ST. GREGORY’S UNIVERSITY

COURSE SYLLABUS for Fall 2001

 

Course:

Principles of Finance, Section 3043-1

Time/Location:

MWF, 1:00 p.m. to 1:50 p.m., Room 414

Prerequisite:

Accounting for Decision Making II, BUS 2203

Instructor:

Angela James, 273-6604, NO CALLS AFTER 8:00 P.M.

Email:

Angela_James@email.msn.com

Office Hours:

MW  12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION FROM UNIVERSITY CATALOG

 

A study of the organization’s problems in obtaining, allocating, and managing funds.  It examines the sources of funds; costs of obtaining these funds; management of the firm’s capital structure; and financial planning for a firm’s growth and expansion.  Emphasis is placed upon the composition of capital structure, capital budgeting, and the cost of capital theories. Problems and case analyses study bond and stock markets, as well as short-term financing issues. 

 

PURPOSE OF THE COURSE

 

To provide the student with an in-depth review of the basic principles of corporate finance and the tools from which to analyze and make corporate capital structure decisions.

 

OBJECTIVES

 

At the conclusion of this course the student will be able to:

·        Discuss the risk-return tradeoff.

·        Know how to employ the principles of the time value of money.

·        Discuss the timing of cash flows and how to measure incremental cash flows.

·        Construct a statement of cash flows.

·        Use ratio analysis to study financial reports.

·        Demonstrate knowledge of the concept of “sustainable growth”.

·        Calculate and use the portfolio rates of return/variance for investment decisions.

·        Compare and contrast long-term debt, preferred stock, and common stock.

·        Demonstrate familiarity with issuance/cost of equity securities.

·        Discuss the components in a project’s cost of capital.

·        Demonstrate knowledge of the effects of debt upon a firm’s capital structure decisions.

·        Employ dividend policy to maximize a firm’s financial performance.

·        Be able to complete individual and team-based cost analysis.

 

You will be expected to display initiative and a program of self-study.  In that sense, a complementary objective of the course is to provide you with an environment that will encourage and reward your own intellectual effort, while simultaneously maintaining rigorous standards that identify those who are motivated to pursue excellence in their own educational preparation for a business career.

 

 

ACADEMIC HONESTY

 

Students are advised that cheating and plagiarism are not tolerated at St. Gregory’s University.  Students are expected to abide by the University's academic regulations and policy and are responsible for awareness of the University's definition of these activities. The consequences of violating the academic honesty standard may include a grade of "0" on the assignment/exam, a grade of "F" in the course, and, possibly, expulsion from the University.

 

REQUIRED TEXT AND SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS TO BE PURCHASED BY STUDENT

 

Financial Accounting Concepts, Edmonds, McNair, Milam and Olds, 3rd Edition, McGraw-Hill 2000,

ISBN 0-13-018368-7

Lap top Computer and 4 or diskettes

Calculator – Texas instruments BA II PLUS

 

INTERNET RESOURCES

 

http://www.mhhe.com/

http://www.sec.com/

http://www.nasdaq.com/

 

http://www.hoovers.com/

http://www.disclosure.com/

http://www.quicken.com/

 

http://www.snap.com/

http://www.cbsmarketwatch.com/

 

 

 

 

METHODS OF ASSESSMENT AND STUDENT EVALUATION

 

 

 

 

 

EXAM I

 

 

15%

EXAM II

 

 

15%

EXAM III

 

 

15%

REPORT

 

 

30%

PRESENTATION

 

 

15%

HOME WORK

 

 

10%

TOTAL

 

 

100%

+ BONUS

 

 

 

 

EXAMINATIONS

 

Examinations will be take home.  Again, refer to the Academic Honesty section of the syllabus.  The instructor will email the students the exam.  The students will individually complete the exam using their computer then, email the completed exam back to the instructor.

 

If any exam question is left unanswered, the value of that question will be subtracted from the exam score.  If only the answer is given (i.e., no work showing how that answer was determined), the question will be graded at 50% of its value. 

 

HOMEWORK

 

The homework assignments are to be attempted before class.  One problem from each chapter is to be worked by the individual student.  The student will then email the problem to the instructor for grading.  It is encouraged that all homework problems are completed.  The exams will cover the material covered in the homework.

 

COURSE OUTLINE/TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

 

DATE

CH.

TOPICS

ASSIGNMENTS

08/27

1

 

2

An Introduction to the Foundations of Financial Management – The Ties That Bind

The Financial Markets and Interest Rates

 

Q 1-3,1-4

P 1-1,1-2,1-6

Q 2-7,2-10,2-16

P 2-2,2-3,2-4,2-5

09/10

3

Understanding Financial Statements and Cash Flows (Bring Annual Report to Class)

Q 3-6

P3-5,3-6

09/17

4

Evaluating a Firm’s Financial Performance

P 4-1,4-2,4-4,4-5

09/24

 

Exam I

Chpts. 1-4

09/26

 

5

Financial Forecasting, Planning and Budgeting

P  5-3, 5-4,5-6,5-10                        

10/01

10/03

6

7

Time Value of Money

Valuation and Characteristics of Bonds

Ps. 6-1-6-9

P 7-1,7-3,7-5,7-9,

7-10

10/08

8

Valuation and Characteristics of Stock

P 8-1,8-2,8-3,8-4,

8-5

10/15

9

The Meaning and Measurement of Risk and Return

Q 9-1

P 9-1,9-4,9-5,9-6,

9-9,9-10,9-11

 

10/7

 

FALLBREAK

 

10/24

 

Exam II

Chpts. 5-9

10/29

10

Capital-Budgeting Techniques and Practice

P 10-6,10-7,10-10

11/5

11

Cash Flows and Other Topics in Capital Budgeting

Q 11-1

P 11-2, 11-3, 11-4, 11-5,11-6

11/7

 

NO CLASS/Individual and Group Study

 

11/12

12

13

Cost of Capital

Determining the Financing Mix

 

P 13-1,13-4,

13-5,13-7,13-9                          

 

11/19

 

Exam III

Chpts. 10-13

11/26

14

15

16

17

Dividend Policy and Internal Financing

Introduction to Working-Capitol Management

Liquid Asset Management

International Business Finance

TBA

12/5

 

 

Report Due

 

TBA

 

Final Exam/Presentation