Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025

Module ECON3012: DISSERTATION IN ECONOMICS

Department: Economics

ECON3012: DISSERTATION IN ECONOMICS

Type Tied Level 3 Credits 40 Availability Available in 2024/2025 Module Cap Location Durham
Tied to L100
Tied to L106
Tied to L109
Tied to L103
Tied to L104
Tied to L105
Tied to LL12
Tied to LL02
Tied to LL01
Tied to L1R1
Tied to VL52
Tied to VLL6
Tied to VLLA
Tied to CFG0
Tied to CFC0
Tied to FGC0
Tied to CFG1
Tied to CFC1
Tied to FGC1
Tied to CFG2
Tied to CFC2
Tied to LMVA
Tied to LMV0
Tied to LMVP

Prerequisites

  • Microeconomics (ECON2021) AND Macroeconomics (ECON2011) AND Econometrics (ECON2061) OR Economic Theory (ECON2291) AND Econometrics (ECON2061)

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • The dissertation should be a substantial piece of work that provides a detailed and critical examination of a particular topic. Empirical research is encouraged where appropriate to the topic but is not compulsory.
  • The dissertation 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 consultations between individual students and their dissertation supervisors.

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 literature searches, 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 and consultations. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in consultations and private study. Formative assessment is by means of preparation of a draft chapter. 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 Across both years 2 and 3 1 hour 4
Consultations 6 20 mins 2 ■
Student Preparation and Reading 394
Total 400

Summative Assessment

Component: Coursework Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Dissertation 12,000 words 100% Same

Formative Assessment:

Submission of draft chapter

■ 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