NATIONAL ECONOMICS UNIVERSITY SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
CENTER FOR ADVANCED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS Independence – Freedom – Happiness
SYLLABUS
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
Title: BUSINESS FINANCE
Course number: Units: 03 credits
Pre-requisite: Theory of Money and Finance, Principles - Theoretical hours:
of Accounting - Practical hours:
2. LECTURER’S INFORMATION
Full name: Do Hong Nhung Tittle: PHD
Address: 207 Giai Phong Street, Building A1, Room 921 Phone number: 0912 588 916
Email: nhungdh@gmail.com
Faculty/ Institute: School of finance and banking
3. COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
This course provides fundamental knowledge of corporate finance. The course’s content includes
introduction to methods of raising capital for business enterprises, characteristics of capital sources
and capital management. In addition, the course also focuses on financial decisions made by firms
in dealing with short-term financial issues such as cash flow management, revenue, expenses and
profit management, earnings distribution. Besides, the effects of common taxes on financial
performance of firms are also briefly introduced. Furthermore, basic knowledge of financial
analysis to support decision-making of financial managers is mentioned as an additional part of the
course as well.
Main topics will be covered as follows:
1. Introduction to business finance
2. Financial statements, Taxes and Cash flows
3. Working with Financial Statements
4. Time value of money
5. Discounted cash flows
6. Bond valuation
7. Stock valuation
8. NPV & other investment criteria
1
9. Some lessons from Capital Market history
10. Return, Risk and the Security Market line
4. LEARNING RESOURCES : COURSE BOOKS, REFERENCE BOOKS, AND
SOFTWARES
- Course book: Fundamentals of corporate finance The 10th Edition, standard edition,
by Stephen Ross; Randolph Westerfield Bradford; Jordan Gordon Roberts
- Reference books:
▪ Richard A. Brealey, Stewart C. Myers and Alan J. Marcus (2011), Fundamentals of Corporate
Finance, 7th Edition, McGraw-Fill/Irwin Series in Finance, Insurance and Real Estate
▪ Eugene F. Brigham, Joel F. Houston (2009), Fundamentals of Financial Management, 12th
Edition, South-Western Cengage Learning, ISBN 978-0-324-59770-7Stephen
- Other required materials and information:
a. NEU’s eBooks and documents at http://lic.neu.edu.vn:2048/menu: Emerald Insight, IG
Publishing eBook and ProQuest Central
b. NEU’s eBooks and documents at http://aep.neu.edu.vn:2048/menu
5. COURSE GOALS
Program
Course Learning Level of
Goal Description
Goals Outcomes competence
(PLO)
[1] [2] [3] [4]
Understanding fundamental concepts, principles
G1 1 V
and theories of business finance
Applying fundamental concepts, principles, and
G2 theories of business finance to firm’s decision 2 IV
making
Assessing financial situation and performance of
G3 3 IV
business enterprises in practice
6. COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLO)
Course Level of
CLO Descriptions
goals competence
[1] [2] [3] [4]
G1 CLO 1.1 Understanding general purposes, roles, contents V
2
and principles of business financial management
Understanding financial statements and basic
CLO 1.2 V
financial analysis techniques
Understanding the concepts of time value of
CLO 1.3 money, discounted cash flows and their V
implications in valuation and project appraisal
Understanding the concepts of risk, return, their
CLO 1.4 V
relationship and implications in investment
Applying basic analysis techniques to analyze
CLO 2.1 V
financial statements
Applying discounted cash flows models to bond
G2 CLO 2.2 IV
valuation, stock valuation and project appraisal
Applying risk-return concepts and models to make
CLO 2.3 IV
investment decisions
Examining financial issues of business enterprises
CLO 3.1 in practice, focusing on financial analysis, IV
valuation and investment
G3
Applying relevant concepts, principles and
CLO 3.2 theories of business finance to propose solutions IV
for financial issues in practice
7. COURSE ASSESSMENT
Assessment Assessment Percentage
Description Time CLO
methods indicators (%)
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]
Class participation points
will be based on general
class attendance, Attendance
contribution in class and points
CLO 2.1
compliance with the class &
Class CLO 2.2
rules delineated below. Poor All weeks Times of 10%
Participation CLO 3.1
class attendance, little answers and
contribution in class or non- CLO 3.2
questions in
compliance with class rules class.
will result in a poor class
participation grade.
