Overview
This unit covers the operations and structure of the modern financial system. You will examine and evaluate the opportunities and risks of the financial markets for investors and corporations. You will also research the impact of contemporary issues in the money and capital markets.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 3 - 2017
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Gradebook
High Turnitin Scores
1) Add referencing workshop to course content and conduct prior to first written report due. 2) Add referencing guide to all assignment instruction guidelines 3) Add video clip to assessment section on Moodle reinforcing CQU's no-compromise academic misconduct policy 4) Add video clip on Moodle drawing student's attention to resources available to assist their understanding about proper referencing
- Examine the operations and structure of the financial system
- Evaluate the opportunities and risks inherent in financial markets for the investor and the corporation using basic financial mathematics
- Research contemporary issues impacting on investment decisions and the sustainability of financial markets.
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Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - On-campus Activity - 20% | |||
| 2 - Research Assignment - 40% | |||
| 3 - Presentation - 40% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | |||
| 2 - Communication | |||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | |||
| 4 - Research | |||
| 5 - Self-management | |||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | |||
| 7 - Leadership | |||
| 8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
| 1 - On-campus Activity - 20% | ||||||||
| 2 - Research Assignment - 40% | ||||||||
| 3 - Presentation - 40% | ||||||||
Textbooks
Financial Institutions, instruments & markets
Edition: 8th (2015)
Authors: Viney, C; and Phillips, P.
McGraw Hill
Sydney Sydney , NSW , Australia
Binding: Paperback
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.kaleem@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Overview of the Modern Financial System
Chapter
1
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Commercial Banking: Activities, Regulation and Supervision, Liquidity Management and Corporate Governance
Chapter
2
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1: Interactive In-Class Workshop Participation
Module/Topic
Non-Bank Financial Institutions: Types, Purpose and Role Played in Project Finance
Chapter
3
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1: Interactive In-Class Workshop Participation.
Module/Topic
Equity Markets 1: The Share Market, Corporations and Issuing Equity
Chapter
4 and 5
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1: Interactive In-Class Workshop Participation
Assessment 3: Presentations Refer to Your Topic Allocation on Moodle
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Equity Markets 2: Investors in the Share Market and Forecasting Share Price Movement
Chapter
6 and 7
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1: Interactive In-Class Workshop Participation
Assessment 3: Presentations Refer to Your Topic Allocation on Moodle
Module/Topic
Corporate Debt Market 1: Mathematics of Finance and Short-Term Debt
Chapter
8 and 9
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1: Interactive In-Class Workshop Participation
Assessment 3: Presentations Refer to Your Topic Allocation on Moodle
Module/Topic
Corporate Debt Market 2: Medium to Long-Term Debt and International Debt Markets
Chapter
10 and 11
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1: Interactive In-Class Workshop Participation
Assessment 3: Presentations Refer to Your Topic Allocation on Moodle
Assessment 2: Research Report Due
Research Report: Contemporary Issues in the Banking and Financial Markets Due: Week 7 Friday (5 Jan 2018) 12:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Monetary Policy and The Payments System: Treasury Activities, Interest Rate Determination and Forecasting
Chapter
12 and 13
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1: Interactive In-Class Workshop Participation
Assessment 3: Presentations Refer to Your Topic Allocation on Moodle
Module/Topic
Foreign Exchange Market 1: Structure, Operations and Factors that Influence the Exchange Rate
Chapter
15 and 16
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1: Interactive In-Class Workshop Participation
Assessment 3: Presentations Refer to Your Topic Allocation on Moodle
Module/Topic
Derivative Markets: Futures Contracts, Forward Rate Agreements and Risk Management Using Futures
Chapter
18 and 19
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1: Interactive In-Class Workshop Participation
Assessment 3: Presentations Refer to Your Topic Allocation on Moodle
Module/Topic
Contemporary Issues: Social Innovation in the Banking and Financial Markets
Chapter
Refer Prescribed Learning Material on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1: Interactive In-Class Workshop Participation
Assessment 3: Presentations Refer to Your Topic Allocation on Moodle
Module/Topic
Review
Chapter
All Chapters
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Effective time management will be critical for a successful outcome this term. In particular, it is highly recommended that you gain a solid understanding of the assessment tasks and the marking criterion in the first week. A high percentage of marks for assessment items 2 and 3 are weighted towards research, referencing and written and oral communication.Consequently, plan ahead and access support from Your Tutor or the Learning Support Services to build your communication and research skills.
