Finance, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The course is focused on financial management within an international context and is intended to equip students with skills and knowledge related to financial issues. International organizations are exposed to specific challenges such as currency risk and country risk but at the same time can benefit from access to larger financial markets and more diverse investment opportunities. The course focuses on analysis and decision-making techniques in order to prepare students to act as managers aware of the global issues affecting the business environment. This course provides students with an integrated set of concepts and applications building on the basic concepts and knowledge students gained during their previous courses and constitutes valuable preparation for professional career in organizations that operate internationally.

Expected learning outcomes

After completing this course, the student should be able to: 

Knowledge and understanding:

• Describe how financial statements are constructed.
• Interpret firm's financial health.
• Explain how managers in an international firm make investment decisions that create value.
• Explain how managers in an international firm make financing decisions that create value.

Skills and ability:

• Analyze significant risk factors affecting international financial decisions.
• Communicate central concepts for the course in English, both orally and in writing.

Judgement and approach:

• Reflect upon sustainability challenges in relation to finance.

Required Knowledge

Form of instruction

The teaching and learning methods include the delivery of lectures where concepts and techniques are presented and explained, workshops where numerical exercises are solved, and a case study where students apply concepts and techniques on real world problems and are asked to prepare a written report and orally present it to peers.

The students might also meet guest lecturers whose presentations may be part of exam materials. Students are expected to take an active part in classroom discussions and workshops.

Examination modes

Examination is based upon an written individual hall exam and a written group assignment with oral presentation of a case study at a seminar.

The following grading system is used: 

Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd, VG, 80% or more), Pass (Godkänd, G, 60% or more), and Fail (Underkänd U, less than 60%). 

Grades on the course are awarded when the student has passed all examinations.  

A student who does not pass the first examination will be offered an opportunity to sit a re- examination within two months. An additional examination opportunity is normally offered every academic year, one week prior to the start of the autumn term. If required by specific circumstances, other form of examination can be used. 

A student that has failed an examination on two occasions has a right to have another examiner or grading teacher appointed, unless there are special reasons against it. A written request addressed to the Director of Studies should be made no later than two weeks before the next examination opportunity. 

Adaptations 
Examiners may decide to deviate from the modes of assessment in the course syllabus. Individual adaptation of modes of assessment must give due consideration to the student's needs. The adaptation of modes of assessment must remain within the framework of the intended learning outcomes in the course syllabus. Students who require an adapted examination - and have received a decision on the right to support from the coordinator at the Student Services Office for students with disabilities - must submit a request to the department holding the course no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner decides on the adaptation of the examination, after which the student will be notified. 

Academic integrity and cheating 
As a student, you are expected to act with academic integrity. This means writing and presenting within the limits of the academic rules and expectations communicated in the university's regulations and what is otherwise specified by the responsible department. Disciplinary action may be taken against students who uses unauthorized help aids or in some other way tries to mislead on a test or when another type of task is being evaluated. Rules and regulations concerning the production of academic texts and correct referencing will be applicable to written assignments. Submitted material may be subject to plagiarism control. In addition, Umeå University rules and regulations for education and research apply. 

Other regulations

Academic credit transfers are according to the university credit transfer regulations.