This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Postgraduate Handbook 2012-2013 (archived)
Module ECON51845: FINANCE DISSERTATION
Department: Business School (Economics and Finance)
ECON51845: FINANCE DISSERTATION
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tied | 4 | 45 | Available in 2012/2013 | Durham |
Tied To
- L1K109: Economics and Finance
- L1K209: Accounting and Finance (see Postgraduate Handbook 2011-2012 for details)
- L1K309: Corporate and International Finance
- L1K509: International Banking and Finance
- L1K609: International Money, Finance and Investment (see Postgraduate Handbook 2011-2012 for details)
- L1K709: Finance (see Postgraduate Handbook 2011-2012 for details)
- L1K809: Finance and Investment (see Postgraduate Handbook 2011-2012 for details)
Pre-requisites
- Research Methods (ECON51215)
Corequisites
- None
Excluded Combinations
- None
Aims
- To provide students with the opportunity to conduct an in-depth investigation at an advanced level of an issue which is applicable and relevant to finance and/or economics and/or accounting. The positioning of the dissertation at the end of the programme is intended to promote integration of material covered in the core and optional modules.
Content
- The topic is chosen by the student and formally approved by the Board of Examiners, and should be one that is suitable for in-depth investigation.
- A series of plenary, day-long sessions is held at the start of the dissertation period, covering general aspects of the dissertation process. Students must then attend at least three out of a variety of optional sessions that focus on specific areas of enquiry.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- Have a critical understanding of a relevant topic and the most appropriate techniques of analysis.
Subject-specific Skills
Key Skills
- Written Communication;
- Planning and Organising;
- Problem Solving and Analysis;
- Using Initiative;
- Numeracy;
- Computer Literacy;
- Self-discipline, time management and the ability to work autonomously.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Lectures will be used to cover general aspects of the dissertation process and issues relating to undertaking research in specific areas of enquiry. Students will then work independently on their research, analysis and writing up, under the guidance of a supervisor. Normally the student will meet their supervisor on no more than three occasions. This is considered appropriate, as the dissertation module is underpinned by the core module ‘Research Methods’ and by the initial lectures.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 6 | 2 hours | 12 | ||
| Individual Supervision | 3 | 1 hour | 3 | ||
| Research, Preparation, Analysis and Writing | 435 | ||||
| Total | 450 |
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | 100% | Dissertation | 9,000 words maximum | 100% |
Formative Assessment
The supervisor will provide feedback on one chapter.
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.