FIN 301 Corporation Finance (3): Nature of finance function; risk and return concepts; working capital; dividend policies; mergers; security markets; acquisition and management of corporate capital; analysis of operations; forecasting capital requirements; raising capital; and planning profits. May not be used to satisfy Smeal College baccalaureate degree requirements. Not available to students who have completed B A 301. Prerequisites: ACCTG 211; ECON 004; MGMT 301; SCM 200 or STAT 200
Course Description
This course focuses on managing the finances of a corporation. This course facilitates the understanding of the manner in which the management evaluates the available investment opportunities and financing such investments. The creation of value for shareholders by virtue of financial decision-making process is stressed in this course. The course, thus, provides an analytical framework in which the “intrinsic value” of the corporation and of the different instruments issued by the corporation is determined. A lot of material will be covered in this course, including but not limited to, cash flow analysis, ratio analysis, time value of money, risk and return, stock valuation, bond valuation, capital budgeting, dividend policy, capital structure and mergers and acquisitions.
Most, if not all of you, must be wondering about the direction of the stock market, bond market, housing market, and the U.S. dollar. There would be ample opportunities in this class to discuss these topics in an analytical framework. In the real world of decision-making there may not be yes/no answers – rather the answers may depend on contingencies. Hence, class participation is essential in this class. The relevant current topics and controversies will be discussed. Hence, you are required to read some business magazines, newspapers or business news websites to keep yourself updated about the current events in the business world and relate theory to practice. Some of the recommended websites are:
http://www.marketwatch.com/
http://www.businessweek.com/
http://online.wsj.com/home-page
http://finance.yahoo.com/
Learning Objectives
The primary goal of this course is to provide you with a basic understanding and framework of how firms acquire, allocate, and control their financial resources to maximize shareholder value. Upon successful completion of this course you should be able to:
- Interpret the financial position of a company through financial statement analysis
- Analyze investment opportunities using concepts such as time value of money and risk and return metrics
- Apply stock and bond valuation methods
- Evaluate different investment opportunities using capital budgeting techniques
- Explain how a firm determines the composition of its finances
- Evaluate different financial management problems given various sets of circumstances
Required Course Materials
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.
Library Resources
Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can
- access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
- borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
- get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
- much more.
You can view the Online Students' Library Guide for more information.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and services. Once you have a Penn State account, you will automatically be registered with the library within 24–48 hours. If you would like to determine whether your registration has been completed, visit the Libraries home page and select My Account.
Technical Specifications
| Operating System | Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8*; Mac OS X 10.5 or higher *Windows 8 support excludes the tablet only RT version |
|---|---|
| Processor | 2 GHz or higher |
| Memory | 1 GB of RAM |
| Hard Drive Space | 20 GB free disk space |
| Browser | We recommend the latest ANGEL-supported version of Firefox or
Internet Explorer. To determine if your browser fits this criterion,
and for advice on downloading a supported version,
please refer to the following ITS knowledge base article: Supported Browsers and Recommended Computers.
Note: Cookies, Java, and JavaScript must be enabled. Pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. Due to nonstandard handling of CSS, JavaScript and caching, older versions of Internet Explorer (such as IE 6 or earlier) do not work with our courses. |
| Plug-ins | Adobe Reader [Download from Adobe]
Flash Player (v7.0 or later) [Download from Adobe] |
| Additional Software | Microsoft Office (2007 or later) |
| Internet Connection | Broadband (cable or DSL) connection required |
| Printer | Access to graphics-capable printer |
| DVD-ROM | Required |
| Sound Card, Microphone, and Speakers | Required |
| Monitor | Capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk.
For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services!
Arranging a Proctor
- Contact a person who meets the qualifications and ask him or her to proctor your exam.
- Student Services must approve your proctor before any exams can be taken. Please see instructions for securing a suitable proctor. While many proctors will serve on a voluntary basis, you are responsible for paying any expenses incurred in retaining a proctor.
- You must submit your proctor for approval or schedule your exams at a testing center using our online proctored exam portal. You will need to enter your proctor's contact information and submit proctor verification documentation. If you have any questions about using the procted exam portal, please visit the how-to guide. Note: If your proctor has been previously approved by the World Campus during a prior course within two years, you do not need to obtain verification. World Campus retains proctor information on file for two years.
- If your proctor does not meet the required specifications, Student Services will notify you within 5 to 7 business days.
- Students registered with Student Disability Resources who are receiving exam accommodations are responsible for providing their letter of accommodation to both faculty/instructors and exam proctors prior to scheduling exams.
- If you are a graduating senior requesting a final exam, please see additional information about early deadlines for course completion and exam scheduling.
- Contact Student Services if you cannot take a scheduled exam.
- Unless you have received permission to take your exam at an alternative time, your proctor will only allow you to take the exam during dates specified in your course.
Projects
This project is to be completed by a team of four students. Each team must let me know the stock details by the 1st day of the 2nd week of classes via e-mail. Each student must select two stocks. Each team has to select eight stocks as per the following criterion:
- The first letter of the stock ticker must match the first letter of the student’s last name.
Grades
Assessment |
Points | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-Term Exam | 100 Points | 20% |
| Final Exam (comprehensive) | 100 Points | 20% |
| Assignments (including online quizzes | 150 Points | 30% |
| Project | 50 Points | 10% |
| Total | 500 Points | 100% |
Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Undergraduate Courses for additional information about University grading policies.
If you are prevented from completing this course for reasons beyond your control, you have the option of requesting a deferred grade from your instructor. For more information, please see "Deferred Grades" on the World Campus Student Policies Web site.
Course Schedule
The schedule below outlines the topics we will be covering in this course, along with the associated time frames and assignments. Note that assignments are due based on the Eastern Standard Time (EST). This ensures that all students have the same deadlines regardless of where they live.
All assignments are due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) on Sunday of the week assigned unless otherwise stated.
Note: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please refer to Graduation at the Chaiken Center for Student Success.
| Week 7 | |
| Mid-Course Exam | |
Readings: |
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Assignments: |
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| Week 13 | |
| Final Exam | |
Readings: |
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Assignments: |
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Formal instruction will end on the last day of class. Provided that you have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password, you will continue to be able to access the course materials for one year, starting from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered (with the exception of library reserves and other external resources that may have a shorter archival period). After one year, you might be able to access the course based on the policies of the program or department offering the course material, up to a maximum of three years from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered. For more information, please review the University Course Archival Policy.
Academic Integrity
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity (for undergraduate students in undergraduate courses) and policy GCAC-805 Academic Integrity (for graduate students and undergraduate students in graduate courses), an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity or GCAC-805 Academic Integrity as appropriate). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean’s List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
World Campus students are expected to act with civility and personal
integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and property; and help
create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the
fruits of their own efforts. An environment of academic integrity is
requisite to respect for oneself and others, as well as a civil community.
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, procedures allow a student to accept or contest/appeal the allegation. If a student chooses to contest/appeal the allegation, the case will then be managed by the respective school, college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. Review procedures may vary by college, campus, or school, but all follow the aforementioned policies.
All academic integrity violations are referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response, which may assign an educational intervention and/or apply a Formal Warning, Conduct Probation, Suspension, or Expulsion.
Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us by going to the Contacts & Help page.
Accomodating Disabilities
Additional Policies
For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.
Disclaimer: Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus are subject to change, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Your instructor will notify you of any changes.