Skip to main content
Unit outline_

ENGG2850: Project Cost and Finance

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

This is a theory and case study based unit providing students with a unified approach to the analysis of project value, supported by explicit methods for ranking and selection of projects on the basis of returns and sensitivity. The unit uses "Project Finance" as a vehicle for descibing the fundamentals of project management financing and contrasts it with "Direct Financing", a more traditional approach to funding projects.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Project Management
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
ENGG1850 OR [ENGG1865 AND (30cp of any 1000 level units of study)]
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Shahadat Uddin, shahadat.uddin@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Tutorial quiz Five quizzes
5 online quizzes covering topics introduced over the previous 2 weeks
40% Multiple weeks 30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Interim project report
An outline of the chosen group project, with an action plan
10% Week 07
Due date: 19 Apr 2021 at 09:00
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment group assignment Project report
Teams will develop a business case for their chosen project.
30% Week 12
Due date: 24 May 2021 at 09:00
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment Reflection report
Reflection on learning and competencies development
20% Week 13
Due date: 31 May 2021 at 09:00
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO5 LO7
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Five quizzes: 5 quizzes during the semester covering the class material, each quiz lasting 30 mins at the beginning of the class and each will be worth 12% of your final grade. 
  • Interim project report: Students will need to show that they have decided on a group project and have established a clear path (with milestones, specific tasks listed and assigned to group members etc.) to the completion of the final project due in week 13.
  • Project report: Students develop a business case for a given project in groups using all of the tools covered in class.
Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

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

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:

Late Penalty: For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. The penalty will be calculated by first marking the work, and then subtracting 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. Example: Consider an assignment's maximum awardable mark is 10; the assignment is submitted 2 days late; and the assignment is marked as 7/10. After applying the penalty, marks will be: 7 - (0.5 x 2) = 6/10. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero will be awarded. The marker may elect to, but is not required to, provide feedback on such work. Refer to section 7A of Assessment procedures policy available at: http://sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2012/267&RendNum=0 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. Text-matching software for Assignment Submission: As part of the assessment process, text matching software such as Turnitin will be used to identify plagiarism and/or be used for providing feedback. Confidential Peer Evaluation: As part of the group contribution assessment process, collaborative & self-peer evaluation tools (e.g. SparkPlus, CATME, etc.) may be used, either on a confidential or non-confidential basis, to understand contributions and interactions amongst group members. Marks may be adjusted for an individual team member, following on from the peer evaluation process. Mark Moderation: Mark moderation: There may be statistically defensible moderation when combining the marks from each component to ensure consistency of marking between markers, and alignment of final grades with unit outcomes.

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Ongoing Independent study guided by the online contact and lectures. You are expected to undertake 8-10 hours per week on independent study in addition to workshops Independent study (100 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 01 An introduction to “introduction to project finance” Workshop (2 hr) LO1
Week 02 The foundation principles of project finance and overview Workshop (2 hr) LO1
Week 03 The time value of money Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO7
Week 04 Use of variable discount rates in accounting practice Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO7
Week 05 The structuring of projects Workshop (2 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 06 The structuring of projects II Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Project valuation and analysis Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 08 Project valuation and analysis II Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 09 Managing project risks Workshop (2 hr) LO3 LO6
Week 10 Decision tree analysis and sensitivity analysis Workshop (2 hr) LO4 LO6 LO7
Week 11 Legal considerations in project finance Workshop (2 hr) LO5 LO7
Week 12 Integrated analysis and overview of project finance Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 13 Revision Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

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.

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. conduct a broad-based, well-informed project valuation using quantitative methods
  • LO2. critically evaluate a given project valuation
  • LO3. understand risk from a statistical and sensitivity perspective
  • LO4. make decisions on ranking and selecting projects using sound project management principles
  • LO5. comprehend how external forces affect project valuation and understand how these forces can be mitigated
  • LO6. understand low-probability, high-impact events and behavioural influences in project valuation
  • LO7. discuss the valuation of projects within a coherent conceptual framework.

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.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

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.