100% coursework covering all LOs;
(a) 30%, 1000 word individually based progress report, assessing learning outcome 1.
(b) 70%, 2000 word group report (groups of no more than 4), assessing learning outcomes 2 and 3 plus a log of 2000 word as an appendix to detail the decision making process of the group.

This module is based on the Market Class investment game. The latter is an on-line investment game that is designed by market professionals as a method of introducing students to the characteristics and valuation of financial instruments. It also aims to apply the learned finance theories.
Using the game and supporting it by introductory and group sessions, the module aims to enable students to understand security valuation techniques; how to apply such techniques in a portfolio management context; how to make appropriate dynamic portfolio allocation decisions taking into account geopolitical, industry indices, equities and bonds; how to assess portfolio performance; and the role of price formation in markets.

1. DEMONSTRATE CRITICAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE FINANCIAL DECISION MAKING PROCESS AND APPLY IT IN SOLVING COMPLEX INVESTMENT PROBLEMS
Knowledge & Understanding

2. CRITICAL UNDERSTANDING OF TRADED FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND CRITICALLY EVALUATE THEIR USEFULNESS WITHIN A PORTFOLIO
Analysis
Knowledge & Understanding

3. CRITICALLY APPRAISE THE OPERATION OF THE FINANCIAL MARKETS AND SUCCESSFULLY RECOGNISE THE IMPLICATIONS OF MARKET PARTICIPANTS' DECISIONS FOR VALUATION OF SECURITIES AND FOR OPTIMAL PORTFOLIO ALLOCATION STRATEGIES
Knowledge & Understanding
Learning

The learning strategy for the module requires students to commit 150 learning hours of which there will be 36 hours of tutor lead sessions and 114 hours of independent and self directed study.

36 hours of tutor lead sessions
114 hours of student centred learning sessions

There will be a number of sessions to introduce the module and core material and working of the module. Thereafter, students will be organised in groups of up to 4 as investment teams.

The groups will be expected to meet regularly over the course of the teaching block to manage a portfolio each.

It is expected that each student will take responsibility to:
- successfully interact within a designated group to complete a multistage task within a defined period
- interact effectively within a team/learning/professional group, recognise, support or be proactive in leadership, negotiate in a professional context and manage conflicts
- present effectively results and achievements of collaborative projects
- apply their own criteria of judgement and, within the group, challenge received opinion and critically reflect on action; seek and make use of feedback
- critically analyse problems arising in both academic and practical contexts

MarketClass Investment Game Portal
Module study guide
The University Library and Learning Resources - books and academic journals
The module VLE
Electronic data bases
Learning support materials
Internet

FOR INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS ONLY

Elton, E. J., Gruber, M. J., Brown, S. J. and Goetzmann, M. N. (2010) Modern Portfolio Theory and Investment Analysis, International Student Version, 8th Edition, US: John Wiley & Sons
Maginn, J.L., Tuttle, D.L., Dennis W. McLeavey, D.W. and Pinto, J.E. (Eds) (2007) Managing Investment Portfolios: A Dynamic Process, 3rd Edition, US: John Wiley & Sons