Course Syllabus

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FES3753

Course Syllabus

Fire and Emergency Services Financial Management

Emergency Services Financial Management will expose the participant to the variety of practices utilized in long and short-term system financing of an Emergency Service agency. Participants will effectively demonstrate the principles and applications of finance management to organizations in general and to emergency response organizations in particular.

Credit Hours: 3

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate competence in terminology, concepts, and methodologies used in the finance profession through writing submissions and discussions.
  2. Analyze financial statements and explain the meaning of financial concepts such as but not limited to balance sheets, income statements, depreciation, and inventory control.
  3. Describe the concepts of asset and liability management and their impact on an organization’s ability to operate effectively.
  4. Carefully and logically analyze financial information from multiple perspectives and develop reasoned solutions to problems.
  5. Clearly and effectively communicate knowledge, ideas, and reasoning in written or oral forms in order to convey an understanding of financial concepts and applications.
  6. Demonstrate the ability to construct a budget.

 

How This Course Relates to the Student Learning Outcomes in the Fire and Emergency Services Financial Management Course

  1. The student will interpret and apply the terminology, concepts, methodologies, and theories used in the financial management profession.
  2. The student expresses ideas in a convincing, organized, clear, and coherent manner that is nearly error-free and uses a style and language appropriate to the emergency services and financial management profession.
  3. Submitted written assignments should include such elements as well-crafted paragraphs, a persuasive organizational structure (e.g., introduction, body, conclusion; or introduction, methods, results, discussion), well-supported claims, and appropriate and effective stylistic elements adhering to APA style 7th edition. 
  4. The student considers the issues from multiple perspectives, logically analyzes evidence from credible, relevant sources, and develops reasoned conclusions.

Course Requirements

Required Textbook

Mitterer, D. and Mitterer, H. (2023). Understanding Finance for Emergency Services; Cognella Publishing. ISBN 979-8-8233-4453-1

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course. 

Minimum Technology Requirements

The University of Florida expects students entering an online program to acquire computer hardware and software appropriate to their degree program. Most computers are capable of meeting the following general requirements. A student’s computer configuration should include:

  • Webcam
  • Microphone
  • Broadband connection to the internet and related equipment (cable/DSL modem)
  • Microsoft Office Suite installed (provided by the university)

Individual colleges may have additional requirements or recommendations that students should review before starting their program.

Minimum Technical Skills

To complete your tasks in this course, you will need a basic understanding of operating a computer and using word processing software.

Materials/Supply Fees

There is no supply fee for this course. 

Zoom

Zoom is an easy-to-use video conferencing service available to all UF students, faculty, and staff that allows for meetings of up to 100 participants.

You can find resources and help using Zoom at the University of Florida’s Zoom website.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Any and all use of machines that emulate human capabilities (ChatGPT, Stable Diffusion, DALLE, etc.) to perform assignments or other works in the course should be disclosed, as it can border on plagiarism. AI-generated information, as long as this use is properly documented in the references, will need to include the prompt and the significant parts of the response. The use of generative AI tools is not permitted in this course for the following activities:

  • Completing group work that your group has assigned to you.
  • Writing a draft of a writing assignment.
  • Writing entire sentences, paragraphs, or papers to complete class assignments.

Course Policies

Attendance Policy

 This course is designed in module format. You should check the site weekly at a minimum. You are required to complete the assignments, including discussion questions, within the time period designated in the module. Requirements for class attendance and make-up exams, assignments, and other work in this course are consistent with university policies that can be found within the UF Undergraduate Catalog.

Assignments and Discussions

All assignments and discussions have a due date. Please be sure to check the dates and times they are due in each module. All due dates are set in order to provide consistency with the discussions and assignment submission. Each module will be opened early so you have time to read the material, formulate and answer discussions, and finish and submit the assignment. Each discussion and assignment will be closed one week after the due date. 

Final Project

You must contact me prior to the assignment deadline if you are going to be late on any discussion or assignment to receive credit. In the event of an unforeseen inability to complete an assignment due to technology issues, notify me as soon as possible.

