Finance 300 at UW-Madison is a foundational course designed to introduce undergraduate students to the core principles of finance. The syllabus, subject to annual updates by the instructor, generally covers a wide range of topics including time value of money, asset valuation, risk and return, capital budgeting, and working capital management. Understanding the syllabus is crucial for success in the course.
Course Objectives
A primary objective is to equip students with the ability to analyze financial statements and interpret financial data. This includes understanding balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements. Students learn to calculate key financial ratios and use them to assess a company’s performance and financial health.
Another important goal is to provide a solid grounding in the concept of the time value of money. Students master techniques for calculating present and future values, annuities, and perpetuities. These skills are essential for valuing investments and making informed financial decisions.
Furthermore, the course aims to develop students’ understanding of risk and return. This includes learning about different types of risk, measuring risk using standard deviation and beta, and understanding the relationship between risk and required rates of return. Concepts like the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) are typically covered.
Key Topics Covered
The syllabus typically outlines the specific topics covered in each week or module. Common topics include:
* Financial Statement Analysis: Analyzing the balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows. Ratio analysis and its application to company performance. * Time Value of Money: Present value, future value, annuities, perpetuities, and loan amortization. * Bond Valuation: Understanding bond features, yield to maturity, and bond price sensitivity to interest rate changes. * Stock Valuation: Dividend discount models, free cash flow models, and relative valuation techniques. * Risk and Return: Measuring risk, portfolio diversification, and the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). * Capital Budgeting: Net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), payback period, and profitability index. * Working Capital Management: Managing current assets and current liabilities, including cash management, inventory management, and accounts receivable management.
Assessment
Grading typically comprises a combination of exams, quizzes, homework assignments, and possibly group projects. Exams are usually a significant portion of the grade and may consist of multiple-choice questions, problem-solving exercises, and short answer questions. Quizzes often assess understanding of recent lecture material. Homework assignments provide opportunities to apply concepts learned in class. Group projects may involve analyzing a company’s financial performance or developing a capital budgeting proposal.
Resources and Policies
The syllabus usually specifies required textbooks, online resources (such as Canvas), and calculator requirements. It also outlines important course policies regarding attendance, late submissions, academic integrity, and accommodations for students with disabilities. Students are responsible for adhering to the academic integrity policies of UW-Madison.
Tips for Success
To succeed in Finance 300, it’s essential to attend all lectures, actively participate in class discussions, and complete all assignments on time. Regularly reviewing lecture notes and working through practice problems is crucial. Utilizing office hours and seeking help from teaching assistants is highly recommended if you encounter difficulties. Understanding the syllabus requirements and deadlines is the first step towards achieving a good grade.
1200×676 uw madison mba program paperless milwaukee business journal from www.bizjournals.com 
1200×1200 uw madison courses grades kaggle from www.kaggle.com 
595×770 study guides math university wisconsin madison uw from oneclass.com