Enrolments for 2023 have closed.
Fundamentals of Finance
Undergraduate | LTU-FIN1FOF | 2023
Course information for 2023 intake View information for 2024 course intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 12 weeks
HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Fundamentals of Finance
About this subject
- Apply the concept of the time value of money to the calculation of present and future values of single cash flows, annuities and perpetuities.
- Estimate the cost of capital, calculate cashflows, calculate the Net Present Value of an investment and explain the different investment decision rules, as they relate to the funding and investment decisions of the firm.
- Explain the differences between debt and equity, calculate the value of bonds and shares using various valuation techniques and appropriate digital and information tools.
- Calculate the realised return for individual investments and portfolios of investments, the expected return and risk of individual investments and portfolios of investments, and explain the key elements of portfolio theory.
- Contribute effectively to the success of a financial research team.
- Define a study plan and potential career path, by exploring the range of learning opportunities at La Trobe and the numerous different career opportunities that exist for finance graduates.
- Introduction to finance.
- Time value of money.
- Financial mathematics.
- Valuation of securities.
- Cost of capital.
- Capital budgeting.
- Project evaluation.
- Risk and return.
- Portfolio theory.
- Market efficiency.
- Options.
Finance defines the process by which individuals and businesses raise and manage funds. As such financial skills are a prerequisite for success not only if you are seeking a career in banking and finance, but equally for success in any business career. Indeed, financial literacy is a necessary skill required to successfully manage your own personal financial well-being. In this subject, through lessons in our financial trading room, you will examine the nature of the financial environment and the types of financial decision-making required to succeed, both from a business and an individual perspective. You will develop an understanding of the concept of the time value of money, methods of valuing various financial assets such as shares and bonds, and methods of project evaluation. Finally, you will consider the trade-off between risk and return in relation to investment assets, and its importance in understanding portfolio theory, and the cost of capital for a business.
- Online and/or in class formative assessment tasks (1000 words equivalent). (20%)
- 1,000-word per student group assignment. (30%)
- 2-hour final examination 2,000 words equivalent. (50%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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- QS Ranking 2024:
- 17
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 18
Entry requirements
Others
Past La Trobe University students who have previously completed FIN2FIN (Finance) are ineligible to enrol in this subject.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateLAT-BUS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-TEC-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-ART-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-PYS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-CYS-DEG
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