Courses >>Fin 501 >>

Course Syllabus - Contract of Rules and Regulations

Required Textbook: Moyer, McGuigan & Kretlow, Contemporary Financial Mgt., 9th Ed. 2003. You should read each chapter before it is discussed in class. Fundamentals of Financial Mgt. by Brigham & Houston 9th Ed.; Principles of Corporate Finance by Brealey & Myers, 7th Ed. and are highly recommended for additional readings. As with the text book, the appropriate chapter should be read before it is discussed in class. You should also read articles in the major periodicals, such as the Wall Street Journal, Business Week, Fortune, Forbes,  Dunn's, and Internet describing financial managers' involvement in some important challenging tasks and for current developments in the financial markets.

Calculator: Financial Calculator (FC) is required. You must bring a financial calculator that does TVM, PV, FV, NPV, IRR, and PMT problems for each class meeting.

Course Description: An introduction to important foundation concepts and tools of corporate finance. The course covers the determinants of the return on equity, the valuation of assets and common stocks, cash flow estimation principles, capital budgeting decision models, business and financial risks as well as the weighted cost of capital. Other topics identified throughout the course include International issues to reinforce the global nature of financial decision making; Ethical issues to present some of the ethical dilemmas facing  financial managers; Entrepreneurial issues to emphasize unique finance-related problems and concerns of entrepreneurs and numerous references throughout the course that can be found on the World Wide Web. Pre-Requisites: Acct 501 & Econ 501.

Course Objectives:
The course objective is to develop an understanding of the modern corporate finance theory and practice so that the student will have the conceptual foundations for making intelligent financial decisions; Introduce students to a variety of real-world problems faced by financial managers to advance their understanding of financial Mgt. concepts and theories and encourage students to use computer and other technological innovations to identify and analyze problems, consider alternatives, and make recommendations for feasible financial decisions.

AACSB Perspectives: The AACSB expects business curricula to incorporate various issues critical to contemporary organizations. Ethical, global and technological issues as well as the influence of legal, regulatory and environmental issues are some of the perspectives addressed in FIN 501 course. Ethical issues are integral part of the assigned reading at the end of each chapter materials on business ethics. Global issues in assigned chapters are integrated with other materials throughout the course.

Computer Usage: Course assignments and term projects requires use of Computer, finance internet web sites and Excel spreadsheet. A specific problem at the end of each chapter refer students to a web site where they must use the internet to locate, solve, discus and present the assigned problem.

Communication Skills: Student oral communication skills are developed through class participation, discussions, reading International and local business publications and presentations. Written communication skills are enhanced via term project and assignments.

Attendance & Participation: You must attend all the scheduled classes. Class attendance is required. More than three un-excused absences automatically results in lower grade or DN! This will be strictly enforced. Students must be in class on time. Being late at the start of class and leaving class without excuse automatically is considered as being absent.
Exams, Quizzes and Term Project: There will be two major 75 minutes exam and a 2-hour final for this course. There will be several unannounced quizzes on the assigned material during the semester. Absolutely, there will be no make-up exam. Absence from any exam will result to zero except for serious emergency. There will be no exception. The University’s policy is that any student found guilty of cheating will be kicked out of the school. I intend to keep strict rule on this policy. One strike and you are out!

Grade Distribution:

1st Major Exam 20%;   Final Exam 30%
Term Project 15%; Home Work, Quizzes, Participation & Attendance 15%
Total Grade 100%

Tentative Class Schedule

Feb 14 (S)    Chapter 1: The Role and Objective of Fin. Mgt. & Project Assignments. Ans. all the questions on page 29-30.

Feb 16 (M)    Chapter 1: The Role and Objective of Fin. Mgt. & Project Assignments. Ans. all the questions on page 29-30.

Feb 21 (S)     Chapter 1: The Role and Objective of Fin. Mgt. & Project Assignments. Ans. all the questions on page 29-30.

