Programme specification

This programme specification is aimed at prospective students and represents the most current course structure.

SECTION A: DETAILS OF THE COURSE AND AWARD

Programme: Economics
Awarding body: University of Essex
Teaching institution: University of Essex
Department: Economics
Final award: BSC
NQF Level of Qualification: Honours
Full / Part Time Full-time
QAA Benchmark Group: Economics
JACS code: L101
Publication date: 07/03/2008
Admission criteria:
if the applicant does not meet the specified criteria, he or she may discuss the application with the Head of Undergraduate or Head of Postgraduate admissions.
A-levels: 320 points, including AB at A-level
GCSE Mathematics: C
Scottish Highers: AAAB, plus Standard Mathematics grade 3
IB: 30 points, including Standard Mathematics

SECTION B: PROGRAMME AIMS, OUTCOMES, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT METHODS

This section provides a concise overview of the programme of study, identifying the aims, learning outcomes and the corresponding methods of learning, teaching and assessment.

Programme: BSC Economics

Programme aims:

BSc Economics is a three-year programme of study. Its main learning and teaching aims are: To provide students with an academic training in the principles of economics. To equip students with the tools of quantitative methods needed to solve theoretical or applied economic problems. To foster in students an appreciation of the appropriate level of abstraction and simplification needed to explore a range of economic issues. To encourage in students the acquisition of autonomous study skills and the adoption of an investigative approach to tackle economic problems. To develop in students the ability to construct logical arguments, to communicate arguments clearly in writing, and to appreciate, evaluate and respond to potentially conflicting interpretations of economic phenomena. To provide students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills constructively to one or more specialist areas of economics and the associated policies. To allow students, through the study of economics, to acquire critical, analytical and research skills, problem-solving skills, and transferable skills. To provide students with a foundation for further studies in economics and allied disciplines. The outcomes detailed in this section represent the minimum that might be expected of a graduate of the Department of Economics at the University of Essex. The Department anticipates and intends that the vast majority of economics graduates will accomplish significantly more. Details of the differing standards expected to achieve the various course and degree classifications are available in the Undergraduate Economics Handbook, published annually by the Department of Economics.

Programme Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:

expand paragraph   A: Knowledge and Understanding

A1 : Knowledge of the fundamental principles of economics, including microeconomics and macroeconomics.
A2 : Understanding of the application of economic reasoning to the study of relevant problems and policies.
A3 : Understanding of the mathematical methods needed to articulate economic theories.
A4 : Awareness of the sources of economic information.
A5 : Knowledge of econometric methods and an awareness of how they are applied in the analysis and evaluation of economic issues.
A6 : Appreciation of one or more specialist areas of economics in depth.

expand paragraph   B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills

B1 : Analyse a specified problem and choose the most suitable methods for its solution.
B2 : Assess the relative merits of a range of theories, techniques and tools needed to articulate arguments and policies.
B3 : Synthesise and interpret information from a range of sources (lectures, classes, journals, books, etc.) developing a critical evaluation of the importance and relevance of the sources to an area of study.
B4 : Construct reasoned, informed and concise descriptions and assessments of economic ideas.

expand paragraph   C: Practical Skills

C1 : Identify, select and gather information, using the relevant sources.
C2 : Organise ideas in a systematic way.
C3 : Present economic ideas and arguments coherently in writing.
C4 : Use and apply economic terminology and concepts.

expand paragraph   D: Key Skills

Communication:  D1 : Communication in writing, using appropriate terminology and technical language: (a) the articulation of economic theories, (b) the description of economic evidence, (c) the critical assessment of economic arguments and policies
Numeracy:  D3 : Knowledge of quantitative methods and an appreciation of the contexts in which the methods are relevant to analyse economic data.
Problem Solving:  D4 : Understanding of quantitative methods, an awareness of the contexts in which the methods are relevant and a knowledge of how they are applied in practice to analyse economic data.
Self Learning:  D6 : Capacity to: (a) organise and implement a plan of independent study, (b) reflect on his or her own learning experience and adapt in response to feedback; (c) recognise when he or she needs to learn more and appreciate the role of additional research

Learning, Teaching & Assessment Methods or Strategies for the following:

expand paragraph   A: Knowledge and Understanding

Learning Methods

Lectures are the principal method of delivery for the principles, concepts and arguments in A1-A6. Students are also assigned readings from textbooks, academic journal papers, unpublished research papers and on-line resources.

Students' understanding is reinforced by classes, especially for outcomes A1, A2, A3, A5. Laboratory sessions are provided to support learning of econometric methods (A5).

Individual supervision of the final year project provides additional support especially for outcomes A4 and A6, and reinforces A2, A3, A5.

Lectures and classes in final year courses are particularly important to enable students to achieve A6.


Assessment Methods

Achievement of knowledge and understanding is assessed through marked assignments (A1, A2), tests (A1, A2, A3, A5), term papers (A1, A2, A4, A6), project work (A1-A6) and unseen closed-book examinations (A1, A2, A3, A5, A6).

Learning outcomes A2, A4 are assessed by tests and unseen closed-book examinations.

Learning outcome A6 is assessed by term papers and unseen closed-book examinations particularly in final year, EC3xx, economics courses.

Learning outcome A4 is assessed especially via term papers (in second year and final year economics courses) and the final year project.


expand paragraph   B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills

Learning Methods

Students' acquisition of intellectual and cognitive skills, B1-B4, is enabled primarily through lectures and further sustained via classes.

