Course coordinator
Dr Nicolas Eugster
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
Provides a comprehensive introduction to financial management and financial analysis. Focuses on creating shareholder value. Topics include the time value of money, stock and bond valuation, capital budgeting and net present value, risk and diversification, and the Capital Asset Pricing Model.
This course provides an introduction to corporate financial decision making. The course provides the necessary groundwork for the other finance courses offered by UQ Business School. The course covers financial mathematics, the time value of money, debt and equity security characteristics and valuation, project evaluation (emphasising net present value techniques), risk and return, the capital asset pricing model, the weighted−average cost of capital as well as financial managers' ethical and social responsibilities.
Students should note well that theory and practical work cannot be separated. Students need to understand the basics of each topic's theory in order to tackle practical questions successfully. In other words, theory forms the foundation of practical work and students will not be successful in the course if they do not have a thorough understanding of the underlying theory.
The course is progressive. For example, the introductory topic on the time value of money forms the basis for stock and bond valuation models. The key to successful completion of this course is to study consistently, allowing on average 10 hours per week, including the contact hours. This is the only formula to successfully complete Finance.
Course requirements
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
FINM1415 or 2401 or 2411 or 2412 or 7805
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Nicolas Eugster
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 two-fold. First, it permits those students who wish to concentrate their studies in some area(s) of business rather than finance to obtain a sound introduction to financial management. In this respect, the course addresses the principal decisions confronting the financial manager of a firm and covers techniques used to evaluate corporate financial decisions. Second, the course provides those students wishing to specialise in the finance discipline with a core upon which further intermediate and advanced aspects of corporate finance can be developed.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination |
In-Semester Exam
|
25% |
Week 7
During Lecture Time |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Individual Project | 25% |
20/10/2025 4:00 pm |
| Examination |
Final Exam
|
50% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025 |
Assessment details
In-Semester Exam
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
Week 7
During Lecture Time
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
The In-Semester Exam will be held during the scheduled lecture time as an online Blackboard test, which students can complete from home, the library, or another suitable location.
The exam will contain a mix of theory-based and calculation-based multiple-choice questions. Further details will be made available on Blackboard closer to the date of the exam.
AI Statement:
This assessment task is to be completed online. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of Generative AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | Any calculator permitted |
| Open/closed book | Open book examination - any written or printed material is permitted; material may be annotated |
| Exam platform | Other |
| Invigilation | Not invigilated |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Late submission
Exams submitted after the end of the submission time will incur a late penalty.
For submissions:
- less than 5 minutes late: 5% penalty
- between 5 minutes to less than 15 minutes late: 20% penalty
- more than 15 minutes late: 100% penalty.
Individual Project
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
20/10/2025 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03, L04
Task description
The objective of this project is to assess students’ ability to apply valuation methods to estimate the price of a public company. You will need to gather all the necessary financial data either through the financial websites or databases provided by UQ. The main assessment criteria will be to assess students' ability to demonstrate their own thinking and justify their workings and final valuation. Whenever possible, students will need to discuss how they estimate all the inputs needed for the calculation.
Your report is to be typed in 12pt Times New Roman with 1.5 line spacing and normal margin.
Importantly, you need to upload a soft copy of your excel worksheet (workings).
AI Statement:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
The assignment must be submitted using both Turnitin and blackboard. For more details, refers to the "Assignment Guidelines" 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.
For example, a report worth a maximum of 40 marks, submitted 28 hours late will attract a penalty of 8 marks, calculated as 2 periods of 24 hours x 10% x 40 marks.
Final Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
This exam is a closed book, invigilated exam as required by UQ and Professional Accounting organisations.
The exam consists of problem-solving and short-answer questions. More details will be provided on the Course Blackboard site.
AI Statement:
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of Generative AI 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
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 |
Lecture |
Lecture 1: Introduction to Finance The company and its goals, the roles of the financial manager, agency conflicts, stakeholder theory, corporate social responsibility, and ethical finance. Learning outcomes: L01 |
Week 2 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 1: Introduction to Finance and Capital IQ Learning outcomes: L01 |
Lecture |
Lecture 2: Time Value of Money (I) The time value of money, types of cash flow streams and their valuation. Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Week 3 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 2: Time Value of Money (I) EKKA Public Holiday - Wednesday 13 August 2025 - Check Blackboard for announcements about affected classes. Learning outcomes: L02 |
Lecture |
Lecture 3: Time Value of Money (II) In-depth cash flows valuation, Interest rate Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Week 4 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 3: Time Value of Money (II) Learning outcomes: L02 |
Lecture |
Lecture 4: Share Valuation Share markets, types of shares, and share valuation models. Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Week 5 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 4: Share Valuation Learning outcomes: L02 |
Lecture |
Lecture 5: Bond Valuation Debt markets, types of bond, bond valuation models Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Week 6 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 5: Bond Valuation Learning outcomes: L02 |
Lecture |
Lecture 6: Risk and Return (I) Risk and return computations and risk-return trade-off. Learning outcomes: L03 |
|
Week 7 |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
No Tutorial No tutorial this week due to the In-Semester exam. |
Lecture |
In-Semester Exam During Lecture Time In-Semester Exam held during lecture time. |
|
Week 8 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 6: Risk and Return (I) Learning outcomes: L03 |
Lecture |
Lecture 7: Risk and Return (II) Diversification, Capital Asset Pricing Model, Security Market Line, Risk Pricing. Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
|
Week 9 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 7: Risk and Return (II) Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
Workshop |
Project Presentation Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Mid Sem break |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
In-Semester Break |
Week 10 |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
No Tutorial |
Lecture |
Lecture 8: Capital Budgeting (I) Investment Decision Rules Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Week 11 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 8: Capital Budgeting (I) Learning outcomes: L02 |
Lecture |
Lecture 9: Capital Budgeting (II) Cash flow measurements and issues in capital budgeting. Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Week 12 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 9: Capital Budgeting (II) Learning outcomes: L02 |
Lecture |
Lecture 10: Cost of Capital Cost of debt, cost of equity, and weighted average cost of capital. Learning outcomes: L04 |
|
Week 13 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 10: Cost of Capital Learning outcomes: L04 |
Lecture |
Lecture 11: Review of Materials Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
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 for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.