Foundations of Finance (FNCE90002)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject involves a study of the theoretical underpinnings of modern finance. Topics covered include choice under uncertainty, portfolio theory, asset pricing models, option pricing models, investment evaluation, corporate financial policy, agency theory.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:Understand consumption and investment decisions and the role of capital markets in these decisions
- Understand individual preferences and choices under uncertainty, including the axiomatic foundations of utility theory
- Understand how and when individual choices affect equilibrium prices; CAPM and variants
- Understand the concept of arbitrage and its implications for the value of investments in real and financial assets
- Apply the preceding to portfolio choices, financing choices, and other financial decisions facing investors and firms.
Generic skills
On successful completion of this subject, students should have improved the following generic skills:
- Oral communication
- Written communication
- Problem solving
- Statistical reasoning
- Application of theory to practice
- Interpretation and analysis
- Critical thinking
- Synthesis of data and other information
- Evaluation of data and other information
Last updated: 16 April 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into the MC-COMFIN Master of Commerce (Finance)
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 16 April 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Mid-semester examination
| From Week 6 to Week 8 | 30% |
Assignment
| From Week 10 to Week 12 | 20% |
End-of-semester examination
| During the examination period | 50% |
Last updated: 16 April 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Patrick Kelly Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Seminars or lectures and tutorials totalling 3 hours per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025 Census date 1 September 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 September 2025 Assessment period ends 21 November 2025 Semester 2 contact information
Email: patrick.kelly@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours per semester
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 16 April 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Commerce (Finance) Course Master of Commerce (Decision, Risk and Financial Sciences) Course Master of Commerce (Accounting) - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 16 April 2025