Students

AFIN102 – Finance 1B

2017 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor and Lecturer
Fan Yu
E4A 728
Refer to iLearn
Administrator
Sharon Collett
Administrator
Angela Chow
E4A 620
Angela Chow
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
ACST101
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit introduces students to the financial sector, preparing them for more advanced studies in finance, and developing their interest in a career in finance. It explains the theories, principles and methods used in financial decision-making by individuals, financial institutions and companies, and applies them to the real world using current examples and market data. It further explores financial institutions and markets, and other real world considerations that affect financial transactions of individuals, financial institutions, companies and governments in a modern economy. This is an interesting and relevant unit for students intending to undertake further studies in any area of business and economics, and is required for further studies in finance. Students without a background of at least HSC Mathematics (2 Unit) or equivalent are strongly advised to have studied MATH123 prior to enrolling in this unit.

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:

  • Understand how financial concepts are expressed in mathematical formulas and then applied in valuing equity, debt, property and business projects.
  • Understand the importance of law, independence and objectivity of information when working in the finance industry.
  • Apply financial theory to real world corporate and personal financial decisions.
  • Confidently read and discuss financial publications.
  • Work productively in a group to successfully complete a financial analysis.

General Assessment Information

It is the responsibility of students to view their marks for each within session assessment on iLearn within 20 working days of posting. If there are any discrepancies, students must contact the unit convenor immediately. Failure to do so will mean that queries received after the release of final results regarding assessment marks (not including the final exam mark) will not be addressed.

Assessment criteria for all assessment tasks will be provided on the unit iLearn site. 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Online Quiz 0% No Week 4
Midterm 30% No Week 7
Group assignment 20% No Week 10
Final 50% No See exam timetable

Online Quiz

Due: Week 4
Weighting: 0%

The online quiz is for self-assessment. It will be based on the lectures 1-3.

No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission – 20% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for disruption of studies is made and approved. No submission will be accepted after solutions have been posted. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand how financial concepts are expressed in mathematical formulas and then applied in valuing equity, debt, property and business projects.
  • Understand the importance of law, independence and objectivity of information when working in the finance industry.
  • Apply financial theory to real world corporate and personal financial decisions.

Midterm

Due: Week 7
Weighting: 30%

This 1 hour test will be held during lectures.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand how financial concepts are expressed in mathematical formulas and then applied in valuing equity, debt, property and business projects.
  • Understand the importance of law, independence and objectivity of information when working in the finance industry.
  • Apply financial theory to real world corporate and personal financial decisions.

Group assignment

Due: Week 10
Weighting: 20%

The assignment topic will be announced during the course of the semester. Groups may contain 2 to 4 members, but no more. Details will be released on iLearn. Assignments should be submitted online by uploading the document to iLearn via a Turnitin link.

No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission – 20% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for disruption of studies is made and approved. No submission will be accepted after solutions have been posted. 

A question related to the group assignment may be asked in the final exam.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand how financial concepts are expressed in mathematical formulas and then applied in valuing equity, debt, property and business projects.
  • Understand the importance of law, independence and objectivity of information when working in the finance industry.
  • Apply financial theory to real world corporate and personal financial decisions.
  • Confidently read and discuss financial publications.
  • Work productively in a group to successfully complete a financial analysis.

Final

Due: See exam timetable
Weighting: 50%

The 2 hour exam will be based on the entire course. A formula sheet will be provided. The exam is closed book. Notes are not allowed to be brought into the exam.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand how financial concepts are expressed in mathematical formulas and then applied in valuing equity, debt, property and business projects.
  • Understand the importance of law, independence and objectivity of information when working in the finance industry.
  • Apply financial theory to real world corporate and personal financial decisions.
  • Confidently read and discuss financial publications.

Delivery and Resources

The textbook used in this course is:

Corporate Finance (11th Edition) by Ross, Westerfield, Jaffe, and Jordan, published by McGraw Hill. A copy of the book is reserved in the library.

Course materials are available on iLearn including lecture notes, homeworkl questions, answers and readings.

