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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Principles of Finance 1
Module Code EF216A (ITS) / FBA1040 (Banner)
Faculty DCU Business School School DCU Business School
Module Co-ordinatorLiam Hourihane
Module TeachersSeyed Aref Mahdavi Ardekani
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
None
Array
Description

Corporate Finance deals with the allocation and acquisition of a firm's resources. This module explores from a financial manager perspective the best method for finding and allocating capital to increase shareholders' wealth. The objective of this course if to equip students with the tools and techniques to create value from the firm's financing and investment decisions.Concepts such as corporate objectives, business risk, financial risk and the valuation of financial assets are studied. major policy areas of the firm covering investment appraisal, optimal capital structure and dividend payout are also examined. Special emphasis is placed on long-term managerial policies and their likely impact on the market value of the firm.

Learning Outcomes

1. Solve problems in a financial and business context and to use appropriate financial techniques in order to make decisions from various options
2. Select and defend the use of appropriate models for valuing assets and opportunities
3. Calculate and compare the present and future value of money for planning purposes.
4. Critically evaluate the theoretical and practical considerations inherent in the capital investment decision
5. Apply business finance knowledge to a given situation and provide recommendations.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture24Formal lectures
Tutorial9Review of class material
Directed learning1Class test
Directed learning18Preperation for tutorial
Directed learning40Prepaeration for terminal examination
Independent Study10Preperation for class test
Independent Study23Reading and preperation for lectures
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

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The object of the firm
The role of the financial manager - corporate goals and corporate governance - economic factors that impact on the financial goals of the firm.

Time value of Money
Quantitative methods of financial management - financial analysis - managers - individual investors - techniques for valuation of different classes of securities - money markets - bonds - shares.

Investment Appraisal
Criteria to guide investment decisions in both physical and financial assets - payback - net present value - internal rate of return - accounting rate of return profitability index - capital rationing - inflation - tax - uncertainity - non financial factors - sensitivity analysis.

Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM)
- unsystematic risk - systematic risk - capital market line - security market line - applications of CAPM

Cost of Capital
Calculate the cost of the various instruments and the weighted cost of capital (WACC)

Portfolio Theory
Calculation of the expected returns and standard deviation for shares - combination of investments - efficient frontier - choosing the optimal portfolio - benefits of diversification.

Dividend Policy
The dividend puzzle, Lintner model, M&M irrelevancy argument, clientele and signaling effects

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment30% Examination Weight70%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Oral ExaminationClass Test20%Week 6
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Brealey, R.A. and Myers, S.C: 0, Principles of Corporate Finance,
  • Arnold Glen: 0, Corporate Financial Management,
  • Ross, A.A., Westerfield, R.W. and Jaffe, J.F: 0, Corporate Finance,
  • Pike, R. & Neale, B,: 0, Corporate Finance & Investment: Decisions & Strategies,
Other Resources

None

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