Syllabus
UNE Summer Session
BUFI 302: Personal Finance – Summer 2025
Credits - 3
Description
A survey course providing an overview of the financial skills needed by individuals in managing their financial lives. Topics include:
- Money management
- Insurance
- Retirement planning
- Estate planning
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Analyze personal budgets and financial records.
- Describe career planning.
- Explain financial strategies and tax planning.
- Analyze consumer credit and real estate planning.
- Describe insurance, selecting investments, and retirement planning.
Assignments
- Homework: Completed online via McGraw-Hill Connect https://connect.mheducation.com/class/m-abu-el-fadl-bufi-302-summer-2025
- Exams: Three exams covering course chapters
- Additional Learning Activities: Video Case library, media library, and discussion participation
Homework using Connect: Homework is assigned to help you further process the concepts and develop your critical thinking skills. These assignments are designed to make you think and apply learning. Homework assignments will be done online using the Connect system provided by McGraw–Hill, your textbook publisher.
Exams and E-book using Connect: The same link above will give you access to the E-book, which is a choice you will make when you register through the website (they will give you the option to get an E-book ) https://connect.mheducation.com/class/m-abu-el-fadl-bufi-302-summer-2025
Video Media Library: You will find links in the syllabus that have a media library for each chapter to help you understand the topics of each chapter.
Video Case Library: You will find links in the syllabus that have a Video Case library to help you understand the overall concepts.
Access to Connect: Please use your UNE email address as your login name and password. More than two log names will result in the deletion of one of them and the loss of your work. You must attempt the assignment (even if you had to submit the job without working on it) to get a chance to review the project after it is due, which is very important for your success in class and exam preparation.
Course Calendar: Please examine carefully the course calendar and plan accordingly. There is no make-up or change in dates because of the flexibility offered in the online format the calendar shows you
- Topics covered every week
- Due dates for homework
- Due dates for exams
Grade Breakdown
- Homework (McGraw-Hill Connect): 20%
- Participation (Discussion Boards): 5%
- Exam 1: 25%
- Exam 2: 25%
- Exam 3: 25%
- Total: 100%
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
Monday – Sunday
May 19 – May 25
May 26 – Jun 1
Jun 2 – Jun 8
Jun 9 – Jun 15
Jun 16 – Jun 22
Jun 23 – Jun 27
|
Week |
Chapter |
Topic |
DUE |
Due Time (Week End Date) |
Readings |
|
1 |
1 |
Personal Finance Basics and the Time Value of Money |
Sunday |
11.59 Pm |
PPT , Excel, and Media |
|
1 |
2 |
Financial Aspects of Career Planning |
Sunday |
11.59 Pm |
PPT , Excel, and Media |
|
2 |
3 |
Money Management Strategy: Financial Statements and Budgeting |
Sunday |
11.59 Pm |
PPT , Excel, and Media |
|
2 |
Discussion | Sunday |
11.59 Pm |
|
|
|
2 |
Exam 1 |
Exam 1 (Ch1-3) |
Sunday |
11.59 Pm |
|
|
3 |
4 |
Planning Your Tax Strategy |
Sunday |
11.59 Pm |
PPT , Excel, and Media |
|
3 |
5 |
Financial Services: Savings Plans and Payment Accounts |
Sunday |
11.59 Pm |
PPT , Excel, and Media |
|
3 |
6 |
Introduction to Consumer Credit |
Sunday |
11.59 Pm |
PPT , Excel, and Media |
|
4 |
7 |
Choosing A Source of Credit: The Costs of Credit Alternatives |
Sunday |
11.59 Pm |
PPT , Excel, and Media |
|
|
Discussion | Sunday |
11.59 Pm |
|
|
|
4 |
Exam 2 |
Exam 2 (Ch4-7) |
Sunday |
11.59 Pm |
|
|
5 |
8 |
Consumer Purchasing Strategies and Legal Protection |
Sunday |
11.59 Pm |
PPT , Excel, and Media |
|
5 |
9 |
The Housing Decision: Factors and Finance |
Sunday |
11.59 Pm |
PPT , Excel, and Media |
|
6 |
10 |
Property and Motor Vehicle Insurance |
Sunday |
11.59 Pm |
PPT , Excel, and Media |
|
6 |
13 |
Investing fundamentals |
Sunday |
11.59 Pm |
PPT , Excel, and Media |
|
|
Discussion | Sunday |
11.59 Pm |
|
|
|
6 |
Exam 3 |
Exam 3 (Ch8-10) |
Sunday |
11.59 Pm |
|
Student Resources
|
Video Media Library |
|
Chapter 1 TVM-Future Value-Single Amount Personal Financial Planning Process |
|
Chapter 2 |
|
Chapter 3 Ratios for Evaluating Financial Progress Where to Keep Personal Financial Records |
|
Chapter 4 Short Term vs. Long Term Capital Gains |
|
Chapter 5 |
|
Chapter 6 |
|
Chapter 7 |
|
Chapter 8 |
|
Chapter 9 Housing Affordability Calculation |
|
Chapter 10 |
|
Chapter 13 |
Summer Session Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
Questions? Email: summersessiononline@une.edu.
