UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ADMINISTRATION
FINANCE 300 - SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR: M. R. Brown
OFFICE: 2330UH
PHONE: 996-4552 (O)
OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday/Thursday - 3:45 - 5:00
Email: mrb@uic.edu
TEACHING ASSISTANTS:
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TEXT: FUNDAMENTALS OF CORPORATE FINANCE by Brealey, Myers and Marcus.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course covers the impact of financial management on business profits: the
relationship between risk and returns in financial decision making alternative sources of raising capital and
optimal utilization of assets.
COURSE PREREQUISITES (Minimum): Accounting 110, preferably 110 and 111.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
4 Quizzes
Case Study
GRADING:
90 - 100%
80 - 89%
70 - 79%
60 - 69%
Below 60%
80% (20% each)
20%
A
B
C
D
E
HOMEWORK: The homework assignments based on the text are listed in this syllabus and are drawn from
the problems at the end of the chapter. Students are strongly encouraged to read over the questions to test
their understanding of the material. Homework from the text will not be collected. However, it is the student's
responsibility to complete his/her assignments, as all quizzes will be based on homework assignments as well
as lecture material. The answers to the text problems are in a section at the end of the textbook. The
Instructor’s Web Page contains the Instructors manual that shows the step-by-step solution of the problems
from the textbook. The instructor may handout or put on reserve extra homework assignments. Practice
problems based on lecture material not in the textbooks will be provided for the students. There are seven
practice sets. Step by step solutions for these are not available on the web site.
Due to time constraints, homework problems will not be worked out during class. However, the Instructor and
Teaching Assistants are fully available outside of class. There is also tutoring in Finance available through the
University. The answers to the homework problems are posted on the web site for the class.
NOTE: PLEASE BRING A CALCULATOR TO EVERY CLASS.
During weeks 2-4, please bring a current issue of the Wall Street Journal to
class. You need only purchase one copy of the paper for use during these
weeks.
QUIZZES: Quizzes will be given five times during the term. The purpose of these quizzes is to give both the
student and the instructor feedback on how well the course material is being assimilated. The lowest quiz
grade for Quizzes 1-4 will be dropped. A grade of zero will be entered in the event of an absence on a date a
quiz is given. Everyone must take Quiz #5, which will be given on the last day of class. Thus students can
miss only one quiz. Save the drop quiz for emergencies like illnesses, work conflicts, babysitting
problems, court dates, weather related delays, etc. NO MAKE-UP QUIZZES WILL BE GIVEN, WITH
THE EXCEPTION OF QUIZ #5. NO EXCEPTIONS! Documentation, i.e. written medical excuse for the date of
Quiz #5, will be required.
A formula sheet may be used during the quizzes. The formula sheet must be no larger than 8.5 inches by 11
inches, the standard size of a piece of American printer sheet, i.e. no European sized paper. Both front and
back may be used for formulas, notes, etc. Nothing may be “hanging” off the formula sheet, i.e. no layering.
The sheet will be checked at each quiz.
BRING A CALCULATOR FOR EACH QUIZ. ONLY CALCULATORS MAY BE USED DURING THE QUIZ.
HAND HELD COMPUTERS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.
CASE STUDY: A case study will be assigned after quiz #2 (available in the Reserve Room in the library).
This will be a group assignment and students are responsible for putting together their own groups. A
separate instruction sheet for the case study will be passed out later during the semester or be made available
on the web site.
EXTRA CREDIT: At least 20 extra credit points will be offered during the term. Five points will be added to
your total semester quiz points for registering and playing the Stock Game, sponsored by the Collegiate
Finance Organization. Cash prizes are given to the top 5 portfolios. For extra credit, students must be the
requirements of the CFO in regards to the number of trades. Information and membership applications (you
must be a member to play) will be available through, CFO meetings, the Finance Department, CFO bulletin
board on the 24th Floor of University Hall and the CFO web page. Students will be notified of other sources of
extra credit during the term. Do not, under any circumstances, ask for individual extra credit
assignments. Any extra credit offered during the term must be made available to all students.
CLASS POLICIES:
1. The lectures may not be taped without the express permission of the instructor.
2. You may bring soft drinks and reasonable food items to class. Please remove all trash after class ends.
3. ABSOLUTELY NO FORM OF ACADEMIC DISHONESTY WILL BE TOLERATED. ACADEMIC
DISHONESTY MAY RESULT IN COURSE FAILURE!! Plagiarism in any form will, also, not be tolerated.
4. A teaching assistant is usually available each term to provide support for this class. A tutor is usually
available from the CBA. The hours of the CBA tutor are usually available on the 11th Floor of University Hall.
5. If you have difficulty in class, do not hesitate to come by the professor’s office for help, advice or
clarification. The course is difficult, but enjoyable. Teaching assistants are also available for help.
6. Attendance is very important as the lectures include material not found in the text. You are responsible
for securing any handouts, notes, etc. in the event of an absence. It is strongly suggested that you get the
telephone numbers/email addresses of several class members in the event of absence. Do not ask the
instructor for copies of class notes.
7. Talking during the lectures will not be tolerated. You will be asked to leave the room.
8. Incompletes are granted only in the most extenuating circumstances, so please pay attention to the
University drop dates. An incomplete does not erase work already completed; it only allows you extra time to
complete the course when extenuating circumstances prevent you from doing so with the rest of the class.
9. Turn off the buzzers/ringers/alarms of your cell phones/pagers, etc. while you are in class. If they
disturb the class, you will be asked to leave.
ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS:
If you believe you have a disability that will inhibit your performance in this class, please notify the professor no
later than the first week of class or notify the Office of Disability Services in the SSB. We will work to see that
reasonable accommodations are secured.
WEB PAGE:
www.uic.edu/~mrb/index.htm
The web site contains the step-by-step solutions of the assigned homework problems from the text, the
syllabus and case instructions. Announcements about changes in the class schedule, instructor absence, etc.
will also be posted to the web page.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Quizzes:
#1
September 23, 2003
#2
October 9, 2003
#3
October 28, 2003
#4
November 18, 2003
#5
December 4, 2003
NOTE: QUIZ DATES MAY HAVE TO BE CHANGED TO ACCOMMODATE UNFORESEEN
CIRCUMSTANCES.
READING ASSIGNMENTS:
Week
Topic
Chapter
1.
2.
3.
4
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Introduction/Personal Credit Management
Wall Street Journal
Wall Street Journal
Wall Street Journal
Financial Statements
Time Value of Money
Time Value of Money
Bond Valuation
Stock Valuation
Capital Budgeting
Capital Budgeting
Cost of Capital
Lease vs. Buy/Financial Planning
Inventory Control
Trade Credit
Final Exam
Chapter 1/Lecture
Chapter 3
Chapter3
Chapter 3
Chapter 2
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8,9
Chapter 12
Lecture/Chapter 17
Chapter 19: 548-552
Chapter 20: 564-566
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS BY CHAPTER
Chapter
Problems
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
12
20
21
1, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16
24,28,31, 35, 37, 41, 62, 63, 65, 74
10, 11, 15, 18
11 - 16
15, 23, 32, 33
23, 25
8, 14, 19
5, 10, 15
10, 11, 12
6, 7