FIN 3400 Digital tools and financial analysis
FIN 3400 Digital tools and financial analysis
Finance is relevant for all parts of society. This course provides a first introduction to how individuals, firms and governments are affected by financial topics.
The course emphasizes data and digital tools. It provides an introduction to Excel and the programming tool R. Excel or other spreadsheets are used in most firms and industries, and programming skills are increasingly in demand by the private sector. Basic skills within data collection, analysis and presentation will be developed throughout the course.
Building on data analysis, the course will cover important topics within finance, such as returns and financial markets. Further, the course will touch upon how the UN sustainability goals are relevant from a finance perspective, and investigate topics such as education, gender equality, economic growth and economic inequality.
Throughout the course, the students will learn about basic finance topics such as returns and financial markets.
The students will also learn about how the UN sustainability goals are relevant from a finance perspective. Examples of relevant topics include education, gender equality, economic growth and economic inequality.
During the course, students should become comfortable with collecting and analyzing data in order to answer concrete questions.
Students should master basic use of Excel and R. In Excel, students should be able to use cell references and formulas, perform own calculations and present data visually. In R, students should be able to import data from their own pc or online, process data through commands and present data visually.
Throughout the course, students will develop important basic skills which are in high demand among relevant employers, and which are useful further along in the program. Emphasis will be placed on practical tools and data work. Students will also learn to work together through group assignments.
The course will cover the following topics (not necessarily in the listed order)
- Introduction to Excel
- Introduction to R
- Introduction to financial markets
- Understand and calculate returns
- Key macroeconomic variables
- Relevant aspects of the UN sustainability goals
The course will be taught through lectures and video lectures, using Excel and R. Students will receive case assignments with solutions. These will not be evaluated.
There are two exam components in the course. There is a mandatory home assignment and a mandatory school exam. Detailed information about the grading will be available at the start of the course.
The course uses R, which is a free software (open source). Details regarding instalment will be given at the beginning of the course. In addition to R, the course uses Excel, which all students have access to. Students should within the first two weeks of the semester ensure that they have the skills equivalent to the online intro course, available for free through Portalen.
The course may be taught in Norwegian or English, depending on availability. The course will be taught in Norwegian during the Fall 2023 semester.
Higher Education Entrance Qualification
Disclaimer
Deviations in teaching and exams may occur if external conditions or unforeseen events call for this.
No specific prerequisites required.
| Assessments |
|---|
Exam category: Submission Form of assessment: Written submission Weight: 30 Grouping: Group/Individual (1 - 5) Duration: 3 Week(s) Comment: Assignment 1 Exam code: FIN 34002 Grading scale: ECTS Resit: Examination every semester |
Exam category: Submission Form of assessment: Written submission Invigilation Weight: 70 Grouping: Individual Support materials:
Duration: 2 Hour(s) Comment: Final Exam Exam code: FIN 34003 Grading scale: ECTS Resit: Examination every semester |
All exams must be passed to get a grade in this course.
| Activity | Duration | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Teaching | 30 Hour(s) | |
Digital resources | 15 Hour(s) | |
Seminar groups | 12 Hour(s) | |
Examination | 33 Hour(s) | |
Individual problem solving | 30 Hour(s) | |
Prepare for teaching | 80 Hour(s) |
A course of 1 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of 26-30 hours. Therefore a course of 7,5 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of at least 200 hours.