Students
MMBA8058 – Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions: Adopting a Holistic Approach
2025 – Term 1, Online-scheduled-weekday
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Jason Talbot
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(MMBA8040 and MMBA8035) or Admission to MAppFin or GradDipAppFin
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
Embark on a multi-disciplinary journey into the intricate world of corporate mergers and acquisitions (M&A). This unit will help you transform from a bystander to a critical player in the dynamic world of corporate deal-making. Drawing on strategy, accounting, law, economics, and finance, this unit will equip you with the skills to transform businesses through strategic acquisitions and divestments. Engage in a comprehensive study encompassing various facets of M&A, including strategy evaluation, target valuation techniques, financing considerations, deal structuring, and the diverse forms of corporate combinations. Gain a deep understanding of the strategic motives driving acquisitions and the critical role of due diligence in transaction success. Navigate through deal planning and implementation complexities, learning best practices for seamless execution. Through a blend of theoretical frameworks and practical case studies, emerge equipped to navigate the dynamic landscape of corporate acquisitions, strategically positioning your organisation for growth and success in today’s and tomorrow’s competitive business environment. |
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: Define the key strategic and value enhancing factors relevant to corporate transactions in order to make well developed and commercially robust business decisions involving mergers, acquisitions and divestments.
- ULO2: Assess and analyse stakeholder interests, deal structuring, and bid tactics relevant to corporate development strategies involving mergers, acquisitions, and divestments with a view to maximising value create and managing risk.
- ULO3: Explore issues relating to transaction implementation processes to ensure the success of the corporate transaction.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation | 20% | No | Ongoing |
| Individual Assignment | 40% | No | Week 5 |
| Syndicate Assignment | 40% | No | Week 10 |
Participation
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 20%
Students will be required to participate in in-class discussions.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Define the key strategic and value enhancing factors relevant to corporate transactions in order to make well developed and commercially robust business decisions involving mergers, acquisitions and divestments.
- Assess and analyse stakeholder interests, deal structuring, and bid tactics relevant to corporate development strategies involving mergers, acquisitions, and divestments with a view to maximising value create and managing risk.
- Explore issues relating to transaction implementation processes to ensure the success of the corporate transaction.
Individual Assignment
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 5
Weighting: 40%
Students will submit a 3,000 word report analysing a case study.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Define the key strategic and value enhancing factors relevant to corporate transactions in order to make well developed and commercially robust business decisions involving mergers, acquisitions and divestments.
- Assess and analyse stakeholder interests, deal structuring, and bid tactics relevant to corporate development strategies involving mergers, acquisitions, and divestments with a view to maximising value create and managing risk.
- Explore issues relating to transaction implementation processes to ensure the success of the corporate transaction.
Syndicate Assignment
Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 10
Weighting: 40%
Students will work in small groups to produce a Report and a Board Presentation that addresses a proposed transaction (as developed by each group). This includes the submission of a Report (MSWord or similar, maximum 4,000 words) and an Executive Summary Board Presentation (voice over Powerpoint or similar, maximum of 12 slides)
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Define the key strategic and value enhancing factors relevant to corporate transactions in order to make well developed and commercially robust business decisions involving mergers, acquisitions and divestments.
- Assess and analyse stakeholder interests, deal structuring, and bid tactics relevant to corporate development strategies involving mergers, acquisitions, and divestments with a view to maximising value create and managing risk.
- Explore issues relating to transaction implementation processes to ensure the success of the corporate transaction.
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
See 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/
The Writing Centre
The Writing Centre 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 2025.06 of the Handbook