FOUNDATIONS OF FINANCE
FINK 500 115 CRN 22746
SPRING 2014 – ONLINE COURSE
Instructor: Dr. Douglas Dyer; Accounting, Finance and Economics
Office: Founder’s Hall, 323 D
Phone: 254.519.5429
Office Hours: In the office: MW 11.00-1.00 & TR 1.00-2.30 or by appointment.
Please schedule appointments with Prof Dyer directly if possible, using email below.
Administrative Assistant: Ms. Jennifer Perez-Rivera 254.519.5437
General COBA Phone Number: 254.519.5437
Email: For general purposes please use my general university email address with your course
name number and section:To: ddyer@ct.tamus.edu Subject: FIN 500;
however if your question is course content specific please us the Discussion area devoted to
“Content Questions”.
Replies are generally within 24 hours. If you have not had a reply within that time please
resend your message. I have received emails 14 months after they were sent! Don’t get angry;
please just ping me again. I really enjoy working with students and am not intentionally
ignoring your message!
This course has two primary purposes:
1. To prepare MBA students for success in FINK 507. Unfortunately there is no way given
8-weeks, and 1 credit hour to replicate a true UG introductory financial management
course. So we focus on about 4 major topic.
2. Introduce all students receiving an advanced degree from a COBA to some basics of
finance. Even if you are an HR student planning on working for a not-for-profit
organization, it still matters whether or not you can afford to turn on the lights when you
go to work in the morning.
There is no required textbook. We can rely on websites, videos and Dyer Handouts for
course materials. If you ARE an MBA student, and will be taking 507, I strongly
recommend that you purchase the CFIN3 with aplia bundle ($62, which is hard to beat). I
believe both the book and the use of aplia for a semester will help you prepare for FIN
507. But since we have HR and MGMT students in the course as well, I have decided to not
require the text. See the first two boxed “items” on the course Start Page for more
information. EVERYONE IS REQUIRED TO PURCHASE A FINANCIAL CALCULATOR THAT
HAS A CASH FLOW REGISTER. THAT IS THE ONE GENERALLY USED HERE AT TAMUCT.
THERE IS ACTUALLY A SMART PHONE “APP” YOU CAN DOWNLOAD. (DO NOT REALLY
KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS, I HAVE NEVER DOWNLOADED AN APP IN MY LIFE. BUT IT
WORKS JUST FINE APPARENTLY.
TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS AND SUPPORT
This course will use the new TAMU-CT Blackboard Learn learning management system for class
communications, content distribution, and assessments.
Logon to https://tamuct.blackboard.com to access the course.
Username: Your MyCT username (xx123 or everything before
the "@" in your MyCT e-mail address)
Initial password: Your MyCT password
For this course, you will need reliable and frequent access to a computer and to the
Internet. You will also need a headset with a microphone or speakers and a microphone to
be able to listen to online resources and conduct other activities in the course. If you do not
have frequent and reliable access to a computer with Internet connection, please consider
dropping this course or contact me (youremail and phone number) to discuss your
situation.
Blackboard supports the most common operating systems:
PC: Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista
Mac: Mac OS X Mavericks
NOTE: Computers using Windows XP, Windows 8 RT and OS X 10.6 or lower
are NO longer supported
Check browser and computer compatibility by following the “Browser Check” link on the
TAMU-CTBlackboard logon page. (https://tamuct.blackboard.com) This is a CRITICAL
step as these settings are important for when you take an exam or submit an assignment.
Upon logging on to Blackboard Learn, you will see a link to Blackboard Student Orientation
under My Courses tab. Click on that link and study the materials in this orientation course.
The new Blackboard is a brand-new interface and you will have to come up to speed with it
really quickly. This orientation course will help you get there. There is also a link to
Blackboard Help from inside the course on the left-hand menubar. The first week of the
course includes activities and assignments that will help you get up to speed with
navigation, sending and receiving messages and discussion posts, and submitting an
assignment. Your ability to function within the Blackboard system will facilitate your
success in this course.
Technology issues are not an excuse for missing a course requirement – make sure your
computer is configured correctly and address issues well in advance of deadlines.
