Introduction to Corporate Finance Course Syllabus
Full curriculum breakdown — modules, lessons, estimated time, and outcomes.
Overview: This course provides a comprehensive introduction to corporate finance, designed for beginners seeking a solid foundation in financial principles. Over approximately 16 hours of content, learners will explore core concepts such as the time value of money, risk and return, cost of capital, and capital budgeting. The course features interactive exercises, real-world case studies, and practical applications taught by instructors from the Wharton School. With lifetime access and self-paced learning, it's ideal for professionals and students aiming to enhance financial decision-making skills.
Module 1: Time Value of Money
Estimated time: 4 hours
- Introduction to time value of money
- Present value and future value calculations
- Discounting and compounding cash flows
- Application in financial decision-making
Module 2: Interest Rates
Estimated time: 3 hours
- Types of interest rates: nominal vs. effective
- Calculating interest over time
- Impact of compounding frequency
- Using interest rates in valuation
Module 3: Risk and Return
Estimated time: 4 hours
- Understanding the risk-return tradeoff
- Principles of diversification
- Introduction to portfolio theory
- Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM)
Module 4: Cost of Capital and Capital Budgeting
Estimated time: 5 hours
- Concept and components of cost of capital
- Calculating weighted average cost of capital (WACC)
- Net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR)
- Payback period and investment appraisal techniques
Prerequisites
- Familiarity with basic financial concepts
- High school-level mathematics
- No prior finance experience required
What You'll Be Able to Do After
- Apply time value of money concepts to real-world financial decisions
- Calculate and interpret interest rates and their financial impact
- Analyze the risk-return tradeoff in investment choices
- Evaluate capital projects using NPV, IRR, and payback methods
- Understand how financial decisions affect firm value and shareholder wealth