The examinations will be Week 6 & Written 10%×2 =
Mid-term CLO 1.1
closed-book and based on 12 exam or 20%
3
Tests 1 & 2 assigned readings, lectures, CLO 1.2 multiple-
and homework problems. CLO 2.1 choice
Calculator may be used CLO 2.2 questions
during examinations.
Class is grouped into groups
of 3-5 members. Groups are
expected to do a report and
Group
Group a presentation. The report Week 14 CLO 3.1
presentation 20%
Assignment needs to be submitted & 15 CLO 3.2
and report
through Turnitin no later
than 1 week after the
presentation.
Final exam of 90 minutes.
Students have permission to CLO 1.1
take the final exam when CLO 1.2 Written
they attend at least 80% of exam of
University CLO 2.1
Final Exam the total classes and hand in multiple- 50%
schedule CLO 2.2
both individual and group choice
assignments on time. Make- CLO 3.1 questions.
up exams will not be CLO 3.2
offered.
8. LESSON PLAN
(Any changes on the schedule WILL BE announced in class and on TURNITIN in advance)
8.1. Theoretical hours
Learning and teaching Assessment
Class Topics CLO
activities methods
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Introduction to Textbook, Chapter 1; Read
Session CLO 1.1 Questions &
Corporate Finance carefully the syllabus provided;
1 CLO 1.2 discussion
Assign members into groups;
CLO 1.1
Session CLO 1.2 Questions &
Financial statements
2 CLO 2.1 discussion
CLO 2.2
CLO 1.1
Textbook, Chapter 2, 3
CLO 1.2
Questions,
Session Working with Financial CLO 2.1
discussion &
3 Statements CLO 2.2
case study
CLO 3.1
CLO 3.2
4
CLO 1.1
CLO 1.2 Questions,
Session CLO 2.1 Cash
Time value of money & Discounted discussion &
Textbook, chapter 5,6
4 Flow CLO 2.2 case study
CLO 3.1
CLO 3.2
CLO 1.1
Questions,
Session Bond Valuation and CLO 1.2
Textbook, chapter 7,8 discussion &
5 Stock Valuation CLO 2.1
case study
CLO 2.2
CLO 1.1 Questions,
NPV & other
Session CLO 1.2 discussion &
investment criteria Textbook, chapter 9,
6 CLO 2.1 case study
CLO 2.2
CLO 1.1
Some lessons from Questions,
Session CLO 1.2
capital market history Textbook, chapter 12 discussion &
7 CLO 2.1
case study
CLO 2.2
CLO 1.1
Questions,
Session CLO 1.2
Cost of capital Textbook, chapter 14 discussion &
8 CLO 2.1
case study
CLO 2.2
CLO 1.1 Questions,
Session CLO 1.2 Lecturing and discussion &
Review
9 CLO 2.1 Questions case study
CLO 2.2
8.2. Practical hours
Learning and teaching Assessment
Class Topics CLO
activities methods
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Discussion on goals of business
CLO 1.1 Questions &
Week 1 Chapter 1 enterprises and ethical issues in
CLO 1.2 discussion
financial management
5
CLO 1.1
Week CLO 1.2 Questions on relevant concepts
Chapter 2,3 Questions
2,3 CLO 2.1 and applying them
CLO 2.2
CLO 1.1
CLO 1.2 Discussion on the roles of
Questions,
Week 4 CLO 2.1 financial statements and issues
Chapter 5,6 discussion &
&5 CLO 2.2 of preparing financial statements
case study
CLO 3.1 Case study: D’Leon Inc., pt. 1
CLO 3.2
Revision & Mid-term All
Week 6
exam CLOs
CLO 1.1
Discussion on the application of
CLO 1.2
financial statement analysis Questions,
Week 7, CLO 2.1
Chapter 7,8 methods and implications of discussion &
8&9 CLO 2.2 financial ratios case study
CLO 3.1
Case study: D’Leon Inc., pt. 2
CLO 3.2
CLO 1.1
Discussion on the characteristics Questions,
Week 10 CLO 1.2
Chapter 9 of capital raising methods discussion &
& 11 CLO 2.1
Case study given in class case study
CLO 2.2
Review & Mid-term All
Week 12
exam CLOs
CLO 1.1
Questions,
CLO 1.2 Questions on relevant concepts
Week 13 Cost of capital discussion &
CLO 2.1 and applying them
case study
CLO 2.2
Week 14 Presentation CLO 3.1 Presentation and final group
Questions
& 15 Revision CLO 3.2 assigment report
9. COURSE REQUIREMENT & EXPECTATION
Class Participation
Class participation accounts for 10% of the total grade and the points will be based on general class
attendance, contribution in class and compliance with the class rules delineated below. Poor class
6
attendance, little contribution in class or non-compliance with class rules will result in a poor class
participation grade.
