Module: Financial Theory and Practice

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Financial Theory and Practice
Module Code	EF5186 (ITS) / FBA1041 (Banner)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
Module Co-ordinator	Michael Dowling
Module Teachers	-
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	7.5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Coursework Only
Reassessment will be a variation of the assessment, but individualised.

Description

This foundational module provides an in-depth understanding of core financial concepts, bridging the gap between theory and real-world practice. Designed to be accessible yet challenging for those with limited finance backgrounds, the course covers essential topics such as financial markets, risk management, financial derivatives, portfolio theory, and capital budgeting. Through a blend of lectures, case studies, and applied exercises, students will gain the practical skills needed to assess investment opportunities, understand the workings of modern financial institutions, determine appropriate financing choices, and understand the financial markets and their role in the financial system. This module serves as the backbone for further specialized study, ensuring all students have a robust understanding of the fundamental principles that drive financial decision-making in both traditional and FinTech settings.

Learning Outcomes

1. Upon completion of this module, students will be able to identify and explain key financial concepts such as financial markets, risk management, financial derivatives, portfolio theory, and capital budgeting.
2. Students will apply theoretical principles to real-world financial scenarios, including the evaluation of investment opportunities and the understanding of financing choices.
3. Students will develop the technical skills to analyze financial markets, utilizing various quantitative metrics to make informed decisions.
4. Students will critically assess the role of financial markets in the broader financial system, considering their ethical implications and societal impact.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Seminars	18	Reflective learning environments to provide guidance on course content. (alternative delivery mode to formal lectures)
Workshop	18	Practice-oriented project work, held each week, to emphasis the practical meaning of seminar material through applied project work
Workshop	18	Industry workshop - industry guided project implementation
Assignment Completion	76	Work related to assignments
Independent Study	57.5	Work to prepare for classes
Total Workload: 187.5

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 Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Presentation	Students will complete a case study analysis on a real-world financial scenario, aimed at identifying and applying key financial concepts.	20%	Week 3
Group presentation	Groups will collaboratively develop a financial strategy for a simulated or real business, focusing on aspects like capital budgeting, risk management, and investment evaluation.	30%	Week 9
Report(s)	Each student will prepare a comprehensive analysis of the operation of a specific financial market, detailing its mechanisms, key players, and the implications for investment and risk management.	50%	Week 12

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

0: Introduction to Finance: Markets, Investments, and Financial Management,

Other Resources

None