Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2011-2012 (archived)

Module BUSI42S15: MANAGING FINANCE (DL) (from 2010)

Department: Business School (Business)

BUSI42S15: MANAGING FINANCE (DL) (from 2010)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2011/12 Module Cap None.
Tied to N1DU17
Tied to N1DR17
Tied to N1DU14

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To provide students with a critical appreciation of the financial tools of business management, in particular, the techniques of financial statement analysis and investment appraisal.
  • To provide a critical evaluation of the factors affecting the financing mix of a firm and of the financial markets in which firms operate.
  • To give insight into topical issues in the area.

Content

  • Fundamental Concepts of Accounting.
  • Evaluating Financial Performance.
  • Working Capital Evaluation.
  • Management Control Systems.
  • Long Term Investment Decisions.
  • Financial Markets and Financial Decisions.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Upon successful completion of the module, students will have an advanced knowledge and critical appreciation of:
  • the key financial statements;
  • issues relating to working capital management;
  • the concepts of budgeting and short term decision analysis;
  • the factors affecting the financing mix of a firm;
  • the fundamentals of financial markets in which firms operate.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Upon successful completion of the module, students will:
  • Be able to use key techniques of investment appraisal and have a critical appreciation of those techniques;
  • Be able to use key techniques for interpreting financial statements.
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

  • The module is delivered in discrete Units. These are designed to enable the learning outcomes to be achieved through a combination of specially written material, directed reading, reflection through self-assessed assignments and guidance for further reading. Module tutors provide feedback on formative work and are available for individual consultation as necessary (by email, telephone, post or fax).
  • The written examination will test students’ acquisition and articulation of knowledge. The written assignment will test students’ understanding of relevant concepts and their ability to apply and interpret what they have learned to the analysis of a particular issue in depth.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
D L Study Units (a combination of specially written material, directed reading, self-assessed assignments and guidance for further reading) 150
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Written assignment based on financial analysis Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written assignment based on financial analysis 2,500 words maximum 100%
Component: Written Examination Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written Examination 2 hours 100%

Formative Assessment:

Written assignment based on financial analysis (1,500 words).


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