I AM NOT A TECHIE! CALL RELEVANT CUSTOMER SUPPORT OR IT
SUPPORT, NOT ME, FOR TECHNICAL ISSUES! Remember: Blackboard
and aplia are totally separate products. Look in the Blackboard
Content Area menu for Blackboard Help contact information.
Technology Support
For technological or computer issues, students should contact Help Desk Central. 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week:
Email: helpdesk@tamu.edu
Phone: (254) 519-5466
Web Chat: http://hdc.tamu.edu
When calling for support please let your support technician know
you are a TAMUCT student.
For issues related to course content and requirements, contact your instructor.
UNILERT
Emergency Warning System for Texas A&M University – Central Texas
UNILERT is an emergency notification service that gives Texas A&M University-Central Texas the ability to
communicate health and safety emergency information quickly via email and text message. By enrolling in
UNILERT, university officials can quickly pass on safety-related information, regardless of your location.
Please enroll today at TAMUCT.org/UNILERT
1.0
Course Overview and description:
An examination of the following basics subsets of a principles of finance course: We will cover financial assets
(stocks and bonds), financial statements (income statement, balance sheet, statement of cash flows), financial
statement analysis (ratio analysis) and the Time Value of Money.
Course Prerequisites: You were probably advised into this course, so there are really no prerequisites as
such. But whatever you call it, financial accounting is the language of finance and you must learn that
language to succeed in this course. Starting with the basics of stocks and bonds, moving into financial
statements, then on to analysis of financial statements, and concluding with the time value of money.
PLEASE, PLEASE: START NOW! Go to DYER HANDOUTS and read the “Some Finance
Basics_Investment Menu” handout. Open the Online Finance Resources handout and click on the links and
review financial statements and financial assets. The Baruch College Guide to Financial Statements is really a
great place to start. Here is the link:
http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/tutorials/statements/
choose
Also, if you
to purchase the text bundle, get registered for Aplia (use section 500 when
registering) and take the Problem Set: Introduction to Using Aplia Assignments ASAP. (If you do not buy the
CFIN3 bundle then ignore the following. Also, even if you choose to buy the bundle as a
resource, there are no required assignments from aplia. (THIS course will cover
chapters 1-4 of CFIN3. But FIN 507 will cover much more material.) Just a fantastic practice/learning
tool. In Aplia each chapter is divided into two parts. The first part is called Reading and is just that chapter in
the ebook. The second part is called Problem Set. The basics of taking the Problem Sets are covered in the
Introduction to Using Aplia Assignments problem set referenced above. I have placed all the Chapter Reading
links in week 1. So the entire ebook is there in one place. The GRADED PROBLEM SETS are in the week in
which they are due. There is an assigned aplia problem set for every chapter covered. Each problem set is in the
week in which it is due, even though they are all open and ready now if you wish to work ahead!
2.0
Course Overview:
Students who successfully complete this course should be able to: Unit 1: explain the fundamental types of
financial assets including their basic characteristics, and their pros/cons as sources of financing (capital); Unit 2:
demonstrate a thorough financial literacy using the 3 basic financial statements; Unit 3: conduct a thorough
firm-level financial performance analysis; Unit 4: evaluate financial alternatives from a time value of money
perspective;; demonstrate proficiency using a financial calculator. See 2.1 below!
2.1
Student Learning Outcomes Unit: Specifics will be provided in a separate document, but if you
look in DYER HANDOUTS, “Online Finance Resources”, and VIDEOS I think you can see pretty
obviously what material pertains to what Unit.
Unit 1: Financial Assets: you should be able to describe the fundamental characteristics of the common
financial assets (stocks and bonds) and the financial jargon associated with these assets. Terms like debt, equity,
interest, dividends, priority of claims against income and assets, etc. You are beginning to learn the language of
finance: financial accounting.
Unit 2: Financial Statements: you should be able to thoroughly discuss a firm’s 3 basic financial statements: the
income statement, balance sheet and statement of cash flows. What do those item really mean? What do the
acronyms stand for? How do the statements interact? You are extending your knowledge of financial
accounting.
