FINANCE 751 : Modern Corporate Finance

Business and Economics

2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Examines fundamental principles of corporate financial theory and discusses current issues, seminal theoretical contributions and empirical evidence regarding those theories. Specific topics will be chosen from capital structure, dividend policy, security issuance, mergers and acquisitions, corporate control and initial public offerings.

Course Overview

This course covers contemporaneous issues in corporate finance and builds on knowledge of advanced capital budegting procedures, capital structure, dividend decisions and mergers and acquisitions. The material studied during the course is a blend of key theoretical and empirical corporate finance work, particularly emphasising the interface between theoretical models and empirical tests of these models. 
The course immerses post-graduate students in key corporate finance research and research methodologies, providing a framework for considering other corporate finance problems and issues.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Graduate Profile: Master of Commerce

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Acquire and apply knowledge of empirical corporate finance research topics, appropriate research design, and common econometrical techniques (Capability 3)
  2. Propose interesting corporate finance questions, design empirical strategies and identify necessary datasets (Capability 4 and 5)
  3. Apply presentation and group discussion skills (Capability 6.1 and 7)
  4. Write concisely and support an argument with robust evidence (Capability 6.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Presentation 20% Group & Individual Coursework
Discussions 10% Individual Coursework
Assignment 15% Group & Individual Coursework
Final Exam 55% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Presentation
Discussions
Assignment
Final Exam

Workload Expectations

Following University workload guidelines, a standard 15-point course represents approximately 150 hours of study.

You can expect 3 hours of lectures per week (for 10 weeks) for this course. Since the course as a whole represents approximately 150 hours of study, that leaves a total of 120 hours across the entire quarter for independent study, e.g. reading, reflection, preparing for and completing assessments etc.

This course is based on seminars in which students present papers. There will be two or three papers assigned each week. A student or a team will present each paper, and a group discussion will follow in which all are expected to participate.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Class attendance is recommended to complete the course successfully.
Classes will not be available as recordings.
Course activities will follow a standard weekly timetable for a semester course.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

The contents will be delivered by two lecturers, and some parts might include more teaching of the lecturers. 

Other Information

None.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 19/11/2024 12:54 p.m.