Module: Financial Theory and Practice

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Financial Theory and Practice
Module Code	FBA1041 (ITS: EF5186)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	7.5

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

Section Breakdown
CRN	21102	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Michael Dowling	Module Teacher	Anh Vu

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment 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; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None