COURSE SYLLABUS

                                          SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY

Department:    Economics and Finance                                                  Course No.   FI363

                                                                                                                  Revision       Spring 2001

Course Title:  Small Business Finance

I.          Catalog Description and Credit Hours of Course:

            Emphasis is on financial problems facing the small business. Such problems include planning, financing, working capital management,  capital budgeting and business valuation.  (3)

II.        Prerequisites:

            FI361 Financial Management with a minimum grade of "C".

III.       Purpose or Objective of Course:

            A.        To introduce students to the financial problems facing small businesses.  Gain knowledge of terminology, methods and trends. (Demonstrate ability to make informed, intelligent value decisions)

            B.         To examine the special applications of financial management concepts to small businesses. (Demonstrate ability to integrate the breadth and diversity of knowledge and experience.)

                        1.         Review fundamental financial principles, generalizations and theories, and relate to small businesses.

                        2.         Apply financial principles to improve problem solving and decision making in small businesses.  (Demonstrate ability to make informed, intelligent value decisions)

            C.        To study financial decision making within the context of the small business environment and develop specific skills and competencies. (Demonstrate capabilities for critical thinking, reasoning and analyzing.)

D.                 To develop communication skills (written and verbal). (1. Demonstrate ability to locate and gather information and 2. Demonstrate effective communication skills.)    

E.                  To develop ability to work as a member of a team.

IV.       Expectations of Students:

            A.        General

Each student is expected to perform in a professional manner with reference to attendance, participation, compliance with assignments, etc.  This is a professional course and requires a professional attitude on the part of the student.  This means that the assigned material should be read with discrimination, intellectual curiosity, reflective thinking, and critical analysis.

            B.         Readings

Each student will be expected to read the current issues of Inc., the Wall Street Journal and use other financial and business publications (Fortune and Business Week) to supplement the assigned readings.

C.        Examinations

There will be a minimum of a mid-term and final examination.  The tests will cover both theory and problems.

                                                                                                 Suggested Time in

V.    Course Content of Outline:                                            50 Minute Periods 

             A.       Small Business Finance; Definition and

                        and Operating Environment                                            4

             B.        Financial Analysis and Planning                                      4

             C.       Choosing Legal Form of Ownership                               2

             D.       Working Capital Management                           6

             E.        Capital Budgeting                                                          3

             F.        Break Even Analysis                                                      1

             G.       Preparing the Business Plan                                            3

             H.        Financial Alternatives                                                    10

             I.         Business Valuation                                                         4

             J.         Ethics                                                                            3

             K.       Exams/Other                                                                 8

                                                                                                                        48

VI.       Text(s) or Other Required Material or Equipment:

             A.       Small Firm Finance:  An Entrepreneurial Analysis, 1st Edition, Jerome S. Osteryoung, Derek L. Newman, Leslie George Davies, Dryden Press, 1997.

             B.        Small Business Finance - Selected Readings.

 C.       Regular access to Wall Street Journal, Inc., Fortune and Business Week.

VII.     Basis for Student Evaluation:

             A.       Examinations

             B.        Writing Assignments (Cases)

             C.       Research Assignments

             D.       Presentations

             E.        Quizzes