Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2008-2009 (archived)
Module ECON41315: CORPORATE FINANCE
Department: Economics, Finance and Business (Economics and Finance)
ECON41315: CORPORATE FINANCE
| Type | Tied | Level | 4 | Credits | 15 | Availability | Available in 2008/09 | Module Cap |
|---|
| Tied to | L1K209 |
|---|---|
| Tied to | L1K309 |
| Tied to | L1K709 |
| Tied to | L1K509 |
Prerequisites
- None
Corequisites
- None
Excluded Combination of Modules
- None.
Aims
- To provide a rigorous grounding in the theory and practice of corporate finance at an advanced level, and a thorough synthesis of the most important current research in corporate finance, with an emphasis on the applications of the principles. Both normative and positive aspects of the theory are examined, together with supporting descriptive and empirical evidence.
Content
- Corporate Financial Strategy, Ownership Structure, Governance and the Objective(s) of Firms;
- Informational Asymmetries and Agency Theory;
- Capital Budgeting and Real Options;
- Capital Structure and the Cost of Capital;
- Distribution Policy;
- Mergers, Acquisitions and Restructuring;
- Company Valuation.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- have advanced knowledge and critical understanding of essential components of modern corporate finance and associated current research;
- have explored, understood and appreciated the complexity and contradictions of the current relevant academic literature and its implications for professional practice, and be able to identify open questions for their own research.
Subject-specific Skills:
- have the ability to learn and work independently in corporate finance, exercising critical judgement and discrimination in the resolution of complex problematic situations;
- be able to use highly specialised and advanced technical, professional and academic skills in the analysis of relevant specific problems in corporate finance;
- be able to apply problem solving and analytical skills to issues in corporate finance in a complex specialised context.
Key Skills:
- written communication;
- planning, organising and time management;
- problem solving and analysis;
- using initiative;
- numeracy;
- computer literacy.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- A combination of lectures, seminars and guided reading will contribute to achieving the aims and learning outcomes of this module. The summative written examination will test students' knowledge and critical understanding of the material covered in the module, their analytical and problem-solving skills.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 9 | 1 per week | 2 hours | 18 | |
| Seminars/Workshops | 4 | fortnightly | 1 hour | 4 | ■ |
| Revision Session | 1 | 2 hours | 2 | ||
| Preparation & Reading | 126 | ||||
| Total | 150 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Assignment | Component Weighting: 100% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Written assignment | 3,000 words maximum | 100% | |
Formative Assessment:
Work prepared by students for seminars; answers to questions either discussed during a seminar, or posted on DUO; feedback on discussions with teaching staff during consultation hours, or via e-mail.
■ 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