Course coordinator
Dr Suman Neupane-Joshi
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 integrative, capstone course is concerned with the interplay of finance strategy and organisational policy and strategy making. How finance strategy supports the achievement of the strategic ambitions of organisations is a particular focus. Key issues are establishing effective finance strategies and the organisational and environmental precursors to developing such strategies. Emphasis is placed on the alignment of finance strategy with organisational strategy. Students are expected to show intellectual leadership by conducting a significant research project within the domain of finance.
This course equips you with the skills to understand, synthesize, and critique research in finance. You will explore key research methods used in finance and learn to identify and evaluate high-quality studies. Additionally, the course covers current issues in finance, requiring extensive reading and critical analysis of relevant topics.
Course requirements
Assumed background
This course is the capstone course for the finance major of the BAB. Students are required to have completed (or be currently enrolled in) the other finance courses in the finance major of the BAB before enrolling in this course.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
(FINM2415 or 3401) + 4 units from the major
Restrictions
Capstone course to be studied in the major. Course is restricted to students enrolled in the BAdvBus(Hons) program.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Suman Neupane-Joshi
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
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
The aim of this course is to introduce students to finance research and to topical issues in finance.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
evaluate finance research
LO2.
synthesise information into a significant piece of secondary research
LO3.
analyse current issues in finance
LO4.
work successfully in a group environment
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation |
Academic paper critique
|
15% |
Week 3 - Week 10
Presentations will be held during class |
| Essay/ Critique |
Literature Review
|
35% |
9/05/2025 3:00 pm |
| Project |
Research Project
|
50% |
9/06/2025 3:00 pm |
Assessment details
Academic paper critique
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
Week 3 - Week 10
Presentations will be held during class
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03, L04
Task description
Select one academic paper from the provided reading list and present an overview and critique of the paper
The selected paper will form part of the group literature review
The individual presentations will be conducted throughout the semester
AI Statement:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI in completing this assessment task.. Students must clearly reference any use of AI in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Extensions or deferrals are not available for this presentation
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Late submissions are not accepted for in-class presentations. Failure to present at the scheduled time will result in a mark of zero.
Literature Review
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
9/05/2025 3:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Peer assessed.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
For this assessment, you will need to form and register a group on Blackboard
Your task is to write a review of the literature on a topic selected by the group from a list provided by the course coordinator
The literature review should focus on academic papers - including the paper that each individual group member has presented for the presentation assessment, but can also incorporate a very small number of relevant reports from quality non-academic sources such as investment banks, management consultants or non-profit organizations
AI Statement:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI in completing this assessment task.. Students must clearly reference any use of AI in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Via 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.
Research Project
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
9/06/2025 3:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
In this research project, you will explore real-world data to identify relationships between some key variables. In this exercise, you will be required to use descriptive statistics and appropriate regression methodologies to establish the relationship. You will also be required to interpret the results.
Further details will be provided on Blackboard and discussed in class.
AI Statement:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI in completing this assessment task.. Students must clearly reference any use of AI in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Via 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.
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
Library resources are available 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 |
Seminar |
Introduction to research methods Learning outcomes: L01 |
Week 2 |
Seminar |
Hypothesis testing, basic statistics & regression Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Week 3 |
Seminar |
Experimental design & event studies Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Week 4 |
Seminar |
Dummy variables & Panel models Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
Week 5 |
Seminar |
Causal inference 1 Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
Week 6 |
Seminar |
Causal inference 2 Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
Week 7 |
Seminar |
Conducting a literature review Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 8 |
Seminar |
Causal inference 3 Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
Mid-sem break |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
In-Semester Break No class this week Learning outcomes: L01 |
Week 9 |
Seminar |
Causal inference 4 Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
Week 10 |
Seminar |
Guest presenter (TBC) Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
Week 11 |
Seminar |
Surveys and content analysis Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
Week 12 |
Seminar |
Coding review Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 13 |
Seminar |
Course review Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
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.