FIN201 CORPORATE FINANCE

Unit Guide

Trimester 1 2023
About Corporate Finance (FIN201)

UNIT OVERVIEW
CONTACTS
Ms. Thi Huong Giang Vuong
Email: giang.vuong@isb.edu.vn
Unit Instructor Phone: 0388.654.306
Mr. Hong Ngoc Nguyen
Email: hongngoc.nguyen@isb.edu.vn
Ms. An Nguyen
Program Administrator 17 Pham Ngoc Thach Street, District 3, HCM City
Email: bbusprogram@isb.edu.vn

This unit introduces students to the theoretical basis and analytical framework for corporate
financial decision making. It is concerned with both the investment decision of firms and the
determination of the financing mix necessary to achieve a firm’s financial objectives.
Investment decisions determine a firm’s size, its operating profits, its business risk and its
liquidity. Financing decisions affect a firm’s financing costs and its financial risk. These two
decisions, combined with the dividend decision, comprise the essential financial decisions
which firms must make. Besides, this unit provides an essential skill about Financial modeling
for students.

PRE-REQUISITES

None

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Assessment Information

UNIT LEARNING OUTCOMES

The table below outlines the unit learning outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. Upon completion
of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Be familiar with the basic financial decision making and valuation concepts.
Understand and solve problems involving financial mathematics so as to be able to use
2.
appropriate tools to assist in managing an organization.

3. Be able to evaluate different types of securities.

4. Have developed critical skills in analysing capital budgeting projects.

Be able to evaluate a corporate's financial position and capital and project investment
5.
strategy for the future to maximize the Present Value of the Firm.
Understand the relationship between risk and return, and be able to estimate the cost of
6.
capital using alternative and appropriate methods.
Understand the firm’s capital structure and dividend policy, relevant theory and its
7.
limitations.

8. Have developed oral presentation skills.

9. Be able to select subsequent finance courses.

10. Be able to apply financial modelling in decisions making.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

In line with its focus on assuring students’ skills in unit learning outcomes 1-7 above, this
unit is also responsible for introducing/developing/assuring the following program-level
learning outcomes (PLOs):

Knowledge & Application

1. Solid understanding and competency of appropriate application of business discipline-
specific knowledge.
Communication
2. Competency in professional written and oral communication suited to multiple audiences
and contexts.
Teamwork
3.
Effective collaboration in teamwork or other tasks in organizational settings.
Critical thinking
4.
Critical thinking through appropriate observing, analysing and reasoning, etc.

5. Problem solving

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Effective and constructive problem solving.

Ethics
6. An ethical perspective, including an understanding of the ethical responsibilities of
organizations.
Cultural Diversity
A global mindset, including an understanding of the different business settings, the ability to
7.
identify foreign market potentials, to diagnose cross-cultural communication problems and
propose appropriate solutions.

ASSESSMENT SUMMARY

DUE VALUE
ASSESSMENT ITEM LEARNING OUTCOMES
DATE (%)
1. In-class participation & discussion 10% ULO 1 – 10
2. Financial models TBA 30% ULO 1 – 10
3. Mid-term exam TBA 25% ULO 1 – 9
4. Final exam TBA 35% ULO 1 – 9

Final marks and grades are subject to confirmation by the School Assessment Committees
which may scale, modify or otherwise amend the marks and grades for the unit, as may be
required by University policies.
 Note: To successfully complete this unit, students must:
 Achieve a minimum of 50 marks;
 Complete all assessment items; and
 Attend 80 per cent of class time. See attendance requirements in the section of class
policies and rules below.

Assessment 1: Class participation & Discussion (10%)

Due: Ongoing throughout the duration of the course.
 Class attendance and participation includes coming to class prepared and on time,
taking part in class discussions (this involves listening/reading as well as
writing/speaking and completing all in-class activities), asking questions, tutorials
presentation on recommended end-of-chapter problems, contributing your
knowledge and insights in whatever form is appropriate, and striving to make all
your contributions excellent. It also includes doing the required reading and writing
for each class.
 You are permitted no more than 20% absences (3 sessions) during the term.
Coming late by 15 minutes at the beginning of the class, coming late by 5 minutes
after the break, or leaving prior to the scheduled end time without the permission of
the lecturer will equate to an absence.

