Outline

Overview

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

Academic unit	Finance
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	Completion of at least 112 credit points including FINC2011 and FINC2012
Corequisites ?	FINC3017
Prohibitions ?	None
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	Jennifer Sun, jennifer.sun@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Presentation	Project 1 Presentation In-class presentation in either week 7 or week 8.	5%	Multiple weeks	20 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Project 1 Presentation In-class presentation in either week 7 or week 8	10%	Multiple weeks	20 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Project 2 Presentation In-class presentation in either week 12 or week 13	5%	Multiple weeks	20 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Project 2 Presentation In-class presentation in either week 12 or week 13	10%	Multiple weeks	20 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Project 1 Participation and Progress Review In-class discussion of project progress and individual participation	5%	Multiple weeks	Over project 1 workshop weeks	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Project 2 Participation and Progress Review In-class discussion of project progress and individual participation	5%	Multiple weeks	Over project 2 workshop weeks	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Case studies	Project 1 Current Position Brief Briefing paper submission	5%	Week 04 Due date: 16 Mar 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 26 Mar 2026	1 page	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Case studies	Project 1 Strategic Recommendation Brief Briefing paper submission	10%	Week 05 Due date: 23 Mar 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 02 Apr 2026	2 pages	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Project 1 Presentation Slides Presentation slides submission	10%	Week 07 Due date: 13 Apr 2026 at 09:00 Closing date: 23 Apr 2026	15 pages	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Case studies	Project 2 Strategic Asset Allocation Brief Briefing paper submission	10%	Week 10 Due date: 04 May 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 14 May 2026	1 page	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Project 2 Presentation Slides Presentation slides submission	10%	Week 12 Due date: 18 May 2026 at 09:00 Closing date: 28 May 2026	10 pages	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Reflective Professional Judgement Essay Reflective pieces	15%	Week 13 Due date: 25 May 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 04 Jun 2026	900 words, +10% word limit	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Team Projects (Project 1 - 45%, and Project 2 - 40%): There are two team projects in this unit. Each project comprises the submission of team briefing paper(s), the submission of team presentation slides, and a live team presentation. The projects also include in-class participation, during which students are expected to demonstrate their working progress and engage in discussion with teaching staff and team members. Peer evaluation is adopted in this unit and may be used to adjust individual marks to reflect differences in contribution within team projects.
Reflective Professional Judgement Essay (15%): This assessment aims to support a scaffolded approach to help students develop reflective capability and professional judgement in finance-related contexts. The assessment evaluates students’ ability to critically analyse their learning experiences and apply reflection to inform professional judgement in workplace-like settings.

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

For every calendar day up to and including 10 calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to the late work. For work submitted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

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 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. 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

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Unit Overview, Project Preparation, and Team Formation	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 02	Projects Overview, Team Consolidation and Management	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 03	First week of Project 1 (corporate finance)	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 04	Second week of Project 1 (corporate finance)	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 05	Reflection Practice	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 06	Third week of Project 1 (corporate finance)	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 07	Presentation Week 1 for Project 1	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 08	Presentation Week 2 for Project 1	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 09	First week of Project 2 (portfolio management)	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 10	Second week of Project 2 (portfolio management)	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 11	Third week of Project 2 (portfolio management)	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 12	Presentation Week 1 for Project 2	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 13	Presentation Week 2 for Project 2	Seminar (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: Class meetings for this unit are structured as workshops. As a result, weekly classes will not be recorded. Students are expected to attend and actively participate in all classes to stay up to date with unit progress and to receive participation marks for the project workshop weeks.

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

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

At the end-of-semester, students will be encouraged to provide highly valued feedback on their experience of the unit and its teaching. We have made several updates to the unit to better support your learning experience in this unit. We have worked to secure improved timing and session arrangements that better accommodate student timetable flexibility. The reflective task has also been revised to align more closely with professional practice. It is now designed as a scaffolded process that supports self-awareness and ongoing improvement in finance-related contexts. In addition, a tailored AI tool will be introduced to enhance the reflective experience and support learning throughout the task. We have also strengthened the teamwork component by introducing additional mechanisms to better support collaboration and improve individual accountability within teams. To support a smoother transition into project work, we have removed the individual briefing and replaced it with a low-entry team-based task designed to encourage early collaboration at the start of the project. Finally, in-class participation has been strengthened so that it is assessed not only on interaction, but also on the quality of contribution and the progress of the project.

Additional information

More information can be found on Canvas.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

FINC3600: Finance in Practice

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links