This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Undergraduate Handbook 2025-2026 (archived)
Module FINN2071: Intermediate Financial Economics
Department: Finance
FINN2071: Intermediate Financial Economics
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tied | 2 | 20 | Available in 2025/2026 | None. | Durham |
Tied To
- N302: Accounting and Finance with Placement Year
- N304: Accounting and Finance with Study Abroad
- N305: Finance
- N306: Finance with Placement Year
- N307: Finance with Study Abroad
- N311: Accounting and Finance
- N312: Accounting and Finance with Placement Year
- N313: Accounting and Finance with Study Abroad
- NN43: Accounting and Finance
Pre-requisites
- Introduction for Financial Economics (FINN1061)
- Quantitative Methods 1 (FINN1047)
Corequisites
- None
Excluded Combinations
- None
Aims
- To develop knowledge of the financial economics; and develop knowledge of using the basic method of economics to analyse financial problems.
Content
- Micro-foundations of asset pricing models.
- Discount factors and pricing kernels.
- The cross section of equity returns.
- Monetary policy, macroeconomic factors and asset prices.
- Asset prices and the business cycle.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- By the end of the module students should be able to understand how financial markets work and how securities are priced.
Subject-specific Skills
- By the end of the module students should be able to:
- understand how financial markets work;
- demonstrate and apply the key theory, tools, and terminology of Financial Economics;
- abstract and simplify basic economic problems through the application of simple theoretical methods;
- formalise real world situations by using models and techniques suggested by the theory;
- solve numerically typical problems related to asset pricing and risk management.
Key Skills
- Written communication - through summative assessment.
- Planning and Organising - by preparing for the assignment.
- Initiative - by searching relevant literature and information in preparation for summative assessment.
- Problem Solving and Analysis - by applying the necessary analytical skills, as well as the ability to manipulate concepts in economics, in undertaking assessed work.
- Reasoning abilities - skills in assessing alternative ideas, and the criteria used in accepting or rejecting economic arguments, theories or theoretical systems.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Teaching is by lectures, computer labs and workshops. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in computer labs and workshops, and private study.
- Formative assessment is by means of a range of exercises that will be completed throughout the module in workshops and one online test.
- Summative assessment is by means of an assignment to assess students' subject-specific knowledge and understanding.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 10 | 1 per week | 2 hours | 20 | |
| Computer Classes | 8 | Weekly, across term 1 | 1 hour | 8 | Yes |
| Preparation and Reading | 172 | ||||
| Total | 200 | ||||
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | 100% | Written Assignment | 3000 words max | 100% |
Formative Assessment
A range of exercises will be completed throughout the module in workshops and one online test.
Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods
and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative
assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress
procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be
required to leave the University.