Course Title: Apply economic principles to work in the financial services industry

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2021

Course Code: ECON5050C

Course Title: Apply economic principles to work in the financial services industry

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6163 - Advanced Diploma of Accounting

Course Contact: Doug Gourlay

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5944

Course Contact Email: doug.gourlay@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Anthony Di Stasio

anthony.distasio@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 60

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to apply broad principles of financial economics that underpin a range of tasks and functions in the financial services industry. It includes understanding how financial instruments are priced in markets, and techniques and processes government and organisations use to manage financial risk, demonstrating broad knowledge of economic theories and related decision making in a national and organisational economic context.

 

It applies to individuals who have an understanding of economics and how this impacts on work in the financial services industry. It also underpins other skills required for work in the financial services industry and may be applied in all sectors of the industry.

 

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

FNSINC601 Apply economic principles to work in the financial services industry

Element:

1. Apply economic principles and theories

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Develop and apply knowledge of economic principles relevant to the industry 1.2 Apply microeconomic theory of markets and influences on financial products and services to determine structure of organisation 1.3 Apply capital adequacy regulation and requirements to work functions

Element:

2. Evaluate economic aspects that apply to decision making

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Apply relevant financial modelling techniques to economic data to inform decision making 2.2 Analyse and apply appropriate asset pricing models 2.3 Apply models to determine organisational value in relation to capital structure

Element:

3. Review own work

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Evaluate own work in context of relevant economic principles 3.2 Improve performance through understanding of how economics applies to own decision making

Element:

4. Maintain personal understanding of economic policies

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Research current economic theories and their impact on the industry to ensure relevant current knowledge 4.2 Integrate contemporary economic principles into work practices


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

Apply Economic Principles is taught online via Collaborate Ultra  with structured online components. The online components will require you to actively participate in a teacher led e-learning environment through the use of discussion boards, online quizzes and action learning activities.

RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches including group discussions, tutorials, workplace simulated projects, online quizzes, role plays and case studies.

We expect you to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities.

Remote Learning

This course will be delivered via our existing learning management system, Canvas.  This means that, for the foreseeable future, there will be no face-to-face classes in any of the units for which you are enrolled.

Classes in each of your units will still take place in their normal scheduled time-slots, but instead of being conducted in a face-to-face mode, your teachers will utilise the Collaborate Ultra platform to deliver ‘live’ online classes.  These classes delivered online will not only provide you with the required learning materials for those sessions, but they will also enable interactions with your teachers and fellow students via forums or discussion boards.


Teaching Schedule

This course is comprised of one competency: FNSINC601/ECON5050C Apply economic principles to financial services

Course Schedule: Apply Economic Principles       

Course Schedule: Apply Economic Principles       

Week

Topic

Readings and Activities

Assessment

1

Introduction to course
(No Class)

Pre-class work:
•    Watching the welcome video to familiarise with the course and Canvas shell navigation
•    Reading help and support information
•    Understanding RMIT policies and guidelines
•    Checking Collaborate Ultra- Student guide
•    Viewing Course guide information
•    Getting information on required learning resources


2


Macroeconomic Principles

Review Questions


3


Macroeconomic Principles

Review Questions


4


Firms & Market Structures

 Review Questions


5


Macroeconomic Factors

Review Questions

Assessment 1 Due

6


Fiscal & Monetary Policy


 Review Questions


9

The Balance of Payments & Exchange Rates

Review Questions


10

The Balance of Payments & Exchange Rates





Review Questions


11




Review Questions

Assessment 2 Due

12


Economic Theory

Review Questions


13


Superannuation Regulation and Capital Adequacy


Review Questions


14


Review Assessment

 In class exercises


15


Review Assessment


 In class exercises

Assessment 3 Due

16


Re submissions

Re submissions

Re submissions

 



The nominal hours associated with this are a guide only and represent the total teaching time and student effort required to successfully complete the course. This may include not only scheduled classes but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities including the self-paced activities in the workbooks. 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Apply Economic Principles to Work in the Financial Services Industry by Costa Georgeson & Robin Frost 4th Edition (January, 2019) ISBN: 978-1-76073-080-2

ISBN: 978-1-76073-080-2


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

  • research economic trends, evaluate impacts, and access and interpret corporate regulations
  • analyse and apply a range of financial modelling techniques and tools
  • reflect on and review own performance in applying knowledge of economic principles in day-to-day work functions.

