FIT3051 Decision support systems for finance - Semester 2, 2010

Lecturer and Tutor: vincent.cs.lee@monash.edu.

Tutor : yun.chang@monash.edu

Prohibitions

Teaching approach

Lectures and tutorials (hands on)

Timetable information

For information on timetabling for on-campus classes please refer to MUTTS, http://mutts.monash.edu.au/MUTTS/

Tutorial allocation

On-campus students should register for tutorials/laboratories using the Allocate+ system: http://allocate.its.monash.edu.au/

Unit Schedule

*Please note that these dates may only apply to Australian campuses of Monash University. Off-shore students need to check the dates with their unit leader.

Improvements to this unit

Some modifications on assessment criteria. There are two assignments - one individual assignment and one group assignment, and no class test.

Prescribed text(s) and readings

Bringham E F & Ehrhardt M C (2008), "Finance Management" (12th edition), ISBN-13:978-0-324-42269-6, Thomson South-western.

Text books are available from the Monash University Book Shops. Availability from other suppliers cannot be assured. The Bookshop orders texts in specifically for this unit. You are advised to purchase your text book early.

Lectuer's issued notes and published articles.

Recommended text(s) and readings

Laboratory reference:

Charnes, J (2007),Financial modelling with crystal Ball and Excel+Companion web site , ISB 13: 978-0-471-77972-8, John Wiley

Required software and/or hardware

Excel spread sheet  and Crystal Ball software, Expert Choice, or Matlab, or JAVA (JADE)

Equipment and consumables required or provided

Students studying off-campus are required to have the minimum system configuration specified by the Faculty as a condition of accepting admission, and regular Internet access. On-campus students, and those studying at supported study locations may use the facilities available in the computing labs. Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook. You will need to allocate time per week for use of a computer, including time for newsgroups/discussion groups.

Study resources

Study resources we will provide for your study are:

Overview

Faculty assessment policy

To pass a unit which includes an examination as part of the assessment a student must obtain:

• 40% or more in the unit's examination, and
• 40% or more in the unit's total non-examination assessment, and
• an overall unit mark of 50% or more.

If a student does not achieve 40% or more in the unit examination or the unit non-examination total assessment, and the total mark for the unit is greater than 50% then a mark of no greater than 49-N will be recorded for the unit.

One individual assignment  (15%)

One group assignment (20%)

Tute/lab participation (5%)

Final closed book written examination  (60%) - Multiple choice questions plus short/long answers

Assignment tasks

Assignment coversheets

Assignment coversheets are available via "Student Forms" on the Faculty website: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/
You MUST submit a completed coversheet with all assignments, ensuring that the plagiarism declaration section is signed.

Assignment submission and return procedures, and assessment criteria will be specified with each assignment.

Assignment submission and preparation requirements will be detailed in each assignment specification. Submission must be made by the due date otherwise penalties will be enforced. You must negotiate any extensions formally with your campus unit leader via the in-semester special consideration process: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/equity/special-consideration.html.

• Assignment task 1

  Title:

  Financial statement analysis

  Description:

  A set of computational and discussion questions on topics 1 to 4.

  Weighting:

  15%

  Criteria for assessment:

  This individual assignment will be based on computational questions using financial ratios and associated company specific factors. Criteria to be used are:

  1. Correctness and understanding - there may be more than one "right" answer in many cases. We will look for answers that reflect understanding of the underlying principles and theories.
  2. Completeness - that you have answered all parts of each question. Presentation - that you have presented your answers in a suitably formatted report style.
  3. Use of evidence and argument - you are able to explain your position by using logical argument drawing on the theory presented in the unit.

  Due date:

  Thursday, 4:00 pm on 12 Aug 10

• Assignment task 2

  Title:

  Analytic Hierarchical Process

  Description:

  A specific case on investment portfolio setup using behavioural psycology and economic fundamentals criteria and implemented on AHP with the help of Expert Choice software tool.
  
  Students are to work in group of 2 to 4. A final group report of 3000 words (excluding graphs and tables) is to be submitted by the set deadline. Each student must contribute at least 1000 words in the report writeup.

  Weighting:

  20%

  Criteria for assessment:

  1) Investment portfolio formulation methods (30%)

  2) Solution to investment portfolio to obtain optimum asset class allocation (30%)

  3) Discussion with interpretation of results and their implications (30%)

  4) Conclusion and recommendation of issues for further investigations.(10%)

  The report will be graded according to the following criteria:

  1. All programs codes used to implement AHP must compile and run correctly to meet the problem specification.
  2. Correctness in the interpretation of results must be reported concisely.
  3. Recommendations made for investment decision taking must be theoretically justified and intuitively correct.

  Due date:

  4:00 pm Thursday 14 October 2010

• Assignment task 3

  Title:

  Tutorial/laboratory attendance and participation

  Description:

  Students are to attend all tutorial/practical classes in order to meet unit group assessment objectives, where students will engage in active group participation. Tutor in charge will take attendance and monitor participation of activities. [50% of 5% (2.5%) for inactive attendee]. Another 50% of 5% (2.5%) for participation of activity. Faculty of IT 40% of hurdle rate for nonexamination assessment applies

  Weighting:

  5%

  Criteria for assessment:

  [50% of 5% (2.5%) for inactive attendee]. Another 50% of 5% (2.5%) for participation of activity. Faculty of IT 40% of hurdle rate for nonexamination assessment applies

  Due date:

  At the end of each tute/lab class

Examination

• Weighting:

  60 %

  Length:

  2 hours

  Type (open/closed book):

  Closed book

  Electronic devices allowed in the exam:

  None

  Remarks:

  Multiple choice questions; and short/long answer discussion types of questions.
  
  All formulae except definition of terms and ratios will be given. Students may use financial calculator or programmable scientific calculator during examination.

Due dates and extensions

Please make every effort to submit work by the due dates. It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are not regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions. Students are advised to NOT assume that granting of an extension is a matter of course.

Students requesting an extension for any assessment during semester (eg. Assignments, tests or presentations) are required to submit a Special Consideration application form (in-semester exam/assessment task), along with original copies of supporting documentation, directly to their lecturer within two working days before the assessment submission deadline. Lecturers will provide specific outcomes directly to students via email within 2 working days. The lecturer reserves the right to refuse late applications.

A copy of the email or other written communication of an extension must be attached to the assignment submission.

Refer to the Faculty Special consideration webpage or further details and to access application forms: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/equity/special-consideration.html

Late assignment

 Unless written approval is given by the lecturer, assignments received later than one working day after the due date will not be accepted and graded.

Return dates

Students can expect assignments to be returned within two weeks of the submission date or after receipt, whichever is later.

Feedback

Types of feedback you can expect to receive in this unit are:

Informal feedback on progress in labs/tutes

Graded assignments with comments

Test results and feedback