BFF5255 Financial modelling in Python
Faculty of Business and Economics
BFF5255 Financial modelling in Python is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Business and Economics, offered in 2022 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Caulfield. It needs BFF5220.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2022
- Semester 1, Semester 2
- Caulfield
- Assessment
- Exam 50%
- and 2 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2022 handbook entry. See the 2023 entry.
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Requisites
Before BFF5255
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After BFF5255
No unit lists BFF5255 as a prerequisite in the 2022 handbook.
Enrolment rules
You must be enrolled in course B6001 or B6003 to undertake this unit.
Overview
This unit focuses on the quantitative techniques and skills required in financial modelling and portfolio management using Python. With a strong emphasis on hands-on implementation, the unit highlights practical limitations in classical portfolio models and introduces robust alternatives that are employed by practitioners. Topics covered will vary but may include Markowitz’s portfolio construction, the Black-Litterman model, Value-at-Risk and Conditional Value-at-Risk, factor investing, smart weighted benchmarking.
Offerings in 2022
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Caulfield | On campus |
| Second semester | Caulfield | On campus |
Assessment
- Within semester assessment50%
- Examination50%
- Within semester assessment100%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
gain a functional understanding of the Python programming language and its various libraries required for financial applications
- 2
write custom Python codes and build custom Python modules to analyse portfolios and investment strategies
- 3
implement mean-variance optimal portfolios and construct the efficient frontier
- 4
implement robust alternative models
- 5
develop skills to efficiently process and manipulate financial databases
- 6
apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with modelling in finance and demonstrate in an individual summative assessment task the acquisition of a comprehensive understanding of the topics covered in BFF5255.
Workload and teaching
- Seminars36 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
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.
This unit engages students in actively applying their knowledge, skills and attributes in interactive, collaborative and reflective activities.
Learning resources
Required resources
You will need to be able to access a computer with Microsoft Excel in order to complete assessments in this unit.
Technology resources
The only Faculty approved calculators permitted in tests and examinations for all Australian campuses and locations is the HP10bII+ or Casio FX82 (any suffix).
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Binh Do
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for BFF5255?
You need BFF5220 before you enrol. Enrolment rules also apply.
When is BFF5255 offered?
In 2022, BFF5255 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Caulfield.
How much work is BFF5255?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does BFF5255 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 50% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.