Module ECON45115: CORPORATE FINANCE (ONLINE)

Department: Economics and Finance

ECON45115: CORPORATE FINANCE (ONLINE)

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Corporate Finance (Taught) - ECON45215

Aims

• To provide a rigorous grounding in the theory and practice of corporate finance at an advanced level, and a thorough synthesis of the most important current research in corporate finance, with an emphasis on the applications of the principles. Both normative and positive aspects of the theory are examined, together with supporting descriptive and empirical evidence. 
• To provide an overview of writing a literature review in the area of coperate finance including researching articles and critically analysing the result.

Content

• Introduction to Valuation; 
• Cost of Capital; 
• Capital Structure; 
• Payout Policy; 
• Company Valuation with leverage. 
• Agency and managers’ ethical responsibilities 
• Capital markets – equity and bonds valuation methods

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module students should: 
• have advanced knowledge and critical understanding of essential components of modern corporate finance and associated current research; 
• have explored, understood and appreciated the complexity and contradictions of the current relevant academic literature and its implications for professional practice, and be able to identify open questions for their own research.

• By the end of the module, students should: 
• have the ability to learn and work independently in corporate finance, exercising critical judgement and discrimination in the resolution of complex problematic situations; 
• be able to use highly specialised and advanced technical, professional and academic skills in the analysis of relevant specific problems in corporate finance; 
• be able to apply problem solving and analytical skills to issues in corporate finance in a complex specialised context.

• effective written communication skills
• planning, organising and time management skills
• problem solving and analytical skills
• the ability to use initiative
• advanced skills in the interpretation of data
• advanced computer literacy skills

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 an essay which will test students' specialist knowledge and critical understanding of the material covered in the module, their analytical and communication skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

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