BE302-4-SP-CO:
Introduction to Finance

PLEASE NOTE: This module is inactive. Visit the Module Directory to view modules and variants offered during the current academic year.

The details
2023/24
Essex Business School
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 4
Inactive
Monday 15 January 2024
Friday 22 March 2024
15
19 October 2021

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

MA212

Key module for

(none)

Module description

The module is designed to give you an introduction to the finance subject area. In particular, the module gives an overview of the financial system, instruments and markets, and ideas about finance concepts and problems. The topics covered include investment companies, return and risk, and behavioural finance.

Module aims

1. To develop and transmit knowledge about the financial system, instruments and markets and ideas about finance concepts and problems at an introductory level;
2. To make students aware, at an introductory level, of different ways of thinking about and analysing financial phenomena;
3. To give students an appreciation of the role that finance plays in society;
4. To provide students with a firm foundation for further studies in finance.

Module learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1. Discuss the various traditions, concepts and techniques within finance as a subject discipline;
2. Describe the major features of the financial system including markets and institutions;
3. Understand the relationship between risk and return and the concept of diversification;
4. Understand the role of present value in bond and equity valuation models;
5. Have an appreciation of the issues underlying the efficient market hypothesis.

Module information

Skills for Your Professional Life (Transferable Skills)

1. Improve your literacy and numeracy skills;
2. Develop your IT skills by learning to work on Excel to solve financial problems with the use of statistical tools;
3. Improve your commercial awareness by familiarising with the current developments in finance;
4. Enhance your communication skills in class discussions;
5. Develop your personal plan of setting targets and time management to undertake coursework and exam.

Learning and teaching methods

1. 2-hour weekly lecture 2. 1-hour weekly problem solving class 3. Extensive online support available

Bibliography

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Exam  Main exam: Remote, Open Book, 120 minutes during Summer (Main Period) 
Exam  Reassessment Main exam: Remote, Open Book, 120 minutes during September (Reassessment Period) 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
50% 50%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
50% 50%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Anna Sarkisyan, email: asark@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Anna Sarkisyan & Dr Senyu Wang
Email: ebsugcol@essex.ac.uk

 

Availability
Yes
No
No

External examiner

No external examiner information available for this module.
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 260 hours, 117 (45%) hours available to students:
143 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).

 

Further information
Essex Business School

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