Students generally complete two units per quarter.
Core Units
Financial Modelling
This unit is essential to prepare students for applied financial
analysis and modelling applications used extensively in other
units of the Master of Applied Finance program. It familiarises
participants with the strengths and limitations of contemporary
quantitative modelling techniques using multivariate statistical
procedures and optimization approaches. The use of appropriate
modelling software including Excel, SPSS, QM for Windows
and MPT models is emphasised.
Financial Institutions and Markets (MAF)
This unit ensures that students have knowledge of the basic
institutional framework of the Australian banking industry
and financial system. The unit briefly examines international
financial markets and the interaction with their Australian counterparts.
Funds Management and Portfolio Selection
This unit covers the basic principles of portfolio selection and funds management and examines share investments. The unit focuses on the factors that affect asset prices; calculations based on the Markowitz Model of portfolio selection; the Single Index Model and the beta of a share; performance measures for a managed fund; style differences in funds management; management of fixed-interest portfolios; and the use of share derivatives to manage share portfolios.
Derivatives
This unit describes the major derivative products and
explains how they are used for hedging, speculation, and
creating synthetic investments. In doing so, it analyses the
effect of the growth of derivatives markets and their
relationship to the market for the securities underlying them.
Hedging applications are considered from the point of view
of corporate treasurers and funds managers.
Security Analysis and Portfolio Theory
This unit looks at the models developed to guide investment choice including those beyond the dominant paradigm of the EMH/CAPM view. It provides an opportunity for students to develop advanced skills in the analysis of financial statements, to understand the investment significance of such analyses, and to use such analyses in portfolio applications.
Corporate Finance (PG)
Corporate Finance is concerned with fulfilling those managerial tasks directed to the decision-making process, including asset and project valuation, leasing, capital structure and dividend distribution and working capital management. Students wishing to take this unit as an elective will need to seek approval from either the Head of Programs or Course advisor.
Students are permitted to complete up to two units from any other Masters degree offered by the College of Business as part of the six alternate units.
Alternate Units
Financial Institution Management
This unit covers the tactics of financial institution management –
the factors which determine short-term managerial decisions
in financial institutions. A major part of the unit is the
discussion of asset/liability management.
Credit and Lending Decisions
This unit teaches techniques necessary for running a successful
lending book. It outlines the steps which must be taken in
performing credit evaluation, and provides the analytical techniques
necessary to carry out such evaluation. This unit does not cover the
legal aspects of financial institution lending.
Law of Finance and Securities
This unit covers the aspects of the law which are relevant to
financial institutions and financing decisions. It describes the
legal environment within which the finance industry operates and
places special emphasis on the laws regulating the day-to-day
conduct of financial business. It provides candidates with the
knowledge of legal fundamentals necessary for finance
professionals to function in a business and financial environment
that is becoming increasingly sensitive to legal pitfalls.
Marketing of Financial Products
This unit outlines the basic principles of marketing and discusses
their application to the marketing of financial services. The unit
will provide an understanding of how markets function and of
customer behaviour, giving students the ability to formulate a
marketing strategy for financial services.
International Finance
Australian companies are increasingly competing on world
markets for sources of finance and are looking for investment
opportunities in foreign markets. This unit looks at the
determination of exchange rates, the foreign exchange markets,
effective management of exchange exposure on overseas
investments, and sources of finance.
Economics (PG)
This unit concentrates on both Microeconomic and Macroeconomic theories. Microeconomics is concerned with the study of individual units within the economy - the individual consumer, the individual firm, the type of market structure facing the firm and price and output determination. Macroeconomics is concerned with analysis of the factors determining the way in which the economic resources of an economy are utilised or under-utilised. Students wishing to take this unit as an elective will need to seek approval from either the Head of Programs or Course advisor.
International Trade and Industry Economics
This unit is concerned with microeconomic policy development in an open economy setting. It applies and extends microeconomic theory to provide an understanding of the principles governing the formulation of international trade and industry policies. The unit reviews traditional and recent models of the behaviour of firms in international economics. It also overviews the traditional and strategic theories of trade performance and the design, formulation and implementation of trade policy. Unit available for masters only.
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 120 credit points which include units listed below.
Specialisations
Banking
Financial Institution Management
This unit covers the tactics of financial institution management –
the factors which determine short-term managerial decisions
in financial institutions. A major part of the unit is the
discussion of asset/liability management.
Credit and Lending Decisions
This unit teaches techniques necessary for running a successful
lending book. It outlines the steps which must be taken in
performing credit evaluation, and provides the analytical techniques
necessary to carry out such evaluation. This unit does not cover the
legal aspects of financial institution lending.
Law of Finance and Securities
This unit covers the aspects of the law which are relevant to
financial institutions and financing decisions. It describes the
legal environment within which the finance industry operates and
places special emphasis on the laws regulating the day-to-day
conduct of financial business. It provides candidates with the
knowledge of legal fundamentals necessary for finance
professionals to function in a business and financial environment
that is becoming increasingly sensitive to legal pitfalls.
Marketing of Financial Products
This unit outlines the basic principles of marketing and discusses
their application to the marketing of financial services. The unit
will provide an understanding of how markets function and of
customer behaviour, giving students the ability to formulate a
marketing strategy for financial services.
Property Investment
Income Property Appraisal
This unit is replacing VA802Z - Income Property Appraisal. Develop understanding of theory and practice of valuation of retail, office and industrial property. Critically evaluate the various risk factors in retail, office and industrial property investments. This unit concentrates upon income producing properties. It forms an essential resource for property investment analysis and property development.
Property Investment Analysis (V2)
This unit is replacing unit CO811A. This unit introduces the concepts of investment analysis in the context of a study of the performance of individual created property investments.
Property Portfolio Analysis
This unit examines the role of property in an investment portfolio, with particular attention given to property portfolio performance analysis and property investment strategy. The performance analysis of both direct and indirect property is also examined to assess the strategic contribution of property to an investment portfolio.
Property Finance and Taxation
This unit is focussed to develop the student's knowledge of finance and taxation with particular reference to the property industry.
Treasury
Financial Institution Management
This unit covers the tactics of financial institution management –
the factors which determine short-term managerial decisions
in financial institutions. A major part of the unit is the
discussion of asset/liability management.
Credit and Lending Decisions
This unit teaches techniques necessary for running a successful
lending book. It outlines the steps which must be taken in
performing credit evaluation, and provides the analytical techniques
necessary to carry out such evaluation. This unit does not cover the
legal aspects of financial institution lending.
Derivatives
This unit describes the major derivative products and
explains how they are used for hedging, speculation, and
creating synthetic investments. In doing so, it analyses the
effect of the growth of derivatives markets and their
relationship to the market for the securities underlying them.
Hedging applications are considered from the point of view
of corporate treasurers and funds managers.
Security Analysis and Portfolio Theory
This unit looks at the models developed to guide investment choice including those beyond the dominant paradigm of the EMH/CAPM view. It provides an opportunity for students to develop advanced skills in the analysis of financial statements, to understand the investment significance of such analyses, and to use such analyses in portfolio applications.