EC331     
Quantitative Thesis

This information is for the 2023/24 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Matthew Levy SAL 3.21

Availability

This course is compulsory on the BSc in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics. This course is not available as an outside option nor to General Course students.

Pre-requisites

Students must have completed Principles of Econometrics (EC221) or Econometrics II (EC2C1), or exceptionally Introduction to Econometrics (EC220) or Econometrics I (EC2C3) in combination with Econometrics II (EC2C4).

Course content

This course provides an opportunity to learn how to do independent quantitative economic research at an advanced level. Students are expected to pursue research on a question of their own choice under the supervision of a member of staff. They are expected to formulate an initial proposal near the start of AT in order to be matched with a supervisor, refining their choice into a manageable research question during that term. Following independent work during AT, a seminar in week 9 will review student progress. In the WT seminars, each student will present a preliminary outline of the results for comments by fellow students and teachers, and later a follow-up presentation on further, more final results and a draft thesis. Seminars in WT are formally timetabled as classes.

Teaching

4 hours of seminars in the AT. 20 hours of seminars in the WT.

In week 11 of the AT and the WT students will work independently (with supervisory advice).

Formative coursework

Students are required to prepare material for their presentations in the seminar, but this is not formally assessed.  Students are additionally expected to participate in discussion on the presentations of other students as this is part of the training of a research economist, but this is also not formally assessed.

Indicative reading

As each student chooses an individual research question, there is no common reading list for this course.

Assessment

Thesis (100%) in the ST.

A completed thesis (up to 10,000 words, not including abstract, footnotes, bibliography and tables) on an approved subject will be required to be submitted in the Spring term.

Key facts

Department: Economics

Total students 2022/23: 8

Average class size 2022/23: 8

Capped 2022/23: No

Value: One Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Course selection videos

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Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication