The module aims to provide you with the knowledge and skills needed for the critical appraisal of\ investment decision-making methods within a real-world context, and the ability to interpret real world \ investment data in order to discriminate between different investment opportunities

Outline Of Syllabus

Investment Appraisal and the Foundations of Finance \ \ 1. Methods of investment and project analysis for corporations\ 2. Sources of finance: how companies raise capital through debt and equity\ 3. Valuing assets: an application of how the market values debt and equity\ 4. Market efficiency: why it matters to companies and investors\ 5. Portfolio theory: applications to real-world data\ 6. The concept of capital asset pricing within a single-period setting\ 7. The capital structure decision and the dividend decision: do they matter?\ 8. To use AmplifyME to provide opportunities for the practical application of theory in markets, finance, banking and other quantitative sectors.\ \ \ Financial risk and derivatives \ \ 1. Futures (forward) contracts and hedging strategies\ 2. Stock options\ 3. Swaps \ 4. Managing Financial Risk\ \ Bond investment and equity fund management\ \ 1. Valuation and duration: why they matter to investors \ 2. and the benefit of bond convexity\ 3. A look at bonds with embedded options. Styles of fund management and the special case of market timing through beta management\ 4. Evaluation of fund performance: methods, applications and empirical evidence from international surveys\ Contemporary issues in finance

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities

Category	Activity	Number	Length	Student Hours	Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities	Lecture	18	2:00	36:00	pip lectures
Guided Independent Study	Assessment preparation and completion	1	98:00	98:00	N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities	Practical	2	2:00	4:00	Whole-cohort: Delivered (PiP) at start of the academic year for the first two weeks
Guided Independent Study	Directed research and reading	1	70:00	70:00	N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities	Small group teaching	1	1:00	1:00	pip seminar
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities	Small group teaching	4	2:00	8:00	pip seminars
Structured Guided Learning	Structured non-synchronous discussion	4	0:30	2:00	2 per semester
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities	Drop-in/surgery	4	1:00	4:00	1 for whole cohort intro 1 for pre-assessment clinic 1 for drop-in (2 per semester)
Guided Independent Study	Independent study	1	77:00	77:00	N/A
Total	300:00

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The lecture material is used to impart basic knowledge and understanding, although lecture sessions will also involve some elements of discussion and workshop activity. Student discussion of issues develops understanding and helps develop certain key skills. The subject requires a good deal of additional reading to supplement the lecture materials and provide a greater depth of understanding, as well as increasing exposure to the research literature. The coursework provides an opportunity to practise certain professional and cognitive skills and gain feedback thereon. The provision of immersive content that allows students to gain insights into career paths in markets, finance, banking and other quantitative focused sectors, supporting embedding of skills and enhances their understanding of how to apply theory in practice." The fully blended approach was taken as it offers the flexibility we need to prepare for the uncertain future.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams

Description	Length	Semester	When Set	Percentage	Comment
Written Examination	180	2	A	80	N/A

Other Assessment

Description	Semester	When Set	Percentage	Comment
Report	1	M	20	1200 words (excluding references, tables, appendix)

Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description	Semester	When Set	Comment
Prob solv exercises	1	M	Seminar questions provided
Prob solv exercises	2	M	Seminar questions provided
Written exercise	2	M	Opportunity to submit practice attempts at past exam questions.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The coursework allows for students to apply theory into practice in the setting of investment decisions. Students are required to both critically and mathematically evaluate the scenario provided to them. \
The examination seeks to assess the broad range of understanding across the module.

Reading Lists

NBS8001's Reading List

Timetable

Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
NBS8001's Timetable