Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2018-2019 (archived)

Module BUSI45T15: CORPORATE FINANCE (ONLINE)

Department: Business School (Business)

BUSI45T15: CORPORATE FINANCE (ONLINE)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2018/19 Module Cap
Tied to N2K307
Tied to N5K107
Tied to N6K107
Tied to N1KY07
Tied to N2K507
Tied to N5K407
Tied to N1N107
Tied to N6K207
Tied to N5K507

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To develop skills in the applying of lessons learned from international financial markets to corporate financial management;
  • To facilitate an appreciation of the governance issues facing modern corporations and the opportunity to evaluate potential solutions;
  • To provide students with a critical understanding of key financial aspects of the corporate environment and the impact of changes in that environment in an international setting;
  • To provide students with critical knowledge and understanding of the use of valuation techniques;
  • To provide students with the knowledge and understanding necessary to evaluate information from international financial markets.

Content

  • The scope of corporate finance;
  • Corporate restructuring;
  • Funding gaps: private equity and venture capital;
  • Company valuation;
  • Risk management and derivative securities;
  • Islamic finance;
  • The foreign exchange market and managing currency risk;
  • Challenges to traditional finance;
  • Financial crises.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module, students will have:
  • a specialist knowledge and understanding of the importance of corporate governance issues to the overriding corporate objective;
  • a critical understanding and appreciation of the role of corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisition and private equity in the corporate finance environment;
  • a specialist knowledge and understanding of the use of accounting and market data in the valuation of companies;
  • a specialist knowledge and understanding of the challenges to traditional finance posed by limits to arbitrage and psychology;
  • a critical appreciation of the role of derivative securities in corporate policy;
  • a critical understanding of topical issues in finance including recent financial crises and the emergence of Islamic Finance.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module, students will:
  • be able to apply a variety of valuation techniques using market and accounting data.
Key Skills:
  • Written communication;
  • planning, organising and time management;
  • problem solving and analysis;
  • using initiative;
  • computer literacy.
  • 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 via online learning, divided up into study weeks with specially produced resources within each week. Resources vary according to the learning outcomes but normally include: video content, directed reading, reflection through activities, opportunities for self-assessment and peer-to-peer learning within a tutor-facilitated discussion board. Tutors provide feedback on formative work and facilitate discussion board communication as well as being available for individual consultation as necessary (usually by email and Skype). 
  • 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
Video content, directed reading, self-assessed assignments and guidance for further reading 150
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Takeaway assessment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Takeaway assessment 3000 words (maximum) 100% Same

Formative Assessment:

A written assignment of 1,500 words, or its multimedia equivalent, which may involve some group work.


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