Overview
ECON 300: Financial Economics is a three-credit course that introduces basic principles of finance. Students will develop a fundamental understanding of the finance world, which will build a base for pursuing a career in the financial services industry
Learning outcomes
After completing this course, students should be able to
- explain key terms and concepts related to finance as a scientific discipline.
- provide a comprehensive description of the players and functions of a financial system in a market-based economy.
- apply knowledge of the accounting information used for financial decision-marking, including numeric formulas and methods.
- apply cash flow evaluation methods to personal financial decision-marking in selected scenarios.
- apply knowledge of capital budgeting principles.
- apply the Law of One Price to bonds and common stocks evaluation.
- apply the general principles and methods of financial risk management.
Evaluation
To receive credit in ECON 300, you must achieve a composite course grade of at least a D (50 percent) and a grade of at least 50 percent on the final examination. The weighting of the composite course grade is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignment 1 | 20% |
| Assignment 2 | 20% |
| Assignment 3 | 20% |
| Final Exam | 40% |
| Total | 100% |
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Melicher, R. W., & Norton, E. A. (2020). Introduction to finance: Markets, investments and financial management (17th ed.). John Wiley & Sons Inc. ISBN: 978-1-119-56117-0
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the ECON 300 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the examination.
Challenge for credit course registration form