Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2012-2013 (archived)

Module ECOS1171: BUSINESS AND FINANCE

Department: Business School (Economics and Finance) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

ECOS1171: BUSINESS AND FINANCE

Type Tied Level 1 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2012/13 Module Cap None. Location Queen's Campus Stockton
Tied to N400

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To provide students with an understanding of how businesses operate and how accounting and finance functions support businesses in achieving their objectives

Content

  • Business objectives and functions
  • Business and organisational structures
  • The role of finance
  • The role of the accountancy profession
  • Governance, sustainability, corporate responsibility and ethics
  • External environment

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Have an understanding of the general objectives of businesses and the functions and tasks that businesses perform in order to meet their objectives
  • Have knowledge of the nature, characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of different forms of business and organisational structure
  • Have an understanding of the purpose of financial information produced by businesses
  • Have an understanding of the role of the accountancy profession and why its work is important
  • Have an understanding of the role that governance plays in the management of a business, and how a business can promote corporate governance, sustainability, corporate responsibility and an ethical culture
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Be able to identify sources and methods of financing for businesses and individuals
  • Be able to critically analyse the impact on a business of the economic environment in which it operates
Key Skills:
  • Critical analysis and judgement skills.
  • Problem solving skills

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

  • Learning will be based on knowledge transfer from lectures, seminars and personal study; investigation of cases and real world organisations which will underpin the seminars will encourage students to develop awareness of cultural differences and apply these to development of their skills in managing themselves and others in such contexts.
  • Seminar activities and discussions aim to acquire the appropriate practical skills for the main concepts and principles of business and financial decisions.
  • The examination will address the ability to apply various business and finance techniques and use the results in order to take appropriate decisions.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 10 4 per week 2 hours 20
Seminars 4 Weekly 2 hours 8
Critical Discussions 1 Annual 2 hours 2
Preparation and Reading 170
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Online computer based exam 1 hour 30 minutes 100% Same

Formative Assessment:

Online tests


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