ØABED4800 Advanced Corporate Finance and Research Methodology Course description

Corporate finance consists of the financial activities related to running a corporation with a focus on maximizing shareholder value. This course in advanced corporate finance looks at current research articles published in top academic journals to identify how companies implement corporate finance activities in practice.

Applied Statistical Methods (Statistiske metoder) and Corporate finance (Finansstyring)

None

On successful completion of this subject the candidate will have the following knowledge, skills and general competence.

Knowledge

The student has

• advanced knowledge about how companies raise private and public capital, decide on capital structures and implement valuations
• advanced knowledge about how companies can engage in value enhancing strategies and complete mergers and acquisitions (M&As)
• advanced knowledge about how companies determine payout policies and executive compensation

Skills

The student can

• review and discuss key concepts in corporate finance
• apply knowledge acquired and relevant theories to his/her work with his/her master's thesis

Competence

The student is able to analyze and propose solutions to contemporary corporate finance problems managers of companies face in their day to day business.

• Company structures.
• Private Equity and Venture Capital.
• Initial Public Offerings (IPOs).
• Raising Long term Capital (SEOs + Debt).
• Valuation.
• Mergers and Acquisitions (M&As).
• Value Enhancing Strategies.
• Capital Structure.
• Payout Policy.
• Corporate Governance.
• Executive Compensation.

The course is taught in plenary lectures, and students work on and discuss different assignments in groups and plenary sessions. Students are expected to play an active role in lectures and seminars. Students will also be required to discuss papers and course themes during lectures and seminars.

In order to be able to register for the exam, the student must have the following approved work requirements:

Students have to hand in written assignments by set deadlines during the semester. If the assignment is not approved, the student will be given one opportunity to submit an improved version. The lecturer will inform students of deadlines for submission.

Written school exam (4 hours).

One dictionary (Native language-English/English-native language or English-English).

Calculator (as specified in regulations for use of calculator).

Grading scale from A-F.

An internal and an external examiner will grade the exam.

A selection of at least 25% of the exam papers will be assessed by two examiners. The grades awarded to exam papers assessed by the external and internal examiner will be used to determine the level of all exam papers.