INTRODUCTION

1.1 These regulations should be read in conjunction with the Faculty Regulations and the General Regulations.

1.2 The degree will be awarded to candidates who have successfully completed the programme and passed examinations in accordance with departmental regulations set out below:

2. CAREER PROSPECTS

The Bachelor of Commerce Banking and Finance Honours degree provides employment opportunities in the following sectors, Banking Institutions, Finance Houses, Discount Houses, Asset Management Companies, Micro Finance Companies, Financial Analysis, Financial Advisory Services, Investment Management Companies, Credit Guarantee Companies, etc.

3. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Normal Entry

3.1.1 To qualify for normal entry into the Bachelor of Commerce Banking and Finance Honours Degree programme, a candidate, in addition to satisfying the minimum requirements as prescribed under the General Regulations and the Faculty Regulations for English and Mathematics at `O’ Level, must have obtained at least two passes at `A’ level in the following subjects: Economics, Accounting, Mathematics and Management of Business

3.2 Visiting School

A three year programme for those already in industry offered on a block release basis. it comprises of 10 – 12 months of work related learning which runs concurrently with the second level of studies.

3.1.2 Mature entry

Refer to Section 3.3 of the General Regulations

3.3 Special Entry

3.2.1. Applicants who have successfully completed a Higher National Diploma or Institute of Bankers (I.O.B.Z.) or Advanced Diploma (or equivalent) may apply for direct entry into Level II of the degree programme.

3.3.2 Candidates admitted under regulation 3.3 above will normally be exempt from Level I on a module-by-module basis and similarly from certain level 2 modules.

3.3.3 An applicant exempted from certain Level II modules shall be required to register for additional modules to make up for the full component of Level II.

3.3.4. No student may complete the degree in less than three academic levels.

3.3.5 Successful completion of the Work Related Learning component at Level III is compulsory for all candidates.

4. GENERAL PROVISIONS

4.1. A candidate is required to register for all modules prescribed for the semester not withstanding the modules, which he/she has been allowed to carry from the previous semester.

4.2. Each module is worth four (4) credits, except for the Work Related Learning level which is worth forty (40) credits and the dissertation which is worth 8 credits.

4.3 The department may accept students who have been discontinued from other programmes on condition that they meet the entry requirements of the department and subject to availability of places.

5. ASSESSMENT

Refer to Section 6 of the General Regulations and Section 5 of the Faculty Regulations.

6. FAILURE TO SATISFY THE EXAMINERS

Refer to Section 9 of the General Regulations.

7. PROVISION FOR PROGRESSION

Refer To Section 6 of the Faculty Regulations.

8. WORK RELATED LEARNING GENERAL GUIDELINES

Refer to Section 8 of the Faculty Regulations.

9. GRADING AND DEGREE CLASSIFICATION

Refer to Section 10 of the Faculty Regulations.

10. DEGREE WEIGHTING

Refer to Section 11 of the Faculty Regulations.

11. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

12. MODULE SYNOPSES

BF103 Management of Financial Institutions

This module provides detailed grounding on management of financial institutions both internal and external management. Topics covered include Financial system and Development, Changes in Financial Structure and Economic development, Efficiency and Problems in Financial Markets, Evolution of Asset and Liability Management,Capital Adequacy, Management of Risks, Lending and Loans Management, Banking Supervision, Bank insolvency; causes and implications.

CS 101 Communication Skills

-Refer to the Department of Communication Skills

HCS 115 Introduction to Information Technology

-Refer to the Department of Computer Science

BF208 Corporate Finance A

The module examines corporate decisions pertaining to the utilization of long-term financial resources for the benefit of the ultimate risk takers. It specifically examines the concepts of agency problem, opportunity cost of capital, inflation, risk, value additively, present value, internal rate of return, payback period, accounting rate of return and relates them to the Corporate Capital Budgeting Process.

GS201 Introduction to Gender Studies

-Refer to the Department of Gender Studies

BF201 Corporate Finance B

This module, which builds on Corporate Finance A, further examines the Corporate Capital budgeting Process valuation in the presence of Leverage, Risk Diversification (CAPM), Dividend Policy, Real Options and Taxes. It also develops the concept of the efficient markets hypothesis (EMH) and its implications for Corporate Finance and approaches to investment analysis.

BF202 Banking and Financial Markets

This module examines the role played by the Central Bank other banks and financial institutions in a National Economy such as the Zimbabwe Economy. It looks at the role played by the Central Bank in National Fiscal and Monetary policies and the role played by the Central Bank and other Financial Institutions in Financial Markets. It further examines securities generated by the financial markets and how they are priced and traded. The regulations of Financial Institutions and markets are also examined.

