Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2005-2006 (archived)

Module ECON3012: DISSERTATION IN ECONOMICS

Department: ECONOMICS FINANCE AND BUSINESS (ECONOMICS AND FINANCE)

ECON3012: DISSERTATION IN ECONOMICS

Type Open Level 3 Credits 40 Availability Available in 2005/06 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Two modules at level two including EITHER Economic Principles I: Microeconomics (ECON2011) Or Economic Principles II: Macroeconomics (ECON2021).

Corequisites

  • One other level 3 Economics module.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To encourage students to acquire the skills of independent research by pursuing a substantial project requiring research reading and/or data collection.

Content

  • There is a highly structured plan of work involving lectures and seminars as well as consultations between individual students and their dissertaion supervisors.
  • The seminars will provide students with the opportunity to obtain feedback from their peers as well as the staff member who convenes the sessions.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Enhance student's knowledge of a specific topic in economics
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By completing a dissertation, students will learn to plan and design a substantial piece of written work on an area of economics of their choice which requires literary searches, library work, and the collection/analysis of relevant data.
Key Skills:
  • Written communication - by completing the summative assessment
  • Planning Organisation and time management - by observing strict deadlines
  • Initiative - by searching relevant literature and other information
  • Computer literacy - by word-processing the dissertation

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Teaching is by lectures, tutorials and support for student-centred learning. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in tutorial classes and private study (inlcuding student-centred learning). Formative assessment is by means of preparation of a dissertation outline/plan. Summative assessment is by means of a written piece of 12000 words.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 4 2 per term 1 hour 4
Consulations 21 20 mins 7
Student Preparation and Reading 387
Total 400

Summative Assessment

Component: Coursework Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Dissertation 12000 words 95%
Executive Summary 300 words 5%

Formative Assessment:

Dissertation plan to be approved by tutor.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University