Feb 23 (M)    Chapter 2: The Domestic & International Financial Marketplace. Prob.:1, 3, 5, 6, 8 & ST

Feb 28 (S)     Chapter 2: The Domestic & International Financial Marketplace. Prob.:1, 3, 5, 6, 8 & ST

Mar 01 (M)     Chapter 3: Evaluation of Financial Performance. Prob.:1, 7, 19, 23 & 26 with internet).

Mar 06 (S)     Chapter 3: Evaluation of Financial Performance. Prob.:1, 7, 19, 23 & 26 with internet).

Mar 08 (M)    Chapter 3: Evaluation of Financial Performance. Prob.:1, 7, 19, 23 & 26 with internet).

Mar 13 (S)     Chapter 4: The Time Value of Money. Prob.:1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 14, 30 & 44 with internet.

Mar 15 (M)     Chapter 4: The Time Value of Money. Prob.:1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 14, 30 & 44 with internet.

Mar 20 (S) First Major Exam: Saturday March 20, 2004

Mar 22 (M)    Chapter 4: The Time Value of Money. Prob.:1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 14, 30 & 44 with internet.

Mar 27 (S)     Chapter 5: Analysis of Risk and Return. Prob.:1, 3, 7, 12, 21, & 27 with Internet.

Mar 29 (M)    Chapter 5: Analysis of Risk and Return. Prob.:1, 3, 7, 12, 21, & 27 with Internet.

Apr 03 (S)     Chapter 5: Analysis of Risk and Return. Prob.:1, 3, 7, 12, 21, & 27 with Internet.

Apr 05 (M)     Chapter 8: Capital Budgeting & Cash Flow Analysis. Prob.:3, 5, 6, 13 & 16 with Excel.

Apr 10 (S)      Chapter 8: Capital Budgeting & Cash Flow Analysis. Prob.:3, 5, 6, 13 & 16 with Excel.

Apr 12 (M)     Chapter 8: Capital Budgeting & Cash Flow Analysis. Prob.:3, 5, 6, 13 & 16 with Excel.

Apr 17 (S)      Chapter 9: Capital Budgeting: Decision Criteria & Real option Considerations. Prob.:2, 3,
                                       9 with Excel, 16 & 25 with internet and Appendix 9A Mutually Exclusive Investments.

 Apr 24 (S)     Chapter 9: Capital Budgeting: Decision Criteria & Real option Considerations. Prob.:2, 3,
                                       9 with Excel, 16 & 25 with internet and Appendix 9A Mutually Exclusive Investments.

Apr 26 (M)     Chapter 9: Cap. Budgeting: Decision Criteria & Real option Considerations. Prob.:2, 3,
                                       9 with Excel, 16 & 25 with internet and Appendix 9A Mutually Exclusive Investments.

May 01 (S)      Chapter 15: Fin. Forecasting and Working Capital Policy. Prob.:1, 3, 18 & 21 with Internet.

May 03 (M)     Chapter 15: Fin. l Forecasting and Working Capital Policy. Prob.:1, 3, 18 & 21 with Internet.

May 08 (S)     Chapter 15: Fin. Forecasting and Working Capital Policy. Prob.:1, 3, 18 & 21 with Internet.
May 10 (M)     Chapter 16: The Mgt. of Cash and Marketable Securities. Prob.:1, 5 & 13 with Internet.
May 15 (S)     Chapter 16:The Mgt. of Cash and Marketable Securities. Prob.:1, 5 & 13 with Internet.

May 17 (M)     Chapter 16:The Mgt. of Cash and Marketable Securities. Prob.:1, 5 & 13 with Internet.

May 22 (S)     Chapter 17: Mgt. of Accounts Receivable and Prob.: 1, 18, 19 & 23 with Internet.

May 24 (M)     Chapter 17: Mgt. of Accounts Receivable and Prob.: 1, 18, 19 & 23 with Internet.

May 29-Jun 8 Final Exam : Date as set by the registrar

NOTE: The instructor reserves the right to alter the assignment schedule, the weights associated with exams and other assignments. Any changes made will be announced in class and it shall be the responsibility of the student to acquire this information in case of absence from class.