Instructor and Support Contact Information
Check Brightspace for specific instructor and support specialist contact information.
UNE Libraries
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
Further Assistance
Your student support specialist monitors course progression and provides assistance or guidance when needed. They can assist questions regarding ordering course materials, University policies, billing, navigating the course in Brightspace, and more.
To request an accommodation a student needs to go through the process with our UNE office. If the student has a current/already established accommodation in place with UNE it is the responsibility of the student to notify the program at summersessiononline@une.edu to ensure it is applied properly.
If you need to inquire about a possible accommodation, please reach out to the Student Access Center by calling 207-221-4418 or send an email to pcstudentaccess@une.edu.
Policies
Course Management
Welcome, I’m your instructor for this semester. As you all know, the class is online, and we don’t meet face-to-face. Check the UNE website and the College of Business faculty to learn more about me. My contact information is on the syllabus, too.
Your task is to read the syllabus a few times and familiarize yourself with the due dates listed on it. We will strictly adhere to those dates. Also, educate yourself on how to access Connect. The Connect website is where you will do exams, homework, and practice problems. The link for the Connect website is in the syllabus.
I gave you plenty of time for the first assignment due date to allow you to explore and make yourself comfortable in setting up your calendar. As for the practice problems, you are not required to solve them, but they will help you understand the materials. Also, on the syllabus, there are links for video presentations on the concepts of each chapter to help you know more.
Since this class is remote and we are not meeting face to face, it is essential to follow the instructions on the syllabus and check your emails for updates. Also, check the Brightspace class website for announcements, postings, Powerpoint presentations, and other information.
The syllabus has my contact information and office hours. If you need to meet me, office hours are your best bet. If you want to meet but can’t come to the office, we can arrange Zoom meetings for questions. The Zoom link is posted on the syllabus, too.
You will undoubtedly have questions; email me those questions. I will answer every question; sometimes, I will compile the questions and send responses to the class.
Finally, this class is remote, and we don’t meet. The Connect website allows you to receive feedback on your homework by providing your grade and the correct answers after the due date. You will receive your grades for exams after you submit them. This course is self-study and depends on your ability to manage time. We don’t meet face to face, but you are encouraged to see me in my office or schedule Zoom as necessary. There will be no direct instruction like we have in an on-campus class, so be aware of that and plan accordingly.
I will keep in touch with you through emails and reminders. Let me know if you have questions.
Technology
This course will use web technology to disseminate course materials such as syllabi, handouts, and course notes. Web-based email is an additional means of communication between the instructor and students.
Summer Session & Academic Engagement Policy
Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm EDT of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion by 11:59 pm EDT on Sunday of the first week, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the Student Summer Session Manual for full details.
Proctored Examinations
Your course may have proctored exams. Please see the course for the exact exam requirements, test-taker guidance, proctoring format, and allowances (such as calculators or whiteboards, as indicated in the course).
Information about exam attempts can be found in your course.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Programs: Technical Requirements.
Course Length
A schedule of lectures and assignments is included in this syllabus.
Courses in the program are equivalent to one-semester courses designed to be completed in 6 or 12 weeks.
- Enrollment in the course begins the day your section opens which is listed in the Academic Calendar.
- Course due dates, start and end dates are in respect to Eastern Time.
Withdrawal and Refund Policies
Please review the policies in your confirmation email. Contact summersessiononline@une.edu with any questions.
Grade Policy
Students are expected to attempt and complete all graded assignments and proctored exams by the end date of the course.
Transcripts
Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, only the student may request official transcripts. This may be done online by going to the University of New England Registrar website and following the directions on the page.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the College. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.