نظرة عامة على البرنامج

Introduction to ACST6003 – Principles of Finance

The unit ACST6003 – Principles of Finance aims to provide students with a knowledge and understanding of the principles and techniques underlying theory and practice in corporate finance. Topics covered include basic financial mathematics, valuation and analysis of debt and equity securities, methods for investment evaluation and capital budgeting, business organisation and taxation, financial markets, and risk management.

General Information

• Unit convenor and teaching staff: Farida Akhtar
• Credit points: 10
• Prerequisites: None
• Corequisites: None
• Co-badged status: None
• Unit description: This unit provides an understanding of the principles and techniques underlying theory and practice in corporate finance.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

• Exhibit knowledge and understanding of the principles and techniques underlying theory and practice in Corporate Finance and Capital Markets.
• Develop expertise in using spreadsheet software to build financial models and perform calculations for security valuation and corporate decision making.
• Be aware of different financial instruments and their valuation and usefulness in a Corporate Finance context.
• Explain the concepts covered in the course in a clear and concise manner and be able to communicate it to others effectively.

General Assessment Information

• Late Assessment Submission Penalty: A 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of '0' will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted.
• Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.

Assessment Tasks

• Formal and Observed Learning: Quiz (20%): An online quiz during lecture time that includes multiple-choice questions requiring conceptual understanding and basic financial modelling application.
• Professional Practice: Financial Models Applications (30%): A report that develops solutions to finance-related and non-financial business problems within a corporate context.
• Formal and Observed Learning: Exam (50%): A 2-hour exam held during the University Examination period that demonstrates expertise, skills, and knowledge gained in Finance Principles.

Delivery and Resources

• Classes: 3.5 hours of teaching per week consisting of 1 x 2 hours lecture and 1 x 1.5 hours tutorial/practical class.
• Required materials: Lecture slides
  otes, tutorial, and any other additional materials on iLearn.
• Textbooks:
  • Prescribed Textbook: Fundamentals of Corporate Finance by Parrino et al, 4th Edition.
  • Additional Readings: Beninga, Principles of Finance with Excel, Oxford.

Unit Schedule

The unit schedule outlines the topics covered each week, including:

1. Introduction to Business Organisations and Taxation
2. Time Value of Money and Interest Rates
3. Valuation of Multi-Payment Cash Flows
4. Risk and Return
5. Bond Valuation and the Structure of Interest Rates
6. ONLINE QUIZ/TEST
7. Share Valuation
8. The Fundamentals of Capital Budgeting
9. Cash Flows and Capital Budgeting
10. Evaluation Project Economics and Capital Rationing
11. The Cost of Capital
12. Capital Structure Policy
13. Revision

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

• Academic Appeals Policy
• Academic Integrity Policy
• Academic Progression Policy
• Assessment Policy
• Fitness to Practice Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
• Special Consideration Policy

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, academic integrity is at the core of learning, teaching, and research. The university offers a range of resources and services to help students reach their potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development, and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students, including:

• Academic Success: Resources to develop English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
• The Library: Online and face-to-face support to help students find and use relevant information resources.
• Student Services and Support: IT Support, Accessibility and disability support, mental health support, safety support, social support, and student advocacy.

Changes since First Published

• Date: 15/07/2025
• Description: Modified assessment deadline to a specific date.