Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2008-2009 (archived)

Module BUSI4ZL15: FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT (DL) (EXAM ONLY)

Department: Economics, Finance and Business (Business)

BUSI4ZL15: FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT (DL) (EXAM ONLY)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2008/09 Module Cap None.
Tied to N1D507
Tied to N1D707
Tied to N1DM07
Tied to N1D907

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To provide students with the opportunity to study key issues of financial management for the business organisation operating in a competitive environment.

Content

  • Cash flow forecasting;
  • Working capital management;
  • Sources of finance;
  • Costs for short term decision making;
  • Time value of money;
  • Long term decision making;
  • Investment appraisal;
  • Cost for control;
  • Budgeting;
  • Performance measurement.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module, students should:
  • have an advanced understanding of the principles of managing the working capital of an organisation;
  • have a critical appreciation of the principles of investment appraisal;
  • have an advanced understanding of the concepts and types of cost involved in management accounting;
  • have a critical appreciation of issues of performance measurement within organisations.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module, students should:
  • be able to explain and discuss alternative sources of financing for business;
  • be able to discuss the appropriate content of a system of management accounts;
  • be able to describe and justify the traditional forms of business control in industry;
  • be able to relate the principles of business control to organisations.
Key Skills:
    Written communication; planning, organising and time management; problem solving and analysis; using initiative; computer literacy.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Through a combination of learning material, self assessed exercises and a formative assignment on key topical issues, together with guided reading.
  • On the DL MA Programme each module is delivered in discrete Units which are equivalent to a lecture session. A DL Unit normally consists of specially written material, directed reading, reflection through self-assessed assignments and guidance for further reading.
  • Each student is allocated a Tutor for each Module. The Tutor is tasked with providing feedback on formative work and is available for individual consultation as necessary. Tutoring is normally provided at a distance and may be conducted by email, telephone, post or fax.
  • The DL Programme also offers annual residential seminars which provide the opportunity for DL students to interface with members of Faculty, meet Tutors and to interact with other students.
  • The summative assessment, by unseen written examination, is designed to test students’ conceptual knowledge and understanding and their skills of application and interpretation within the business context.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Units 9 108
Tutorials 5
Preparation and reading 37
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Unseen written examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Unseen written examination 2 hours 100%
Component: Component Weighting: %
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
%

Formative Assessment:

Written assignment of 1,500 words (maximum)


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University