University of Massachusetts Boston
College of Management
AF 301: Introduction to Financial Management
Fall 2013
Lecturer: Kristen Callahan, MSF, CFP®
E-mail: kristen.callahan@umb.edu
Office: McCormack Building, 5th Floor, Room 227
Office Hours: MW 2:00 to 3:00 and by appointment.
Section 4: Monday and Wednesday 11:00 to 12:15
Location: W-1-0045
Section 5: Monday and Wednesday 4:00 to 5:15
Location: W-1-0020
Course Materials
1.
Connect:
We will be using an online book and learning tool for this class.
Follow the link below to purchase access to Connect Plus and register for the course.
http://connect.mcgraw-hill.com/class/k_callahan_af301_fall_2013
Note: Connect Plus includes the e-book and costs $125. Connect does not include the e-book and costs $50. I recommend
that you purchase ConnectPlus so that you are able to read the chapters and do the practice problems. However, many
students, for financial reasons, purchase Connect (without the e-book). It is your choice.
2.
3.
Calculator: A financial calculator is not required. A calculator with a ‘y key is required.
Bring your calculator to EVERY class.
It is your responsibility to learn how to use your calculator.
X’
Class Slides:
PowerPoint slides will be used to present course material. Slides are posted in the
“Library” section in “My Files”. Please print slides and bring them with you to class.
Prerequisites: AF211. It is expected that students are familiar with the basic concepts of financial accounting
and the components of the major accounting statements.
Course Objectives: This course is an introduction to financial management for undergraduates working
toward a degree in business with or without a concentration in finance. Theoretical concepts will be introduced and
emphasized with examples of practical applications. The goal of the course is to provide a student with an understanding
of fundamental concepts of finance; a basis for understanding the decision-making process of the financial manager; and
to give students a firm foundation for the application of mathematics to financial problems.
Course Structure:
All new material will be presented to you either during lectures or in the text
assignments. PowerPoint slides will be used to present class material and problem solutions will be performed on the
board. Each student is required to solve problems in class during each lecture. You are responsible for all material
presented in class, in text assignments, emails and otherwise provided.
Assignments and Exams
1.
Homework: Please read the assigned chapter and complete assigned homework problems for practice.
I do not collect or grade these. You will find the homework problems for each chapter listed on the last page of each
slide deck.
2.
Connect: Connect is an online tool which delivers and scores questions on course material. At least once
a week you will be given a homework assignment to be done with Connect. You have the option to re-take your
homework three times before the deadline. This homework is automatically graded and your best grade will be
recorded. With time and effort, you could receive a perfect score on every homework assignment and this practice
will certainly help your understanding and performance on exams.
You may not make up a Connect assignment. You can miss one Connect assignment without penalty.
Due Date: The due date for Connect assignments may vary. Be sure to make note of due dates. I will not extend
deadlines or make exceptions if you miss an assignment. If you miss an assignment, you will receive a zero. You can
miss one assignment without penalty.
3.
Group Quizzes:
At least once each week, you will take a quiz which will be done in groups of 2 to 4.
The material will be related to something that we went over in class.
You may not make-up a quiz. If you miss the quiz, you will receive a zero.
These may be given at any time without advance notice. You can miss one quiz without penalty.
4.
Examinations:
There will be a midterm exam and a final. The dates for each exam are specified in the
syllabus and it is expected that all students will be at each exam AS SCHEDULED. If a student fails to take an exam at
the pre-arranged time, the student will receive a score of zero on that exam.
Make-up exams will only be given under extreme circumstances and only if previously arranged with me.
5.
Research Projects:
There will be two research projects this semester. These projects will be done in
groups and turned in for a grade.
20 Points will be deducted for projects completed individually.
Penalties for Late Submission of Project
10 points off: If handed in after class begins but during class on the day that the assignment is due.
20 points off: If handed in after class but before 9:00 PM on the day that the assignment is due.
30 points off: If handed in before 9:00 PM on the day after the assignment is due.
100 points off (not accepted): You will not receive credit for the assignment if it is handed in after 9:00 PM on the day
after the assignment is due.
Exam Notes, Materials and Policies:
I will provide a formula sheet for you to use while taking the
exam. No other notes are permitted during the exam. You may bring pencils and your calculator. No books, cell
phones, computers, or translators will be permitted. If you do not bring an approved calculator to the test you will be
required to do all calculations by hand. I will not supply students with calculators and calculators cannot be shared
under any circumstances.
Exam schedule:
Exam 1
Exam 2
Final Exam
Monday, September 30th
Monday, November 4th
According to University Schedule:
week of December 16th to 20th
(Please plan your holiday travel accordingly.)
Other Important Dates:
Add/drop ends
Pass/Fail Course withdrawal ends
Excel Practice (bring laptops)
Excel Project #1 Due
Excel Project #2 Due
September 10th
November 7th
September 23rd and November 18th
October 9th
December 4th
Grade Determination:
Research Projects: 15%
Group quizzes & Connect: 15%
Exams during the semester: 40%
Final Exam: 30%
Final grades will be assigned on the basis of total points acquired during the semester.
Class participation will be considered when assigning final grades.
Class participation: Class participation will be evaluated based on attendance and level of class preparation as indicated
by your ability to respond to questions and participate in discussions. I will also deduct points for any disruptive
behavior during class time.
Disruptive behavior includes: consistently arriving late and/or leaving the class during class time; talking to other
students during lecture or class discussion; phone ringing; text messaging; eating; any disrespectful comments,
questions or gestures toward me or your fellow students.
Final Grade Schedule
The following is the grade scale for assignment of your final letter grade.
92%+ A
70-74% C+
89-91% A-
65-69% C
85-88% B+
60-64% C-
80-84% B
56-59% D
75-79% B-
Less than 55% F
Any student not fulfilling his/her academic obligations for this course will receive a failing grade for the semester. Exams and
projects are designed to provide a measure of your understanding of the course material. If you do not demonstrate that you
understand the course material, then you will fail the class. Incompletes will only be granted under the most extreme of
circumstances and only if agreed upon by the instructor before the completion of the semester. Any issues regarding such a
situation will be referred to the Dean's office.
There will be no extra credit offered in this class and I will NOT drop your lowest exam grade.
Academic Honesty: It is expected that all students will uphold the UMass policy on academic integrity. .
Students caught cheating or plagiarizing will, at the discretion of the instructor, fail either the assignment in question or
the course and will have a description of the incident attached to his or her academic records.
Disabilities: If you have a disability and feel you will need accommodations in order to complete course requirements,
please contact the Ross Center for Disability Services (M-1-401) at (617) 287-7430. For more information see:
http://www.rosscenter.umb.edu/
AF301 Fall 2013
Topic Coverage
Subject to change as semester progresses.
Specific readings and assignments will be given in class.
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
Syllabus; Intro and Time Value of Money
Time Value of Money, continued
Time Value of Money, continued
Excel Practice (bring laptops) September 23rd
Time Value of Monday Exam Review
Exam 1 September 30th
Bond Valuation
Bond Valuation
Stock Valuation
Stock Valuation
Stock Valuation
Exam 2 November 4th
Risk and Return
Excel Practice (bring laptops) November 18th
Risk and Return, continued
Risk and Return, continued
Capital Budgeting
Review
Chapter 4
Chapter 4 and 5
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapters 10 and 11
Chapters 8 and 9