Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook
This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2006-2007 (archived)

Module ECOS1101: QUANTITATIVE METHODS

Department: ECONOMICS FINANCE AND BUSINESS (BUSINESS FINANCE) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

ECOS1101: QUANTITATIVE METHODS

TypeLevelCreditsAvailabilityModule CapLocation
Tied 1 20 Available in 2006/2007 None. Queen's Campus, Stockton

Tied To

Pre-requisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • All other compulsory Level 1 modules in the degrees for which this module is compulsory.

Excluded Combinations

  • None.

Aims

  • To introduce students to the essential analytical and statistical techniques necessary in a finance degree and to provide a foundation for further study in econometrics.

Content

  • The use of mathematics, both algebraic and geometric, in describing business situations, such as demand, supply and market equilibrium.
  • The use of mathematics in analysing issues of finance such as interest accrual, debt repayment, annuities, the value of bonds and present values.
  • The use of differential calculus, particularly in problems concerning optimisation, such as profit maximisation.
  • Elementary probability, presentation and analysis of data.
  • descriptive and elementary inferential statistics.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge
  • To prepare students for successful study of second year core modules in finance.
  • By the end of the module students should have acquired an array of mathematical and statistical skills widely used in finance.
  • They should be able to identify which mathematical techniques is required for solving particular problems and be well prepared in those mathematical areas necessary for suitable progression to such stage of final honours as Finance, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Data Analysis for Finance.
Subject-specific Skills
Key Skills

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

  • Lectures will deliver essential material in an efficient way to a large audience and will identify key reading and exercises.
  • Workshops will enable smaller group work to practice problem-solving and will enable students to match techniques to problems.
  • Support classes will enable those students who find the material especially challenging (perhaps because of their mathematical background prior to University) to seek and get additional practice at problem-solving.
  • The summative assessment — by unseen written exam and assignment — is designed to test students’ knowledge and understanding of the techniques and their ability to apply them to meet the learning outcomes specified.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotal HoursAttendance Monitored
Lectures 0
Workshops 0
Sport Classes 0
Preparation and Reading 113
Total 113

Summative Assessment

ComponentComponent WeightingElementLength/DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Examination 60% one unseen examination of 1.5 hours 100%
Written assignment 40% One written assignment of not more than 1500 words 100%

Formative Assessment

No collections. Exercises will be completed over the year, two sets to be handed in and marked. Other exercises will be set and will be self marked, with solutions made available to students.


Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.