Course coordinator
Dr Ronghong Huang
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
This course provides an introduction to the fundamental principles of finance that are at the core of financial management decisions. After completing this course, students will be familiar with the financial markets available in Australia and be able to: analyse and interpret financial statement data; value financial instruments using time value of money; evaluate financing and investment (capital budgeting) alternatives; and understand the relationship between risk, return and diversification.
This course will help you understand the financial side of business, but also to enable you to make informed basic financial decisions in your personal and professional life.
This course has been completely re-designed over 2019-2024, and any feedback has been incorporated to date. The required textbook for this course is the UQ Pressbook "Introduction to Financial Management: A Contemporary Approach". This is an online textbook that combines text, videos, interactive activities.
Every week you should complete a module independently and complete the weekly tutorial questions. Lectures are conducted every 2-weeks to review materials and introduce relevant case studies. During the semester, there will be two assignments where you apply your knowledge to real-world problems, including a 2-hour workshop session for each assignment.
Sustainable Development Goals - UQ Business School is a proud supporter and Advanced Signatory of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (UN PRME). As part of the largest global collaboration between business schools and the UN, the school emphasises its role in empowering students to drive societal transformation through the Sustainable Development Goals. The SDGs highlight that a thriving economy relies on a healthy environment, aiming to balance economic growth, social well-being, and environmental protection for a sustainable future.
Course requirements
Assumed background
It is highly recommended that students successfully complete ACCT1101 before enrolling in this course.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
ACCT1101 or 1110
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
FINM1415 or 2400 or 2401 or 2411 or 2412 or 7401 or 7409 or 7805
Restrictions
Students enrolled in the BCom or BCom duals or the BAdvBus(Hons) or BAdvFin&Econ(Hons) programs cannot enrol in this course.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Ronghong Huang
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Seminars: 2-hour seminars every 2 weeks (weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13).
Tutorials: Weekly tutorials beginning in week 2. Please sign on via MyTimetable.
Workshops: There are 2 assignments, each of which includes a 2-hour workshop (weeks 6 and 9) where you will work on your assignment. Please allocate yourself to a workshop stream via MyTimetable. You must attend the session you are enrolled in.
Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email business.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:
- Full Name
- Student ID
- Course Code
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to provide students with the knowledge and understanding to make informed financial decisions in a business context. The course addresses the principal financial decisions facing managers. After completing this course, students will be able to: describe the core principles underlying finance; value financial instruments using time value of money; evaluate financing and investment (capital budgeting) alternatives; understand the relationship between risk, return and diversification; and critically evaluate theories taught, particularly in the context of sustainability.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Explain different theories on the role of business and finance, and analyse financial decisions in the context of global challenges.
LO2.
Apply the concept of time-value of money to a wide range of valuation problems and financial instruments (shares, bonds), and describe how financial markets work.
LO3.
Make project investment decisions based on an understanding of capital budgeting techniques and critically evaluate the resulting analysis.
LO4.
Evaluate the risk, return, and cost of capital of an investment based on an understanding of the relationship between risk, return and the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM).
LO5.
Interact effectively with a team to discuss ideas and work towards a common outcome.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution, Project |
Assignments
|
30% |
Time value of money 1:00pm - Week 6 - Week 8 Fri Valuation 1:00pm - Week 9 - Week 11 Fri |
| Examination |
In-semester Exam
|
30% |
In-semester Saturday 29/03/2025 - 12/04/2025 |
| Examination |
Final Exam
|
40% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
Assessment details
Assignments
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution, Project
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
Time value of money 1:00pm - Week 6 - Week 8 Fri
Valuation 1:00pm - Week 9 - Week 11 Fri
- Other conditions
- Peer assessed, Peer assessment factor.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
There are 2 assignments during the semester. Both are group assignments with a team of 4 to 5 students.
The assignments will be posted at least 1 week before the workshop week. You will be allocated to a team during the workshop. During the workshop, we will work through examples and some parts of the assignment. You need to come to the workshop prepared by going through the assignment materials beforehand. You will then work on the assignment during and after the workshop. The assignment is to be submitted at 1:00pm exactly two weeks following your actual workshop session. The components for submission may include short videos, Excel spreadsheets, or reports. The assignment each is worth 15% of your final grade for this course.
AI Statement:
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit via the Assessment folder on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
In-semester Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
In-semester Saturday
29/03/2025 - 12/04/2025
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
The in-semester exam will be held on one of the Saturdays scheduled by the university. It is a 90 minutes exam and covers Module 1 to Module 6.
AI Statement:
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Final Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
The final exam will consist of problem-solving, short-answer, and essay questions, and covers all topics in the course.
AI Statement:
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Grades will be allocated according to University-wide standards of criterion-based assessment.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 |
Not Timetabled |
Module 1 - What is Financial Management? Learning outcomes: L01 |
Lecture |
Lecture 1 - Introduction Learning outcomes: L01 |
|
Week 2 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 1 - What is financial management Learning outcomes: L01 |
Not Timetabled |
Module 2 - The Five Principles of Finance Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 3 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 2 - The five principles of Finance Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04 |
Not Timetabled |
Module 3 - Time value of money (Part 1) Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Lecture |
Lecture 2 - Module 1 & 2 Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Week 4 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 3 - Time value of money (Part 1) Learning outcomes: L02 |
Not Timetabled |
Module 4 - Time value of money (Part 2) Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Week 5 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 4 - Time value of money (Part 2) Learning outcomes: L02 |
Not Timetabled |
Module 5 - Valuing debt Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Lecture |
Lecture 3 - Module 3 & 4 Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Week 6 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 5 - Valuing debt Learning outcomes: L02 |
Not Timetabled |
Module 6 - Valuing shares Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Workshop |
Workshop 1 Learning outcomes: L02, L05 |
|
Week 7 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 6 - Valuing shares Learning outcomes: L02 |
Not Timetabled |
Module 7 - Capital budgeting methods Learning outcomes: L03 |
|
Lecture |
Lecture 4 - Module 5 & 6 Learning outcomes: L03 |
|
Week 8 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 7: Capital budgeting methods Good Friday Public Holiday - Friday 18 April 2025 - Check Blackboard for announcements about affected classes. Learning outcomes: L03 |
Not Timetabled |
Module 8 - NPV - Relevant Cash flows Learning outcomes: L03 |
|
Mid-sem break |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
In-Semester Break |
Week 9 |
Workshop |
Workshop 2 Learning outcomes: L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 8: NPV - Relevant cash flows Learning outcomes: L03 |
|
Not Timetabled |
Module 9: NPV - Modelling and Analysis Learning outcomes: L03 |
|
Lecture |
Lecture 5 - Module 7 & 8 Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
|
Week 10 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 9: NPV - Modelling and analysis Labour Day Public Holiday - Monday 5 May 2025 - Check Blackboard for announcements about affected classes. Learning outcomes: L03 |
Not Timetabled |
Module 10: Risk and Return (Part 1) Learning outcomes: L04 |
|
Week 11 |
Not Timetabled |
Module 10: Risk and Return (Part 2) Learning outcomes: L04 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 10: Risk and Return (Part 1) Learning outcomes: L04 |
|
Lecture |
Lecture 6 - Module 9 & 10 Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
|
Week 12 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 11: Risk and Return (Part 2) Learning outcomes: L04 |
Not Timetabled |
Module 11: Cost of capital Learning outcomes: L04 |
|
Week 13 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 12: Cost of capital Learning outcomes: L04 |
Lecture |
Lecture 7 - Module 10& 11 & Revision Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Additional learning activity information
Sustainable Development Goals
This course integrates the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) throughout course design, learning activities and / or assessment.
Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.