BFF5370 - Financial markets and technology - 2019

Technology is impacting traditional processes of finance to the extent that new business models and innovations are redefining what and how financial institutions and non-financial firms operate. The objective of this unit is to introduce students to the contemporary and emerging technologies that are impacting financial institutions, corporations and payment systems. Topics include cloud computing, the use of applications programming interfaces and mobile internet, Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, crypto-currencies, distributed ledgers and block chains. We explore the impacts of such technologies and issues facing financial functions in financial and non-financial firms and the payment and settlement systems used to transact in the e-commerce environment.

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

1. discuss and evaluate the impact of contemporary and emerging technologies that are impacting the work flows and processes of financial institutions and corporate finance functions.
2. discuss and evaluate contemporary and emerging technologies that are impacting primary domestic and international payment systems for banking transactions.
3. demonstrate practical skills by using a web based ecommerce system to establish a portfolio of securities
4. research and identify contemporary and emerging examples of firms (existing or start-up) that are innovating with technology in financial institutions or corporate finance functions
5. apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with financial technology for financial institutions or business enterprises and demonstrate in an individual summative assessment task the acquisition of a comprehensive understanding of the topics covered in BFF5370.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. The unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information