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Assessment 2: Financial models (30%)

Due: TBA – 2 in total
For each topic, students need to demonstrate how well they can create the financial model.

Assessment 3: Mid-term exam (Individual) (25%)

Due: TBA
Length: TBA
 Closed book, 50 MCQs on theoretical and conceptual foundations of Finance
 Marking criteria and standards: Based on logic, accuracy, comprehensiveness of
answers

Assessment 4: Final exam (Individual) (35%)

Due: TBA
Length: 90 minutes
 40 MCQs (60%) and 4 Short Answers Questions (40%) based on Required
Readings, Lectures, and Case Studies covered throughout the course.
 Marking criteria and standards
 Based on logic, accuracy, correctness, and comprehensiveness of answers

Teaching Activities
LEARNING RESOURCES

Textbook Ross, S., Westerfield, R., Jaffe, Corporate Finance (11th ed.).

Reference  Brigham, E.F., & Houston, J. (2009). Fundamentals of Financial Management

books (12thed.). Cengage Learning.

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 Saunders, A. & Cornett, M.M. (2007). Financial Markets & Institutions – An

Introduction to the Risk Management Approach (3th ed.). McGraw Hill

Other Will be announced during lectures.

requirements

LEARNING RESOURCES
E-library https://smartlib.ueh.edu.vn/

E-learning http://e-learning.isb.edu.vn/

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SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
Session Lectures Readings Financial modelling Readings
Introduction to the unit Introductory to Financial
1 Chapter 1 (Ross) Chapter 2, 3, 4 (Sengupta)
An Overview of Corp. Finance modelling (Excel & VBA)
Financial Statements &
Financial Statements and Cash  Chapters 2 (Ross)  Chapter 5, 6 (Sengupta)
2 Forecasting
Flow   Lecturer material
Financial model for analysis
 Chapters 3 (Ross)
3 Financial Statements Analysis  Time Value of Money  Chapter 7 (Sengupta)

Discounted Cash Flow
Valuation Financial Planning and
4  Chapters 4, 5 (Ross) Investments  Chapter 8 (Sengupta)
Net Present Value and Other
Investment Rules
Interest Rates and Bond
5 Valuation  Chapters 8, 9 (Ross) Analyzing Market History (P1)  Chapter 9 (Sengupta)
Stock Valuation
Risk and Return - Lessons
from Market History
6 Return and Risk-The Capital  Chapters 10, 11, 13 (Ross) 
Asset Pricing Model (CAPM)
Cost of Capital, and Valuation
Long-Term Financing
7 Capital Structure: Basic  Chapter 15, 16, 17 (Ross) 
Concepts

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Session Lectures Readings Financial modelling Readings

Capital Structure: Limits To
The Use of Debt

8 Leasing  Chapter 21 (Ross)  

Short-term Financing &

9 Working capital management  Chapter 26, 28 (Ross) 
(P1)
Short-term Financing &
Working capital management
10 Chapter 26, 28 (Ross)  
(P2)
Revision

 Final exam

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General Information & Policy
Referencing
Plagiarism
Student assignments are to contain original content created by the students. Assignments
will be rejected if they include plagiarised content or contain excessive amounts of
quoted/cited material and minimal original content. Students will receive a grade of ZERO
(0%) for any assignments rejected for this reason. Written assignments WILL BE checked
by the lecturer with Turnitin.com, an online plagiarism-checking tool.
Sources
Furthermore, your reference to support your statements must be from a reliable source, such
as textbooks, additional reading materials, and reference books. However, many websites
are not reliable sources. Examples are Wikipedia.org, about.com, and ask.com. If you are
not sure if a reference is acceptable or not, please contact the lecturer.
Referencing & Citation
The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) 6th ed., will
serve as the primary reference materials for all students. Therefore, all papers must be
submitted in APA format. The mechanics of student papers and work will be evaluated, as
well as the content.

