FIN*2000 - Introduction to Finance

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the theory, application and real-world evidence of finance. The course examines financial decisions from two distinct points of view: of an individual investor and of a corporation. From the investor’s point of view, the course focuses on the valuation of financial assets, the formation of portfolios and the relation of risk versus return. From a corporation’s point of view, the course focuses on capital budgeting, capital structure and payout policy with a particular emphasis on long term corporate financing.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the learner should be able to:

• Describe corporate structure, corporate governance, and the goal of a corporation and how it applies to corporate financial decisions
• Outline the principles and mechanics of the time value of money and calculate the present and future values of various combinations of cash flows
• Determine the value of securities in capital markets and apply statistical measures to measure risk and return of both individual securities as well as a portfolio of securities
• Evaluate and analyse potential investment projects and understand alternative methods for evaluating projects
• Evaluate alternative sources of financing and discuss the firms' choice of capital structure and its implications for the value of the firm
• Examine and discuss the key issues related to dividend policy and their implications for the value of the firm

Course Topics

• The Goals and Functions of Finance
• Value
• Risk
• Capital Budgeting
• Financing, Debt Policy, and Dividend Policy

Assessment

Note:

Additional Technical Requirements

This course will use the following:

• Respondus tool to invigilate one or more exams. 

Please view the Technical Considerations.

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

• Certificate in Business : Electives