MAF308 - Financial Derivatives and Risk Management
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Online Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: Peipei Wang Trimester 2: Peipei Wang |
| Previously: | Derivative and Fixed Income Securities |
| Prerequisite: | MAF101 and MAF203 |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 1.5 hour on-campus lecture (recordings provided) and 1 x 1.5 hour on-campus seminar each week |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 1.5 hour recorded lecture and 1 x 1.5 hour online seminar (recordings provided) each week |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Content
This unit focuses on the conceptual aspects concerning the mechanics and pricing of the three main categories of derivative securities options, forwards/futures and swaps. Specific topics that will be covered include basic pricing concepts, arbitrage and trading strategies, Black-Scholes analysis, the Binomial model and hedging principles.
Learning Outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Explain the characteristics of financial derivative instruments and markets and evaluate the risk-return trade-off of various derivative trading strategies. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Apply appropriate reasoning to price and determine the payoff patterns of derivative instruments. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Evaluate various risk management strategies to hedge against market uncertainties and assess the hedging outcomes. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO4 | Evaluate and communicate financial information professionally using appropriate mathematical and communication tools. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: (Individual) Report (Client) | 1200 words | 30% | Week 4 |
| Assessment 2: (Individual) Report (Analytical) | 1200 words | 30% | Week 8 |
| End-of-unit assessment task: Written | 1500 words | 40% | End-of-unit assessment period |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for MAF308 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.