CORPFIN 2505MELB - Alternative Investments
Melbourne Campus - Semester 2 - 2024
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code CORPFIN 2505MELB Course Alternative Investments Coordinating Unit Finance and Banking Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s Melbourne Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 3 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Prerequisites CORPFIN 1002 or (CORPFIN 1002UACA and CORPFIN 1002UACB) Corequisites CORPFIN 2502 Incompatible CORPFIN 3504 Restrictions Available only to University of Adelaide College Melbourne Campus students Assessment exam/assignments/tests/tutorial work as prescribed at first lecture. Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Xiaopeng Wei
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
1 Determine the different types of alternative investments 2 Learn to identify what the return-risk characteristics of alternative investments are 3 Measure the market value and associated risk-return characteristics of various alternative investments 4 Identify the advantages and disadvantages of including alternative investments in a portfolio that includes traditional asset classes University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1-4 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
2, 3 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
4 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
3, 4 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
. Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.
. Attribute 7: Digital capabilities
Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.
3, 4 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
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Learning Resources
Required Resources
The textbook for this subject is:
Chambers, D.R., Black, K.H., Lacey, N.J., Alternative Investments: A Primer for Investment Professionals, CAIA Association, 2018
The textbook is downloadable for free from: https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/research/foundation/2018/alternative-investments-a-primer-for-investment-professionals -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course will be delivered via a 2-hour weekly lecture and a 1-hour weekly tutorial.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
The University expects full-time students (i.e. those taking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies. This means that you are expected to commit approximately 10 hours of private study outside of your regular classes. Students in this course are expected to attend all seminars throughout the semester.Learning Activities Summary
Lecture Schedule
Weeks Topic Name Readings Week 1 Types of Alternative Investments and Their Characteristics Chapter 1 Week 2 Real Estate Chapter 8 Week 3 Private Equity Chapter 9 Week 4 Introduction to Real Assets Chapter 6 Week 5 Real Assets (Focusing on Commodities) Chapter 7 Week 6 Collectibles Selected Readings Week 7 Hedge Funds Chapters 3, 4 and 5 Week 8 Collateralized Debt Obligations Chapter 11 Week 9 Investment Process, Operations and Due Diligence Chapter 13 Week 10 The case for investing in alternatives Chapter 17 Week 11 Review -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment Weighting Topics Covered Learning Outcomes Online Test 1 (Week 5) 20% 1 - 4
1, 2, 3 Online Test 2 (Week 10 30% 5 - 8 3, 4 Final Exam 50% All 1, 2, 3, 4 Total 100% Assessment Detail
Assessment Detail:
1. Online Tests (Test 1 worth 20% and Test 2 worth 30%)
Students will sit for online tests in week 5 and week 10 of the semester. These tests will be open-book, consisting of short answer questions (both qualitative and quantitative). Further details about the tests will be announced during the lectures.
2. Final Exam (Worth 50%)
A final exam, worth 50%, will be held in the end-of-semester examination period. Further details on the examinable material, will be announced during the lectures.Submission
Submission
Please submit assignments through MyUni. Further details on assignment submission will be announced at the start of semester.
Assignment Guidelines for Referencing
Referencing is critical to any assignment or report. Correct referencing is important because it identifies the source of the ideas and arguments that you present and helps to avoid the problem of plagiarism. Please make use of The Accounting Review’s system of
referencing, which can be selected from EndNote referencing system.
Guidelines for the use of this style of referencing can also be found at: https://meridian.allenpress.com/DocumentLibrary/AAAN/MANUSCRIPT_PREPARATION_AND_STYLE.pdf
Return of Assignments and Feedback
Assignments will be returned to students within 2 weeks of the due date with written feedback. Students must not submit work for an assignment that has previously been submitted for this course or any other course without prior approval from the Course-Coordinator.
Late Assignment Submission
Students are expected to submit their work by the due date to maintain a fair and equitable system. A late assignment
will be penalised by a 5% mark reduction for each day that it is late.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- International Student Support
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.
The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
