PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION: MSc Financial Economics

Transcription

1 PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION: MSc Financial Economics 1 Awarding Institution: University of Exeter 2 School(s)/Teaching Institution: Business School 3 Programme accredited/validated by: 4 Final Award(s): MSc 5 Programme Title: Financial Economics 6 UCAS Code (if relevant): 7 FHEQ Level of Final Award(s): M 8 QAA Subject Benchmarking n/a Group: 9 Date of Production/Revision: September 2009

2 10 Programme Structures and Requirements, Levels, Modules, Credits and Awards The programme is studied over twelve months and is University-based throughout that time, and is sited at the Streatham Campus in Exeter. The taught component of the programme is taught over one 12-week and one 11-week semester with a period of assessment at the end of each. The dissertation is completed from July-September. Students take 180 credits at Level M as defined by the University. Semester 1: BEAM047; BEEM103; either BEEM100 or BEEM101; either BEEM102 or BEEM104; Semester 2: BEAM039; either BEEM114 or BEEM117; either BEEM112 or BEEM116; choose 1 module from optional modules list; Semester 3: BEEM115 All modules are 15 credits, with the exception of BEEM115 (60 credits) Full list of modules BEAM047 Fundamentals of Financial Management BEEM100 Macroeconomics BEEM101 Microeconomics BEEM102 Quantitative and Research Techniques 1 BEEM103 Optimization Techniques for Economists BEEM104 Quantitative Methods for Finance BEAM039 Principles of Finance Optional modules BEAM033 Banking and Financial Services BEAM036 Domestic and International Portfolio Management BEEM121 Game Theory and Industrial Organisation BEEM106 Growth and Development BEEM107 Public Economics BEEM109 Experimental Economics and Finance BEEM110 Adv Macro/Modelling BEEM111 International Macroeconomics and Finance BEEM112 Quantitative and Research Techniques 2 BEEM113 Advanced Econometrics BEEM114 Advanced Finance Theory BEEM116 Financial Econometrics BEEM117 Economics of Corporate Finance BEEM119 Economics of Banking BEE3051 The Economics of Financial Crises BEEM115 Research Design and Dissertation Further details are available on the School's website, Students passing the programme according to the University s Postgraduate Assessment Criteria are awarded the MSc. Students who are unsuccessful at achieving the standard required for the MSc may be eligible for the award of Diploma or Certificate in the relevant discipline. 11 Educational Aims of the Programme

3 To provide an education for students intended to give students competence in their chosen discipline and to encourage them to develop their intellectual capabilities within an institution that is committed to the advancement of research, scholarship and learning, and to the dissemination of knowledge To equip students with a range of methodological skills and appropriate specialised knowledge. To provide a rigorous training, in a supportive environment, in the techniques of finance, economic and econometric analysis, as an aide to understanding contemporary economic and finance issues. To inform this education by research, and national and international economic development, where appropriate. To provide training in subject-specific skills, preparing students for employment or further study. To provide a training in economics with specialist modules in finance. 12 & 13 Programme Outcomes and Teaching, Learning & Assessment Methods On successfully completing the programme, a graduate should be able to demonstrate: A Subject knowledge and skills a core knowledge in finance, economics, and econometrics the ability to apply advanced economic and finance concepts to real-world situations the ability to formulate, test and evaluate a wide variety of economic, finance and econometric models B Core Academic Skills the ability to synthesise data from a range of sources expertise across a wide range of research methods and statistical techniques, such that they are equipped to carry out good quality empirical and experimental research. the ability to analyse and evaluate quantitative problems the ability to use a number of statistical and econometric packages Teaching/learning methods and strategies Subject knowledge and skills are taught in all core modules through a mix of Lectures Seminars private study Assessment Subject knowledge and skills are assessed by examination (all core modules) and assignment (BEEM102/112) Teaching/learning methods and strategies Core academic skills are taught through private study (all core modules) problem sets (BEEM102/104/112) computer-based examples (BEAM030) directed and undirected reading (all core modules) student presentations (individual or group) (BEEM115,BEAM030). Assessment Core academic skills are taught through Written examination (all core modules) Assignments (BEAM030, BEAM039) Dissertation (BEEM115) C Personal and key skills the ability to use a full range of learning resources the ability to work independently at a sustained level of researching or problem-solving the ability to work in a group Teaching/learning methods and strategies Personal and key skills are taught through exercise classes (BEAM030) computer-based classes (BEEM102/4) directed and undirected reading (all) private study leading to assignments and/or presentations (all) group work (BEAM030/039)

4 Assessment Personal and key skills will be assessed through written examinations (all) individual assignments BEEM102/104) group assignments (BEAM030/039) dissertation (BEEM115) More detailed descriptions of the manner by which learning is related to assessment through assessment criteria will be found at the modular level of module description templates.

