CORPFIN 1002 - Business Finance I

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2017

This course examines firm investment and distribution decisions in the context of a capital market structure and efficiency. Valuation methods are developed for valuing projects and securities. Basic portfolio theory is discussed to develop simple asset pricing models and used for determining the cost of capital for use in investment evaluation. The implications of different financing options (debt and equity) are considered and elementary capital structure theorems are presented, in relation to which the dividend decisions are analysed. The question of market efficiency is considered and its implications for trading strategies are discussed.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CORPFIN 1002
    Course Business Finance I
    Coordinating Unit Adelaide Business School
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assessment Exam/assignments/tests/tutorial work as prescribed at first lecture
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Alex Chen

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

    1. Compute complex time value of money calculations.

    2. Illustrate basic risk and return calculations.

    3. Value equities and bonds using the basic financial models.

    4. Apply the core concepts of financial management for basic project valuation.

    5. Analyse the capital structure of a company

    6. Identify ethical behaviour in the context of financial management and financial planning.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1-6
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1-6
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    1-6
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1-6
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    1-6
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1-6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Text Book:
    Ross, Trayler, Van De Venter, Bird, Westfield, and Jordan, Essentials of Corporate Finance, 4th Edition, McGraw Hill 

    Calculator:
    If you would like to use a graphic calculator in the exam, you should not store any text in its memory. A financial calculator is highly recommended.
    Recommended Resources
    This subject provides students with practical and theortical tools to better understand varied financial aspects. Students will significantly benefit from regularly reading the Australian Financial Review, the financial pages of The Australian and Bloomberg.
    Online Learning
    This course is supported by on-line learning including:

    Access to the resources provided by McGraw Hill in support of the textbook.
    Access to course materials.
    AV output of lectures shortly after the lecture is held, for revision or catch up purposes.
    Other links and references as appropriate.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course will be delivered via a 2-hour lecture session and a 1-hour problem-solving tutorial sessions. Lectures provide students with a primary understanding and tutorials help enhance enhance skills to put prior learning into practice. It is important that students spend time solving questions provided individually or in small groups prior to attending tutorials.  

    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Students in this course are expected to attend and prepare for all topics prior to the scheduled class. As a guide, students are expected to spend 12 hours each week for this course (this includes face-to-face contact, online components, and self-directed study).
    Learning Activities Summary
    Week Topic Chapter Reference(s)
    W1 1. Introduction to Financial Management  1
    W2 2. Time Value of Money  4 and 5
    W3 3. Bond Valuation  6
    W4 4. Share Valuation and Efficent Market Hypothesis  7 and 10
    W5 5. Risk and Return  11
    W6 Class Test 1 (Topic 1-3)
    W7 6. Basics of Project Evaluation 8
    W8 7. Making Capital Investment Decisions 9
    W9 8. Cost of Capital  12
    W10 Class Test 2 (Topic 4-6)
    W11 9. Capital Structure  13
    W12 10. Dividend Policy  14
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Weighting Learning Outcome
    Class Test 1 (1Hr) Topics 1-3 20% 1-3
    Class Test 2 (1Hr) Topics 4-6 20% 3-4
    Final Exam (3Hrs) Topics 1-10 60% 1-6
    Total 100%
    Specific due dates will be posted on MyUni.

    Notes:
    1. There are 20 multiple-choice-questions in each class test. Please write down your answers in the MCQ answer sheet with PENCILS only.
    2. Sample practice questions will be uploaded on MyUni before each test.
    3. A formula sheet will be provided in each test. 
    4. Please remember to bring pencils, erasers and calculators for each test and Final Exam.
    5. In Final Exam, please answer MCQ questions first as the MCQ answer sheet will be collected earlier.
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Notes on Assessment

    Legible hand-writing and the quality of English expression are considered to be integral parts of the assessment process. Marks may be deducted in the final examination because of poor hand-writing.

    Assessment marks prior to the final exam will be displayed on MyUni. Students are encouraged to check their marks and notify the lecturer-in-charge of any discrepancies.

    Students in this course are not permitted to take a DICTIONARY (English or English-Foreign) into the Exam. The use of a calculator in the examination will be required in this course.
    Assessment Detail
    There are two class tests and one final exam. Class test 1 covers topic 1-3, test 2 covers topic 4-6 and the final exam covers all topics. More information will be provided in the first lecture.
    Submission
    In each test, you need to mark your answers for multiple-choice-question in the answer sheet with PENCILS. Also, all examination materials must be submitted to the invigilator.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.