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
This course provides an in-depth analysis of financial issues confronting most firms, with a strong focus on application and practical relevance. Topics include financing and dividend policy, real option valuation, risk management and mergers and acquisitions.
FINM7402 Corporate Finance equips students with an analytical framework for decision-making in financial management and firm valuation. It covers both theoretical and practical concepts related to capital structure, risk management, real options, raising equity funds, corporate governance, and mergers and acquisition decisions. This course bridges foundational finance concepts with their application in practical corporate settings.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
FINM7065 or 7401 or 7805
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
FINM2415 or 3401
Restrictions
Quota: Minimum of 15 enrolments
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Hasibul Chowdhury
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
This course aims to provide a deep understanding of the theory that forms the basis of corporate finance, and how this theory can be practically applied in a real world setting.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination |
In-Semester Exam
|
30% |
Week 6
During Lecture Time. Students ARE REQUIRED to come to the class to take the test. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project | Case analysis | 20% |
14/10/2025 3:00 pm |
| Examination |
Final exam
|
50% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025 |
Assessment details
In-Semester Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
Week 6
During Lecture Time. Students ARE REQUIRED to come to the class to take the test.
- Other conditions
- Time limited, Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
The In-Semester Exam covers Topics 1 to 4. It contains MCQs and short answer questions on theory and problem-solving.
This will be a closed-book exam. Students need to come to the class to finish this assessment. Responses to MCQs are required to be submitted via Blackboard online assessment section. Students are required to bring their laptop to class to complete this part of the exam. Students need to make sure that they have adequate access to the Internet to complete this online test. Short answer question segment will be paper-based. Students will submit their responses on the paper supplied to them during the exam.
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 | 60 minutes |
| Calculator options | Any calculator permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Materials | Laptop |
| Exam platform | Other |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
You must submit your responses to the MCQ questions within the due time.
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.
Case analysis
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
14/10/2025 3:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04
Task description
This is an individual case study. Carefully read ‘Berger Paints India Limited: Discovering the Optimal Capital Structure’ (see URL on Blackboard under “Assessment” and please make sure you also read other materials that will strengthen your assignment). Please use this case as a background to carefully develop your answers to the questions mentioned in the document titled "Assignment Instruction." Students are required to submit both (a) their responses to the assessment questions in a PDF file and (b) Excel worksheet.
Further details about the case study will be available on the course Blackboard site.
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
Submit in Blackboard Assessment link.
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.
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, Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
The final exam covers topics 1 to 10 and consists of short discussion and problem-solving questions.
UQ will centrally organise the time for this final examination. If you are unable to sit the exam because of illness or other valid reasons, you need to follow UQ Business School's procedure relating to Deferred Exams.
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 |
Topic 1: Introduction and Corporate Governance Discuss the corporate governance structure and its issues (role of boards, executive compensation, etc). Learning outcomes: L01 |
Week 2 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 1: Corporate Governance Learning outcomes: L01 |
Lecture |
Topic 2: Cost of Capital Discuss cost of equity and debt. Understand the risk and return relationship. Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
|
Week 3 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 2: Cost of Capital Ekka Show Day - Wednesday 13 August 2025 - Check Blackboard for announcements about affected classes. Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Lecture |
Topic 3: Capital Structure I Discuss capital structure in a perfect world with no taxes and other financial market frictions. Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Week 4 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 3: Capital Structure I Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
Lecture |
Topic 4: Capital Structure II Capital structure with taxes, distress costs and agency costs. Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
|
Week 5 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 4: Capital Structure II Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
Lecture |
Topic 5: Capital Structure III Trade-off theory for optimal capital structure. Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
|
Week 6 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 5: Capital Structure III Learning outcomes: L02 |
Lecture |
In-Semester Exam In-Semester Exam. No lecture this week -tutorials will run as usual. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 7 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial: Case-study Assignment Overview This session will provide information on the case-study assignment. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Lecture |
Topic 6: Payout Policy Discuss firm's payout policy and how market imperfections shape it. Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
|
Week 8 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 6: Payout Policy Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
Lecture |
Topic 7: Financial Options and Pricing Learning outcomes: L05 |
|
Week 9 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 7: Financial Options and Pricing Learning outcomes: L05 |
Lecture |
Topic 8: Real Options Identify and value real options. Learning outcomes: L05 |
|
Mid Sem break |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
In-Semester Break |
Week 10 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial: Revisions of Tutorial Questions from Tute 1 - Tute 7 King's Birthday Public Holiday - Monday 6 October 2025. Those taking Monday tutorials should attend other tutorials. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Lecture |
No Lecture - King's Birthday Holiday Discuss equity capital issue process and its pricing mechanism. Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
|
Week 11 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 8: Real Options Learning outcomes: L05 |
Lecture |
Topic 9: Raising New Capital Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
|
Week 12 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 9: Raising New Capital Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
Lecture |
Topic 10: Mergers and Acquisitions Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
|
Week 13 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 10: Mergers and Acquisitions Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
Lecture |
Revision Lecture Course revision Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
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.