Students

AFIN8099 – Current Issues in Banking and Finance

2025 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Rachel Huang
rachel.huang@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(Admission to MFin and 40cp at 8000 level) or (admission to (MBkgFin or MCom) and 60cp at 8000 level)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

The Capstone unit is primarily based on a project that aims to tackle contemporary challenges in the industry. Depending on current financial and economic market conditions, potential areas of interest will be drawn from investment management, the banking system, and corporate financial strategy. Students will integrate theoretical knowledge with research skills, emphasising practical application. The collaborative team environment will engage students in the complexities of interpersonal communication, task allocation, coordination and control, preparing them for real-world challenges. This Capstone unit will be undertaken towards the end of the course 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 financial theory with real-world practice
  • ULO2: Apply critical thinking to complex financial problems
  • ULO3: Demonstrate effective teamwork and communication skills
  • ULO4: Integrate technology and sustainability considerations into financial decision-making.
  • ULO5: Reflect on exemplary standards of ethical and sustainable business practices.

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
Professional practice: Business report 30% No Week 7
Professional practice: Presentation 40% No Week 11&12
Skills development: Continuous improvement 30% No Exam Period

Professional practice: Business report

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 30%

The purpose of this assessment is for you to work with an industry partner to deepen your professional understanding of current issues in the banking and finance industry.   You will conduct in-depth analysis and produce a business report in line with industry expectations.   Skills in focus: - Analytical skills - Critical thinking - Communication skills - Research skills - Work readiness   Deliverable: Business report Individual assessment


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Synthesise financial theory with real-world practice
  • Apply critical thinking to complex financial problems

Professional practice: Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: Week 11&12
Weighting: 40%

The purpose of this assessment is for you to work with an industry partner and collaborate with peers to deepen your understanding of current issues in the banking and finance industry.   You will produce a presentation and participate in a Q&A discussion.   Skills in focus: - Collaboration skills - Communication skills - Critical thinking - Work readiness   Deliverable: Presentations Individual and Group assessment


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Synthesise financial theory with real-world practice
  • Apply critical thinking to complex financial problems
  • Demonstrate effective teamwork and communication skills
  • Integrate technology and sustainability considerations into financial decision-making.

Skills development: Continuous improvement

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Exam Period
Weighting: 30%

The purpose of this assessment is for you to critically reflect on your learning throughout the session and communicate recommendations to relevant parties.   You will produce a reflection report.   Skills in focus: - Communication skills - Critical thinking - Ethical and sustainable business practices - Self reflection   Deliverable: Reflection Report Individual assessment


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply critical thinking to complex financial problems
  • Integrate technology and sustainability considerations into financial decision-making.
  • Reflect on exemplary standards of ethical and sustainable business practices.

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

Seminars of this unit will be delivered by inudstry speakers and unit convenors. Students are expected to attend all seminars in person unless otherwise stated. The learning materials include lecture notes created by industry speakers and the unit convenor, and reading materials from relevant regulatory and/or industry institutions. 

Unit Schedule

Weeks Lecturer Topic
1 UC Introduction
2 Mr. Anthony Passe-de Silva (Founder & CEO, One2Solutions) Impact Finance
3 Mr. Anthony Passe-de Silva Impact Finance
4 UC Review and Discussion
5 Ms. Belinda Cheung (Director, futurefund) Central Bank Balance Sheet Management
6 UC Review and Discussion
7 UC Individual Report Activity
8 UC Presentation Practice 
9 UC Presentation Practice 
10 UC Group Project Progress Reporting
11 UC In-class Presentation
12 UC In-class Presentation
13 UC Reflection Activity

 

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.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
13/02/2025 Update assessment information.

Unit information based on version 2025.04 of the Handbook