Students
AFCP8104 – Contemporary Issues in Applied Finance
2025 – Term 1, In person-scheduled-infrequent, City
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Lurion De Mello
Lecturer
Brendon Harper
By Appointment
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(AFCP8101 or AFCP8004) and (AFCP8102 or AFCP8003) and (AFCP8103 or AFCP8005)
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit examines a range of topical real-world issues in applied finance. The issues will depend on current financial and economic market conditions. Potential areas of interest are to be drawn from the fields of investment management, the financial system, corporate financial strategy and risk management. The focus will be on current and likely future conditions, and will seek to combine underlying theory, research skills and a strong practical emphasis. Personal communication, negotiation and collaborative skills will be further developed. This Capstone unit will be undertaken towards the end of the program of study. |
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 knowledge of advance finance theories, models and concepts and recent research issues and apply it to a practical research-based project in applied finance.
- ULO2: Design and execute a major project that solves a current business challenge in applied finance, in a practical and well-justified manner.
- ULO3: Effectively communicate complex information, decisions and recommendations to a professional audience.
- ULO4: Reflect on skills and knowledge gained and recognise common preconceptions and assumptions within the finance profession.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1A: Proposal for Research Project | 15% | No | 26 Jan 2025 |
| Assessment 1B: Research Presentation | 15% | No | 9 March 2025 |
| Assessment 2: Reflection | 30% | No | 17 Feb 2025 |
| Assessment 1C: Research Project | 40% | No | 21 March 2025 |
Assessment 1A: Proposal for Research Project
Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: 26 Jan 2025
Weighting: 15%
Initial Proposal for Research Project. Prepared in class. Maximum of 1,000 words.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Synthesise knowledge of advance finance theories, models and concepts and recent research issues and apply it to a practical research-based project in applied finance.
- Design and execute a major project that solves a current business challenge in applied finance, in a practical and well-justified manner.
Assessment 1B: Research Presentation
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: 9 March 2025
Weighting: 15%
Presentation of Research Project. Approximately 2-3 minutes.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Design and execute a major project that solves a current business challenge in applied finance, in a practical and well-justified manner.
- Effectively communicate complex information, decisions and recommendations to a professional audience.
Assessment 2: Reflection
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 17 Feb 2025
Weighting: 30%
Reflect on knowledge and skills gained and recognise common preconceptions and assumptions made within the finance profession. Group discussion and individual presentation.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Synthesise knowledge of advance finance theories, models and concepts and recent research issues and apply it to a practical research-based project in applied finance.
- Effectively communicate complex information, decisions and recommendations to a professional audience.
- Reflect on skills and knowledge gained and recognise common preconceptions and assumptions within the finance profession.
Assessment 1C: Research Project
Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: 21 March 2025
Weighting: 40%
An individual assessment of up to 5,000 words on an agreed research topic.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Synthesise knowledge of advance finance theories, models and concepts and recent research issues and apply it to a practical research-based project in applied finance.
- Design and execute a major project that solves a current business challenge in applied finance, in a practical and well-justified manner.
- Effectively communicate complex information, decisions and recommendations to a professional 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
Please See ilearn
Unit Schedule
Unit Schedule
| Topic | Week | Session | Time |
| 1. Bringing it all together and research topic | 1 | Tuesday, 14 Jan 2025 | 6:30 - 8:00 pm |
| 2. Research methods and topic presentations | 2 | Tuesday, 21 Jan 2025 | 6:30 - 8:00 pm |
| 3. Sustainable Development Goals and Applied Finance; group formation | 3 | Tuesday, 28 Jan 2025 | 6:30 - 8:00 pm |
| 4. Problem solving, negotiations, communications and presentation skills | Weekend Session 1 | | 4 | Saturday, 8th Feb 2025 | 10.00am -3pm |
| Sunday, 9th Feb 2025 | 10.00am -3pm | ||
| 5. Finalise Group SDG Presentations | 5 | Tuesday, 11 Feb 2025 | 6:30 - 8:00 pm |
| 6. Sustainable Development Goals presentations + Q&A | 6 | Tuesday, 18 Feb 2025 | 6:30 - 8:00 pm |
| 7. Work on Research paper & presentations | 7 | Tuesday, 25 Feb 2025 | 6:30 - 8:00 pm |
| 8. Research Presentations | Weekend Session 2 | 8 | Saturday, 8 March 2025 | 10am -3pm |
| Sunday, 9 March 2025 | 10am -3pm | ||
| 9. Tips and Guidance, Research Paper Q&A | 9 | Tuesday, 11 March 2025 | 6.30- 8:00 pm |
| 10. Finalise Research Paper | 10 | Tuesday, 18 March 2025 | 6:30 - 8:00 pm |
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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:
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- Academic Integrity Policy
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- Assessment Policy
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- Assessment Procedure
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- Special Consideration Policy
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Results
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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.
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Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
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- Workshops
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Changes since First Published
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 16/12/2024 | Unit Schedule updated |
Unit information based on version 2025.04 of the Handbook