Form 1: General Course

International University
School/Department: School of business

COURSE SYLLABUS

1. Name of course: Portfolio Theory and Investment Analysis

2. Course code: BA138IU
3. Course type:
Specialization
 Core
Requirement
 Elective
4. Number of credits: 03 credits
5. Prerequisite: BA016IU-Fundamental of Financial Management
6. Parallel teaching in the course: No
7. Course Description:
It focuses on applying pricing models and other techniques in the valuation of securities;
measuring the portfolio risk and determining portfolio performance; constructing optimal
portfolios; and taking applied perspective on investment management for individual and
institutional investors. The learning experience will include an introduction to modern
portfolio theory, passive and active portfolio management strategies, pricing models of
financial instruments such as stocks; evaluation of portfolio risk and return compared to the
benchmarks; Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) and other issues in finance.

8. Course objectives:
Portfolio Theory and Investment Analysis course aims to familiarize students with conceptual
foundations of modern portfolio theory and portfolio management strategies, its application to
securities analysis, valuation and portfolio management.

9. Text book and reference:

Textbook:
Relley, F. K. and Brown, K. C. (2012), Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management, 10th
edition, Thomson South-Western. (RB)

Reference Books:

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 Form 1: General Course

Bodie, Z., Kane, A., and Marcus, A.J. (2012) ,Investments, 10th edition, McGraw
Hill. (BKM)

10. Course learning outcomes and assessment criteria:

Course learning outcomes Program Learning outcome
Knowledge

1. Understand the role and

importance of the risk/return
relationship to the asset
allocation decision.
2. Understand and explain the
relevance of the efficient
market hypothesis.
3. Explain the capital asset
pricing and arbitrage pricing
models.
4. Understand and use the
differing methods to price
various instruments in the
asset selection process.
(1) Equip students with a solid body of
knowledge relevant to the areas of Corporate
Finance, Banking and Financial Investment
(2) Students are expected to be able to manage
portfolios of profitability and risk; make
policies, investment planning strategies for
businesses as well as investors; analyze impact
of macroeconomic policy (monetary finance)
on financial market as well as on financial
investment; set financial plans, and provide
financial management information for decision
making of management.

5. Explain the portfolio

management strategies for
different asset classes.

6. Understand how to evaluate

portfolio performance.

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 Form 1: General Course

1. develop a set of academic

skills which include the
ability to work independently
as well to cooperate with
peers, to utilize library
resources (e.g. text books,
academic journals etc) and to
search the web in conducting
assignments;
Skills

2. develop critical thinking and

problem-solving skills; and

3. develop excellent oral and

written communication skills
and to be able to work
independently and to lead /
participate in groups.

1. Learn within teams

(such skills as task
(3) an ability to communicate effectively in
assignment and
English by using appropriate communication
management, conflict
methods to address domestic and international
resolution and co-
Attitude

operation, consensus audiences.

building, and Students are also expected to possess ethical
leadership) attitude at work; cognitive ability and
2. Provide professional perspectives on globalization; teamwork; self-
business presentations studying, and career development skills
(both oral and written)

11. Course implementation

11.1. Time: 15 Weeks, 1 Period per week
11.2. Teaching and learning activities
Classroom activities: Lectures, discussions, presentations
Self-learning: reading, homework, assignment
Team work: project
12. Course outline

Week Topics Textbook Note

(Day)

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 Form 1: General Course

W1 Lecture 1 RB, Chapter 1

Investment Setting and Measuring
Investment Return and Risk

W2 Lecture 2 RB, Chapter 2&5 Submit group for

2A – Asset Allocation and a Review of assignment
Portfolio Management Process
2B – Security Market Indicator Series
W3 Lecture 3 RB, Chapter 7,
Introduction to Portfolio Theory

W4 Workshop: Introduction to Solver in

conducting optimal portfolio
W5 Lecture 4 RB, Chapter 8
Asset Pricing Models: Capital Asset
Pricing Model (CAPM)
W6 Workshop: Introduction to Solver in
conducting optimal portfolio (cont.)
W7 Lecture 5 RB, Chapter 11
Security Analysis and Stock Valuation (compulsory),
Models 12,13&14(optional)
W8 Lecture 6 RB, chapter 13
Industry analysis
Mid-term exam
W9 Lecture 7 RB, Chapter 16
Stock Portfolio Management Strategies
W10 Lecture 8 RB, Chapter 6
Capital Market Efficiency
W11 Lecture 9 RB, Chapter 25
Portfolio Performance Evaluation
W12 Lecture 10 RB, Chapter
Fundamental vs. Technical Analysis 12,13,14 (review)
&15,
W13 Practical issues of investment in Vietnam

W14 Review

W15 Presentation

13. Course Assessment:

13.1. Grading:
Course Project: 30 %
Midterm Exam: 30%
Final Exam: 40 %

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 Form 1: General Course

13.2. Assessment Plan

Weigh
Assessment Level of Cognitive Domain
Assessment Criteria (%)
tasks
Understanding Analyzing Applying Evaluating Creating
Project - Ability to conduct 30% 40% 30% 30%
qualified and
substantial research
supporting
arguments
- Ability to analyze
reasonably and to
solve problems
- Ability to apply
theoretical
knowledge to
construct the
portfolio
- Ability to apply
theoretical
knowledge to
evaluate the portfolio
performance
Midterm - Understand portfolio 25% 35% 40% 30%
exam theory and market
theory.
- Be able to write an
IPS
Final exam - Be able to apply 25% 30% 45% 40%
different equity
portfolio strategies

- Be able to evaluate
portfolio
performance

14. Policies:
- Attendance: Regular and punctual attendance at lectures and seminars is expected in
this course. University regulations indicate that if students attend less than eighty per
cent of scheduled classes they may be refused final assessment. Exemptions may only
be made on medical grounds.
- Student responsibility: It is expected that the students will spend at least six hours per
week studying this course. This time should be made up of reading, research, working
on exercises and problems, and attending classes. In periods where they need to
complete assignments or prepare for examinations, the workload may be greater. Over-
commitment has been a cause of failure for many students. They should take the
required workload into account when planning how to balance study with part-time
jobs and other activities.
- Missed tests: Request for special consideration (for final examination only) must be
made to the Office of Academic Affairs within one week after the examination.

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 Form 1: General Course

General policy and information on special consideration can be found at the Office of
Academic Affairs.
- Class behavior: The students are expected to conduct themselves with consideration
and respect for the needs of the fellow students and teaching staff. Conduct which
unduly disrupts or interferes with a class, such as ringing or talking on mobile phones,
is not acceptable and students will be asked to leave the class. More information on
student conduct is available at the university webpage.

Developed by: Hong Nhung Le Last updated: July 2019

Contact: lhnhung@hcmiu.edu.vn