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.