We have as far as possible replicated our full-time programme for study at a distance using traditional distance learning methods and supporting your learning through modern e-learning technologies. You will receive printed lecture notes, text books and a calendar for each module. The calendar will describe what you should be doing throughout the 12 months of Part 1 of the programme. By this method we hope to guide you through your learning, rather than leaving you to manage this timetable yourselves.
You will also receive a set of e-lectures on DVD-ROM. These are a virtual replication of the full-time lecture programme. The interactive features will allow you to view each lecture at your convenience, repeat or skip sections and make your own notes alongside the presentation. These have been developed in-house at the ICMA Centre and will make use of our own Interactive Learning Environment (ILE).
You will be part of a community using Blackboard. This is a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) which allows us to host lecture notes and information, manage discussion boards and even live chat rooms. There will be a Blackboard course for each module. We request that all of your questions are directed through Blackboard so that all members of your cohort can benefit from the discussion.
Learning at a distance is different from more traditional methods of learning that you may have experienced in the past. You will not meet daily with your tutors and fellow students. You will be using technology to support your learning, for lectures and for meeting your fellow students in a virtual environment. You will therefore need to review how you study and how you organise your time. This programme will develop your knowledge and understanding of Finance and will also develop your skills in e-learning and online communication.
Module Calendar
You will receive a module calendar to guide you through your first year of distance learning. It includes all the paper-based materials to be covered, sections of text books and/or e-books to be read, e-lectures to be reviewed, seminar questions to be answered, online tests to be attempted and online discussion topics.
Blackboard (Virtual Learning Environment)
A Blackboard course will exist to support each of your modules by distance learning. Each Blackboard course will contain copies of all of your module materials. In addition, it will hold online self-tests and lecture forums. The self-tests will be scheduled throughout the year on the module calendar.
Blackboard also allows you to interact with staff at the Centre. Your main forum for talking about academic topics will be the Blackboard discussion boards. These will be e-moderated by a Teaching Assistant. You are encouraged to post all of your questions and queries on the appropriate discussion forum, and get a good discussion going.
Before the programme starts all students introduce themselves on Blackboard in the ‘Pub’ forum for social interaction. Being a distance learner can be a lonely experience. This is particularly true for students using print-based distance learning. This facility for online interaction enables you to get involved in your course much more and enjoy communicating with your tutors and other students as well. The sooner you make contact with other students, the sooner you will feel part of the course.
The purpose of the Pub is to give you a forum within which to interact with other students on matters which are not specifically academic.
ILE
Our uniquely developed Interactive Learning Environment (ILE) allows you to view the e-lectures on your computer or via our iPod. For a demonstration disk please email admin@icmacentre.ac.uk. A sample screenshot can be found below.
IC Live
This is your opportunity to attend lectures covering the modules taken. Study skills and dealing room sessions will also be on offer. You will have the opportunity to network with your fellow distance-learners, the doctoral researchers, academics and full-time students.
Please find below a sample schedule:
Monday
10.00 – 11.00:  Welcome and Q&A with Dr Adrian Bell
11.00 – 12.30:  Fixed Income and Equity Investments with John Evans
14.00 – 15.30:  Financial Analysis with John Evans
TuesdayÂ
9.00 – 16.00:   INVEST Dealing Sessions with Dr Mike Smith
12.30 – 14.00: CPD Working Lunch with ICMA Centre staff and hosted by the Career Development Unit
16.00 – 17.00: Research Projects with Professor Charles Sutcliffe
Social evening including drinks and dinner
Wednesday
10.00 – 12.00:  Financial Markets with Dr Alfonso Dufour/ Professor Brian Scott-Quinn
Stochastic Calculus with Ubbo Wiersema
12.00 – 13.00:  Securities, Futures and Options with Professor John Board
14.00 – 16.00:  Quantitative Methods with Professor Carol Alexander
Thursday
10.00 – 12.00:  Quantitative Methods for Finance Seminars
13.00 – 15.00:  Fixed Income and Equity Investments Seminars
15.00 – 17.00:  Securities, Futures and Options
Friday
11.00 – 13.00:  Fixed Income and Equity Investments Test
14.00 – 15.00:  Financial Markets/Financial Analysis Test
