University of Surrey - Guildford
Registry
  
 

  
 
Registry > Module Catalogue
View Module List by A.O.U. and Level  Alphabetical Module Code List  Alphabetical Module Title List  Alphabetical Old Short Name List  View Menu 
2010/1 Module Catalogue
 Module Code: ECOM033 Module Title: THEORY OF FINANCE
Module Provider: Economics Short Name: EC679
Level: M Module Co-ordinator: MANDILARAS A Dr (Economics)
Number of credits: 15 Number of ECTS credits: 7.5
 
Module Availability

Spring

Assessment Pattern
Unit(s) of Assessment

Weighting Towards Module Mark (%)

2 hour Examination

75

Coursework

25


Qualifying Condition(s)
A weighted aggregated mark of 50% is required to pass this module
Module Overview

This module reviews the building blocks of modern finance theory and introduces the workings of financial markets at the graduate level. It begins with an analysis of rrational investor choice under uncertainty, which forms the basis for the theory of asset allocation and pricing of risk in equilibrium. The module next covers the efficient market hypothesis and, finally, encompasses theoretical and applied aspects of the operation of the foreign exchange market, as well as the financial futures and options markets

Prerequisites/Co-requisites

None

Module Aims

The aim of the module is to present the building blocks of modern finance theory and offer relevant application on the operation of financial markets

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module you should be able to

  • Display a sound grasp of the concepts of risk aversion and risk premium
  • Discuss how modern asset pricing theory builds on optimal choice under uncertainty
  • Demonstrate a deep understanding of the pricing methods for risky assets
  • Evaluate the rationale underlying the construction of portfolios
  • Offer a balanced argument on the efficiency of capital markets
  • Exhibit a clear perception of the workings of the foreign exchange and derivatives markets and the pricing of securities traded in them

Transferable Skills

  • Advanced training in the theories underlying modern finance
  • Problem solving

 

Module Content

The following is an indication of the likely topics to be covered: 

  • Absolute and relative risk aversion
  • Optimal choice under uncertainty
  • Portfolio theory
  • The capital asset pricing model
  • Arbitrage pricing
  • The efficient market hypothesis
  • Continuous time stochastic processes and the Black-Scholes option valuation method
  • Forwards and futures contracts
  • Covered and uncovered interest parity and the foreign exchange market

     

     

     

  • Methods of Teaching/Learning

    Lectures (20 hrs)

    Selected Texts/Journals

    Blake,D. (2000), Financial Market Analysis, 2nd edition, Wiley. 
    Copeland T. E., Weston J. F. And Shastri K., (2005), Financial Theory and Corporate Policy, Addison Wesley.
    Eichberger J., and Harper I.R. (1997), Financial Economics, Oxford . 
    Elton E. J. and Gruber M. J. (2003), Modern Portfolio Theory and Investment Analysis, 6th edition, Wiley.
    Hull John C. (2006), Options, Futures, and Other Derivatives, 6th edition, Prentice Hall. 
    Jackson M., and Staunton Mike. (2001), Advanced Modelling in Finance Using Excel and VBA, Wiley.
    Journal articles: 
    1.       Black F, Jensen MC and Scholes M (1972). The Capital Asset Pricing Model: Some Empirical Tests. In Jensen (ed.) Studies in the Theory of Capital Markets, Praeger, pp 79-124. 
    2.       Black F and Scholes M (1973). The Pricing of Options and Corporate Liabilities. Journal of Political Economy, Vol 81, pp 637-659. 
    3.       Fama EF and French K (1992). The Cross-section of Expected Stock Returns. Journal of Finance, 47, pp 427-466. 
    4.       Fama EF and MacBeth JD (1973). Risk, Return, and Equilibrium: Empirical Tests. Journal of Political Economy, May-June, pp 607-636. 
    5.       Friend I and Blume M (1970). Measurement of Portfolio Performance Under Uncertainty. American Economic Review, September, pp 561-575. 
    6.       Lintner J (1965) Security Prices, Risk and Maximal Gains from Diversification. Journal of Finance, Vol 20, pp 587-615. 
    7.       Malkiel BG (2003). The Efficient Market Hypothesis and its Critics. Journal of Economic Perspectives, Vol 17, Number 1, pp 59-82. 
    8.       Pratt JW (1964). Risk Aversion in the Small and in the Large. Econometrica, Vol 32, No 1-2, pp 122-36. 
    9.       Roll R and Ross SA (1980). An Empirical Investigation of the Arbitrage Pricing Theory. Journal of Finance, December, pp 1073-1103. 
    10.   Sharpe W (1964) Capital Asset Prices: A Theory of Market Equilibrium under Conditions of Risk. Journal of Finance, Vol 19, pp 425-442 
    11.    Tobin J (1958). Liquidity Preference as Behaviour Towards Risk. Review of Economic Studies, Vol 25, pp 65-86.

    Last Updated

    28 September 2010