Module: Business Finance

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).

As such, this is a point in time view of data which will be refreshed periodically. Some fields/data may not yet be available pending the completion of the full Coursebuilder upgrade and integration project. We will post status updates as they become available. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

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	Michael Dowling, Nuala Lonergan
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

*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: 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

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

Other Resources

None