1
Outline
Course
Introduction to Finance (2FA3)
Professors
Dr. Arshad Ahmad, AVP Teaching & Learning (arshad@mcmaster.ca)
Kevin Brewer, Sessional Lecturer, DSB (kbrewer@mcmaster.ca)
Why This Course Is Super-Important
Our culture rewards those who create value. The promise of value can raise lots of money instantly,
multiply growth opportunities, and generate real cash flows for you and for others. What if you learned the
basics of how to value everything? What if you also learned the flip side – how value is destroyed? And
deeply understood why the marketplace values some things more than others?
In the next 6 weeks, you have a chance to explore issues in financial management that change lives and
immerse you in applied settings. Through videos and cases, we will use powerful conceptual frameworks
in finance to sort out real (messy) situations and simulate decisions that help each of us to develop a deep
understanding of how financial managers think. This might change you and those you care about in ways
you never imagined. Welcome to Intro Finance!
Goals (Learning Outcomes)
This course will enable you to:
●
relate an important financial concept or issue to experiences in your daily life or the real world
(through blogs, documentaries, animations and music)
●
use financial tools to understand how value is created and measured
●
communicate with industry professionals who use financial jargon such as a banker or financial
manager to evaluate a financial product
●
engage with news that matters to you by linking it to value creation (or destruction) through a
personal blog
●
apply basic concepts to problem-solve individually and collaboratively
●
help your peers when they are stuck (and get help when you need it)
●
enjoy and have fun with finance!
DBS Introduction to Finance (2FA3) – Summer, 2015
2
Grades
Coursework
Value
Practice
25%
Due Date
Learnsmart Questions (McGraw-Hill Connect) [5%]
Noon on class days
Knowledge Self Check (best 5 out of 8) [10%]
6:00 pm each class
Collaborative Mid-Term [10%]
In Class on July 16
Assignments
45%
Personal Blog [15%]
June 30, July 7, July 14,
by noon on class days
Interview an Expert [15%]
In Class Aug 4
Case Study [15%]
In Class July 21
Final exam
30%
Total
In Class August 6
100%
NOTE: Postcard Presentations (No grade but part of the final class celebration on August 4)
Schedule
***Important*** Read one chapter in advance for the in-class Quiz and practice Learnsmart
Questions where assigned.
Date
Content
June
Value Creation (Part I)
23
Introduction
Prep/Due Dates
Read Ch. 1
9 pm: 30 minute blog set up workshop after class
25
Time Value
9 pm: 30 minte calculator workshop after class
Read Ch. 5
Learnsmart Questions
K Self Check 1
DBS Introduction to Finance (2FA3) – Summer, 2015
3
June
Value Creation (Part I continued)
30
Cash Flows
Read Ch. 6
Note: In-Class Blog Group Work Session
Learnsmart Questions
9 pm: 30 minute calculator workshop
after class
K Self Check 2
Blog Post Due
2
Bonds
Read Ch. 7
9 pm: 30 minute calculator workshop after class
Learnsmart Questions
K Self Check 3
7
Stocks
Read Ch. 8
Note: In-Class Blog Group Work Session
Learnsmart Questions
K Self Check 4
Blog Post Due
Value Creation (Part II)
9
14
Investment Techniques
Optional tutorial for additional help
Read Ch. 9
Learnsmart Questions
Online learning
Capital Invest. Decisions
Read Ch. 10
Note: In-Class Blog Group Work Session
Learnsmart Questions
K Self Check 5
Blog Post Due
16
Review problem solving
K Self Check 6
Collaborative
Mid-Term + Case Study Prep
21
Case study
K Self Check 7
Case Study Due
DBS Introduction to Finance (2FA3) – Summer, 2015
4
Value Creation (Part III)
July
23
Market Efficiency
28
Optional tutorial for additional help
Read Ch. 12
Learnsmart Questions
Online learning
Risk
Read Ch.13
Learnsmart Questions
K Self Check 8
30
Options
Read Ch 24, 25
Learnsmart Questions
Online learning
Optional tutorial for additional help
August
Review
4
The big picture (All Chapters)
Interview an Expert
Due + Blog Post
Due + Postcard
Presentations (optional)
6
Final Exam
Online Learning
Notes:
1. No classes at Mac on July 9, 23 & 30 (learn online).
2. All Quizzes begin at 6:00 sharp. Problem solving in tutorial until 7:00
3. Lectures are between 7:00 – 9:00.
4. You must pass the final to pass the course.
Textbook: Fundamentals of Corporate Finance / S. A. Ross ... [et al] - 8th Canadian edition.
ISBN 978-0-07-105160-6. McGraw-Hill Ryerson.
Case Study: The Super Project, Harvard Business Case.
DBS Introduction to Finance (2FA3) – Summer, 2015