Make-up Policy

As this is an online class, you are responsible for observing all posted due dates and are encouraged to be self-directed and take responsibility for your learning.

Late Policy Assignments & Discussions

  • Assignments up to 48 hours late will receive a 10% deduction in their grade. 
  • Assignments over 48 hours but less than 30 days late will receive a 20% deduction in their grade.
  • Assignments over 30 days late but submitted during the semester will receive a 50% deduction in their grade.
  • Discussions up to 48 hours late will receive a 25% deduction in their grade.
  • Discussions more than 48 hours later will receive a 50% deduction in their grade.

Please note that any student with less than 75% of their work complete for the semester cannot earn an “I” contract. If you have 75% of the work completed, you can propose an “I” contract to the instructor.

It is your responsibility to keep your instructor informed at all times. The instructor does have the right under extenuating circumstances with proper notification to assist the student by extending the above time requirements.

Grading Policy

I will make every effort to have each assignment graded and posted within one week of the due date. 

Course Grading Policy

Assignment Points
Introduction Post 10
Discussions 110
Assignments 220

Final Project Approval

Final Project

 200

See the current UF grading policies for more information.

UF Policies

University Policy on Accommodating Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities requesting accommodations should first register with the Disability Resource Center (352-392-8565) by providing appropriate documentation. Once registered, students will receive an accommodation letter that must be presented to the instructor when requesting accommodation. Students with disabilities should follow this procedure as early as possible in the semester.

University Policy on Academic Conduct

UF students are bound by The Honor Pledge, which states, “We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity by abiding by the Honor Code.” On all work submitted for credit by students at the University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied: “On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment.” The Student Honor Code and Student Conduct Code specify a number of behaviors that are in violation of this code and the possible sanctions. Furthermore, you are obligated to report any condition that facilitates academic misconduct to appropriate personnel. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult with the instructor or TAs in this class.

Plagiarism

The Student Honor Code and Student Conduct Code states that:

“A Student must not represent as the student’s own work all or any portion of the work of another. Plagiarism includes but is not limited to:

  • Stealing, misquoting, insufficiently paraphrasing, or patch-writing.
  • Self-plagiarism is the reuse of the student’s own submitted work or the simultaneous submission of the student’s own work without the full and clear acknowledgment and permission of the faculty to whom it is submitted.
  • Submitting materials from any source without proper attribution.
  • Submitting a document, assignment, or material that, in whole or in part, is identical or substantially identical to a document or assignment the student did not author.”

Getting Help

Technical Difficulties

For help with technical issues or difficulties with Canvas, please contact the UF Computing Help Desk at:

Any requests for make-ups (assignments, exams, etc.) due to technical issues should be accompanied by the ticket number received from the UF Computing Help Desk when the problem was reported to them. The ticket number will document the time and date of the problem. You should email your instructor within 24 hours of the technical difficulty if you wish to request a make-up.

Health and Wellness

  • U Matter, We Care: If you or someone you know is in distress, please email umatter@ufl.edu, call 352-392-1575, or visit U Matter We Care to refer or report a concern, and a team member will reach out to the student in distress.
  • Counseling and Wellness Center: Visit the UF Counseling & Wellness Center website or call 352-392-1575 for information on crisis services and non-crisis services.
  • Student Health Care Center: Call 352-392-1161 for 24/7 information to help you find the care you need, or visit the UF Student Health Care Center website.
  • University Police Department: Visit the UF Police Department website or call 352-392-1111 (or 9-1-1 for emergencies).
  • UF Health Shands Emergency Room/Trauma Center: For immediate medical care in Gainesville, call 352-733-011 or go to the emergency room at 1515 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 3260.; Visit the UF Health Shands Emergency Room/Trauma Center website.

Academic and Student Support

Netiquette and Communication Courtesy

It is important to recognize that the online classroom is, in fact, a classroom, and certain behaviors are expected when you communicate with both your peers and your instructors. These guidelines for online behavior and interaction are known as netiquette.

