BX2032 - Financial Institutions and Markets

Credit points:	03
Year:	2011
Student Contribution Band:	Band 3
Administered by:	School of Business

This subject provides an overview of the financial system including financial institutions and markets, the banking sector and non-bank financial institutions. It is essential that students seeking work within a business context understand the nature and operation of financial institutions and markets and are aware of the changing range of financial products, their application and their pricing. Topics covered will include: the role of the financial system, funds management and systems, the money market, the bond market, equity capital and the share market, financial futures, foreign exchange and offshore capital markets, and an introduction to interest rate risk management.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate an understanding of the structure, operation and performance of domestic money and capital markets and their linkages with international financial systems;
• Discuss the role and functions of financial products, intermediaries and regulators in the financial system;
• Understand the importance of other markets comprising the domestic financial system, including the derivatives market, the property market and the managed funds industry;
• Acquire an introductory understanding of interest rate risk management.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments, and to reason and deploy evidence clearly and logically;
• The ability to deploy critically evaluated information to practical ends;
• The ability to find and access information using appropriate media and technologies;
• The ability to evaluate that information;
• An understanding of the economic, legal, ethical, social and cultural issues involved in the use of information;
• The ability to generate, calculate, interpret and communicate numerical information in ways appropriate to a given discipline or discourse;
• The ability to select and use appropriate tools and technologies;
• The ability to use online technologies effectively and ethically.

Prerequisites:

BU1003 OR EC1005

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 25-Aug-2011
Coord/Lect:	Ms Siqiwen Li.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 12 hours tutorials
Assessment:	end of semester exam (50%); quizzes or tests (20%); assignments (30%).
Special Assessment Requirements:	Each student must achieve an overall total of 40% or greater for all invigilated assessment.

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.