For students who are looking for other learning resources, the Charted Financial Analyst (CFA) institute has some useful resources: http://www.cfainstitute.org/learning/products/onlinelearning/Pages/60499.aspx?WPID=BrowseProducts

Unit Schedule

Week Topic Comments
Tentative Unit Schedule
1 Introduction Ch1-Ch5. Tutorials start from week 2.
2

Capital Investment Decisions

Capital Budgeting

Ch6

Ch7

3

Bond Valuation

Stock Valuation

Ch8

Ch9

4

Risk and Return

CAPM

Ch10

Ch11. Online quiz due.

5

APT

Efficient Capital Markets

Ch12

Ch15

6

Risk, Cost of Capital, and Valuation

Ch13

7 Midterm  
8 Capital Structure Ch16, Ch17
9 Valuation and Capital Budgeting for the Levered Firm Ch18
10

Payout Policy

Raising Capital

Ch19

Ch20. Group assignment due.

11 Options Ch22
12 Short-Term Financing Ch26
13 Review  

 

Learning and Teaching Activities

Lectures

Basic algebra and ACST 101 are prerequisite for this course. If you are not comfortable with the material, it is strongly recommended to review it before the first lecture. To be best prepared for this course, a revision of basic financial statements, discounted cash flows, NPV, and other investment rules, is recommended. Students may refer to the chapters 1-5 of the textbook. A quick revision will be conducted in the first lecture. Knowledge of basic accounting, statistics, and economics will help students to understand the material easier and perform well in this course, but it is not required. Weekly lectures are scheduled for this unit. Slides will be posted on iLearn in advance. I strongly recommend students to read the slides and related chapters before attending the class.

Homework and Tutorials

Students should complete weekly homework after each lecture. The homework questions will be discussed in the tutorials at the rate preferred by those students who have attempted the work. Teachers welcome questions and enjoy discussions of the concepts. Answers to the homework questions will be posted on iLearn after each week.

Expectation from Students

To achieve the best possible results in this unit: Try not to miss a lecture or tutorial class. This subject moves very fast and each week builds on the one before. Do as many practice questions as possible. Bring the lecture notes and tutorial questions to class and raise questions with your teachers. Talk about the topics with your friends and relatives. Many people enjoy friendly discussions about property, shares, leverage, taxes and interest rates.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, 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 ask.mq.edu.au.

Supplementary exams

Information regarding supplementary exams, including dates, is available at: http://www.businessandeconomics.mq.edu.au/current_students/undergraduate/how_do_i/disruption_to_studies

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

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.

Graduate Capabilities

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand how financial concepts are expressed in mathematical formulas and then applied in valuing equity, debt, property and business projects.
  • Understand the importance of law, independence and objectivity of information when working in the finance industry.
  • Apply financial theory to real world corporate and personal financial decisions.
  • Confidently read and discuss financial publications.
  • Work productively in a group to successfully complete a financial analysis.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Quiz
  • Midterm
  • Group assignment
  • Final

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the importance of law, independence and objectivity of information when working in the finance industry.
  • Apply financial theory to real world corporate and personal financial decisions.
  • Confidently read and discuss financial publications.
  • Work productively in a group to successfully complete a financial analysis.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Quiz
  • Midterm
  • Group assignment
  • Final

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the importance of law, independence and objectivity of information when working in the finance industry.
  • Apply financial theory to real world corporate and personal financial decisions.
  • Confidently read and discuss financial publications.
  • Work productively in a group to successfully complete a financial analysis.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Quiz
  • Midterm
  • Group assignment
  • Final

Changes from Previous Offering

1. We will adopt a textbook (Corporate Finance (11th Edition) by Ross, Westerfield, Jaffe, and Jordan, published by McGraw Hill) for this course for your reference.

2. The order of the topics is rearranged according to the order of the textbook so that students can follow the lectures easily with the book.

3. More details on the topic of options will be discussed.

4. A new topic "short-term financing" is added to reflect the increasing importance of short-term financing in modern corporate finance.

5. Assessment weights are changed from class test (5%), midterm (15%), group assignment (20%), and final (60%) to midterm (30%), group assignment (20%), and final (50%).