Syllabus for IBF-504

CORPORATE AND MANAGERIAL FINANCE

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course addresses the roles, functions, and perspectives of financial decision makers. In particular, the goals and objectives of financial management as well as issues of agency and value creation are examined. Students learn to evaluate financial institutions and markets, and also financial models, ratios, and analytical techniques. Financial statement analysis, operating and capital budgeting, and the systematic use of finance in value creation are key themes.

COURSE TOPICS

Role of the financial manager
Domestic financial tools and markets
International financial tools and markets
Financial ratios and firm performance
Components of financial planning
Forecasting methods for financial managers
Long-term investment decisions of firms
Measurement of cash flows from long-term investments
Effect of risk on long-term investment decisions
Characteristics of common stocks
Stock valuation
Meaning of risk
Relationship between risk and the required rate of return
International markets
Principles of estimating cash flows and their application
Net investments and net cash flows
Capital budgeting methods
Total project risk and portfolio risk
Differences in riskiness of projects
Components of the cost of capital
Weighted average cost of capital
Business and financial risk
Theories of capital structure
Competing methods of analyzing capital structure
Appropriate working capital policy
Factors affecting working capital policy
Working capital policies using a risk and return trade-off model
Benefits and costs of short-term credit
Holding liquid asset balances
Methods to control the collection and disbursement of cash
Meaning and importance of risk management
Strategies for risk management
Major factors affecting exchange rates
International parity relationships
Techniques used to forecast exchange rates
Categories of foreign exchange risk

COURSE OBJECTIVES

After completing this course, you should be able to:

CO 1 Summarize the functions of a financial manager in the modern firm.

CO 2 Evaluate the performance of firms utilizing financial ratios.

CO 3 Communicate the components of financial planning and forecasting.

CO 4 Explain the time value of money.

CO 5 Generalize the valuation process of a firm given the goal of maximizing stock value.

CO 6 Outline the capital budgeting process.

CO 7 Evaluate the importance of risk in financial management decisions.

CO 8 Construct a rationale for determining the optimal capital structure of a firm.

CO 9 Specify components of working capital management.

CO 10 Examine financial management decisions when affected by international factors.

CO 11 Explore contemporary financial management topics and issues.

COURSE MATERIALS

You will need the following materials to complete your coursework. Some course materials may be free, open source, or available from other providers. You can access free or open-source materials by clicking the links provided below or in the module details documents. To purchase course materials, please visit the University's textbook supplier.

Required Textbook

Moyer, R. C., McGuigan, J. R., & Rao, R. P. (2018). Contemporary financial management (14th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage. ISBN: 978-1337090582

Additional Materials

Journal articles, accessible through the New Jersey State Library, are also required. See individual modules for details on these readings.

COURSE STRUCTURE

Corporate and Managerial Finance is a three-credit, online course consisting of eight modules. Modules include an overview, topics, learning objectives, study materials, and activities. Module titles are listed below.

Module 1: Introduction to Financial Management

Course objectives covered in this module: CO 1, CO 8

Module 2: Evaluation of Financial Performance and Understanding Financial Planning and Forecasting

Course objectives covered in this module: CO 2, CO 3

Module 3: Firm Valuation and Long-Term Debt
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 4, CO 5
Module 4: Stock Valuation and Risk
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 7, CO 8
Module 5: Capital Management Policy
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 6, CO 8
Module 6: The Cost of Capital and an Optimal Capital Structure
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 7, CO 8, CO 10

Module 7: Working Capital Management and Short-Term Credit Policy
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 9, CO 11
Module 8: Current Issues in Finance
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 7, CO 10, CO 11

ASSESSMENT METHODS

For your formal work in the course, you are required to participate in online discussion forums, complete written assignments, and complete a final project. See below for details.

Consult the Course Calendar for due dates.

Promoting Originality

One or more of your course activities may utilize a tool designed to promote original work and evaluate your submissions for plagiarism. More information about this tool is available in About SafeAssign.

Discussion Forums

You will participate in seven discussion forums related to course topics.

Written Assignments

You are required to complete eight written assignments. The written assignments are on a variety of topics associated with the course modules.

Final Project

You are required to complete a final project for this course. Details on this assignment are located in the FInal Project folder.

GRADING AND EVALUATION

Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:

Discussion forums (7)—25%
Written assignments (8)—40%
Final project—35%

All activities will receive a numerical grade of 0–100. You will receive a score of 0 for any work not submitted. Your final grade in the course will be a letter grade. Letter grade equivalents for numerical grades are as follows:

A	=	93–100	B	=	83–87
A–	=	90–92	C	=	73–82
B+	=	88–89	F	=	Below 73

To receive credit for the course, you must earn a letter grade of C or higher on the weighted average of all assigned course work (e.g., assignments, discussion postings, projects). Graduate students must maintain a B average overall to remain in good academic standing.

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

First Steps to Success

To succeed in this course, take the following first steps:

Read carefully the entire Syllabus, making sure that all aspects of the course are clear to you and that you have all the materials required for the course.
Take time to read the entire Online Student Handbook. The Handbook answers many questions about how to proceed through the course and how to get the most from your educational experience at Thomas Edison State University.
Familiarize yourself with the learning management systems environment—how to navigate it and what the various course areas contain. If you know what to expect as you navigate the course, you can better pace yourself and complete the work on time.
If you are not familiar with web-based learning, be sure to review the processes for posting responses online and submitting assignments before class begins.

Study Tips

Consider the following study tips for success:

To stay on track throughout the course, begin each week by consulting the Course Calendar. The Course Calendar provides an overview of the course and indicates due dates for submitting written assignments, posting discussions, and submitting the final project.
Check Announcements regularly for new course information.

ACADEMIC POLICIES

To ensure success in all your academic endeavors and coursework at Thomas Edison State University, familiarize yourself with all administrative and academic policies including those related to academic integrity, course late submissions, course extensions, and grading policies.

For more, see: