FIN 3521 Corporate Finance

FIN 3521 Corporate Finance

Course code: 
FIN 3521
Department: 
Finance
Credits: 
7.5
Course coordinator: 
Olav Syrstad
Course name in Norwegian: 
Finansiering av bedrifter
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

Corporate Finance studies how companies are financed through debt and equity. The financing decisions, also known as capital structure, can impact the company’s value and the assessment of new investments. The course addresses these essential questions.

The course bridges theory and practice by solving realistic problems using Excel. Students gain practical experience with this valuable tool while deepening their understanding of the subject matter.

Learning outcomes - Knowledge

By the end of the course, students shall:

  • Appreciate the importance of capital structure: the importance of capital structure for risk; important characteristics of debt and equity; and the decision to pay dividends to the owners.
  • The importance of financial markets for the firm's capital structure decisions, including that capital structure does not actually affect the valuation of the firm in perfect markets. The company must also deal with the fact that financial markets are so-called information efficient in equilibrium.
  • The importance of taxes for business decisions.
  • Companies' risk management and use of available tools, also in an international context.
Learning outcomes - Skills

After completing the course, students are expected to be able to:

  • Valuation of the company, both with and without debt, using Excel.
  • Practical risk management
  • Relevant calculations for mergers and acquisitions (Mergers & Acquisitions)
General Competence

The course focuses on firms' financing decisions in competitive capital markets. The student must therefore be able to explain the significance of such decisions for the owners, lenders and the economy in general, and in a general sense how companies must be expected to operate in order to contribute positively to social development.

Course content
  • Capital structure: Advantages and disadvantages of debt financing
  • Valuation of companies under different capital structure and rules of taxation
  • Dividend policy under different rules for taxation
  • The motives behind business mergers (mergers) and acquisitions
  • Risk management when using financial derivative contracts
Teaching and learning activities

The course consists of 15 two-hour lectures, including assignments. The lectures are supported by videos and other asynchronous material.

During the course, several assignments and tutorials are planned, including 3 tests with follow-up from student assistants.

There is extensive use of Excel in the course. The course studies a case that requires a solution in Excel. Students are therefore strongly encouraged to complete the online course in Excel before this course starts.

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

BØK 3423 Finance or equivalent.

Assessments
Assessments
Exam category: 
School Exam
Form of assessment: 
Written School Exam - pen and paper
Exam/hand-in semester: 
First Semester
Weight: 
100
Grouping: 
Individual
Support materials: 
  • BI-approved exam calculator
  • Simple calculator
  • Bilingual dictionary
Duration: 
3 Hour(s)
Exam code: 
FIN35211
Grading scale: 
ECTS
Resit: 
Examination every semester
Type of Assessment: 
Ordinary examination
Total weight: 
100
Student workload
ActivityDurationComment
Teaching
30 Hour(s)
Feedback activities and counselling
6 Hour(s)
Prepare for teaching
70 Hour(s)
Digital resources
15 Hour(s)
Student's own work with learning resources
29 Hour(s)
Individual problem solving
20 Hour(s)
Examination
30 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.