BRC2062 Intro to Financial Markets & Money
Course Description:
This course examines the characteristics of money, monetary policy, and the Federal Reserve System. Students will further examine the saving and investment process, interest rates, and securities markets.
Required Textbook(s):Introduction to Finance 15th editionRobert W. Melicher and Edgar A. Norton.
Calculator:
I recommend that you use MS. Excel for all your computations and homework submissions. I would like to see your work so I can help you understand the subject material better.
A financial calculator is required for this course (if you don’t use Excel). Because of its built-in “pre-programming” many of the more complex and time-consuming computations may be simplified. The calculator must be capable of performing time value of money (TVM), cash flow valuations, IRR, YTM, exponentials, standard deviations, and bond valuations. The Texas Instruments Business Analyst-II+ (not the BA-II+ Professional) is recommended. It costs about $30.Both in-class and text references are limited to this calculator.
Students using other than the Texas Instruments BA-II+ calculator are personably responsible for knowing how it is to be used.
Hardware and Software Requirements: Students should have regular access to a computer that is connected to the Internet.It is strongly recommended that students havea broadband (high-speed) internet connection such asDSL or a cable modem. When taking on-line quizzes and exams (or viewing on-line video), students should have an internet connection that is stable and will not drop their connection.
About the Instructor:
Jacques Hakim, MBA
Email Address:
Virtual Office Hours:
The best way to reach me is via email. I will keep extensive virtual office hours and am generally available via email seven days a week. Typically, I also check emails several times over theweekend. If you want to set up a phone discussion please email me with some available timesand we will set it up. I will do whatever it takes to make sure you have good comprehension ofclass material. Please do not hesitate to reach out and ask for additional help.
Time Commitment:
This is a 3-credit course conducted over 8 weeks.In order to meet accreditation standards, on average, students should to expect to spend between 12-15 hours per week on course activities and assignments.Spending less time would be insufficient for success in this course.
Academic Honesty:
Academic honesty and plagiarism falls under theAcademic Honesty Policyof the college.
Within the College of Technology & Management there is a zero tolerance for any violation of the St. Petersburg College Academic Honesty Policy. Any student violating this Academic Honesty Policy should expect to receive an immediate grade of “F” for the course. Students further need to recognize the zero tolerance nature of this policy – there will be no warnings or second chances.
Academic integrity is submitting one’s own work and properly acknowledging the contributions of others. Any violation of this principle constitutes academic dishonesty and is liable to result in a failing grade and disciplinary action. Forms of academic dishonesty include:
Plagiarism – submitting all or part of another’s work as one’s own.
Cheating – using, or attempting to use, unauthorized materials on an examination or assignment.
Facilitating – helping another commit an act of academic dishonesty. (source: Franklin University)
Academic dishonesty is inexcusable and students should not embarrass themselves, or jeopardize their careers, by misrepresenting the work of others as their own.
Dropping the Course:
Students may drop a course through the registration process and may receive a refund during the first week of classes. After the first week students need to notify the instructor and then withdraw from the course.
Please note that it is solely the student’s responsibility to drop classes in a timely manner in order to qualify for any tuition refund. It is also solely the student’s responsibility to complete a withdrawal within the published deadlines. Notifying the course instructor of an intent to drop or withdraw is insufficient. Only the student, not the instructors, may perform a drop or withdrawal.
Course Assignments and Activities
Assignments in this course consist of:
1.Written & reading homework assignments
2.A MID-TERM EXAM
3.A FINAL EXAM
Week / Class Topics / Assignments / Due1 / LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Chapters 1 and 2
- Six Principles of Finance
- Overview of the Financial System
- US Money Supply
- Policy Implications
- International Monetary System
9PM
2 / LEARNING OBJECTIVES - Chapters 3, 5 and 7
- Types and Roles of Financial Intermediaries
- Overview of the Banking System
- Regulation of the Banking System
- Structure of Banks
- The Federal Reserve System
- Monetary Policy
- Foreign Central Banks
- Economic Policy Objectives
- GDP
- Savings
- Financial Instruments
3 / LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Chapter 8
- Loan Supply and Demand
- Risk Free Securities
- Interest Rate Term Structures
- Inflation Premiums
- Compounding Interest
- Present and Future Values
- Annuity Values
- Cost of Consumer Credit
Homework to be submitted to dropbox / 01/29 at 9 PM
4 / Test #1 Taken Online / TEST #1 / 02/05 at 9 PM
5 / LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Chapter 12
- Historical Risk and Return on Single Financial Asset
- Where Does Risk Come From?
- Expected Measures of Return and Risk
- Portfolio Returns and Risk
6 / LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Chapter 10
- Debt Financing
- Bond Valuation
- Advantages to Investing in Stocks
- Corporate Equity Capital
- Dividends and Stock Repurchases
- Stock Valuation
7 / LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Chapter 11
- Primary Securities Market
- Secondary Securities Market
- Market Indexes
- Changes in Stock Market Structure
- Why Invest?
- Efficient Capital Markets
- Portfolio Management
- Investment Strategies
8 / Test #2Taken Online / TEST #2 / 02/28 at 9 PM
Assessment Grading Guidelines
Grade Meaning Guidelines
Letter Grade “A” Superior Academic Work
Significant evidence of:
Superior innovation and synthesis of thought
Superior application of concepts & theories
Insightful, logical reasoning
Mastery of the conventions of standard written &
spoken English, including citation conventions
Letter Grade “B” Good Academic Work
Solid evidence of:
Innovation and synthesis of thought
Application of concepts & theories
Sound, logical reasoning
Mastery of the conventions of standard written &
spoken English, including citation conventions
Letter Grade “C” Adequate Academic Work
Minimal evidence of:
Synthesis of thought
Application of concepts & theories
Sound, logical reasoning
Application of the conventions of standard written
& spoken English, including citation conventions
Letter Grade “D” Marginal Academic Work
Some limited evidence of:
Synthesis of thought
A limited application of concepts & theories
Limited or flawed reasoning
Limited application of the conventions of standard
written & spoken English, including citation
conventions
Letter Grade “F” Unacceptable
Academic Work
Learning outcomes were not met
(Source: Franklin University)
Grading Policy:
Homework assignments150 Points (25 Points each)
Mid-Term Exam100 Points
Final Exam 100 Points
Class participation 50 Points
400 Points Total
Final Letter Grade for this Class:
Total Points available = 400
Letter grades will be assigned as follows:
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = 59% and below
From Student and Educational Services-Students with Disabilities If you wish to receive special accommodations as a student with a documented disability, please make an appointment with the Learning Specialist on the Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, or St. Petersburg sites. If you have a documented hearing loss, please contact the Program for the Deaf at 791-2628.