Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025

Module FINN40415: Portfolio Management

Department: Finance

FINN40415: Portfolio Management

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2024/2025 Module Cap None.
Tied to N3K109
Tied to N3K209
Tied to N3K309
Tied to N3K409
Tied to N3K709
Tied to N3KC09

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • Advanced Financial Theory (FINN40515)

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • develop students' knowledge and understanding of key issues in asset allocation and portfolio composition and management at an advanced level;
  • provide students with the opportunity to develop the ability to critically understand current theoretical and empirical research in the field of portfolio theories and their implications on alternative portfolio composition and management strategies.

Content

  • Selecting and Managing Equity Portfolios;
  • Asset Allocation;
  • Portfolio Performance Evaluation;
  • Fixed Income Securities: Analysis and valuation; Managing fixed income securities;
  • Derivative Securities and Portfolio Risk Management.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • have explored, understood and appreciated the complexity and diversity of the current relevant academic literature and its implications for professional practice, and be able to identify open questions for their own research;
  • have demonstrated ability to learn and work independently in this area, exercising critical judgement and discrimination in the resolution of complex problematic situations.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • have used highly specialised and advanced technical, professional and academic skills in asset allocation and composition and management of portfolios;
  • have practised problem solving and analytical skills 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 assignment 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 10 1 per week 2 hours 20
Workshops 4 1 per fortnight 1 hour 4
Preparation and Reading 126
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written Assignment 2500 words (max) 100% same

Formative Assessment:

Students will receive written comments on formative written assignments. Work prepared by students for seminars; answers to questions either discussed during a seminar or posted on Learn Ultra.


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