Unit 3: Financial Statement Analysis: you should be able to use the firm’s financial statements to discuss their
“financial performance”: the combination of risk and return the firm’s common stock would represent to an
equity investor.
Unit 4: The time value of money: you should be able to use the TI BA II Plus to solve time value of money
problems for both lump sums and annuities. There are 5 potential unknowns in a TVM problem: n (number of
periods), k (required rate of return or growth rate), PV (starting or initial value), PMT (a recurring dollar
amount, like your mortgage payment), and FV (ending value).
3.0 OPTIONAL TEXT BUNDLE: SEE ITEMS 1 & 2 AT THE TOP OF THE
COURSE START PAGE TO DECIDE IF YOU WISH TO PURCHASE THE
FOLLOWING TEXT: CFIN3, Besley and Brigham, Cengage, 2013 WITH
APLIA ACCESS! Use section 500. See the Blackboard LHS menu for
ordering instructions. The book is available in the bookstore but you do NOT have
to purchase it there. You will also need a TI BA II Plus financial calculator.
Also Required: A financial calculator which can perform internal rate of return (IRR) calculations. (I will use
a TI BA II Plus in class - this is the only financial calculator that I know how to use, so if you have another
make or model you are pretty much on your own.) The Professional model is even better, but is not required.
4.0
Course Requirements:
Quizzes: There will be a number of open-book, open-note Blackboard quizzes given over the semester.
(Although face-to-face class courses may have some quizzes in class). Each Blackboard Quiz may be taken
twice and only the best score will be used. The Quizzes are primarily intended to give you an opportunity to
practice the types of questions and problems you will see on your exams and they will also provide extra-credit
on your Exams. Do not forget the Sample Exam (in Dyer Handouts) for exam preparation as well.
EXAMS: There will be 4 online Exams all worth up to a maximum of 100 points each (although there will be
more than 100 points available; for example, I might put 28 questions @ 4 points each. That totals 112 possible
points. But even if you get them all correct, your score on the exam will be 100. This is the way I choose to
curve grades. By giving students more opportunity to EARN points, rather than just saying, “ok, everybody add
12 points to your score”. All 4 Exams will become available in week 4 and remain open through the end of the
semester. See the schedule for exact dates. The online exams are open-book, open note. One attempt per
question. The emphasis of the exams is on applying the techniques and concepts not on memorization! And
there will be extra-credit BB quizzes.
*** REMEMBER: EXAMS AND QUIZZES ARE INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENTS!
All Exams will be “open and available” in week 4 and remain so until the end of the class. Blackboard quizzes
will be announced as they are made available. There are about 5 open quizzes now in BB EXAMS AND
QUIZZES.
BLACKBOARD RESETS WILL BE DONE ONLY IF YOU NOTIFY ME BY
PHONE OR EMAIL (ddyer@ct.tamus.edu or 254.519.5429 or 254.519.5437)
prior TO 6.00PM ON MONDAY. You have 73 hours prior to that cut-off
point to take the Exam. THERE IS NO REASON THAT YOU NEED TO WAIT UNTIL THE
VERY LAST MINUTE. BUT IF YOU MAKE THAT CHOICE YOU ASSUME ALL THE RISK OF
EQUIPMENT FAILURE! NO EXCEPTIONS!
5.0 Grade Calculations: Total Points earned is all that that matters. Not percentages!
There are 400 possible points: 4 Regular Exams (one for each of the 4 Units) @ possible 100 points each and.
And every exam will be supplemented with “low-stakes” quizzes meant primarily for learning, but also
allowing you to earn extra credit. All 4 Exams will be made available Week 4 and will remain open until the
end of class. So you can mostly self-pace.
Total Points Earned
400-360
359-320
319-280
279-240
below 240
Grade
A
B
C
D
F
EVERYTHING IS BASED ON POINTS EARNED!
Whether they come from an Exam or an XC quiz
All Exams and quizzes taken on Blackboard
NOTE: Requests for Incomplete Grades: Incompletes will only be given in emergency or other extreme
circumstances. Any request for an incomplete grade in this course must be approved by the professor
prior to the last week of classes. Requests should be submitted in written form, include a detailed
explanation and documentation, and must include an address and/or telephone number where you may
be contacted throughout the following semester.
