Students registering in grouped study, or grouped study international mode are advised that there may be some differences in the evaluation and course materials information indicated below. To obtain the most up-to-date information, contact the Faculty of Business Student Support Centre at 1-800-468-6531.
Overview
This course comprehensively examines the theories, methods, and strategies required for successful investments in financial markets. Major topics include financial instruments, portfolio theory, capital asset pricing model, market efficiency, financial securities analysis, derivative securities, and active portfolio management.
Outline
Unit 1: Introduction to Investments
Lesson 1: The Investment Environment
Lesson 2: Financial Markets and Instruments
Lesson 3: Trading on Securities Markets
Unit 2: Portfolio Theory
Lesson 4: Return and Risk: Analyzing the Historical Record
Lesson 5: Risk Aversion and Capital Allocation to Risky Assets
Lesson 6: Optimal Risky Portfolios
Unit 3: Equilibrium in Capital Markets
Lesson 7: CAPM, Index Models, and Arbitrage Theory
Unit 7: Active Portfolio Management and International Investing
Lesson 17: Active Management and Performance Measurement, Investment Policy, and the CFA Institute
Lesson 18: Managed Funds and Hedge Funds
Lesson 19: International Investing
Objectives
Students who complete this course successfully will
gain a comprehensive understanding of the theories, methods, and strategies required for successful investments in financial markets;
develop a good command of financial investment principles and methods; and
acquire an ability to make sound investment decisions.
Evaluation
Your final mark for FNCE 401 will be calculated based on your performance on four assignments and a final examination. To receive credit for FNCE 401, you must achieve 50 percent on the final examination and a course composite grade of at least D (50 percent). You are strongly encouraged to complete all four assignments—you will receive a zero (0) for any missed assignment. The weighting of each assessment activity is indicated in the chart below.
Activity
Weight
Assignment 1
15%
Assignment 2
15%
Assignment 3
15%
Assignment 4
15%
Final Online 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
Bodie, Z., Kane, A., Marcus, A. J., Switzer, L. N., Boyko, D., Panasian, C., & Stapleton, M. (2019). Investments (9th Cdn. ed.). McGraw-Hill Ryerson. ISBN 9781259271939 (eText)
All other learning resources will be available online.
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 FNCE 401 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the examination.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.