 

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.

Knowledge Evidence

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

  • outline key features of common economic theories that relate to the financial services industry
  • outline key features of microeconomic principles and how they relate to financial services industry products, services and organisational practices
  • explain capital adequacy requirements for financial services organisations based on financial product mix
  • explain asset pricing models and their use in identifying organisational value and capital structures
  • explain and apply economic theories and valuation of assets
  • identify and apply financial modelling techniques and tools
  • outline industry or organisation financial markets, products and services
  • describe key features of relevant legislation, statutory requirements and industry codes of practice
  • identify and describe techniques and tools for evaluation and interpretation of research data
  • describe the economic and political climate relating to the financial services industry.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in the industry capability field and include access to:

  • common office equipment, technology, software and consumables.
  • current financial services industry economic literature and research.

 

Assessors must satisfy NVR/AQTF assessor requirements.

You are advised that you are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate your assessment work to your teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.

Feedback

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions.  You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during class time and online sessions so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed. Finally, you can email or arrange an appointment with your teacher to gain more feedback on your progress.

You should take note of all feedback received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course. 


Assessment Tasks

PORTFOLIO ACTIVITIES

You are required to complete three (3)assessment.

You must successfully complete all 3 tasks to be deemed competent in this course.

TASK 1 General Economic Principles  (Due date: Week 5)

TASK 2 Evaluating Economic Principles (Due date: Week 11)

TASK 3 Review and Maintain (Due date: Week 15)


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix that maps all the assessment is available on Canvas.

Other Information

Submission Requirements

  • Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date.
  • Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks. (hard copy and soft copy)
  • When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use the Assessment task document that includes a declaration and statement of authorship.
  • Each page of your assessment should include a footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers.

Resubmissions (VET Programs)

If you are found to be unsuccessful (Not satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) in a Course Assessment Task you will be allowed one resubmission.  Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission.

If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.

Penalties for Late Submission 

Late submissions of assignments without special consideration or extension will automatically be considered a re-submission (see above).

Extensions, Special Consideration and Adjustment to Assessments

Extensions:

Extensions are available for unforeseen circumstances of a short-term nature.

An application form must be submitted to the school at least one working day before the due date of the assessment.

Extensions can be approved for a maximum of one week (seven calendar days) past the due date for an assessment. (Where students need an extension exceeding one week they must instead apply for special consideration.)

Special consideration:

Special consideration is available for unexpected circumstances outside students’ control. These include but are not limited to: unexpected short-term ill health, and unavoidable family, work, cultural or religious commitments.

An application for special consideration is made in advance of an assessment wherever possible but will normally be accepted within five working days after the assessment date

For more information, see the Special Consideration page of the RMIT website.

Adjustments to Assessment:

RMIT provides several adjustments to assessment for students experiencing ongoing or long-term circumstances. Find the right one for your circumstances here.

Changes to the Assessment Scheme

Where a change to assessment approved by the dean/head of school changes an assessment due date, students will be given at least five working days’ notice of the new due date.

Feedback

You can expect to receive marks and feedback on in-course assessment work in time to improve your performance in related assessment tasks later in the course.

Academic Integrity and Misconduct

Students demonstrate academic integrity in their assessment practices by:

  • engaging with assessment activities in an honest way;
  • providing accountability for the authorship and originality of work submitted;
  • acknowledging the work of others and the re-use of original work.

Academic misconduct is addressed in accordance with the Student conduct policy

Assessment involving research with human participants, their information or their tissue, or animal subjects is carried out in accordance with the Staff ethics and integrity policy.

For further information see the Academic Integrity website.

Review and Appeal

A student may request a review of an assessment result or appeal a final course grade in accordance with the Conduct of assessment and appeals section of the Assessment Processes.

Grade Criteria

You must demonstrate that you have all the required skills/knowledge/elements in the unit of competency you are studying.

The following grades are available for this course.

Vocational education grades:

CA - Competency Achieved

NYC - Not Yet Competent

DNS - Did Not Submit for assessment

Course Overview: Access Course Overview