Unit information: Economic Modelling in 2024/25

Unit name Economic Modelling
Unit code ECONM0047
Credit points 20
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director Dr. Langtry
Open unit status Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

None

Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)

None

Units you may not take alongside this one

None

School/department School of Economics
Faculty Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Unit Information

Why is this unit important?

This unit introduces students to modern economic models and analysis and hence provides the foundational knowledge for students to understand key concepts and policy trade-offs in modern economic analysis and policymaking. The unit builds upon analysis of individual decisions that affect and shape all members in modern societies and hence understanding of them is a key to modern economic decision-making at all levels. The unit emphasizes policies related to financial markets, such as those affecting international trade and financial markets.

How does this unit fit into your programme of study

Economic Modelling is a mandatory unit for MSc Economics and Finance. This unit is indispensable to achieve the aim of the programme for students to gain the advanced skills and perspectives of the professional economist. In today’s world, financial market and its related issues take centre stages in our economic life and Economic modelling provides the essential toolkits for students to understand and analyse the real-world economic problems. The unit is complimentary to other mandatory units in TB1 but help students’ economic/financial decision-making from an academic perspective.

Your learning on this unit

An overview of content

Economic Modelling unit will include both microeconomic and macroeconomic analysis to introduce students general knowledge in modern economics and finance.

The framework is built on utility maximization, consumption problem and general equilibrium, but also is flexible enough to allow for various economic frictions to be studied. The unit is designed to equip students with rigor and analytical ability to perform equilibrium and asset pricing analysis, as well as evaluation of financial markets policies. The analytical tools include utility and profit maximization, general equilibrium analysis, and comparative statics.

How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit

Students will be equipped with knowledge and understanding of modern economic frameworks and policy analysis, and be able to articulate rigorous economic reasoning in real-world economic problems.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit, students will be able to:

  1. Explain key concepts of modern microeconomics and macroeconomic models which are necessary to know for understanding market institution and financial markets.
  2. Perform rigorous economic analysis using the models to apply the key microeconomics and macroeconomic concepts to real-world economic and financial problems and policies.
  3. Solve microeconomics and macroeconomic models in the context of concrete economic problems using theoretical techniques.

How you will learn

The unit comprises a combination of asynchronous and synchronous lectures, small group seminars, and exercise classes.

  • A set of asynchronous lectures covering the models, analysis, and applications (to meet learning outcome 1-2).
  • Exercise lectures to familiarize students with formal reasoning and critical thinking of the material covered in the asynchronous lectures (to meet learning outcomes 2 and 3).
  • Small group classes is designed to have discussions of the models and concepts covered in lectures with real-world applications (to meet learning outcomes 3 and 4).
  • Revision Q&A workshop during revision week. This helps students assess how well they have met the unit’s learning outcomes ahead of the examination and what they need to focus on in preparation for this examination.

How you will be assessed

Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):

There will be two written formative assessments. The first one consists of both basic conceptual questions and analytical questions that aim at assessing ILO 1-2. The second one consists of questions that require solving the models rigorously and with questions that ask students to apply the concepts and models to real-world economic problems aiming at assessing ILO2-4. There will be feedbacks on these formative assessments.

Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):

The unit is assessed by a final written exam of 2 hours with different parts aiming at assessing ILO 1-4.

When assessment does not go to plan

Re-assessment will take the form of a single examination assessing all ILOs in different parts of the examination.

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. ECONM0047).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.

The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.