Intermediate Financial Management, Spring 2016

ECONOMICS 474, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Professor: Dr. Julie Routzahn
Office hours: Monday 5:30-6:00 and by appointment
Phone: 410-8572454 (e-mail preferred)
e-mail: j_routzahn@hotmail.com, jr@umbc.edu
Required Text: Financial Analysis with Microsoft Excel, Timothy R. Mayes, 7th Edition,
ISBN: 978-1-285-43227-4
Course Description:
This course examines the theory and application of financial economics to corporate finance decisions. The
primary focus of the course is to apply the tools and techniques used by financial managers of corporations (that
you learned in Foundations of Financial Management) as they make decisions such as choosing among
investment projects, financing with debt or equity, and how much of profits to pay as dividends to shareholders.
Because this is the advanced course in finance, fundamental concepts that form the foundation of finance will
be assumed. As one of the more practical fields of economics, the course is applications and problem solving
oriented, with a high importance placed on Excel use for decision making. We will cover all of the standard
topics: financial statement analysis, time value of money, bond and stock valuation, risk and return, portfolio
theory, capital budgeting, cost of capital, capital structure, dividend policy, and short-term financial
management, with a focus on decision making. The course prerequisite is ECON 374.
Tentative Weekly Schedule: (Meeting, Topic, Background chapter reading)
*Note: The schedule is tentative any may change at the discretion of the professor.
January 25: Introduction (1)
February 1: Financial Statements (2)
February 8: Cash Budgets (3), Capital Budgeting (11)
February 15: Financial Statement Analysis (4)
February 22: Comprehensive Problem
February 29: Financial Forecasting (5)
March 7: EXAM I
Spring Break
March 21: Break Even/Leverage (6), Risk (12)
March 28: Time Value of Money (7)
April 4: Common Stock Valuation (8)
April 11: Bond Valuation (9), Cost of Capital (10)
April 18: EXAM II
April 25: Analyzing Datasets (15), Advanced Excel topics (13, 14)
May 2: Individual Presentations ALL PROJECTS DUE (5/2)
May 9: Individual Presentations
May X: FINAL EXAM, The final exam time is set by the UMBC Registrars Office
Grading Policy:
You will determine your course grade by your performance on the exams and the research project.
Exam #1 20%
Exam #2 20%
Exam #3 30%
Comprehensive Problem 10%

Project & Presentation 20%

The course grade will be:
A: 90%+ B: 80-89% C: 65-79% D: 50-64% F: 49% and below
Notes:
The presentation project is due on May 2. All projects are due May 2nd, regardless of the class in which you are
presenting. The grade is reduced by 25 points for each calendar day it is late thereafter. Details will be
provided after Exam #1.
Readings and homework problems will be assigned after each lecture and will be discussed the following
class. If you are not in class, it is your responsibility to get the reading assignment and class notes and have all
assignments complete on the due date.
Exam dates are noted on the topical outline. The exam will test your ability to relate concepts and ideas
discussed in class, as part of your reading assignments, and from your homework. To quote a very wise
professor, A test is a learning experience, not just an exercise in mere regurgitation.
*In the unlikely event of a missed exam you must: (1) notify me in advance and (2) provide a valid excuse and
(3) must take the make-up within 2 days of the missed exam.
Class attendance will be taken at the beginning of each session. In order to be eligible to be considered for a
make-up exam, notification must be provided to the instructor prior to the exam date. If no notification is
provided, make-up exams will only be granted under extreme circumstances.
Blackboard: Will be utilized as necessary throughout the course and is the main source for communications
outside of class. Make sure your e-mail address is accurate inside of Blackboard.
UMBC Statement on Academic Integrity:
By enrolling in this course, each student assumes the responsibilities of an active participant in UMBCs scholarly community in
which everyones work and behavior are held to the highest standards of honesty. Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and helping
others to commit these acts are all forms of academic dishonesty, and they are wrong. Academic misconduct could result in
disciplinary action that may include, but is not limited to, suspension or dismissal. To read the full Student Academic Conduct Policy,
consult the UMBC Student Handbook, the Faculty Handbook, or the UMBC Policies section of the UMBC Directory.

Make a friend someone to call if you forgot to write homework down, need notes, etc.
Name of Fellow Student:________________________________
E-mail Address:______________________________________
Phone #:____________________________________________