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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "FIN 302"
COURSE NAME: "Financial Management"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2015
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Josephine Luzon
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 7:30 PM 8:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: FIN 301
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The major objective of this course is to develop an understanding and appreciation of financial theories as they apply to corporate financial decisions and to understand the implications for problem solving. The focus is on how financial management can create value for the firm.

This course is intended as a second course in financial management. The course expands on topics developed in the prerequisite course in FIN 301.

Prerequisite: FIN 301. Students are expected to be familiar with the time value of money, financial statements and financial ratios.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course covers the study of agency theory, financial analysis and planning, capital structure, capital budgeting, dividend policy, options, futures, warrants, derivatives, cash and credit management, mergers and acquisition and international corporate finance. In addition to problem solving, case studies will also be assigned on each of these topics.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

- Understand finance theory as it applies to corporate financial decisions and to understand its implications for problem solving

- Understand the agency model and its applications to corporate finance

- Appreciate how financial management can create value for the firm

- Understand the factors influencing the determination of corporate dividend policy

- Be conversant with options, warrants and derivatives

- Be able to analyze mergers and acquisitions and understand how such transactions can create value

- Ability to use Excel when performing financial calculations

- Learn to use qualitative and quantitative analysis to determine the optimal solution to a problem and make a recommendation

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA: 

Number of points

Grade

100 - 94

A

 93 - 90

A-

 89 - 87

B+

 86 – 84

B

 83 - 80

B-

 79 - 75

C+

 74 - 70

C

 69 - 65

C-

 64 - 60

D+

 59 - 55

D

 54 - 50

D-

Below 50

F

TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Exam no. 1 25%
Exam no. 2 25%
Final Exam 25%
Case Studies 10%
Class Participation (quizzes, homework) 10%
Attendance 5%
NO MAKEUP EXAM WILL BE GIVEN  

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the cou
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:



The University’s attendance policy is described in the catalogue. Persistent absence or tardiness usually precludes satisfactory performance in the course, and jeopardizes that part of the grade which is based on class participation. Students are expected to arrive at class on time; students are responsible for all material covered by the syllabus and/or discussed in class, whether or not they are actually present in class. Attendance is 5% of total grade and is included in Class Participation.

If you miss more than 3 classes (excused and unexcused), you will lose half a grade in the final grade for every class missed after the 3rd miss class. For example if you have a final grade of B and missed 5 classes, your final grade will be downgraded to B-; if you miss 7 classes, your final grade will be downgraded to C+. The course eliminates the excused absence concept.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

 


FIN 302 – SPRING 2015

Date

Chapter

Topic

 

 

 

Introduction

1 & 2

Agency Theory

3

Financial Statement Analysis & Long-term Planning

3

Financial Statement Analysis & Long-term Planning

6 & 7

Investment Decision Rules & Capital Budgeting: Basic Concepts

6 & 7

Investment Decision Rules & Capital Budgeting: Basic Concepts

 

 

15

Capital Structure: Basic Concepts

15

Capital Structure: Basic Concepts

16

Capital Structure: Limits to the Use of Debts

16

Capital Structure: Limits to the Use of Debts

17

Capital Budgeting for the Levered Firm

17

Capital Budgeting for the Levered Firm

 

EXAM NO. 1

18

Dividend Policy

18

Dividend Policy

 

 

22 & 23

Options

22 & 23

Options

24

Warrants & Convertibles

25

Derivatives

 

EXAM NO: 2

26

Short-term Finance & Planning

 

SPRING BREAK

 

 

26

Short-term Finance & Planning

27 & 28

Cash & Credit Management

27 & 28

Cash & Credit Management

29

Mergers & Acquisitions

29

Mergers & Acquisitions

31

International Corporate Finance

31

International Corporate Finance

 

HOLIDAY

 

FINAL EXAMS (TBA)

 

NOTE: Changes to the schedule may occur as the semester progresses.

Contact: [email protected]