Submission
Assignment cover sheet
 All assignments are required to be submitted with an Assignment Cover Sheet.
 Group assignments are to be submitted with a Group Assignment Cover Sheet as well
as a Peer Evaluation Form depending on the request of unit instructor.
Non-contributing team members can sometimes be an issue with group-work structured
assessment. Individual student group work scores may be adjusted as a result of peer
dissatisfaction with a particular student’s contribution to group work assignments, as reflected
in submissions of the evaluation form.
Note:
 Assignment cover sheets and the evaluation form can be located on MyISB system
 Students are advised to keep a copy of all assignments submitted for marking.

Submission style
Assignments are expected to achieve a professional standard:
 Be typed, one and a half spaced, on A4 paper
 Use a simple clear format, suitable for a report to senior management in a commercial
organisation.

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Submission method
Soft copy: submitted electronically via E-learning system by 11:55 PM on the due date
(Suggested title: Student name_Unitname_Name of Assignment (PDF file)).
Hard copy: submitted to ISB Submission Box at the Reception Area (17 Pham Ngoc
Thach) by the due date.

Late assignment and make-up policy

No late assignments will be accepted unless prior authorisation granted by the Academic
Department based on a Special Consideration Application for assessment task extension.
Students must complete all assessments on the assigned dates including quizzes, mid-
term test, and final exam. If there are extenuating or unforeseen circumstances, students
must follow the school’s policies and procedures accordingly.

Attendance
Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of all classes.
Other cases equating to an absence:
 Arriving to class late by 15 minutes at the beginning,
 Arriving late by 5 minutes after the break
 Leaving prior to the scheduled end time without the permission of the lecturer
If you are unable to attend any session, please let your lecturer know AND submit a request
for absence form to program administrator prior to the session.

 IMPORTANT: Students will not be allowed to sit in the final examination if violating the
above absence rule.

Electronic device use

 Cell phones will be turned off or switched to vibrate mode before class starts.
 No phone calls or text messaging are allowed inside classroom during class time.
 Portable listening and/or music devices may not be operated in the classroom.
 Headphones and/or ear buds of any type may not be worn while in the classroom
whether operating or not.
 Laptop and other electronic devices are not permitted unless specifically
authorised by the lecturer exclusively for note taking and doing class work.

 IMPORTANT: If you are in violation of these policies you will be excused from class
and an absence will be assessed.

Email etiquette
Your lecturers receive many emails each day. In order to enable them to respond to your
emails appropriately and in a timely fashion, students are asked to follow basic requirements
of professional communication.

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Your emails should:

 Have a concise and descriptive title, including the class and name of the unit you are
enquiring about
 Be clear about the intention of their emails
 Use appropriate tone and language, proof-read what is written in the email before
sending it.
Students should also allow 3-4 working days for a response before following up. If the matter
is legitimately urgent, you may indicate “URGENT” in the email subject header.
Make an appointment: If your email request is complex and requires a lengthy response it
may be probably best to make an appointment with your lecturer/instructor to meet in person.

Student behaviour guidelines

Everyone must behave professionally. Students are expected to demonstrate respect for
teacher and fellow students at all times. Behaviour that is disruptive to a positive learning
environment reported to the teacher will result in a warning on the first instance; the second
instance might result in a failing grade along with expulsion from the school.
Unacceptable behaviors can be:
 Cheating on an exam
 Collaborating with others on work to be presented, if contrary to the stated rules of
the course
 Submitting, if contrary to the rules of the course, work previously submitted in another
course
 Knowingly and intentionally assisting another student in any of the above actions,
including assistance in an arrangement whereby work, classroom performance,
examination, or other activity is submitted or performed by a person other than the
student under whose name the work is submitted or performed
 Plagiarising

 IMPORTANT:
 First violation will result in a grade ZERO (0%) for that assignment.
 Second violation will result in a failing course grade.

Disability support services

Students with disabilities are advised that accommodations and services are available at
UEH-ISB. It is the student's responsibility to contact UEH-ISB office and submit appropriate
documentation prior to receiving such services.

Additional information
This unit guide may be revised at the discretion of the Academic Department with approval
from Program Academic Director and School Academic Committee where appropriate.

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