Security

Remember that your password is the only thing protecting you from pranks or more serious harm.

  • Don’t share your password with anyone.
  • Change your password if you think someone else might know it.
  • Always log out when you are finished using the system.

General Guidelines

When communicating online:

  • Treat the instructor with respect, even via email or in any other online communication.
  • Always use your professors’ proper title: Dr. or Prof., or if you are unsure, use Mr. or Ms.
  • Unless specifically invited, don’t refer to a professor by their first name.
  • Use clear and concise language.
  • Remember that all college-level communication should have correct spelling and grammar.
  • Avoid slang terms such as “wassup?” and texting abbreviations such as “u” instead of “you.”
  • Use standard fonts such as Times New Roman and use a size 12 or 14-point font.
  • Avoid using the caps lock feature, AS IT CAN BE INTERPRETED AS YELLING.
  • Limit and possibly avoid the use of emoticons like :).
  • Be cautious when using humor or sarcasm, as tone is sometimes lost in an email or discussion post, and your message might be taken seriously or be construed as being offensive.
  • Be careful with personal information (both yours and others).
  • Do not send confidential information via email.

Email

When you send an email to your instructor, teaching assistant, or classmates:

  • Use a descriptive subject line.
  • Be brief.
  • Avoid attachments unless you are sure your recipients can open them.
  • Avoid HTML in favor of plain text.
  • Sign your message with your name and return email address.
  • Think before you send the email to more than one person. Does everyone really need to see your message?
  • Be sure you REALLY want everyone to receive your response when you click “Reply All.”
  • Be sure that the message author intended for the information to be passed along before you click the “Forward” button.

Discussion Boards

When posting on the discussion board in your online class:

  • Check to see if anyone already asked your question and received a reply before posting to the discussion board.
  • Remember your manners and say please and thank you when asking something of your classmates or instructor.
  • Be open-minded.
  • If you ask a question and many people respond, summarize all posts for the benefit of the class.
  • When posting:
    • Make posts that are on-topic and within the scope of the course material.
    • Be sure to read all messages in a thread before replying.
    • Be as brief as possible while still making a thorough comment.
    • Don’t repeat someone else’s post without adding something of your own to it.
    • Take your posts seriously. Review and edit your posts before sending.
    • Avoid short, generic replies such as, “I agree.” You should include why you agree or add to the previous point.
    • If you refer to something that was said in an earlier post, quote a few key lines so readers do not have to go back and figure out which post you are referring to.
    • Always give proper credit when referencing or quoting another source.
    • If you reply to a classmate’s question make sure your answer is correct, don’t guess.
    • Always be respectful of others’ opinions, even when they differ from your own.
    • When you disagree with someone, you should express your differing opinion in a respectful, non-critical way.
    • Do not make personal or insulting remarks.
    • Do not write anything sarcastic or angry; it always backfires.
    • Do not type in ALL CAPS, if you do IT WILL LOOK LIKE YOU ARE YELLING.

Zoom

When attending a Zoom class or meeting:

  • Do not share your Zoom classroom link or password with others.
  • Even though you may be alone at home, your professor and classmates can see you! While attending class in your pajamas is tempting, remember that wearing clothing is not optional. Dress appropriately.
  • Your professor and classmates can also see what is behind you, so be aware of your surroundings.
  • Make sure the background is not distracting or something you would not want your classmates to see.
    • When in doubt, use a virtual background. If you choose to use one, you should test the background out first to make sure your device can support it.
    • Your background can express your personality, but be sure to avoid using backgrounds that may contain offensive images and language.
  • Mute is your friend, especially when you are in a location that can be noisy. Don’t leave your microphone open if you don’t have to.
  • If you want to speak, you can raise your hand (click the “raise hand” button at the center bottom of your screen) and wait to be called upon.

Privacy and Accessibility Policies

For information about the privacy policies of the tools used in this course, see the links below: 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due