Module: Business Finance

Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Business Finance
Module Code	EF576
School	DCUBS
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Michael Dowling Semester 2: Michael Dowling Autumn: Michael Dowling
Module Teachers	Nuala Lonergan Michael Dowling
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Formal classes
Fieldwork	16	Preparation of the group presentation
Assignment Completion	30	Preparation of the individual component of the course assessment
Independent Study	55	Course reading and preparation, and reflection on course material
Lecture	24	No Description
Independent Study	18	Readings
Independent Study	24	Problem sets
Independent Study	33	Assignment (report/presentation
Independent Study	20	Exam preparation
Workshop	6	No 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 Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Group project	Business finance case analysis and presentation	30%	Week 9
Report(s)	Reflection on group project and individual analysis and extension building on the group project	70%	Sem 1 End

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

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

Other Resources

None

Programme or List of Programmes

MBA	Masters in Business Administration

Date of Last Revision

28-FEB-12

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