THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2024/2025

Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change.

University Homepage
DRPS Homepage
DRPS Search
DRPS Contact
DRPS : Course Catalogue : Business School : Common Courses (Management School)

Postgraduate Course: Financial Markets and Investment (CMSE11407)

Course Outline
SchoolBusiness School CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryThe course provides an introduction to the structure and functioning of equity, bond markets and derivative markets. It also focuses on specific topics that include: modern portfolio theory, asset pricing factor models, behavioural finance, fixed income valuation, the term structure of interest rates and risk management using derivative securities.
Course description Students are expected to get acquainted with the structure of equity, bond and derivative markets and the main instruments traded in these markets. This will be achieved by a mix of lectures on the related theory and discussion of published research in the area.

Outline Content

Portfolio Management: Mutual Funds & Hedge Funds
Fixed Income Markets
Portfolio Optimisation
Asset Pricing Factor Models
The Efficient Markets Hypothesis
Behavioural Finance
Introduction to Derivatives
The Financial Crisis

Student Learning Experience

The lecture programme is designed to introduce students to key financial markets and methods used to make portfolio investment decisions in these markets. The key information and concepts are presented in both lectures and tutorials, and both use simple numerical examples to promote understanding. The empirical literature related to the various topics will be employed to enhance the practicality of the subject matter. There will be time for questions and discussion in class.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2024/25, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Lecture Hours 15, Summative Assessment Hours 1, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 82 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 100 %, Coursework 0 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) 100% Written Exam (Individual) - Assesses all course Learning Outcomes
Feedback Formative: Feedback will be provided throughout the course.

Summative: Feedback will be provided on the assessment within agreed deadlines.
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)Financial Markets and Investment (CMSE11407)2:120
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Understand and critically discuss the role of the financial system in an economy.
  2. Understand and critically discuss how markets for equities, bonds and derivatives function and how these instruments are traded.
  3. Understand and critically discuss the role of capital markets in raising finance for firms and the role of derivative markets in risk management.
  4. Critically evaluate issues related to portfolio construction, valuation and risk management.
  5. Analyse and critically evaluate the empirical literature relating to topics covered on the course.
Reading List
Investments by Bodie, Z., Kane, E., and Marcus, A.J., Eleventh Edition
ISBN: 978-1-260-08339-2
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Communication, ICT, and Numeracy Skills

After completing this course, students should be able to:

Critically evaluate and present digital and other sources, research methods, data and information; discern their limitations, accuracy, validity, reliability and suitability; and apply responsibly in a wide variety of organisational contexts.
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Ronan Gallagher
Tel: (0131 6)50 8075
Email: Ronan.Gallagher@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Tamara Turford
Tel: (0131 6)50 8074
Email: Tamara.Turford@ed.ac.uk
Navigation
Help & Information
Home
Introduction
Glossary
Search DPTs and Courses
Regulations
Regulations
Degree Programmes
Introduction
Browse DPTs
Courses
Introduction
Humanities and Social Science
Science and Engineering
Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Other Information
Combined Course Timetable
Prospectuses
Important Information