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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

All Module information is indicative, and this portal is an interim interface pending the full upgrade of Coursebuilder and subsequent integration to the new DCU Student Information System (DCU Key).

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Business Finance
Module Code EF576 (ITS) / FBA1033 (Banner)
Faculty DCU Business School School DCU Business School
Module Co-ordinator-
Module Teachers-
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
None
Array
Description

This module is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of financial management. We take the perspective of the corporate financial manager who wishes to determine the most appropriate and effective ways of acquiring and allocating capital to increase the wealth of shareholders. Therefore, the objective of the module is to equip the corporate financial manager with the tools available to create value from the firm's financing and investment activities. We begin by demonstrating how to analyse and evaluate investments using various techniques. We follow this by considering the various sources of finance available to firms and factors that drive firm choice regarding capital structure. We will study several issues related to financial management such as dividend policy, how to maximise corporate value, how to evaluate investments, and how to make decisions regarding appropriate capital structure. The module finishes by examining the new developments in sustainable finance and financial technology, and how these can inform modern business financing.

Learning Outcomes

1. Examine the objective of financial management, its importance to organizations, and governance principles that will facilitate sound decision making
2. Appraise capital investments through the use of appropriate methods and techniques
3. Identify and make allowance for the relationship exhibited by financial markets between risk and return
4. Develop an international perspective on the different sources of finance and their impact on cost of capital and firm value
5. Evaluate different financial structures and their impact on firm value
6. Demonstrate understanding of the role of sustainability and financial technology in modern business financial decision making



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture24Formal classes
Fieldwork16Preparation of the group presentation
Assignment Completion30Preparation of the individual component of the course assessment
Independent Study55Course reading and preparation, and reflection on course material
Lecture24No Description
Independent Study18Readings
Independent Study24Problem sets
Independent Study33Assignment (report/presentation
Independent Study20Exam preparation
Workshop6No Description
Total Workload: 250

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

Principles and Objectives of Corporate Finance
This section explores the principles and objectives of the corporate finance function with reference to historic and contemporary expert articles. It critically appraises the concept of maximising shareholder wealth and agency theory.

Investment Appraisal
This section explores and evaluates the techniques and decision rules relating to capital budgeting and the allocation of capital across competing projects within the firm.

Capital Structure of the Firm
This section looks at the factors that determine the firm-wide cost of capital and the implications that has for the selection of the capital structure of the firm. This section critiques the relevant theoretical frameworks including that relating to capital structure and the literature relating to the proposition of an optimal capital structure for a firm.

Sources of Finance
This section addresses the sources of finance and instruments available to the firm and evaluates them for a firm from a strategic perspective. This section also examines the relationship between the firm and capital markets in the context of the efficient markets hypothesis.

Sustainable finance and financial technology
Examines the role of modern perspectives on sustainability and the use of financial technology in order to inform current best practice in business finance.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Group project Business finance case analysis and presentation30%Week 9
Report(s)Reflection on group project and individual analysis and extension building on the group project70%Sem 1 End
Indicative Reading List

  • Richard A. Brealey and Stewart C. Myers: 2019, Principles of Corporate Finance, 13th, McGraw Hill Higher Education,
Other Resources

None

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