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Unit of study_

FINC3600: Finance in Practice

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

While finance is strongly influenced by theory, it is ultimately an applied field. Through a comprehensive analysis of practitioner-focused topics, this unit develops skills in implementing and assessing financial analyses. This unit challenges students to incorporate market practicalities and to communicate their recommendations to diverse audiences. The unit uses a problem solving/case-based approach to learning and serves as the Finance major capstone.

Unit details and rules

Unit code FINC3600
Academic unit Finance
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
Completion of at least 120 credit points including FINC2011 and FINC2012
Corequisites
? 
FINC3017
Assumed knowledge
? 

All other requirements for the major or program associated with this capstone must be completed prior to or concurrently with (if enrolment rules permit) this unit of study. Capstones must be completed at the University of Sydney Business School only.

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Thomas To, thomas.to@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final Exam
Open Book written exam
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Participation Project 1 Participation
In-class review
5% Multiple weeks Approx 1 hour over 3 sessions
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO7
Participation Project 2 Participation
In-class review
5% Multiple weeks Approximately 1 hour over 3 sessions
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO7
Assignment group assignment Project 1 Briefing paper
Briefing paper submission
5% Week 06
Due date: 25 Mar 2024 at 09:00

Closing date: 05 Apr 2024
2 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Project 1 Briefing paper
Briefing paper submission
5% Week 06
Due date: 25 Mar 2024 at 09:00

Closing date: 05 Apr 2024
2 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment group assignment Project 1 Presentation slides
Presentation slides submission
3% Week 08
Due date: 15 Apr 2024 at 09:00

Closing date: 25 Apr 2024
15 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation group assignment Project 1 Presentation
In-class presentation
7% Week 08 20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Presentation Project 1 Presentation
In-class presentation
5% Week 08 20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Project 2 Briefing paper
Briefing paper submission
5% Week 11
Due date: 06 May 2024 at 09:00

Closing date: 16 May 2024
1 page
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Project 2 Presentation slides
Presentation slides submission
7% Week 12
Due date: 13 May 2024 at 09:00

Closing date: 23 May 2024
10 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation group assignment Project 2 Presentation
In-class presentation
3% Week 12 20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Presentation Project 2 Presentation
In-class presentation
10% Week 12 20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Individual assignment: The main focus of this unit is the corporate finance and portfolio management projects. The projects are created to have students working in teams on "real world" problems using current market data. You will be confirmed an allocation to a team in Week 3. It is important that you attend the workshop you have enrolled in, and work with your allocated team. Depending on the  Project the individual tasks have several components: workshop participation, written tasks, and a Board oral presentation.
  • Group assignment: While working on each project, a portion of deliverables will be team-created (teams are expected to be of up to 5 students). The group assessment includes written documents prepared in support of team presentations. This includes briefing papers and presentation materials. Group assessment is also based on presentations of your analysis for each project.
  • Open book final exam: The final exam draws on material from the two projects and management skills. All materials presented and developed throughout the semester are assessable.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction and overview of unit, materials and workshops Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 02 Tentative team formation and research review for both Projects Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 03 Team consolidation and management skills exercises Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 04 First week of Project 1 (corporate finance) Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 05 Second week of Project 1 (corporate finance) Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 06 Reflection on Project 1: synthesis and review Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 07 Third week of Project 1 (corporate finance) Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 08 Final week of Project 1 (corporate finance) Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 09 First week of Project 2 (portfolio management) Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 10 Second week of Project 2 (portfolio management) Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 11 Third week of Project 2 (portfolio management) Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 12 Final week of Project 2 (portfolio management) Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 13 Unit review Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: Class meetings for this unit are structured as workshops. Hence we will not be recording our weekly meetings. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate and integrate finance knowledge, concepts, and principles in a range of business contexts
  • LO2. identify, analyse, and solve business challenges reaching conclusions using fundamental concepts, principles and knowledge from the finance arena
  • LO3. communicate effectively and professionally using a range of communication modes in business contexts
  • LO4. recognise the need for, locate, evaluate and use information effectively
  • LO5. use different strategies to explore opportunities and construct new ideas, solutions, or products
  • LO6. evaluate issues relating to business ethics, sustainability and social responsibility in addressing business challenges
  • LO7. make a positive contribution to a team-based structure.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

We continue to update the unit in response to student feedback. This is reflected in interaction with academics and practitioners.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.