Below are class rules:
1. Arrive on time and be seated and ready to begin when the class begins. If you do arrive late
for more than 30 minutes, you will not be counted for that class. Note that this class is
intended for registered students only.
2. Come prepared – read the readings assigned.
3. Turn off cell phones during classes.
4. Do not engage in individual discussions
5. No food in class time
6. Participate by contributing comments and questions during the discussions. The instructor
will call on students during the class if participants do not volunteer.
7. Use common courtesy and polite manners in class.
8. No tolerance for acts of academic dishonesty.
9. Any student who has more than three unexcused absences will be dropped from the course.
Checking for attendance will be conducted in class. If the student cannot attend the
lecture(s) due to unavoidable reasons, the student is required to report the reasons to the
lecturer before class time. Only objective reasons such as business trip, health issues or
serious incidents of family can be accepted, and the student must provide evidence for that
(for example: serious personal illness should be confirmed in document by hospital or
health center). In such case, the student’s score of attendance will not be deducted, however
the student will still be reported as having one (excused) absence. If the student does not
report any acceptable reasons for their absence, the student’s score of attendance will be
deducted for each unexcused absence.
Mid-term tests and final exam
Each mid-term test accounts for 10% of the total grade (thus both tests account for 20%). Both mid-
term tests will be conducted in written form in class. The planned date of each test is mentioned in
the course outline. In case the student cannot show up on the planned date of the test(s) due to
unavoidable reasons, the student must report the reasons to the instructor before such date with
valid evidence. The policy for make-up test of the course follows the guidelines of the program.
The final exam accounts for 50% of the total grade. Time allowed for the final exam is 90 minutes.
Students have permission to take the final exam when they attend at least 80% of the total classes
and complete 2 mid-term exams. Make-up chance for the final exam will not be offered.
The following rules apply to mid-term tests and final exam:
1. Make a notation of the exam dates.
2. Final Exam is an open-book exam, so students can use notes, books or other paper
materials. However, no technology will be allowed during the exam. You must turn off all
cell phones or any other personal technology.
3. If you do not bring an ID to the exam, you will receive a 0 for the exam.
4. No food or drinks will be allowed during an exam.
5. When time is called, stop writing.
6. Please make sure you do not engage in any behavior that may appear to be cheating.
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Group Assignment
Group assignment accounts for 20% of the total grade. The class will be divided into groups of 3-5
members. Groups are expected to do a report and a presentation on a given topic. Detailed
instructions on the content and format of the presentation and report will be provided to the student
by the instructor.
The report needs to be submitted through Turnitin no later than 1 week after the presentation. Late
submission will be penalized 50% per calendar day (not merely per class period) beginning with
the due date. No extensions, no exceptions. It is your responsibility to know the due dates and to
plan accordingly.
Communication:
Studies show that students who engage in one-on-one discussions with the instructor about the
course receive better grades. I, therefore, encourage your discussion with me. You can
communicate during office hours, email or in class discussions. You also are welcome to make
separate appointments. I will be available before and after class, but only for short questions. I also
encourage feedback on the classes, lectures, teaching and reading material. We enhance the class
every semester and your thoughts are valuable in the process.
Intellectual Property:
All materials presented in class lectures including PowerPoint presentations and those materials
given are intellectual property of the instructor unless otherwise copyrighted. Any reproduction or
publication of this material without prior written permission is strictly forbidden.
