Quantitative Analysis of Finance I

Subject ECON90033 (2016)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2016.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 29-Feb-2016 to 29-May-2016
Assessment Period End 24-Jun-2016
Last date to Self-Enrol 11-Mar-2016
Census Date 31-Mar-2016
Last date to Withdraw without fail 06-May-2016

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 25-Jul-2016 to 23-Oct-2016
Assessment Period End 18-Nov-2016
Last date to Self-Enrol 05-Aug-2016
Census Date 31-Aug-2016
Last date to Withdraw without fail 23-Sep-2016


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Three hours per week of lectures and tutorials
Total Time Commitment:

Estimated total time commitment of 120 hours per semester

Prerequisites:

ECON20003 Quantitative Methods 2 or equivalent. This subject is only available to those students who would satisfy the entry requirements for the Graduate Diploma in Finance or the Master of Finance.

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Summer Term, Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Corequisites:

None

Recommended Background Knowledge:

None

Non Allowed Subjects:

None

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Dr Barry Rafferty

Contact

Semester 2
Mr Barry Rafferty Email: barry.rafferty@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This course is concerned with the application of quantitative tools to model, estimate and forecast financial variables. Topics considered include: the analysis of the properties of financial data (such as non-normality and non-stationarity); the application of estimation methods (such as unit roots and cointegration) to test the rational valuation model of share prices; the application of the GARCH class of models to estimate volatility and to test the capital asset pricing model.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

  • Apply quantitative tools to model, estimate and forecast financial variables;
  • Analyse the statistical properties of financial prices and returns;
  • Evaluate models of risk based on the Capital Asset Pricing Model and variants assuming non-normal return processes;
  • Analyse recent advances in unit root and cointegration methods in modeling the term structure of interest rates and asset price bubbles;
  • Describe the strengths and limitations of alternative quantitative methods by reproducing existing results using computer skills and mathematical modeling techniques, in conjunction with a range of financial data sets;
  • Perform sensitivity analyses on proposed models, which should include the application of alternative distributional specifications to model risk.
Assessment:
  • A 1 hour mid-semester examination (due week 7, 15%)
  • One 3000 word group assignment (due in week 9, 25%)
  • A 2 hour examination (end of semester, 60%)
Prescribed Texts:

You will be advised of prescribed texts by your lecturer.

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On successful completion of this subject, students should have improved the following generic skills:

  • Evaluation of ideas, views and evidence
  • Synthesis of ideas, views and evidence
  • Strategic thinking
  • Critical thinking
  • Application of theory to economic policy and business decision making
  • Accessing economic and other information
  • Summary and interpretation of information
  • Application of windows software
  • Using computer programs
  • Statistical reasoning
  • Problem solving skills
  • Collaborative learning and teamwork
  • Negotiation and bargaining
  • Written communication
  • Oral communication
Notes:

This subject is only available to students in the Postgraduate Diploma in Finance or the first year of the Master of Finance.

Related Course(s): Graduate Diploma in Finance
Master of Finance

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