RESEARCH METHODS 1 - 2025/6
Module code: ECOM063
Module Overview
The module provides the fundamental mathematical tools used by economists.
It will provide the key elements of real analysis and differential calculus. The focus will then be on static optimisation techniques for comparative static analysis and on dynamic optimisation technique for solving dynamic problems.
Module provider
Economics
Module Leader
SHAKHNOV Kirill (Economics)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 7
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 54
Lecture Hours: 33
Guided Learning: 30
Captured Content: 33
Module Availability
Semester 1
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
N/A
Module content
Indicative content includes:
- Analysis in metric space
- Differential calculus
- Comparative statics
- Static optimisation
- Dynamical systems and dynamic optimisation
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| School-timetabled exam/test | CLASS TEST (1 HR) | 30 |
| Examination | EXAMINATION (2 HR) | 60 |
| Coursework | Exercise problems coursework 1 | 5 |
| Coursework | Exercise problems coursework 2 | 5 |
Alternative Assessment
N/A
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate
analytical skills and the ability to reason logically.
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
An in-semester class test
A final examination
Exercise problems coursework
Formative assessment
Class participation and discussion of tutorial problem sets.
Feedback
Students will receive verbal feedback during lectures and tutorials, as well as written feedback on their performance in the in-semester class test.
Module aims
- The aim is to provide a self-contained, rigorous treatment of the mathematical foundations required to follow the sequence in microeconomics and macroeconomics within the MRes Economics programme, and as a foundation for further study towards a PhD in Economics.
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 001 | Be familiar with advanced optimisation techniques routinely used in economics (C,K,T) | CKT |
| 002 | Be able to formalise an economic problem (C,T,P) | 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:
Provide the necessary tools for solving microeconomics and macroeconomics problems.
The learning and teaching methods include:
Interactive small group lectures and workshops designed to expose students to the content and to give the opportunity for students to discuss and apply the methods taught in dedicated problem sets.
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: ECOM063
Other information
This module incorporates some of the University’s five pillars of learning as follows:
Employability: Students develop a deep knowledge of research within Economics. They develop research skills necessary to work in variety of different settings, including academia, government and in business. In particular, students explore research topics that will make them employable in an academic setting.
Digital capabilities: Students will become acquainted with a variety of programming languages and models as their research dictates/
Resourcefulness and resilience: the module introduces techniques and methods at a level appropriate for academic research. Students sharpen their understanding of economic models and learn how to ask interesting questions that warrant research at the frontier. They have to become resourceful and approach problems from a theoretical, quantitative and empirical perspective. They learn how to come up with interesting sources of data that can validate or refute an economic argument. They learn how to understand the weaknesses of an economic theory and how to develop new ones in order to address the ever-changing nature of the economic phenomena.
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics MRes | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% 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 2025/6 academic year.