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Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title Financial Markets and Derivatives
Module Code EF5157
School DCUBS
Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Claire Kearney
Semester 2: Claire Kearney
Autumn: Claire Kearney
Module TeachersClaire Kearney
Niall O'Brien
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 7.5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
None
Description

The aim of this course is to provide students with a thorough understanding of the range of financial markets and instruments. It will explore the operation of equity markets, bond markets, foreign exchange markets, and commodity and derivatives markets, with particular reference to the pricing of instruments in these markets. Further students will develop an understanding the tools and techniques for analysis and management of fixed income portfolios as well as an understanding of the markets that these securities are traded internationally. There will be a strong focus throughout the module on risk management issues which can be informed by certain analytic approaches. This module is delivered through a combination of weekly lectures and tutorials. Students are expected to attend lectures, to contribute to tutorials and to engage in on-line learning and research activities on a regular basis. In tutorials students will discuss solutions to problem sets and as well as expert articles. Students may also be required to work on a collaborative basis in groups for example in the case of continuous assessment.

Learning Outcomes

1. Be able to describe the main financial markets and instruments, and demonstrate an understanding of how these markets operate and financial instruments are priced
2. Understand operations, and pricing in debt, equity, foreign exchange, and commodity markets
3. Understand operations, and pricing of forwards and futures.
4. Understand operations, and pricing of swap instruments.
5. Understand operations, and pricing of option instruments in equity, interest, currency, and commodity markets
6. Conduct an in-depth analysis of a firm's financial statements for the purposes of fixed income analysis
7. Value fixed income securities including government and agency securities, corporate debt, bonds with embedded options, asset backed securities(ABS); and derivatives for managing interest rate risk.
8. Be able to apply the principles and techniques of fixed income portfolio management. Including the assessment and analysis of elements which create risk for fixed income securities and markets, and to evaluate a range of risk measurement metrics



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture36No Description
Assignment Completion20No Description
Independent Study120No Description
Group work15No Description
Total Workload: 191

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

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment60% Examination Weight40%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Assignmentn/a30%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Hull: 2015, Options, Futures & Other Derivatives,
Other Resources

None
Programme or List of Programmes
MFCMMSc in Finance
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