Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2019-2020 (archived)

Module BUSI42S15: MANAGING FINANCE (ONLINE) (from 2015)

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI42S15: MANAGING FINANCE (ONLINE) (from 2015)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2019/20
Tied to N1KS17
Tied to N1KR17
Tied to N1KS14
Tied to N1N317
Tied to N1N417
Tied to N1N517
Tied to N1N617

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • BUSI45Q15: Managing Finance (Taught)

Aims

  • To provide students with a critical appreciation of the financial tools of business management, in particular, the techniques of financial statement analysis and investment appraisal.
  • To provide a critical evaluation of the factors affecting the financing mix of a firm and of the financial markets in which firms operate.
  • To give insight into topical issues in the area.

Content

  • Fundamental Concepts of Accounting.
  • Evaluating Financial Performance.
  • Working Capital Evaluation.
  • Financial Planning Techniques.
  • Long Term Investment Decisions.
  • Financial Risk Management.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Upon successful completion of the module, students will have an advanced knowledge and critical appreciation of:
  • the key financial statements;
  • issues relating to working capital management;
  • the concepts of budgeting and short term decision analysis;
  • the factors affecting the capital stucture and financing needs of a firm;
  • the fundamentals of financial markets in which firms operate;
  • the tools and techniques used in managing financial risks.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Upon successful completion of the module, students will:
  • Be able to use key techniques of investment appraisal and have a critical appreciation of those techniques;
  • Have a critical understanding of how managers make financial decisions in a world of uncertainty and imperfect information;
  • Be able to use key techniques for interpreting financial statements;
  • Understand and apply techniques of cash budgeting and working capital management;
  • Identify and evaluate the methods by which financial risks can be managed, and the extent to which such methods should be used.
Key Skills:
  • 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 subject-specific knowledge, 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: Written assignment based on financial analysis Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Individual Written Assignment 4,000 words max 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