Module FINN2117: Derivative Markets

Department: Finance

FINN2117: Derivative Markets

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To develop knowledge and understanding of theoretical concepts of derivative securities.
• To develop knowledge and understanding of pricing and practical application of derivative securities in financial markets.
• To develop the ability to evaluate academic literature in derivative markets.

Content

• Introduction to financial risk and risk management and derivative markets.
• Hedging, speculation and arbitrage.
• Introduction to options markets.
• Properties of options.
• Option trading strategies and hedging positions.
• Forward and futures markets.
• Forward and futures pricing.
• Hedging with futures contracts.
• Swap markets.
• Securitisation, collateralised debt obligations and credit default swaps.

Learning Outcomes

• On completion of this module students should have developed:
• Knowledge of prominent sources of financial risk and issues in financial risk management.
• Knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of a range of derivative securities.
• Appreciation of key issues in financial markets involving derivative securities and their role in hedging, speculation and arbitrage.

• On completion of the module students should be able to:
• Apply technical and academic skills to analyse the functioning of derivative markets.
• Examine practical issues, practice problem solving and conduct analysis related to the operation of derivative markets, for example pricing of forwards and futures and the construction of derivative trading strategies.

• Written communication, through preparing solutions to problem sets.
• Planning and organisation, through planning study throughout the academic year and observing strict assessment deadlines.
• Problem solving, by applying analytical and quantitative skills in pricing and investment strategy construction.
• Initiative, by exercising critical judgement in identifying and accessing relevant literature and other resources to support problem solving and assessment.
• Numeracy, by applying core mathematical and statistical skills to solve problems.
• Computer literacy, through using electronic resources, including those provided by external partners, to analyse and interpret financial positions and strategies.

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 independent study.
• Formative assessment is by means of an online test, which serves to provide students with immediate feedback on their learning progress.
• Summative assessment is by means of an on-campus written examination, which serves to help students develop and demonstrate the learning objectives set out above.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

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.