HKUST Course Syllabus - Fall 2016 - FINA 1303 - 12sept16 - Tentative
HKUST Course Syllabus - Fall 2016 - FINA 1303 - 12sept16 - Tentative
HKUST Course Syllabus - Fall 2016 - FINA 1303 - 12sept16 - Tentative
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
Instructor:
Email:
Phone:
Office & office hours:
Teaching Assistant:
Email:
Phone:
Office & office hours:
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course aims to provide the participants with the basic and practical knowledge in the structure and function
of the financial system. We examine the role, objectives and function of financial regulation, the evolving role of
central banking and monetary policy and the implications and consequences on financial institutions and
markets. Throughout the course we link prevalent economic theories to market realities. Topics covered
include: the fundamentals of interest rates and basic pricing of financial assets, including basic concepts such as
cash flows, the time value of money and the risk-return tradeoff; the structure and function of the financial
system, the role and the types of financial institutions and financial intermediaries, the goals of financial and
banking regulations, the organization of central banks and the role of monetary policy.
There will be a strong focus on financial institutions, understanding the role that the different types of firms
play and how they interact.
This course does NOT cover the equity markets or go into details of various markets for bonds and other
securities, which are covered in other finance courses.
We will spend time in class discussing current events. Special attention will be given to the Asian markets
The goal is to provide the students with a sound base of theoretical and practical information relating to the
financial system and the financial institutions active in them.
3.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Understanding
Fundamentals of interest rates and pricing
What are the major types of financial institutions
What they do in practice
How they are regulated
How they overlap with each other
Total
Assessment Methods
100%
Weight (%)
Class Participation
Group Submission
Online Quizzes
Exam I
Exam II
5%
5%
20%
35%
35%
Total
6. STANDARDS FOR ASSESSMENT
Course Grade Descriptors
A+, A, AB+, B,
B-, C+, C
F
For courses with Pass/Fail grades
P
F
Study Load
(% of study)
100%
Excellent Performance
Good Performance
Marginal Performance
Failure
Pass
Failure
Grade distribution:
Distribution of course grades will be based on the following university policies and guidelines, combining all of
the course sections:
Final Grade
A+, A, AB+, B, BC+, C, CD
F
Percentage
10-20%
25-40%
35-45%
5-10%
0-5%
Participation
Group submission
Online quizzes
Exam 1 (mid-term)
Exam 2 (final)
5%
5%
20%
35%
35%
Participation
Students are required to be actively involved in this class. It is an important part of the grade, representing 5%
of the overall grade. Participation includes without limitation: attendance, participating in class by asking and
answering relevant questions including with PRS, , active involvement in group discussions and debates.
Group Submission
1. Group formation: Students will be formed into groups of maximum 5 to 7 students. Groups are required
to include students from the same session.
2. Each group will be given assignments/homework to complement the course. These have to be prepared
and presented on time. There may be 1-2 such assignments/homework.
3. Group submission will account for 5% of the grade
Quizzes/Examinations
There will be four online quizzes and two exams. The four quizzes will be online and evenly spaced out during
the term; the exam dates will be determined by the school.
1) The four quizzes will be online, outside class time, time limited, designed to test students understanding of
the concepts learned in class, and will also help prepare students for the exams. A financial calculator will be
needed. The questions will be MCQ or True/False questions. The quizzes will be non-cumulative. The four
quizzes will represent 20% of the grade (5% each)
2) There will be two exams, one around mid-term and one final. Midterm will be on 21 Oct 2016 during lecture
time (16:30 to 18:00 LTB). The Final exams will be scheduled by the school. Please do not plan to travel
during the exam periods as there will be absolutely NO MAKE UP exams. The questions will be mainly MCQ
or True/False questions. There may be short open questions as well. A financial calculator will be needed.
The two exams will represent 70% of the grade (35% each).
7.
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Fabozzi, Frank J., Franco Modigliani, Frank J. Jones, and Michael G. Ferri. Foundations of Financial Markets and
Institutions, 4th ed. Prentice Hall, 2010
Available at the bookshop and at the library.
Suggested/supplementary Materials:
Suggested
textbook:
Rosxs/Westerfiled/Jaffe
Corporate
Finance
(latest
edition)_
These are based on common-sense, real business life practice that you should be familiar with. You should
behave as you would in a business environment, showing appropriate behavior and respect for classmates, staff
and faculty. Cheating, dishonesty and plagiarism will not be tolerated at any time and may result in strict
sanctions. Please refer to HKUST policies on academic integrity.
1. Attendance: Just as you would for business meetings, I expect each student to be on time for classes.
Late arrival/early departure is disruptive and disrespectful. Repeated late arrival will result in lower
rating.
2. Participation: Active participation is required, and is an important part of the grade. You are very
welcome to make suggestions, comments and generally contributions to the course. I also expect each
student to behave as you would in a business environment, showing respect for each other and
generally not disrupting the class with inappropriate behavior.
3. Mobile phones and other beeping devices need to be turned off or put on silent mode. Portable
computers, laptops and tablets are allowed so long as they do not lead to inappropriate behavior and
disturbance.
4. Video recording of lectures may be arranged by the School and the Lecturer. Any other recording
(photo, audio or video) is strictly prohibited. Lectures are the copyright property of the Lecturer. Any
recording can only be produced with the express consent of the Lecturer.
5. Exams and Quizzes: There will be no make-up exams. Unexcused absence will result in zero grading for
that test. Each exam will be closed-book.
6.
Course Materials, Copyright, Questions and contact with instructor: The course materials will be posted
on the Universitys CANVAS (FINA1303), please check the website on a regular basis for new postings.
The Lecture notes are the copyright property of the Lecturer and are provided for the sole private use of
the students. They may not be reproduced or disseminated without the express consent of the Lecturer.
11. ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION (e.g. e-learning platforms & materials, penalty for late assignments, etc.)
For administrative queries, please contact the Teaching Assistant or the staff at the Department of Finance
Office, who will be able to assist you. For any lecture related queries, feel free to contact me directly, preferably
by email.