Complete Course Calendar: see separate document: will provide relevant materials. All (well, actually I’m
always finding new useful websites) is already available. Look in DYER HANDOUTS, particularly the
document titled “Online Finance Resources” and VIDEOS.
7. Drop Policy
If you discover that you need to drop this class, you must go to the Records Office and ask for the necessary
paperwork. Professors cannot drop students; this is always the responsibility of the student. The record’s office
will provide a deadline for which the form must be returned, completed and signed. Return the signed form to
the records office, wait 24 hours, go into SSSO and confirm that you are no longer enrolled. If you are still
enrolled, FOLLOW-UP with the records office immediately. You are to attend class until the procedure is
complete to avoid penalty for absence. Should you miss the deadline or fail to follow the procedure, you will
receive an F in the course.
8. Academic Integrity Statement
Texas A&M University - Central Texas expects all students to maintain high standards of personal and
scholarly conduct. Students found responsible of academic dishonestly are subject to disciplinary action.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work,
plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials. The faculty member is responsible for initiating
action for each case of academic dishonesty and report the incident to the Director of Student Affairs. More
information can be found atwww.ct.tamus.edu/StudentConduct
9. Disability Support and Access
If you have or believe you have a disability and wish to self-identify, you can do so by providing documentation
to the Disability Support Coordinator. Students are encouraged to seek information about accommodations to
help assure success in their courses. Please contact Gail Johnson at (254) 519-5831 or visit Founder's Hall 114.
Additional information can be found at www.ct.tamus.edu/AcademicSupport .
10. Tutoring
Tutoring is available to all TAMUCT students, both on-campus and online. Subjects tutored include
Accounting, Finance, Statistics, Mathematics, and Writing (APA). Tutors are available at the Tutoring Center in
Founder's Hall, Room 204, and also in the Library in the North Building. Visit
www.ct.tamus.edu/AcademicSupport and click "Tutoring Support" for tutor schedules and contact info. If you
have questions, need to schedule a tutoring session, or if you're interested in becoming a tutor, contact
Academic Support Programs at 254-501-5830 or by emailing cecilia.morales@ct.tamus.edu.
Chat live with a tutor 24/7 for almost any subject on your computer! Tutor.com is an online tutoring platform
that enables TAMU-CT students to log-in and receive FREE online tutoring and writing support. This tool
provides tutoring in Mathematics, Writing, Career Writing, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Spanish, Calculus, and
Statistics. To access Tutor.com, click on www.tutor.com/tamuct.
11.
Library Services
INFORMATION LITERACY focuses on research skills, which prepare individuals to live and work in an
information-centered society. Librarians will work with students in the development of critical reasoning,
ethical use of information, and the appropriate use of secondary research techniques. Help may include, yet is
not limited to: exploration of information resources such as library collections and services, identification of
subject databases and scholarly journals, and execution of effective search strategies. Library Resources are
outlined and accessed at: http://www.tarleton.edu/centraltexas/departments/library/
12. Changes to Syllabus
A syllabus serves as an instructional and study planning document. It may become necessary to make
changes during the course of this semester. If changes are necessary, they will be announced in class
and posted on Blackboard.
13. Expectations
Explore the Blackboard Tutorial and Blackboard Help content area at the top of the Blackboard course
menu. Explore aplia: click buttons, expand assignments, see what it can do for you!
FIN 301, Principles of Financial Management, is considered by many to be the most difficult core course in the
undergraduate degree programs. It is extremely difficult to “play catch-up” because every chapter uses the
jargon/concepts/tools developed in previous chapters. So start reading and studying immediately. Please: it is
much more fun clicking on As and Bs than Ds and Fs!
What I Expect From You
Respect!
That You Read and Follow Instructions
What You Can Expect From
USE ddyer@ct.tamus.edu Subject: FIN 500 for general communication.
Use the dedicated Discussion Board for content related questions.
Respect!
Exams That Cover the Material Emphasized in class, On Quizzes, And Covered in Handouts
Exams Returned Promptly and Discussed Thoroughly