Module FINN1011: Foundations of Finance

Department: Finance

FINN1011: Foundations of Finance

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• Introduce the fundamental concepts of finance and their importance to firms, governments and individuals.
• Provide students with a solid grounding of issues in finance as they relate to business, financial markets and the wider economy.
• Provide students with foundations to build on their knowledge and understanding in level 2.

Content

• Introduction to Finance and Markets.
• Mathematics of Finance.
• Characteristics & Valuation of Financial Assets.
• Investment Appraisal Techniques & Practice.
• The Meaning & Measurement of Risk & Return.
• Finance in a Global Context.
• Introduction to the Role of Data & AI in Finance.

Learning Outcomes

• Understanding of the fundamental concepts of finance. 
• Appreciation of the relationship between these fundamental concepts and decision-making by practitioners and participants in financial markets.
• Knowledge of methods and applications of quantitative techniques relating to essential issues in finance.
• Appreciation of the framework in which financial issues and problems are presented, providing a foundation for appropriate analysis.

• Ability to explain and interpret key implications of fundamental concepts in corporate finance, for example relating to risk and return.
• Practice in the application of core mathematical skills to foundational concepts in finance, such as the time-value of money and investment appraisal.
• Critical thinking in terms of core concepts in finance and their application to real-world issues.

• Problem Solving and Analysis, by applying the necessary analytical and quantitative skills, as well as the ability to demonstrate understanding and manipulate core concepts in finance.
• Numeracy, by applying core mathematical and statistical skills to answer a range of questions.
• Planning and Organisation and Time Management, by revising relevant material and preparing for the assessment.
• Computer Literacy, by accessing and downloading teaching material from Learn Ultra, undertaking bibliographical searches, and information retrieval for classes and assessment.

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

• Teaching is by lectures and seminars.
• Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in seminars and private study.
• Formative assessment via online quizzes guide students in the development of their knowledge and skills. They also support students' continuous engagement in learning throughout the module.
• Continuous summative assessment via multiple 20 minute In-Year Online Tests, which will be taken during a specified 24-hour assessment window, serves to support students in the development of their knowledge and skills. It provides students with feedback on their learning progress and supports students' continuous engagement in learning throughout the module. More detailed information e.g. on the scheduling of the tests, and how missed tests due to serious adverse circumstances, will be dealt with will be provided in the module handbook.
• The summative assessment by assignment will evaluate students' acquisition and articulation of knowledge and their ability to apply what they have learned in a particular context.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Formative online quizzes serve to give students the opportunity to regularly apply and receive feedback on their learning.

■ 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.