Bachelor in Finance (Hons)

Introduction:

The Bachelor in Finance (Honours) (BFN) is an undergraduate academic programme that leverages on a unique learning opportunity in the combined disciplines of Law, Finance and management. Students pursuing the programme will be exposed both to the rich tradition and rigour of the investment as well as to the state-of-the-art technologies used in the fields of economics, management, marketing, finance and insurance. As such, graduates of the programme are expected to be competent to handle not only the common finance transactional matters but as well to provide advice on complex strategic issues in business decision making process.

The BFN is conducted over the period of three-years on a semester basis (Six long and 3 short semesters). Given such academic exposure, graduates of the BFN, therefore, would be in advantage position to find career opportunities not only in the traditional finance practice and the government sector, but more importantly, in the private and corporate sector. As for the latter career opportunities, graduates are most encouraged to further acquire internationally recognized qualifications in the fields of Finance. (CFA or corporate administration (ICSA)

Academic Requirement:

Total Credit
Compulsory / Core	:	120 credits
Electives	:	46

Course Duration:

Total Semester	:	6 Full Semesters and 3 Short Semesters
Duration	:	3 years

Intakes:

Major Intake

March, May, November

Core Subject Description:

o Financial Management - This course will give detailed exposure to the concepts and principles of finance which had been introduced in the Principles of Finance. The concepts include time value of money, evaluation, risk and return, capital budgeting technique, dividend policy and capital structure. The students will learn to use the concepts in the decision making related to investments and financing. In addition, the student will be exposed to the capital market which involves products like stock, bonds and derivatives.

o Money and Capital Market - This course discusses in-depth the role of the security industry and banks in the Malaysian financial system. Topics discussed are inflation, interest rate, fiscal and monetary policies and their effects on financial markets.

o Financial Reporting Analysis - This course is designed to help the student understand and interpret financial statements. The course will include information on how to read and understand financial statements and how to apply this knowledge to determine the performance and current status of a business.
o International Financial Management - This course will discuss on topics of multinational company and its international environment. International financial system, foreign exchange market, risks management parity exchange, international capital budgeting, management working capital, international portfolio investment, political risks and foreign direct investment (FDI).
o Securities Analysis and Management - The course will provide a review of the investment alternatives for the individual, followed by more in depth coverage of a number of more advanced topics including duration theory, modern portfolio theory, technical and fundamental analysis, and international investing. It will stress familiarization with The Wall Street Journal and with other investment sources, including sources on the Internet.
o Quantitative Methods in Finance - This subject introduces the application of some quantitative methods such as calculus, probability distribution, statistical inference, regression analysis, time series analysis and optimization in the area of finance
o Seminar in Finance - The course allows the students to investigate current financial issues involving areas such as corporate finance, investments, banking and real estate. The problems identified are then explained thoroughly and solutions are presented on how the issues could be tackled from the viewpoint of individuals, corporate bodies and government organizations.
o Financial Derivatives - This course discusses on the derivatives market and the mechanism of futures and options in Malaysia. It also discusses the securities exchange, clearing house, the rules and regulations involved in the derivatives market.
o Real Estate Investment Analysis - This course is an advanced undergraduate course in real estate finance. The central theme of the course is to discover how financing alternatives affect real estate decision-making. The context of real estate finance most often chosen is investment acquisition, leasing and improvement. In this class, it will be important to think, analyze, and apply the concepts rather than to memorize descriptive material.
o Investment Analysis - This course gives the comprehensive introduction to the concept and theory of investment as well as useful investment techniques to the investors. Topics discussed include basic investment, investment theory, analysis and money market investment.
o Managerial and Cost Accounting - This course emphasizes on basic principles in cost and management accounting. Discussion includes concepts of product costing, cost profit volume relationships, budgeting and budget controlling, standard costing and capital budgeting. Additionally this course will introduce the students to basic concepts of management control system.
o Investment Management Project - This course is designed to help the student apply, understand and interpret knowledge of investment management. The course will include researching an existing economic entities or cases study of real world companies. Real-world examples will be given to make connections with the theoretical framework. Equal amounts of quantitative techniques and descriptive information will be used.
o Risk Management - This subject examines the concept of risk, principles, process and techniques of risk management. It shows how an organization could identify risks that threaten its assets or earnings capacity, measure the impact of the risks to the organization and the economic control of those risks to the extent that they are reduced, retained or transferred to another party.
o Portfolio Funds Management - The course will focus on the application of financial theory to the issues and problems of investment management. Topics will include portfolio optimization and asset allocation, the basics of bond pricing and debt portfolio management, the theory of asset pricing models and their implications for investment as well as techniques for evaluating investment management performance. The course will build upon the analytical skills developed in Financial Management. Prerequisites: Financial Management and a working knowledge of statistics. Spreadsheet proficiency is essential.
o E-Commerce and Government - This course will cover topics such as the introduction and future of e-commerce, e-commerce application concept, electronic payment, security issues and mobile commerce.
o Business Ethics - This course gives exposure on the ethics and moral related to business, the government and society, the concept of social business responsibility, business moral and ethics, ecology, business environment and the role of the government.