BF204 Banking and Foreign Exchange

The module provides students with a forum for understanding the theoretical and practical issues in foreign exchange markets. It specifically looks at: foreign exchange quotations, foreign exchange transactions, foreign exchange regimes, foreign exchange forecasts, parity conditions in money and forex markets, forex foreign exchange risk management and role played by both the Central and other Banks in the forex market as well as in import and export financing.

BF205 Banking Law and Practice

This module examines the law and practice relating to Banking in Zimbabwe and at the International level. Specifically, it looks at the law and practice relating to: relationship of banker and customer, accounts of customers, banking instruments, different types of banks, lending, deposits, advances securities, Exchange Controls and bank supervision and control. The student shall be assessed by means of both a written report and continuous assessment carried out by both the work related learning supervisor and academic supervisor.

BF206 Retirement Finance

This module empowers students with knowledge and skills pertaining to retirement financing which consist of the following: the capital amount required by an individual at retirement to provide an adequate pension; risk profile for a client; the effect of tax on retirement financing and applicable legislation. It also includes a range of retirement concepts, principles and theories.

BF207 Research Methods for Bankers

The module equips students with the ability to evaluate, analyze, interpret data and writing up a research. It covers the following aspects: Data collection through questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions etc, Data analysis through
various packages such as E-views, SPSS and STATA. It will prepare students for their WRL researches and dissertations in their final year. Other topics include: Probability, Probability Distributions and Descriptive Statistics, Sampling and Estimation, Hypothesis Testing, Correlation Analysis and Regression, Time Series Analysis and Simulation Analysis.

BF407 Applied Economics

The module sets out to examine (with special reference to developing nations) macroeconomics problems, models, policies and issues at the National and International levels. Both qualitative and quantitative (mathematical economics) approaches to Macroeconomics model building and policy formulation will be developed. The role of supra national organisations such as the world bank, IMF etc. will also be examined.

BF401Treasury Management

The module will examine concepts, developments and tools used in corporate and investment risk management. In particular, the concepts of value at Risk, Hedging, Pooling and Duration/Immunization will be developed. The role of derivative securities will be explored and the issue of the need for risk management will be debated.

BF402 Marketing of Financial Services

The module examines the need for marketing by Financial Institutions, and the formulation of marking strategies that take into consideration the special circumstances and problems of financial services.

BF403 International Banking and Finance

The module examines strategies that both International Banks and Multinational companies pursue in order to maximize returns and minimize risks as they operate or trade globally. The following areas of Banking and Finance at the global level are addressed: International Money and Capital Markets, Asset and Liability Management, Profitability and Liquidity Management, Legal Issues, Syndicated Loans, Parity conditions, Derivate Products, Bank Regulations and Supervision. In addition, the
issues of Multinational Capital budgeting performance appraisal and political risk will be explored.

BF405 Bank Lending and Credit Risk Management

The module seeks to develop the general principles of lending, a structured approach to the evaluation of and decisions on loan applications and skills and strategies for analyzing and managing credit risk respectively.

BF408 Advanced Corporate Finance

It endeavors to advance students’ knowledge in corporate finance. The following aspects will be covered: Mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, business and financial risks, private equity or venture capital, corporate financial distress or bankruptcies, structured finance, corporate financial strategy etc.

BF409 Investment and Portfolio Management

The module sets out to examine Portfolio risk/return/ investor utility relationships using Capital Market Theory, Capital Assert Pricing Model (CAPM) and Arbitrage Privacy Theory (APT). It further, explores the Investment Process, Investment Management Strategies, distinguishing between Strategic Asset Allocation (SAA), Tactical Asset Allocation (TAA) and asset selection strategies. It also examines Investment Performance measures for both Broad Portfolio and Portfolio categories from both a theoretical and practical point of view.

BF410 Financial Risk Management

The module examines risks faced by the financial institution: market risk, operational risk, and risks in the regulatory environment. Risk management frameworks, policies and implementation systems, in the financial and non-financial corporate sectors. Measuring financial risks and the implications of model risk for their measurement. Portfolio analysis, and the measurement of risks. Measuring risks in detail: market risk and the VaR and CFaR approaches. The management of risks: banks, non-bank financial institutions and non-financial corporations. It also includes infamous risk management disasters, options hedging strategies and interest rate option strategies as well as the future of risk management and the convergence of insurance risk management with financial risk management.