in microeconomic and quantitative analysis required for advanced study in applied finance. Microeconomic analysis develops tools in demand and supply and critically applies these to the consumer and the firm. It concludes with an analysis of market structure. The second part of the unit develops quantitative skills that are used in finance, including descriptive statistics, probability, statistical inference, correlation and regression analysis. Spreadsheets are extensively used in statistical modelling.

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: Apply mathematical skills to finance based problems.
  • ULO2: Explain and analyse the key concepts, models and theories used in microeconomics as required for applied finance.
  • ULO3: Apply the key concepts, models and theories used in microeconomics to solve a range of finance based problems.
  • ULO4: Demonstrate proficiency in using spreadsheet based statistical modelling to solve a range of finance based problems.
  • ULO5: Analyse data using the key concepts, models and theories used in probability and statistics.

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.

 

Please refer to the assessment guide on iLearn for more details

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Assessed Coursework 60% No refer to unit schedule
Final Exam 30% No refer to unit schedule
Online Participation 10% No refer to unit schedule

Assessed Coursework

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: refer to unit schedule
Weighting: 60%

 

You will be required to participate in a variety of assessment tasks for Economic Analysis and Quantitative Analysis. These will include written activities, online quizzes and project based learning.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply mathematical skills to finance based problems.
  • Explain and analyse the key concepts, models and theories used in microeconomics as required for applied finance.
  • Apply the key concepts, models and theories used in microeconomics to solve a range of finance based problems.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in using spreadsheet based statistical modelling to solve a range of finance based problems.
  • Analyse data using the key concepts, models and theories used in probability and statistics.

Final Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 22 hours
Due: refer to unit schedule
Weighting: 30%

 

2-hour online exam via iLearn on all Topics

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply mathematical skills to finance based problems.
  • Explain and analyse the key concepts, models and theories used in microeconomics as required for applied finance.
  • Apply the key concepts, models and theories used in microeconomics to solve a range of finance based problems.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in using spreadsheet based statistical modelling to solve a range of finance based problems.
  • Analyse data using the key concepts, models and theories used in probability and statistics.

Online Participation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: refer to unit schedule
Weighting: 10%

 

Participation in online discussion forums. Online discussions and tasks will be conducted during the term. You are required to participate actively in these forums, and your contributions will be assessed.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply mathematical skills to finance based problems.
  • Explain and analyse the key concepts, models and theories used in microeconomics as required for applied finance.
  • Apply the key concepts, models and theories used in microeconomics to solve a range of finance based problems.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in using spreadsheet based statistical modelling to solve a range of finance based problems.
  • Analyse data using the key concepts, models and theories used in probability and statistics.

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

refer to iLearn

Unit Schedule

AFCP6018/AFCPX6018 Term 3 - 2025 - Quantitative and Economic Analysis      
           
Week Topic Assessment/Activity Weight Topic Start Assessment Due
0 Essential Pre work Participation forum (Language and Eco)   Monday 23 June 2025 11:55 PM Monday 07 July 2025
1 Descriptive statistics Participation forum (Misuse of Statistics)*   Monday 30 June 2025 11:55 PM Monday 14 July 2025
2 Statistical Distribution Quiz 10% Monday 07 July 2025 11:55 PM Monday 21 July 2025
3 Inference Assignment 10% Monday 14 July 2025 11:55 PM Monday 28 July 2025
4 Regression Quiz 10% Monday 21 July 2025 11:55 PM Monday 11 August 2025
5 Machine Learning /AI+ Participation forum (Statistics in Action)*   Monday 28 July 2025 11:55 PM Monday 11 August 2025
6 Key Concepts Participation forum (Economics in Action)*   Monday 04 August 2025 11:55 PM Monday 18 August 2025
7 Market analysis & Elasticity Final Assignment released   Monday 11 August 2025 11:55 PM Monday 25 August 2025
8 Cost Curves & Competitive Market Participation forum (Perfect Competition)*   Monday 18 August 2025 11:55 PM Monday 25 August 2025
9 Market Structures Final Assignment (Eco & Quant) 30% Monday 25 August 2025 11:55 PM Monday 01 September 2025
10 Swot Vac        
12   Final Exam 30%   11:55 PM Saturday 06 September 2025
    Participation 10%    
    Total 100%    
           
  * Respond to another student's post within one week of the due date      
  + Week 5 material is optional but the participation forum is not optional      
           
  Webinars Each Wednesday at 6:30 pm starting 2nd July      

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/

Academic Success

Academic Success 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 2025.02 of the Handbook