Skip to main content
Unit outline_

BUSS4920: Contemporary Issues in Personal Finance

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit covers financial decision making by individuals rather than corporations. It provides a framework for analysing individual decisions on spending and saving, portfolio management (including human, housing and financial capital), retirement and bequests. Models incorporate personal preferences, and account for investment, labour income and longevity risks. It analyses retirement savings systems (including superannuation) covering current regulatory settings and policy debates

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Finance
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
Students must meet the entry requirements for the Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Advanced Coursework), including completion of a pass undergraduate degree, a major in a business subject area and FINC2012
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
FINC3024
Assumed knowledge
? 

Understanding of Financial modelling including time value of money calculations

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Susan Thorp, susan.thorp@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final exam
Closed-book exam (in person).
45% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Small continuous assessment Assignment 1
Worked problem sets & short-answer responses to readings (equal-weighted).
25% Multiple weeks 3 x approx. 2-3 pages; equal-weighted.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Presentation group assignment Group Presentation
Further details TBC in Canvas.
30% Week 11
Closing date: 22 Oct 2024
Presentation mode.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assignment 1: Small problem sets or reading reflections

Group Assignment: Presentation and report on current issue

Final exam: Supervised exam during formal exam period

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Assignment 1: No late submission allowed; marks may be reassigned under special consideration. Assignment 2: Penalty of 5% of maximum marks for each calendar day late for 14 days. After 14 days zero marks will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Overview: Personal wealth dynamics Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 02 Introduction to life cycle model; Long-term cash flows: feasibility, adequacy, risks Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 Dynamic plans for consumption and investment 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 Dynamic plans for consumption and investment 2 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 05 Modelling and managing consumption risk Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 06 Modelling and managing consumption and investment risk Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 07 Investing with human capital Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 08 Investing, human capital and housing Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 09 Current issues in building human capital Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 10 Current issues in home ownership Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 11 Current issues in retirement saving Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 12 Current issues in retirement incomes Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 13 Assignment feedback; Review; Examination procedures Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

There is no prescribed text. Readings will be available via Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Integrate theories, frameworks and principles of: individual saving and consumption decisions over short and long horizons; individual portfolio choice over short and long horizons; human capital; risks including investment and longevity; behavioural influences on personal financial decisions.
  • LO2. Analyse and solve complex personal financial challenges using fundamental knowledge and concepts of finance.
  • LO3. Critically evaluate issues relating to ethics, sustainability and social responsibility in addressing personal finance challenges.
  • LO4. Communicate effectively and professionally to diverse stakeholder groups using a range of communication modes and methods.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

In the past, the small assignments helped students learn continuously and come to the final exam better prepared. The new group presentation aims to ensure fair contributions by group members, and to promote authenticity and originality.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.