Module title
Module code
Academic year(s)
Investments
INT3606
2015/6
Credits
Module staff
Areeya Srisai - Convenor
30
Duration (weeks) - term 1
Duration (weeks) - term 2
Duration (weeks) - term 3
Number students taking module (anticipated)
10
5
40
Module description
This module equips you with a fundamental knowledge of investment theory and portfolio management. In particular the module provides you with a rigorous understanding of the concepts and techniques used by finance specialists and enabling you to apply these techniques in practical application of investment analysis and the implications of market efficiency for the investment decisions. The module covers a range of topics in finance drawn from the financial market and its products, basic valuation for equity, fixed income and derivatives.
Students should have completed the Financial Management module (INT 3605) before taking this module.
Module aims
The aim of this module is to equip students with a fundamental knowledge of investment theory and portfolio management. In particular the module provides students with a rigorous understanding of the concepts and techniques used by finance specialists, enabling students to apply these techniques in practical application of investment analysis, and the implication of market efficiency for the investment decisions. Through a combination of lectures, tutorial classes and computer training on
Excel functions, students will be provided with a solid foundation in financial theory and practice, providing the necessary grounding for further modules in finance.

ILO: Module-specific skills
1. demonstrate a critical understanding of the working of the financial system to optimise resources over time in a situation of uncertainty
2. demonstrate a secure understanding of asset valuation models and techniques of risk management and the ability to apply these to practical examples
3. demonstrate a comprehensive and critical understanding of portfolio construction and management and the ability to apply their knowledge to practical examples
4. demonstrate a sound understanding of financial derivatives, such as options and futures
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
5. apply their understanding of the theoretical techniques of finance and the implications of market efficiency to investment decisions
6. evaluate the usefulness of publicly available company data towards producing a sensible recommendation and company valuation
7. appraise the advice of professional analysts
ILO: Personal and key skills
8. communicate in English in speech and writing within the subject area
9. work as part of a team
10. present materials for group discussion, including numerical or other data in graphical form
11. collect and analyse data and research for writing an assignment
Syllabus plan
Introduction to financial markets and institutions; buying and selling securities; market efficiency; principles of asset valuation; valuation of bonds and shares; security analysis; risk management; portfolio theory; capital asset pricing model and other pricing models; introduction to financial derivatives; introduction to basic statistics; financial calculation using excel program; matrix calculations: variance-covariance matrix; optimisation; portfolio management.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching
Activities
30
Guided independent study
270
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category
Contact hours
Self-Study
Hours of study time
8
18
2
2
50
Placement / study abroad
0
Description
Lectures
Seminars/Tutorials
Computer Training on Excel
Assignment Tutorials
Web-based activities located on
McGraw Hill

Guided independent study
Guided independent study
100
120
Connect – preparation for in-class test
Researching on financial reports of listed companies and collecting financial data of selected company to analyse
Carry out the company analysis and write final version of your assignments and preparing for presentation
Formative assessment
Form of assessment
Weekly online exercise
Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)
ILOs assessed
8 X 60 minutes 1 – 5,8
Feedback method
Correct answers provided on
McGraw- Hill Connect platform
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework
80
Details of summative assessment
Written exams
10
Form of assessment
Group project
Presentation of the group project
% of credit
30
10
Individual assignment 50
In-class test 10
0
0
Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)
Max. 2,000 words
30 minutes
Max. 3,000 words
1 hour
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
Re-assessment notes
ILOs assessed
1 -11
1- 10
1-2,5-11
1,2,4,5,8
Practical exams
10
Feedback method
Written
Verbal & Written
Written
Written
Re-assessment is not available
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Jordan B.D., Miller T. W. and Dolvin S.D. (2015). Fundamentals of Investments (7th Ed.). McGraw Hill: IBSB: 9780077139582.

Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=2282
Web based and electronic resources:
McGraw- Hill Connect - http://connect.mcgraw-hill.com/class/a_srisai_copy_of_copy_of_demo_section_1
Bank of England - http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/Pages/home.aspx
London Stock Exchange - http://www.londonstockexchange.com/home/homepage.htm
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
Sharp, W. F., Alexander G. J. & Bailey J. V. (2001). Fundamentals of Investments (3rd Ed.). Harlow: Prentice Hall. ISBN:
0132926172.
Bennings, S. (2000). Financial Modelling (2nd Ed.). Boston Mass: MIT. ISBN: 0262024829.
Module ECTS
Module pre-requisites
15
INT3605 Financial Management
Module co-requisites
NQF level (module)
Available as distance learning?
Origin date
Last revision date
Key words search
Investments, Portfolio management
6
No
2004
24/08/2015