FIN 3400 Digital Tools and Financial Analysis

FIN 3400 Digital Tools and Financial Analysis

Course code: 
FIN 3400
Department: 
Finance
Credits: 
7.5
Course coordinator: 
Ella Getz Wold
Course name in Norwegian: 
Digitale verktøy og finansiell analyse
Product category: 
Bachelor
Portfolio: 
Bachelor of Finance - Programme Courses
Semester: 
2024 Autumn
Active status: 
Active
Level of study: 
Bachelor
Teaching language: 
Norwegian
Course type: 
One semester
Introduction

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.

Learning outcomes - Knowledge

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, environmental considerations, economic growth and economic inequality.

Learning outcomes - Skills

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.

General Competence

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. 

Course content

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
  • UN sustainability goals
Teaching and learning activities

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. 

Software tools
Software defined under the section "Teaching and learning activities".
R
Additional information

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. 

Qualifications

Higher Education Entrance Qualification

Disclaimer

Deviations in teaching and exams may occur if external conditions or unforeseen events call for this.

Required prerequisite knowledge

No specific prerequisites required. 

Assessments
Assessments
Exam category: 
Submission
Form of assessment: 
Submission PDF
Exam/hand-in semester: 
First Semester
Weight: 
30
Grouping: 
Group/Individual (1 - 5)
Duration: 
3 Week(s)
Comment: 
Assignment
Exam code: 
FIN 34002
Grading scale: 
ECTS
Resit: 
Examination every semester
Exam category: 
School Exam
Form of assessment: 
Written School Exam - pen and paper
Exam/hand-in semester: 
First Semester
Weight: 
70
Grouping: 
Individual
Support materials: 
  • BI-approved exam calculator
  • Simple calculator
Duration: 
2 Hour(s)
Comment: 
Final Exam
Exam code: 
FIN 34003
Grading scale: 
ECTS
Resit: 
Examination every semester
Type of Assessment: 
Ordinary examination
All exams must be passed to get a grade in this course.
Total weight: 
100
Student workload
ActivityDurationComment
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)
Sum workload: 
200

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.