Financial Mathematics I

Subject ACTL20001 (2015)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2015.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 02-Mar-2015 to 31-May-2015
Assessment Period End 26-Jun-2015
Last date to Self-Enrol 13-Mar-2015
Census Date 31-Mar-2015
Last date to Withdraw without fail 08-May-2015


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Two 1-hour lectures and a 1-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment:

Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours.

Prerequisites:

One of:

• a mark of 60 or better in MAST10013 UMEP Mathematics for High Achieving Students or 620-121 Mathematics A (Advanced) (for students who took these subjects in 2007 or earlier);

• an average mark of 60 or better in MAST10008 Accelerated Mathematics 1 and MAST10009 Accelerated Mathematics 2, with a pass in each subject;

• a mark of 75 or better in 620-141 Mathematics A;

• an average mark of 75 or better in MAST10006 Calculus 2 and MAST10007 Linear Algebra;

• a total of 135 or better in MAST10007 Linear Algebra and MAST10009 Accelerated Mathematics 2, with a pass in each subject;

• an average mark of 60 or better in MAST10013 UMEP Mathematics for High Achieving Students and MAST10009 Accelerated Mathematics 2, with a pass in each subject

• a total of 135 or better in MAST10008 Accelerated Mathematics 1 and MAST10006 Calculus 2, with a pass in each subject

Corequisites:

None

Recommended Background Knowledge:

Please refer to Prerequisites and Corequisites.

Non Allowed Subjects:

None

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements for this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Prof Daniel Dufresne

Contact

Email: dusfresne@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

Topics include compound interest functions; valuation of a series of payments, including where the cash flows and/or the force of interest are continuous functions of time; equations of value; financial analysis of loan contracts and investment projects; characteristics of major asset types.

Learning Outcomes:
  • Apply relevant pre-requisite mathematical knowledge in the solution of a range of practical problems;
  • Describe and apply the main methods of finding the accumulation or present value of money under simple and compound interest and discount;
  • Derive and apply formulae to calculate the accumulation or discounted value of a series of payments, including the cases of continuous payments and variable interest rates
  • Analyse and solve equations of value for rates of interest
  • Construct and analyse a loan schedule, including cases when terms of a loan are altered;
  • Show how discounted cashflow techniques can be used in investment project appraisal;
  • Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of real and money interest rates;
  • Explain the key features of the main types of financial assets, including shares, bonds, property and derivatives
Assessment:

A 2-hour end-of-semester examination (70%), two assignments totalling not more than 2000 words (20%), and a 45 minute mid-semester examination (10%). Satisfactory completion of this subject requires a 50% pass in the end of semester examination

Prescribed Texts:

You will be advised of prescribed texts by your lecturer.

Recommended Texts:

Information Not Available

Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • High level of development: written communication; problem solving; application of theory to practice; synthesis of data and other information; use of computer software.

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