25924 Advanced Topics in Finance

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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Business: Finance
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This subject covers academic and industry research in various subfields of finance. It aims to consolidate and further develop students' ability to formulate research issues, carry out research analysis, and elaborate research implications. It expands research training for students to understand and critique contemporary issues in financial markets and industries.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1.	Identify and discuss key research issues and methods associated with different topics
2.	Explain research findings and practical implications
3.	Critique the empirical methodology and assess the quality of empirical findings
4.	Synthesize academic and industry evidence to support a critique or a research topic

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

The subject provides students to contemporary issues in financial research. It contributes particularly to the development of the following graduate attributes:

Intellectual rigour and innovative problem solving
Communication and collaboration
Professional and technical competence

This subject also contributes specifically to develop the following Program Learning Objectives:

Apply critical thinking and analytical skills in the process of completing a research project (1.1)
Communicate research and its potential impacts effectively to a range of audiences (2.1)
Apply the appropriate research method and analytical tools in addressing discipline specific problems (4.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

Students will have pre-readings to complete before in class lectures/seminars and discussions. Weekly lectures are supplemented by guest lectures by industry experts.

Content (topics)

Contemporary research issues in four of the following advanced finance topics: credit risk and financial institution management, corporate finance and governance, banking, sustainable finance, asset pricing, and risk management

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Research proposals (Individual)

Objective(s):	This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4
Weight:	40%
Length:	Each proposal in Advanced Topics subject should be up to 3 pages (1.5 spacing, font size 11) excluding references. The page limit can be relaxed with the explicit permission from the lecturer.
Criteria:	Demonstrate an understanding of key research issues and methods Ability to identify new research questions and practical implications Evidence of critical analysis of the empirical methodology used Discussion of academic and industry evidence to support a critique or a research topic

Assessment task 2: Empirical Exercises (Individual)

Objective(s):	This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4
Weight:	40%
Length:	Specific instructions will be provided
Criteria:	Quality of data preparation and the appropriate use of any data cleaning or preprocessing techniques. The appropriateness of methods and financial models used. The effectiveness in communicating results. Overall creativity and innovation in the approach and the analysis.

Assessment task 3: Empirical Exercises (Group)

Objective(s):	This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4
Weight:	20%
Length:	Specific instructions will be provided
Criteria:	Demonstrate understanding of key research issues and methods Evidence of critical analysis of the empirical methodology used and ability to identify areas for improvement Successful replication of the original study's results and any new insights or extended analysis that the group carried out. Collaboration and participation of each group member and the effort put in to ensure the progress of the project.

Minimum requirements

Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total marks.