The University of Akron
College of Business Administration
Department of Finance
Business Finance
6400:371 Business Finance Dr. David R. Durst
Summer 2003 Telephone: 972-6332
Office: CBA 227
Office Hours: Before/after class and by appointment
The Course:
-
Business Finance. A basic course dealing with the problems of the business
firm from the financial manager's point of view. Topics include planning
and managing the sources and uses of short-term and long-term funds, capital
budgeting, and optimum financial structure.
Textbooks: (The Study Guide
is optional; the rest are required)
-
1) Gitman and Madura, Introduction to Finance, Addison- Wesley, 2001
-
2) Wall Street Journal (Available at student rate and includes online
version)
-
3) A financial calculator discussed below.
Grading Scale:
| A |
90 - 100 % |
| B |
80 - 89 % |
| C |
70 - 79 % |
| D |
65 - 69 % |
| F |
below 65 % |
Grade Breakdown:
| Mid-term |
30% |
| Final Exam |
35% |
| Written Assignments., class attendance & participation |
25% |
| Investment Game Reports |
10% |
|
100% |
-
The plus-minus system will be used for final grades. Final grades are determined
on a "total points" basis.
Exams:
-
The exams will include objective (true & false) questions, problems,
and essay questions. Make-up exams are not generally permitted, except
for pre-arrangements before an exam is given.
Written Assignments:
-
Assigned questions and problems and various handout problems and library
assignments are to be written up outside the classroom prior to the class
session. Such materials will be discussed in class and collected at the
end of the period. Only partial credit is given for work turned in after
the class period or work completed during class time. Attendance is important;
your participation is more important
Withdrawal from Class:
-
Students may withdraw from class without penalty through the first half
of the term. No withdrawals will be approved after the 3rd week of the
term. Any withdrawals must be processed immediately in Spicer Hall.
See the University Bulletin for specific dates.
Prerequisites:
Calculators:
-
Every student should have a business (present value) calculator for daily
assignments and exams. No compound interest tables are used on exams. Students
should quickly develop adequate proficiency with their calculator through
daily use to prepare for exams. While there are many acceptable calculators
on the market, the Sharp EL 733 and HP 10-B II, are recommended.
Assignments:
-
An assignment sheet will be distributed daily. Make sure you have signed
the tablet and recorded the assignment daily.
Attendance:
-
Better course grades are correlated to class attendance, class involvement
and daily preparation for class.
Investment Game:
Each
student has $100,000 to invest in five to eight common stocks listed on
the
New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock
Exchange. The first week we select the
stock, make the shadow investment and follow the performance
of your portfolio for the
term. A report of your investment experience and performance is due
at the end of the
term
[Investment
Game] [Durst's Homepage]
Email at: drd@uakron.edu
Last Updated on: December 4, 2002.