ECONOMICS PROJECT - 2023/4
Module code: ECO3050
Module Overview
This unit introduces the students to the process of independent academic investigation and helps them develop research skills through the completion of a substantial research project. Students are expected to use the empirical and analytical skills that they acquired in other modules.
Module provider
Economics
Module Leader
RICKMAN Neil (Economics)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 6
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Workshop Hours: 6
Independent Learning Hours: 96
Guided Learning: 40
Captured Content: 8
Module Availability
Semester 2
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
Economics and Mathematics students: If taking this module, you cannot take MAT3018 (Literature Review I) or MAT3036 (Literature Review II)
Module content
Indicative content includes:
- Lectures cover topics on how to assess interest and feasibility of ideas, how to conduct literature and data research, how to write up a research proposal, the final report, general empirical issues, and any other possible issues raised by the students.
- Students discuss possible ideas with potential supervisors amongst the members of staff. Within this process, a topic is agreed with a member of staff, willing to supervise the student on this topic.
- In conjunction with the supervisor, the student will need to establish whether the project requires a formal ethics approval.
- Students are expected to meet their supervisor regularly to appraise their progress.
Assessment pattern
Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
---|---|---|
Oral exam or presentation | INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATION | 15 |
Coursework | FINAL PROJECT | 85 |
Alternative Assessment
Not applicable.
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate:
Independent research skills, potentially empirical data analysis, and writing skills, in addition to time-management.
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
- An individual presentation on data gathering and preliminary findings (student will be video recorded)
- A written report on an individually conducted research project, marked separately by two members of staff.
Formative assessment and feedback
Students receive feedback on their project ideas and presentation skills in a series of sessions dealing with basic aspects of how to approach the project, how to conduct independent research, and how to write a project report. They also prepare a research proposal as part of a formative assessment, on which their supervisor provides them with feedback.
Students continuously receive feedback from their project supervisor.
Module aims
- To use the analytical and empirical skills acquired throughout the program to investigate in depth a topic in Economics selected by the student
- To gain some initial experience in undertaking independent investigation
- To teach students to express a complex topic in written arguments.
Learning outcomes
Attributes Developed | ||
1 | Independently assess the potential interest and feasibility of different topics to investigate | KCPT |
2 | Independently combine theory and empiricism in order to investigate a well-defined topic | KCT |
3 | Demonstrate expertise in information acquisition (of both literature and data), including selection of appropriate material and techniques | KCPT |
4 | Demonstrate the ability to work independently on complex problems under supervision | PT |
5 | Prepare an in-depth piece of work over an extended period of time, but constrained by a specific deadline | KCPT |
6 | Demonstrate proficiency in presenting work in an acceptable academic format, and condensing a relatively large amount of material into a relatively short space | CPT |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:
- Enhance skills in information gathering, information evaluation, independent project work, written presentation of research work, and time management
- Enhance students’ understanding and application of current economic research
The learning and teaching methods include:
- Lectures by module coordinator or others
- Individual meetings with module coordinator (as necessary)
- Supervisory meetings
- Individual student presentation to encourage research presentation skills
- Final written report
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ECO3050
Other information
The School of Economics is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities particularly in the following areas:
Employability
This module emphasizes key skills for the workplace, including clear and focused writing, information search, and synthesizing multiple information sources to answer questions in context.
Programmes this module appears in
Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
---|---|---|---|
Economics and Mathematics BSc (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Economics and Finance BSc (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Business Economics BSc (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Economics BSc (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.