Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2013-2014 (archived)

Module BUSI45Q15: MANAGING FINANCE (TAUGHT)

Department: Business School (Business)

BUSI45Q15: MANAGING FINANCE (TAUGHT)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2013/14 Module Cap None.
Tied to N1KS17
Tied to N1KR17
Tied to N1KS14
Tied to N1N317
Tied to N1N417

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • MANAGING FINANCE (ONLINE)

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

  • Learning outcomes will be met through a combination of taught input, groupwork, case studies and discussion, supported by guided reading and specially-written self-study material. 
  • The summative assessment of the module is designed to test the acquisition and articulation of knowledge and critical understanding, and skills of application and interpretation within the business context.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Workshops (a combination of taught input, groupwork, case studies and discussion), timetabled in blocks 35
Preparation and reading 115
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% Same
Component: Written Examination Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written Examination 2 hours 100% Same

Formative Assessment:

Classroom-based exercises involving individual and group analyses and presentations on specific business situations/problems relevant to the learning outcomes of the module. Oral and written feedback will be given on a group and individual basis as appropriate.

■ 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