Economics, Financial Economics and Ethics, Second Cycle, 7.5 credits

Aims and objectives

General aims for second cycle education

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall

• further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge
• develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
• develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 9)

Course objectives

After the course, the student shall

• Have knowledge about theory and practice in the field of financial economics
• Have knowledge about interest rates, business cycle and exchange rates
• Have knowledge about ethical issues in the financial services industry
• Be able to analyze financial problems based on theory
• Be able to perform financial calculations
• Be able to analyze the relationship between financial markets and the macroeconomy

Main content of the course

The course encompasses the analysis of macroeconomic variables as business cycle, interest rates and exchange rates, portfolio statistics, portfolio optimization, the relationship between risk and return, the evaluation of portfolio management, and efficient markets and behavior. An important part of the course are ethical issues in the financial services industry.

Teaching methods

Teaching is done in the form of lectures.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Examination methods

Written Examination, 6 credits (Code: A001)
Written individual examination.

Assignment, 1.5 credits (Code: A002)
Written assignment.

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other forms of examinations.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Grades

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

In accordance with university regulations regarding grading systems for first and second-cycle courses (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades shall be used: Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). For courses that are included in an international Master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the grading scale of A-F shall be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds.

Grades used on course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Written Examination
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Assignment
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on grades

To obtain a passing grade for the course as a whole, a minimum of grade E is required for the written examination and a passing grade on the assignment. The course grade is then awarded based on the written examination.

Specific entry requirements

First-cycle courses of 75 credits in Economics including an independent project of 15 credits. Statistics, Basic Course, 15 credits and 7.5 credits in regression analysis/econometrics/scientific method within economic or statistics. Business administration, Basic Course, 30 credits. The applicant must also have qualifications corresponding to the course "English 6" or "English B" from the Swedish Upper Secondary School.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Transfer of credits for previous studies

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Other provisions

The course will be given in English.

Reading list and other teaching materials

Required Reading

Berk, Jonathan & Peter DeMarzo (latest edition)
Corporate Finance
Boston, MA: Pearson, (selected chapters)

Lecture notes (will be distributed at the time of the course), maximum of 200 pages.

Scientific articles, maximum of 150 pages.