BA 340H – Honors Finance

Madeleine Brady Romero

[Schedule] [Homework Solutions] [Calculator Tutorials] [Course Material & Homework]

Office: Bexell Hall 311	Fall 2007
Office Hours: Mon 10-11am Wed 11-12 & 2-3pm	CRN: 18206 Classroom: Stag 237
E-mail: Madeleine.Romero@bus.oregonstate.edu http://www.bus.oregonstate.edu/services/ click on Course Materials; BA340H	Course Credits: 4 Lecture: 4 hrs/week M&W 8-9:50am

COURSE CATALOG DESCRIPTION

Role and functions of a financial manager in the modern business environment in which a manager operates; formulation of financial objectives and policies; financial analysis, forecasting, planning, and control; asset management; capital budgeting; acquisition of funds through borrowing, stock issue, and by internal means; dividend policy; and international aspects of finance. Honors emphasis is on in-depth class discussions, case problem solving, real-world applications, and financial spreadsheet modeling.

UHC STUDENT PREREQUISITES

BA 215: Fundamentals of Financial Accounting

or BA 211: Financial Accounting, with co-requisite of BA 213: Managerial Accounting

MEASURABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES

Understand the fundamental theories, concepts, and tools of finance, including time value of money valuation techniques, the relationship between risk and return, and the use and interpretation of financial statements.

Apply financial management concepts and tools to the decisions faced by a manager, including:

· Investment decisions

· Financing decisions

· Working capital management decisions

· Financial analysis and planning.

Additional Honors Course Learning Outcomes:

· Effectively use Internet resources to research and analyze financial data.

· Develop Excel spreadsheets to present, analyze, and solve financial problems.

· Apply and discuss financial theory for real-world corporate problem solving.

· Develop effective business communication skills, both written and oral.

Detailed Learning Objectives are contained in the course schedule.

MANDATORY LEARNING MATERIALS

1) Financial Management: A Modern Approach, Custom Copy Edition 2 (2007) by Raymond M. Brooks, Ph.D.

2) Lecture Cases and In-Class Problems. Handed out in class.

3) Financial Calculator. TI BA2+ recommended. HP12C or HP10BII fine too. Calculator tutorials are available on the hyperlink above and at http://wps.aw.com/aw_gitman_pmfbrief_3/0,7003,526589-,00.html

4) Homework Solutions for assigned text problems. Available on the hyperlink above.

OPTIONAL LEARNING MATERIALS

1) Excel Tutorials: Valley Library reserve or http://www.baycongroup.com/tutorials.htm

2) The Wall Street Journal: Student subscription rates available for those interested.

GRADING PROCEDURE

MIDTERM 30%

FINAL 30%

EXCEL CASE STUDIES (2) 15%

WEB APPLICATIONS (2) 5%

IPO PRESENTATION 10%

OVERALL CLASS PARTICIPATION 10%

You are guaranteed at least the following grade if your weighted average course score falls within the following percentiles. Additionally, a curve may be applied to these scores.

A 93-100	B+ 87-90	C+ 77-80	D+ 67-70
A- 90-93	B 83-87	C 73-77	D 60-67
	B- 80-83	C- 70-73	F below 60

NO MAKE‑UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN. NO EXCUSES ACCEPTED. The course outline lists TENTATIVE dates for the exams. You are responsible to take the exam whenever it is given, even if the tentative date changes.

ASSIGNMENTS

(1) Homework Problems & Questions (ungraded)

Assignments from the text are detailed on the attached Course Outline. It is fully expected that the student will do all the homework in order to be prepared for class discussion, understand the material, and perform well on the exams. Solutions to homework problems and questions are available on my web site.

(2) Excel Case Studies

Forecasting: (5%) This study will require forecasting income statements and balance sheets to determine external financing needed. Sensitivity analyses will be used to determine risk and necessary contingencies.

Capital Budgeting: (10%) This case study will require knowledge and application of capital budgeting problem solving, utilizing Excel models. Students will complete case analysis, spreadsheet modeling, sensitivity analyses to assess risk, as well as diagnostics print-outs (see below).

(3) Web Applications. (5%)

Web exercises will link the chapter topic with Internet resources and real-world company applications.

(4) IPO Presentation (10%)

Students will research a recent Initial Public Offering of their choice and prepare a group oral presentation.

GENERAL ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION:

Tentative assignment due dates are as detailed on the course outline. Specific instructions will be announced in class. Once assignment is turned in, subsequent additions or corrections will not be accepted. Late assignments will be penalized, and will ONLY be accepted at the beginning of the next class session. Only printed hard-copies of assignments (not electronic e-mailed versions) will be accepted. SHOW ALL YOUR WORK.

Designated group assignments are to be done in groups of 2-3 students. All members must work together on them; do not simply allocate work. Only one paper should be turned in per group, with all group members’ names on the front page.

For Excel assignments, students’ names must be printed within the Excel spreadsheet (at top), or no credit will be given. Excel assignments must consist of two parts: (1) spreadsheet print-out including verbiage where appropriate, and (2) a diagnostic sheet print-out. A diagnostic sheet is a printing of the cell formulas rather than the results of those formulas, and can be created as follows:

• Save your spreadsheet as a separate file.
• Use the Tools menu and choose Options.
• Choose the View tab and select Formulas to create the diagnostic sheet.
• Widen the columns to show the entire formula in each cell.
• Include Row and Column headings on your sheets by going to File on the main menu bar and then Page Setup.
• Choose the Sheet tab and click in the box Row and Column Headings and Gridlines.

COURSE POLICIES

1. Dates and terms for class withdrawal are as outlined in the Fall 2007 OSU Course Schedule.

2. OSU student ID must be displayed for all exams. Personal digital assistants or any other type of mini-computer or any calculator with text memory storage are NOT allowed for exams. Cell phones may not be on, out or used in the classroom during exams. Financial calculators are required.

3. During class lectures, please TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES AND PAGERS.

4. Failing to demonstrate honesty and integrity will result in a grade of ZERO for that exam. See Statement of Expectations for Student Conduct at http://oregonstate.edu/admin/stucon/achon.htm

5. Students with Disabilities: Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty and Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD). Students with accommodations approved through SSD are responsible for contacting the instructor prior to or during the first week of the term to discuss accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained approval through SSD should contact SSC immediately at 737-4098.

6. Students are held responsible for all announcements and instructions delivered in class.