Outcome B1 is developed particularly in exercises designed for core economic theory, mathematical methods and quantitative methods classes.

Outcomes B2, B3 and B4 are key elements in students' preparation for assignments.

Individual project supervision and guidance for term paper study are especially important in providing opportunities for students to acquire B2, B3 and B4.


Assessment Methods

Achievement of intellectual/cognitive skills is assessed through marked assignments (especially B1 and B3), tests (especially B1), term papers (especially B2, B3, B4), project work (especially B2, B3 and B4) and unseen closed-book examinations (especially B1, B2 and B4).

expand paragraph   C: Practical Skills

Learning Methods

Skill C1 is developed via directed reading from textbooks and academic journal articles together with searches for online materials.

Skill C2 is acquired during lectures and classes, and as a consequence of studying course materials.

Skill C3 is articulated in the preparation of assignments and term papers.

Skill C4 is developed in classes and is emphasised in the preparation of assignments, term papers and projects.



Assessment Methods

Achievement of practical skills C1, C3 and C4 is assessed directly through marked assignments, tests, term papers, project work and unseen closed-book examinations.

Skill C2 is assessed indirectly via assignments, term papers, projects and final examinations.



expand paragraph   D: Key Skills

Learning Methods

Students are guided in lectures, classes and individual advice from teachers in acquiring skills D1, D3, D4, D6.

Skills D3 and D4 are reinforced through the quantitative methods sequence of courses at the elementary and intermediate levels, together with courses in theoretical and applied economics.

Skill D6 is enanced as students reflect upon the knowledge they need when researching term papers and their final year projects.

Only minimal formally assessed requirements for the completion of the programme are listed here. In reality, the overwhelming majority of economics students acquire a much broader range of key skills, and at greater depth, in ways that are integrated seamlessly throughout their studies of the subject.



Assessment Methods

Skills D1 and D4 are assessed through marked assignments, tests, term papers, projects and unseen closed-book examinations.

Skill D3 is assessed particularly through tests and unseen closed-book examinations.

Skill D6 is assessed indirectly through students' capacity to construct submitted work (assignments, term papers and projects for which feedback is given) and their study plans for unseen tests and examinations.





SECTION C: COURSE STRUCTURE

Please refer to your option list as issued by the department where necessary, and view module details in the module directory.

Additional notes on module choices:

Students are allowed to enrol for modules taught in another department worth up to 30 credit units (equivalent to one full year course) in years 2 and 3 combined. The Director of Undergraduate Studies must approve the choice of the outside option. Approval will normally be granted for modules available to second and third year students in other Departments but will be refused for first year modules or those with a substantial overlap with modules that have already been taken.

Final year students must pass 90 credits from third year Economics modules (level 6, EC3XX). The remaining 30 credits may be obtained from second year modules, third year modules or an outside option.

15 credit components are not to be aggregated into 30 credit components unless a 30 credit option substitutes for two 15 credit options.

If the first year of your course refers to Option Lists A, B, C or D information can be found at http://www2.essex.ac.uk/academic/students/ug/schemes.html (Note: These lists are subject to change each year).


expand paragraph   Year 1

Component No.Module CodeModule TitleStatus in Award
01EC111-1-FYIntroduction to EconomicsCompulsory
02EC114-1-FY OR MA108-1-PS AND MA114-1-ASOptional
03EC115-1-FY OR MA104-1-AS AND MA118-1-PSOptional
04OPTION(S) FROM LISTS A OR C (1 X 30 CREDITS) OR (2 X 15 CREDITS)Optional

expand paragraph   Year 2

Component No.Module CodeModule TitleStatus in Award
01EC201-5-FYMacroeconomics (Intermediate)Compulsory
02EC202-5-FYMicroeconomics (Intermediate)Compulsory
03EC251-5-AUMathematical Methods in EconomicsCompulsory
04EC252-5-SPIntroduction to Econometric MethodsCompulsory
052ND YEAR ECONOMICS OR OUTSIDE OPTION (1 X 30 CREDITS) OR (2 X 15 CREDITS)Optional

expand paragraph   Year 3

Component No.Module CodeModule TitleStatus in Award
01EC831-6-FYProject: EconomicsCompulsory
02FINAL YEAR ECONOMICS OPTION (15 CREDITS)Optional
03FINAL YEAR ECONOMICS OPTION (15 CREDITS)Optional
04FINAL YEAR ECONOMICS OPTION (15 CREDITS)Optional
05FINAL YEAR ECONOMICS OPTION (15 CREDITS)Optional
06ECONOMICS OR (OUTSIDE OPTION IF NOT ALREADY TAKEN IN 2ND YEAR) (1 X 30 CREDITS OR 2 X 15 CREDITS)Optional


SECTION D: RULES OF ASSESSMENT

Rules of assessment are here: http://www2.essex.ac.uk/academic/students/ug/rules.htm

Please see the Module Directory at http://www2.essex.ac.uk/courses/ for details of assessment requirements for individual modules.

See also: details of individual modules in the module directory and links to course materials and resources in the Online Resource Bank.

NOTE

The University of Essex Programme Specifications Catalogue is updated annually in April/May. The specifications represent the most current course structures and may be subject to review and change. Should you have any queries about the Catalogue's pages, please contact the Course Records Team, Systems Administration Office, Academic Section; email: crt (non Essex users should add @essex.ac.uk)