Entrance Requirement:

The minimum entry requirements for this programme are:

Minimum requirement ( STPM candidates)

i. Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) - Candidates will have to pass Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination or equivalent with with credits in Bahasa Malaysia or Bahasa Melayu (Syllabus X)/Bahasa Malaysia II and

ii. Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) or equivalent
Candidates will have to pass Sijil Tinggi Peperiksaan Malaysia (STPM) examination with at least:

a) Pass with C grade in 3 subjects including General Studies paper or
b) Pass with C grade in 2 subjects including General Studies, and another 2 subjects with D grade

Malaysian Ministry of Education's Matriculation Certificate or KUTPM foundation or other equivalent qualification from other institutions approved by Malaysian Ministry of Education and recognized by LAN or

Minimum passes 3 subjects of A 'Level' (GCE). or

Minimum 65-70% score for The South Australian Matriculation (SAM) or

Minimum 80% score for Canadian Pre-University Program (CPU). Or

Diploma in related fields from PTPL/ KUTPM or Diploma/Certificate in related fields from Polytechnics, IPTA or accredited IPTS or other institutions recognized by the Senate of Kolej Universiti Teknologi dan Pengurusan Malaysia (KUTPM)

However, to successfully complete Bachelor in Investment Management (Honours) programme, it is essential that students should possess a high standard of analytical and cognitive skills. It is recommended that students should have achieved a credit in English and Mathematics at SPM.

Professional Recognition:

Malaysia Qualification Agency (MQA).

Course Enquiries / Contact Person:

(Dean, Faculty of Business Management and Professional Studies)

03-55108668 ext 610

(Head of Accountancy and Finance, Faculty of Business Management and Professional Studies, MSU)

03-55106868 ext 655

FAQs:

Career Opportunities:

Graduates will find ample opportunity in not only availing themselves to the traditional careers in finance, government services, administrative and diplomatic services, academia, and industry, commerce and finance, but as well careers as an internationally recognized professional in finance. Finance graduates qualify for careers as financial analyst, remisier, investment advisors, bankers, financial planners or counselors. Finance students are prepared to assume responsible, entry-level managerial positions in investment and finance. Organizationally, graduates will be absorbed into:

o Government ministries and departments;
o Local authorities;
o Government enforcement agencies (income tax; immigration; custom; etc.)
o Remiser firms
o Corporations and companies
o Consultancy firms
o Corporations and companies;
o Banks
o Insurance companies
o Multimedia telecommunication companies
o Marketing agencies

Career as Financial Analyst

The program prepares graduates eligible to enter the finance profession as a Finance executive. To be eligible for as a financial analyst and investment analyst or remiser, graduates need to have a strong knowledge in the area of finance and investment.

At the present the BFN has not yet recognized as a qualification that make its graduates eligible to be a member of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). Graduates may sit for the examination any time after graduating, either by following a full time study or self-tuition

Expected Salary

Public Sector: Basic starting monthly salary is around RM1,800; plus allowances (such as housing and entertainment) the total can amount to around RM2,300.

Private Sector: The amount of basic starting monthly salary can vary from the above amount. However, the total amount of monthly salary earned (inclusive of allowances) is subject to negotiation and which can be higher than that earned in the public sector.