MASTER SYLLABUS
Course number & title: BUS 420 - Financial Management Strategy
Department(s): Finance
Credit hours: 3
Prerequisites: BUS 329
Fees and charges: N/A
Effective catalog date for this master syllabus: 2006/2007
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1. Catalog description:
An advanced exploration of issues in business finance: financial valuation, required rates of return for projects and companies, management of working capital and fixed assets, and obtaining funds from the debt and equity markets.
2. Course content:
The heart of the case method of instruction is the use of problems to train students to discover, and then to fix in mind, ways of thinking that are productive in the subject area. Appropriate use of theory and the acquisition of factual material and procedural skills are also important goals, but the main objective is an ability to handle different types of managerial problems intelligently.
All these cases are designed to provide a basis for class discussion; as such, they are not intended to illustrate correct or incorrect solutions to management problems. Thus, students can not stop with an understanding of the facts and a listing of items that deserve consideration. Mastery of these matters is merely the jumping-off point for class discussion.
To be effective, students must actually think the problem through to a decision, explain their analyses to classmates, and defend their ideas. Judgment must enter into the process of decision making, therefore unanimous agreement as to the best decision is neither expected nor desired. THERE IS NO SINGLE RIGHT ANSWER. Emphasis is placed on thought process, analysis of facts, and conclusive support for the student's decision.
Specific content areas include:
1. Valuation
2. Financial Ratio Analysis
3. Financial Forecasting
4. Cost of Capital
5. Capital Budgeting
6. Cash Flow Estimation
7. Risk and Real Options
8. Capital Structure
9. Leasing
10. Not-for-Profit
3. Student learning objectives:
In addition to the college-level and departmental-level competencies, the successful student in this course will be able to:
1. Diagnostic Use of Concepts: Use theories and concepts from preceding course work to frame the problem, then explain and solve said problem.
2. Accurate Self-Assessment: By knowing their own strengths and weaknesses, actually take the initiative to seek assistance in an appropriate time frame. This person will ask for feedback after a diagnostic analysis of the problem or issue at hand, i.e., objective #1.
3. Specialized Knowledge – Threshold Competency: Use their financial knowledge in a professionally relevant fashion. This person can speak knowledgeably with other finance professionals, ask pertinent questions, and make significant observations. Other finance professionals will have confidence in the student’s expertise.
4. Conceptualization: See the big picture. This individual will think in terms of an issue or problem to be solved,
and not focus singularly on a financial technique.
5. Logical Thought: Uses cause and effect analysis. This student will utilize deductive and inductive reasoning in their analyses.
6. Use of Socialized Power: Able to work effectively as part of a team. Leadership skills, contributions to the group, and assisting and developing others in a group setting are skills that will be developed.
4. Student assessment criteria:
Written
cases, including SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats)
Analysis – full and partial analyses
Oral presentations – solo and group
Quizzes, exams
5. Additional information (optional):