Program Overview

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Macquarie University Program: AFCP6016 – Finance Principles

Overview

The AFCP6016 – Finance Principles unit provides students with the key building blocks of finance within a single unifying conceptual framework. Students will be introduced to three of the key ideas in finance: the analysis of trade-offs over time, asset valuation, and risk management. These concepts will then be applied to the following subfields of finance: corporate finance, investments, and financial markets and institutions.

General Information

• Unit Convenor and Teaching Staff: Fan Yu
• Credit Points: 10
• Prerequisites: Admission to GradCertFin or GradDipAppFin or MAppFin or MAppFin(Adv)
• Corequisites: None
• Co-badged Status: None
• Unit Description: This unit introduces students to the fundamental concepts in finance, including time value of money, asset valuation, risk management, and portfolio theory, and applies these concepts to corporate finance, investments, and financial markets and institutions.

Learning Outcomes

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

• Explain the role of financial institutions and markets in the economy and evaluate their effectiveness in allocating resources over time and transferring risk.
• Explain and demonstrate how time value of money concepts and discounted cash flow techniques are used in the analysis of financial decisions of individuals and firms.
• Explain and assess the key theories, concepts, and models used in asset valuation, risk management, and portfolio theory.
• Apply key theories, concepts, and models to develop solutions to problems in asset valuation, risk management, and portfolio theory.
• Explain and assess the key theories and concepts used in the analysis of a firm's financing decision.

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.
• Special Consideration: Students need to apply for Special Consideration for late submissions of time-sensitive tasks.

Assessment Tasks

• Online Participation: 10%, No hurdle, Due: See iLearn
• Online Quizzes: 20%, No hurdle, Due: See iLearn
• Assignment: 30%, No hurdle, Due: See iLearn
• Final Assessment: 40%, No hurdle, Due: Saturday, 6 September 2025

Assessment Task Details

Online Participation

• Assessment Type: Participatory task
• Indicative Time on Task: 50 hours
• Due: See iLearn
• Weighting: 10%
• Description: Participation in online discussion forums.

Online Quizzes

• Assessment Type: Quiz/Test
• Indicative Time on Task: 3 hours
• Due: See iLearn
• Weighting: 20%
• Description: A number of short online topic quizzes.

Assignment

• Assessment Type: Case study/analysis
• Indicative Time on Task: 10 hours
• Due: See iLearn
• Weighting: 30%
• Description: Assignment on a unit topic set by the Convenor.

Final Assessment

• Assessment Type: Quiz/Test
• Indicative Time on Task: 12 hours
• Due: Saturday, 6 September 2025
• Weighting: 40%
• Description: A two-hour online test will be conducted.

Delivery and Resources

• Weekly webinar: See iLearn for further details.

Unit Schedule

Week	Topic	Weekly Webinar
0	Topic 0: Essential pre-work
1	Topic 1: Introduction to finance	Tuesday, 1 July 2025
2	Topic 2: Financial markets and institutions	Tuesday, 8 July 2025
3	Topic 3: Time value of money	Tuesday, 15 July 2025
4	Topic 4.1: Valuation of financial assets (first half - Bonds)	Tuesday, 22 July 2025
5	Topic 4.2: Valuation of financial assets (second half - Stocks)	Tuesday, 29 July 2025
6	Topic 5: Analysing the firm's investment decision	Tuesday, 5 August 2025
7	Topic 6: Analysing the firm's financing decision	Tuesday, 12 August 2025
8	Topic 7: Risk management	Tuesday, 19 August 2025
9	Topic 8: Portfolio theory	Tuesday, 26 August 2025
10	Review & Revise	Tuesday, 2 September 2025

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

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct.

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness, and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching, and research. Resources and services are available 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
• The Library
• IT Support
• Accessibility and disability support with study
• Mental health support
• Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, and sexual assault
• Social support including information about finances, tenancy, and legal issues
• Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes