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Unit outline_

FINC5001: Foundation in Finance

Intensive January - February, 2025 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit introduces foundational concepts in capital markets and corporate finance, equipping students for further studies in the discipline. The firm and the role of financial institutions are explored before developing important skills in financial mathematics. The unit then moves to the valuation of tradable securities and their pricing in the capital markets. The decisions firms make around capital structure and payout policy are studied. The unit concludes with an exploration of information and market efficiency. The tools of finance allow decision makers to navigate risk and uncertainty.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Finance
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Eliza Wu, eliza.wu@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Eliza Wu, eliza.wu@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 January 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final Exam
Closed Book Final Exam
45% February exam weeks 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Participation Participation and Professionalism
Participation
5% Multiple weeks Assessed from week 1 to week 4
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Major Assignment
Written report
25% Week 02
Due date: 28 Jan 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 30 Jan 2025
8 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8
Supervised test
? 
In-semester Test
Closed Book In-semester Test
25% Week 03
Due date: 03 Feb 2025 at 14:00
1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

  • Participation: Your active participation and professionalism demonstrated individually and in group tasks will be assessed in class across multiple weeks during the semester.

 

  • In-Semester Test: The In-Semester Test will assess the materials covered in the first half of this unit. You will be expected to demonstrate your understanding of this material by being able to answer detailed questions on these topics.

 

  • Major Assignment: The Major Assignment requires you to demonstrate an understanding and proficiency in the application of finance knowledge, data work, and research skills to a specific task relating to a company.

 

  • Final Exam: The Final Exam will assess all the material covered in this unit.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy (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 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.

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.

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 Introduction and Financial Mathematics Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO9
The Firm, Agency, Investors and Society Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO9
Financial Markets, Institutions and Funds Management Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO9
Investor Preferences, Diversification and Portfolios Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO9
Week 02 The Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO9
Market Efficiency and Behavioural Finance Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO9
Risk-adjusted Discounted Cash Flows Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO5 LO9
Week 03 Capital Budgeting I Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO6 LO9
Capital Budgeting II Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO6 LO9
Company Cost of Capital Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO7 LO9
Capital Structure Policy Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO7 LO9
Week 04 Payout Policy Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO7 LO9
Raising Capital and Review Session Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9

Attendance and class requirements

It is strongly and highly recommended that students attend all the classes.

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

Brealey, R. A., Myers, S. C., Allen, F., and Edmans, A. (Copy Right 2023); Principles of Corporate Finance (14th ed.); McGraw Hill Irwin.

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. Compute the risk-adjusted present value and future value of single cash flow streams, mixed cash flow streams, annuities and perpetuities
  • LO2. Understand the contemporary institutional environment of financial markets and key participants.
  • LO3. Discuss and explain the relationship between various measures of risk and return and apply the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM).
  • LO4. Discuss and explain the concept of market efficiency and the role of information in financial markets.
  • LO5. Value bonds and stocks through the principles of valuation.
  • LO6. Solve capital budgeting problems and describe and integrate them into practical considerations.
  • LO7. Explain the impact of investment, financing and dividend decisions on firm value.
  • LO8. Apply and integrate key financial concepts to real-world problems.
  • LO9. Operate and contribute in a team-based structure.

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.

Added 5% participation to enhance student engagement. Final exam reduced to 45%.

Work, health and safety

Please read University’s website for information on work, health and safety matters.

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.