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Unit outline_

FINC6600: Finance Capstone

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The Capstone unit applies theories and techniques from the foundational and core Finance units to real-world problems. Students examine relevant and contemporary challenges in a practical and purposeful setting. The unit’s experiential learning activities are designed to integrate critical thinking and financial analysis, while advancing collaboration and communication skills.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Finance
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
Completion of 18 credit points of units towards the Finance specialisation (including FINC5001 and FINC6001)
Corequisites
? 
Completion of 6 credit points towards the Finance specialisation
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

Students should complete this unit in their final semester of study

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Danilo Lopomo Beteto, danilo.lopomobeteto@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment group assignment Video presentation
Presentation of the investment thesis
15% Week 06
Due date: 10 Sep 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 24 Sep 2023
10-12 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Reflective essay
Reflection on group work
15% Week 07
Due date: 17 Sep 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 01 Oct 2023
750 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Presentation Q&A I
Individual Q&A based on the video presentation
20% Week 08 3-4 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Pitch deck
Final portfolio recommendation
30% Week 12
Due date: 29 Oct 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 12 Nov 2023
30-40 slides
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Presentation Q&A II
Individual Q&A based on the pitch deck
20% Week 13 3-4 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  1. Video presentation: pre-recorded video explaining the investment thesis and proposed asset allocation/stock selection.
  2. Reflective essay: written reflection using the 5Rs framework based on the group work done for the project.
  3. Q&A I: individual Q&A based on students' contribution to the video presentation.
  4. Pitch deck: set of slides containing the final investment thesis and portfolio recommendation.
  5. Q&A II: individual Q&A based on students' contribution to the pitch deck.

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 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:

5% per day of late submission for the submitted assignments.

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
Week 01 Welcome to the unit and introduction to the case study Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Group formation Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 Portfolio management theory Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Portfolio construction and optimisation Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Macroeconomic analysis Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Economic indicators Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Industry analysis Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Top-down approach Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Investment thesis Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Preparation for video presentation Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Reflection on group work Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Reflective essay writting and peer evaluation Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Performance attribution I Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Asset allocation Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Q&A sessions I Presentation (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 09 Performance attribution II Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Security selection Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Performance evaluation and rebalancing Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Rebalancing methods Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Pitch deck preparation Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Building a professional pitch deck Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 ESG, ethics and regulation Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
CFA framework Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Q&A sessions II Presentation (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

Please bring your laptop to the workshops since there will be many in class group activities.

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. Organise and interpret financial information from diverse sources to devise innovative solutions.
  • LO2. Synthesise finance concepts and theories to address problems in a range of business contexts.
  • LO3. Integrate ethical and disciplinary perspectives with personal and professional values in financial decision making.
  • LO4. Collaborate with others leveraging diversity to generate and communicate new ideas to address financial issues related to the workplace.

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.

Changed learning activities to reflect evolving unit development.

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.