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BFN209 Management Sciences 3 Units beginner

Introduction To Finance

This course introduces first-year undergraduate students of Banking and Finance to the fundamentals of finance within business organizations. It explores the nature, scope, functions, and risks associated with finance. Students will learn to analyze financial statements, plan for profit, and manage working capital. The course also covers basic business organization forms, sources of finance, and the role of financial managers in decision-making, providing a foundational understanding of finance principles and practices.

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200h
Study Time
13
Weeks
15h
Per Week
basic
Math Level
Course Keywords
FinanceFinancial AnalysisWorking CapitalProfit PlanningRisk Management

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Beginner Level
Perfect for newcomers to the field
35%
beginner
âž•
Math Level
Basic Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Nature and Scope of Finance

2

Functions of Finance

3

Financial Risk Management

4

Financial Statement Analysis

5

Profit Planning and Pricing

6

Working Capital Management

7

Sources of Business Finance

8

Financial Planning and Forecasting

Total Topics8 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-Marked Assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Computer Based Test

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Financial Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Accountant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Financial Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Investment Banker

Apply your skills in this growing field

Credit Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

BankingInvestment ManagementCorporate FinanceInsuranceReal Estate

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1:

5h

Unit 1: Nature of Finance

3 study hours
  • • Read Unit 1: Define finance, its nature, evolution, and fields.
  • • Identify the role of finance in business activities.
  • • Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 1.

Unit 2: Scope of Finance

2 study hours
  • • Read Unit 2: Discuss the scope of finance, internal and external financing.
  • • Explain the financial and real asset markets.
  • • Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 1.
Week
2

Module 1:

5h

Unit 3: Function of Finance

3 study hours
  • • Read Unit 3: Identify the functions of finance: investment, financing, dividend, and liquidity.
  • • Establish effective execution of finance functions.
  • • Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 3.

Unit 4: Risk of Finance

2 study hours
  • • Read Unit 4: Discuss the risks of finance, including physical, technical, economic, and political risks.
  • • Identify how to avoid finance risks.
  • • Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 1.
Week
3

Module 1:

4h

Unit 5: Key Role of Finance

4 study hours
  • • Read Unit 5: Identify the key roles of finance in an enterprise and the duties of a Finance Manager.
  • • Explain the interdependent relationship of finance with other sections of a business organization.
  • • Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 1.
Week
4

Module 2:

5h

Unit 1: Finance Goals and Objectives in a Firm

3 study hours
  • • Read Unit 1: Identify the financial goal of a business firm.
  • • Discuss profit maximization and wealth maximization.
  • • Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 1.

Unit 2: The Role of Financial Managers

2 study hours
  • • Read Unit 2: Explain who a Financial Manager is and identify their role.
  • • Describe Capital Markets.
  • • Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 2.
Week
5

Module 2:

4h

Unit 3: Introduction to Financial Analysis

4 study hours
  • • Read Unit 3: Explain financial statement analysis and its main components.
  • • Discuss financial analysis as a tool for management decisions.
  • • Complete Self Assessment Exercise 1.
Week
6

Module 2:

3h

Unit 4: Profit Planning and Pricing

3 study hours
  • • Read Unit 4: Discuss profit planning and explain pricing strategies.
  • • Understand how management applies these concepts for entrepreneurial growth.
  • • Complete Self Assessment Exercise 1.
Week
7

Module 2:

4h

Unit 5: Introduction to Working Capital Management

4 study hours
  • • Read Unit 5: Explain working capital management and its main components.
  • • Discuss cash management, receivables management, and inventory management.
  • • Complete Self Assessment Exercise 1.
Week
8

Module 3:

5h

Unit 1: Basic forms of business organization

3 study hours
  • • Read Unit 1: List the three basic forms of business organizations.
  • • Identify their features.
  • • Complete Self-assessment exercise.

Unit 2: Sources of Business Finance

2 study hours
  • • Read Unit 2: List and discuss the external sources of finance.
  • • Classify the sources of finance for a firm.
  • • Complete Self-Assessment Exercise.
Week
9

Module 3:

4h

Unit 3: Financial planning and forecasting

4 study hours
  • • Read Unit 3: Define financial planning.
  • • Enumerate and discuss the steps in the forecasting process.
  • • Complete Self-Assessment Exercise.
Week
10

Module 3:

5h

Unit 4: Finance in the Firm's organization structure

3 study hours
  • • Read Unit 4: Define Finance.
  • • Explain the Finance Function.
  • • Complete Self-Assessment Exercise.

Unit 5: Finance and related disciplines

2 study hours
  • • Read Unit 5: Relationship between Finance and other Disciplines.
  • • Complete Self-Assessment Exercise.
Week
11

Module 1:

4h

Unit 1-5: Review of Module 1

4 study hours
  • • Review Module 1: Nature, Scope, Function, Risk, and Key Role of Finance.
  • • Prepare for Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs).
Week
12

Module 2:

4h

Unit 1-5: Review of Module 2

4 study hours
  • • Review Module 2: Finance Goals, Role of Financial Managers, Financial Analysis, Profit Planning, and Working Capital Management.
  • • Work on TMAs and prepare questions for facilitator.
Week
13

Module 3:

4h

Unit 1-5: Review of Module 3

4 study hours
  • • Review Module 3: Business Organizations, Sources of Finance, Financial Planning, and Finance in Organizational Structure.
  • • Finalize TMAs and prepare for final examination.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and Self-Assessment Exercises to reinforce key concepts.

2

Create concept maps linking the functions of finance (investment, financing, dividend, liquidity) from Module 1, Unit 3.

3

Practice financial ratio analysis from Module 2, Unit 3 using sample financial statements.

4

Focus on understanding the differences between profit maximization and wealth maximization from Module 2, Unit 1.

5

Review the different sources of business finance (short-term and long-term) from Module 3, Unit 2 and their implications.

6

Allocate study time proportionally based on the weight of each module in the final examination.