To access the course, follow the instructions supplied at course orientation.
FIN 311 is a seminar on finance for nonfinancial managers. The course will cover basic financial tools and principles in a user-friendly format. Both small and large business financial management will be covered. Specific examples based on actual company data will be employed.
Objectives
On completion of the course students should:
- Understand the financial system of the United States.
- Recognize the relationship of finance to other business disciplines.
- Know how to use basic financial information in decision-making.
- Be able to use basic financial tools and techniques.
Instructor
Textbook
This class uses a custom textbook with supporting web materials provided by the publisher. Students must purchase the required materials in order to complete exams. Access to course materials is described the first class meeting.
Financial Calculator
A financial calculator is required for this course. The HP 10BII will be demonstrated in class, and it is the only calculator that will be allowed for use on exams.
Course Policies
Course policies and procedures will be furnished to each student. Students are expected to be cognizant of, and comply with these course policies.
Grading
Course grading will be discussed the first class meeting. Students accrue points for various exams and assignments. 900 points are required for an A in the course, 800 for a B, 700 for a C, and 600 points to pass the course.
| Assigned | Activity | Description | Due | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/12 | Homework 1 | Introduction | 01/19 | 50 |
| 01/24 | Homework 2 | Time Value of Money | 01/31 | 75 |
| 01/31 | Homework 3 | Capital Budgeting | 02/07 | 50 |
| 02/16 | Homework 4 | Financial Statement Analysis | 03/06 | 50 |
| 01/31 | Case 1 | Capital Budgeting | 02/14 | 75 |
| 02/14 | Case 2 | Business Plans | 02/21 | 50 |
| 03/06 | Case 3 | Contemporary Issues | 03/22 | 75 |
| 03/27 | Case 4 | Comprehensive Case | 04/24 | 175 |
| 02/09 | Exam 1 | Capital Budgeting, Taxes, and Time Value of Money | 100 | |
| 03/29 | Exam 2 | Financial Statements and Sources of Financing | 100 | |
| 04/26 | Exam 3 | Financial Markets, Valuation, Cost of Capital, and Return and Risk | 100 | |
| 05/10 | Final Exam | Comprehensive Online Final | 50 | |
| In-class Exercises | max 50 | |||
| Total Points | 1000 | |||
Lecture Topics
Week Topic
01/12 Introduction and Overview
01/17 Environment of Business
01/19 Time Value of Money Introduction
01/24 Financial Calculators
01/26 Time Value of Money Applications
01/31 Capital Budgeting Introduction
02/02 Capital Budgeting, Cont'd
02/07 Review for Exam
02/09 Exam One
02/14 Introduction to Business Plans
02/16 Analyzing Financial Statements
02/21 Business Plan Cases – Group Meetings
02/23 Business Plan Cases – Presentations and Discussion
02/28 Financial Markets
03/01 Financial Markets, Cont'd
03/06 Understanding the Credit Crisis
03/08 Understanding the Credit Crisis, Cont'd
03/13 Spring Break
03/15 Spring Break
03/20 Sources of Financing
03/22 Cost of Capital
03/27 Review for Exam
03/29 Exam Two
04/03 Adding Value
04/05 Investing
04/10 Valuation of Securities
04/12 Return and Risk
04/17 Return and Risk, Cont'd
04/19 Comprehensive Makeup Exam
04/24 Review for Exam
04/26 Exam Three
05/01 Final Exam Review
05/10 Final Exam