51451 FINANCE HONOURS A

Year	No.	Offer	Mode	Description			Cred. Pts
98	51451 	S1  	D 	FINANCE HONOURS A         	1.00

Contents


STAFFING:

Examiner: B. MORGAN
Moderator: M. GOYEN

PRE-REQUISITE(S)

51111/51112


RATIONALE:

The need to predict the future and understand the past drives the search for models that explain the behaviour of financial markets and the assets traded in these markets. Financial markets are influenced by information. An essential role for those involved in financial markets is to have some ability to interpret information and form expectations of future innovations in economic and financial time series. Financial decision making based on this information has been improved through developments in information technology, access to larger data sets and the application of improved modelling techniques.


SYNOPSIS:

The effective interpretation of theoretical and empirical studies in finance requires an understanding of basic financial econometric techniques. This unit will enable students to further develop the quantitative skills required for advanced capital market analysis and modelling. In particular, quantitative techniques will be used to explain the behaviour of financial markets and the assets traded in equity, debt, derivative and foreign exchange markets. Students will review Capital Market studies and be involved in the phases of problem formulation, research design, data collection, quantitative analysis and the interpretation of results.


OBJECTIVES:

On successful completion of this unit students will be able
to:

  1. identify and examine financial market information;
  2. interpret theoretical and empirical studies in applied
    finance;
  3. evaluate the applicability of the efficient market hypothesis
    to financial markets;
  4. apply financial econometric techniques to explain the
    behaviour of financial markets and assets traded in equity,
    debt, derivative and foreign exchange markets.

TOPICS:

 Description                                                    Weighting(%)
  1. Modelling Asset Returns 40.00 1 Univariate Linear Stochastic Process 2 Univariate Non Linear Stochastic Models 3 Multivariate Processes - non integrated financial time series 4 Multivariate Processes - integrated financial time series 5 Asset Pricing Models 6 Bubbles, Fads, Noises and Anomalies

  2. Volatility and Risk Premia 30.00 1 Volatility Measurement 2 Excess Volatility 3 Volatility Persistence 4 Risk Premia

  3. Efficient Market Hypothesis and Empirical Testing 30.00 1 Test of Return Predicatbility 2 Event Studies


TEXT and MATERIALS to be PURCHASED:

Enders, W., `Applied Econometric Time Series', John Wiley and Sons,
New York.

Berk K N and Carey P, 1995, `Data Analysis with Microsoft Excel 5.0
for Windows'
, Course Technology Inc., Cambridge MA.


RECOMMENDED REFERENCE MATERIALS:

Chatfield C, 1989, `The Analysis of Time Series: An Introduction',
4th Edn, Chapman and Hall.

Cuthbertson K, Hall S and Taylor P, 1992, `Applied Econometric
Techniques'
, Philip Allan.

Dwyer G, and Hafer R, 1990, `The Stock Market: Bubbles, Volatility
and Chaos'
, Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Granger C, 1989, `Forecasting in Business and Economics', Academic
Press.

Granger C, and Terasvirta T, 1993, `Modelling Nonlinear Economic
Relationships'
, Oxford University Press.

Harvey A, 1993, `Time Series Models', 2nd edn, Harvester Wheatsheaf.

Harvey A, 1990, `The Econometric Analysis of Time Series', 2nd Edn,
Phillip Allan.

Pollard J, 1977, `A Handbook of Numerical and Statistical
Techniques'
, Cambridge University Press.

Rice J, 1995, `Mathematical Statistics and Data Analysis', 2nd Edn,
Duxbury Press.

Stewart J, 1991, `Econometrics', Philip Allan.


ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

No  *F/S Marks     Due        Description                              Wtg(%)    LBL WWW
1   S    100.00    PASSIM    PRESENTATION AND WRITTEN CRITIQUE 1       20.00     N
2   S    100.00    PASSIM    PRESENTATION AND WRITTEN CRITIQUE 2       20.00     N
3   S    100.00    WK 10     CLOSED BOOK EXAM                          20.00     N
4   S    130.00    PASSIM    CLASS PARTICIPATION                       20.00     N
5   S    100.00    END S1    OPEN BOOK EXAM 3 HOURS                    20.00     N

*F=Formative, S=Summative

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1    TO  GAIN A PASSING GRADE IN THE UNIT A STUDENT MUST: a) obtain  a
     passing mark in aggregate for the unit's assessment items, AND b)
     obtain  a passing mark in the formal exam, AND c) submit  genuine
     attempts  for  the following MANDATORY items of assessment:  TERM
     PROJECT.
2    Students  must  retain a copy of all pieces of  assessment  which
     must be produced if/when required by the lecturer.
3    LATE ASSIGNMENTS
3.1  All  assessments submitted after the due date (and  not  approved
     for  extension)  in  accordance with university  policy  will  be
     penalised 20% per working day.
3.2  If  students  submit assignments after the due date and  wish  to
     claim extenuating circumstances then they shall provide validated
     documentary   evidence  with  the  assignment,   explaining   the
     circumstances.
3.3  The  unit  examiner shall consider the statement  accompanying  a
     late assignment and decide on the outcome.
4    DISHONEST ACTIONS
4.1  Any student who is alleged to having performed a dishonest action
     relating  to  any assessment in the unit will have  a  course  of
     action   taken  against  him/her  as  outlined  in  the  Academic
     Regulations.
4.2  Pieces  of  assessment should be the work of individual  students
     unless  otherwise indicated in the assessment details.  In  other
     circumstances,  joint  pieces  of assessment  are  not  permitted
     unless written approval has been obtained from the unit leader.
5    DEFERRED EXAMINATIONS
5.1  Deferred examinations will be granted at the Dean's discretion in
     the  case of medical or compassionate circumstances having regard
     to  item  1. If a deferred examination has been granted  students
     shall  normally sit the deferred examination in the  semester  in
     which the unit is offered, BUT NO LATER THAN THE NEXT SEMESTER  3
     EXAMINATION  PERIOD.  If,  for  whatever  reason,  this  deferred
     examination is not taken then the student will be graded "F".
5.2  Medical  evidence  on  the  appropriate  University  of  Southern
     Queensland  medical certificate or doctor's certificate  must  be
     received  by  the Faculty Administrator no later than  twenty-one
     (21)  days after examination date. A medical certificate must  be
     dated  with the same date as the period of illness for which  the
     absence from examination is being sought and clearly indicate the
     student's  name  and, if possible, student number. (Retrospective
     medical  certificates will not be accepted for either  assignment
     work or examinations.)
5.3  A   student's  medical  condition  must  be  stated  clearly  (IN
     ENGLISH).   (Certificates  stating  a  student  has  a   `Medical
     Condition'  may  not  be  sufficient  grounds  for  deferment  of
     examination).  Medical evidence must cover the  student  for  the
     day(s) of the missed examination(s).
5.4  Requests must be in writing to the Faculty Administrator  clearly
     stating  the  student  name  and  number,  unit  number  of   the
     examination  missed due to illness and current address.  Deferral
     of  an  examination CANNOT be granted on an existing deferral  in
     that unit.
5.5  Requests  on  grounds  other than medical MUST  BE  supported  by
     documentation.
5.6  Students   who   have  a  medical  condition  or   have   genuine
     compassionate  or  work  related  problems  on  the  day  of  the
     examination  are advised to obtain documentary evidence  and  NOT
     attempt  the examination.  If a student makes an attempt  at  the
     examination,  the  assessment item will be  marked  and  a  grade
     awarded.   In  these cases, a student cannot, after  receiving  a
     `Fail'   grade,  request  a  deferred  examination   or   special
     consideration.
6    Students  should also refer to the Faculty of Commerce `Guide  to
     Policies  and Procedures' section of the University Handbook  for
     further information on the above matters.

This information is accurate as at 04/11/98