Instructor: Dr. Pamela K. Coats
Voice mail: 644-8203 (leave a message WITH your phone number)
E-mail: pcoats@garnet.acns.fsu.edu -or- pcoats@cob.fsu.edu
Office hours:
Office: Room 501 RBA, Rovetta Business Building
Homepage: http://garnet.acns.fsu.edu/~pcoats


Course Description:

The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the fundamentals of financial analysis and decision making, from the perspective of the financial manager of a firm.


Materials:

Financial Management and Analysis, Pamela P. Peterson [McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1994] (REQUIRED TEXT)

Study Guide to Accompany Financial Management and Analysis, Westerman and Peterson [McGraw-Hill, 1994]

Solutions Manual to Accompany Financial Management and Analysis, Pamela P. Peterson [McGraw-Hill, 1994]

The Wall Street Journal

Calculators:

You will need a business calculator for this class --- and you'll need to know how to use it. Your text describes the use of several popularly available models. If you do not already have a calculator, I recommend the Hewlett Packard 10B. Service Merchandise, Circuit City, and Office Depot usually stock this calculator for around $30.


Class Motto:

"Personally, I am always ready to learn, ...although I do not always like being taught."

-Winston Churchill

Evaluation:

Examinations	Type	Points
Exam	Unit	100
Exam II	Unit	100	*Total number of
Exam III	Unit	100	possible points = 400
Exam IV	Unit & Comprehensive	100

Course Grading by Total Number of Accumulated Points over Four Exams

372-400 = A	316-325 = B-	268-275 = D+
356-371 = A-	308-315 = C+	252-267 = D
348-355 = B+	292-307 = C	236-251 = D-
326-347 = B	276-291 = C-	0-235 = F

Class Parable:

A suburbanite was running to catch a city bus.... but missed it by inches. "Well," he said, "I guess that's just a case of not running fast enough." "No," said a bystander. "It's not a matter of running faster, but of starting sooner."


Class Policies:

1. I strongly advise you to attend all class sessions. Also, you are expected to have read the assigned material before coming to class --- it makes a BIG difference in 'soaking up' all you can from the lecture. You are responsible for all material presented in class and for all the assigned readings and problems.

2. There are no make-up exams given. If you miss either Exam I, II or III for any reason, the score for the missed exam will be replaced by your score for Exam IV. If for any reason you miss more than one of the first three exams, or if you miss Exam IV, you will receive a failing grade (F) for the course.

3. After having taken all four exams, if your score on Exam IV is better than one or more of your first three exams, your score on Exam IV will automatically be used to replace the lowest one of your first three exam scores. In this case, your score on Exam IV will effectively make up 50% of you final course grade.

4. The exams are closed book and notes. Calculators are necessary, but the use of calculator instruction books or the sharing of calculators is not permitted.

5. Academic dishonesty shall, of course, not be tolerated. The FSU Honor Code will be enforced.

6. Experience suggests that doing homework promotes a stronger understanding of the material. I recommend that you do the Questions and Problems at the end of assigned chapters. Homework will not be collected, however. A copy of the homework solutions is available in the Finance Office for limited-time check out, or you may buy a copy of the solutions manual at the bookstore.

7. There are no "Incompletes" given for this class, except in an extraordinary circumstance where the instructor determines it to be the only appropriate assignment.

Study Group:

On Monday evenings from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm, as needed, I will lead an informal study group (in my office or in a classroom, depending on the size of the group). Everyone is welcome to sit-in and listen and participate.

Also, I STRONGLY encourage you to form your own study group. Explaining, discussing, and critiquing are extremely effective ways to help you integrate and reinforce what you are learning.


Distinguished Speaker Series:

I encourage and expect you to attend the COLLEGE OF BUSINESS DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES. I believe each of the speakers offers not-to-be-missed insights that broaden and enhance your business understanding.


A Note From the Professor:

"I hope that this class will prove to be very valuable to you --- both in developing your financial understanding and improving your analytical skills.

It is important to me that you get the most you can from this class. I expect your best, and I promise you mine."

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