1 On-campus Activity
For On Campus students, from Week 2 to Week 11 inclusive, each lecture will include practical exercises and discussion. Your responses will be used by your lecturer / tutor to assess your in-class participation.
For Distance Learning students, the practical exercises and discussion questions, covering content delivered in Weeks 2 to 11, will be available under Assessment on Moodle.
In-class Participation: Weeks 2 to Week 11
In-class participation feedback will be returned progressively during the term.
This assessment is designed to reinforce progressive learning throughout the term.
On Campus Students ONLY:
Workshop exercises will be integrated into the unit content in weeks 2 to 11. Student participation will be graded based on responses to exercises conducted in class. Activities will include discussion questions, calculations and mini projects. Exercises may be completed individually or in groups of 2.
Attendance is required to be eligible for a possible grade of 2% each week.
The total grade is 20%.
Distance Learning [FLEX] students ONLY:
FLEX STUDENT Workshop Exercises covering content delivered in Weeks 2 to 11 will be available under Assessment on Moodle.
Refer to Moodle for the customised assessment instructions for FLEX submission and feedback guidelines.
- Examine the operations and structure of the financial system
- Evaluate the opportunities and risks inherent in financial markets for the investor and the corporation using basic financial mathematics
- Research contemporary issues impacting on investment decisions and the sustainability of financial markets.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Self-management
2 Research Assignment
For On Campus students this assignment is a group research assignment. Groups can be 1 or 2 persons ONLY.
For Distance Learning students [FLEX] students, if practical, you also have the option of collaborating in groups of 2.
This term's research topic along with specific instructions, including marking criterion and word count will be available under Assessment on Moodle.
In summary you are required to draw from a range of credible sources and explore issues related to contemporary banking and financial sector challenges and present your findings in a report format. Some source material will be provided to kick-start your exploration, however it is expected your research extends beyond these materials to relevant academic journal articles, professional publications, media reports and/or podcasts.
This assignment is worth 40% of the total mark for this course.
Week 7 Friday (5 Jan 2018) 12:00 pm AEST
Only 1 submission per group.
Week 9 Monday (15 Jan 2018)
Feedback provided via Moodle.
This assignment will assess your ability to research, reference and document your findings in a report format. Specific assessment instructions, a detailed marking criterion and assignment resources will be available under Assessment on Moodle.
- Examine the operations and structure of the financial system
- Evaluate the opportunities and risks inherent in financial markets for the investor and the corporation using basic financial mathematics
- Research contemporary issues impacting on investment decisions and the sustainability of financial markets.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Self-management
3 Presentation
This is an individual assignment with both written and oral components.
From a range of questions extracted from the textbook each student will be allocated a topic to research and prepare an 8 minute presentation.
For On-Campus students the presentations will be conducted in-class during weeks 4 to 11. The allocation of topics and delivery dates will be available on Moodle by Week 1.
For Distance Learning students you are required to record your presentation and make available via YouTube. See Making a YouTube clip as part of your assessment resources.
Refer to Allocation of Presentation Topics for Delivery Dates on Moddle
Feedback will be available within 2 weeks from your allocated presentation date.
Along with the list of topics and allocations, a comprehensive marking criteria is provided as part of assessment resources.
In summary, this assessment enables students to demonstrate their understanding of the unit content as well as their communication skills. To do so, you are required to prepare 1) a synopsis of your presentation 2) oral workshop-style presentation of no more than 8 minutes and 3) 8 x PowerPoint slides including 1 title slide and 1 slide which lists your references.
IMPORTANT
- Presentations: MUST be well rehearsed. Students who are disorganised and/or unprepared could be asked to cease their presentation.
- The PowerPoint Slides: must be prepared in two formats: 1) hard copy and 2) student back-up copy on USB stick ready to use in the presentation.
- Prior to your delivery date: a copy of the synopsis, and the PowerPoint Slides must be submitted on Moodle by 7.30 am on the day of your presentation.
This assignment is worth 40% of the total mark for this course.
- Examine the operations and structure of the financial system
- Evaluate the opportunities and risks inherent in financial markets for the investor and the corporation using basic financial mathematics
- Research contemporary issues impacting on investment decisions and the sustainability of financial markets.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Self-management
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