5 14 Support for Students and Students Learning At Exeter, the University Library maintains its principal collections in the main library buildings on the Streatham and St Luke s campuses, together with a number of specialist collections in certain Schools. The total Library collection comprises over a million volumes and 3000 current periodical subscriptions. Information Technology (IT) Services provide a wide range of services throughout the Exeter campuses including open access computer rooms, some of which are available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Additionally, some Schools have their own dedicated facilities. Helpdesks are maintained on the Streatham and St Luke s campuses, while most study bedrooms in halls and flats are linked to the University s campus network. On the Cornwall campus, the Learning Resource Centre contains a library of 70,000 volumes and some specialist collections. IT Services provide a range of central services, including open and training clusters of PCs (available on a 24/7 basis) within the Centre, while some Schools have additional dedicated facilities. Network access is available from all rooms in the hall of residence on site. It is University policy that all schools should have in place a system of academic and personal tutors for their students. A University-wide statement on such provision is included in the University s TQA Manual. Additionally, the following units at Exeter between them provide a wide range of student support services: - Student Counselling Service - Student Health Centre - Study Skills Service - Family Centre (Streatham campus) - Student Advice Centre (Guild of Students) - Chaplaincy - International Office - English and Foreign Language Centres - International Student Exchange and Support Office - Disability Resource Centre The University Careers Advisory service provides expert advice to all students to enable them to plan their futures, through guidance interviews, psychometric testing, employer presentations, skills events, practice job interviews and CV preparation. All Schools are required to possess Student/Staff Liaison Committees, which allow students to contribute directly to the enhancement of educational and other provision at discipline level In addition, support for postgraduate students in the Business School includes: A one week induction programme (University and MA/MSc/MRes programme registration and induction including welcomes, IT induction, library induction, postgraduate receptions) A dedicated programme director A dedicated programme administrator and programme assistants Personal tutor Dissertation Supervisor A programme-dedicated student handbook (c.50 pages) includes inter alia registration and induction, general information on School and University facilities and services (e.g. library, IT, fax, photocopying), health and safety, communicating with School staff, illness and absence, special needs, details of the degree programme and its modules (module templates, examinations, assessment methods etc.), School Code of Good Practice in Teaching and Learning, University postgraduate assessment procedures (examination conventions), complaints and appeals procedures, and guidance on examination preparation, groupwork, essay writing, referencing, cheating and plagiarism. Two computing officers Three postgraduate-exclusive computing suites with standard and specialised software (e.g. RATS, PCGive, SPSS, Maple) and access to specialised databases (e.g. Datastream, Thomson Analytics, Bloomberg, Business Insights, Datamonitor, London Share Price Database, Center for Research Security Prices) Postgraduate study room School-dedicated English Language Centre classes Disability officer and referral service to the Disability Resource Centre Departmental staff-postgraduate seminar programme (visiting speakers) Postgraduate student representation on the School s Postgraduate Student-Staff Liaison Committee (one representative from each taught postgraduate programme) Postgraduate student representation on School Teaching Committee (one representative from each taught postgraduate programme)

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7 15 Admission Criteria The standard admission criterion is an upper second class degree in economics or similar. For international students, requirements for English Language proficiency are IELTS overall score of 6.5 or TOEFL score of Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed School assessment marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures. The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the external examiners appointed for each programme. Their responsibilities are described in the University s code for external examiners and include access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. Attendance at the Board of Examiners and the provision of an annual report are both required. Clear procedures are also in place for the monitoring of these annual reports at both School and University level. See the University s TQA Manual for details of these processes ( ) The degree is awarded with Distinction when a student gains an average of at least 70% overall. The degree is awarded with Merit when a student gains an average of least 60% overall. 17 Indicators of Quality and Standards The University and its constituent Schools draw on a range of data in their regular review of the quality of provision. The annual produced Performance Indicator Dataset details admission, progression, completion and first career destination data, including comparisons over a five year period. The Departments of Economics and Management were reviewed by the Quality Assurance Agency in January 2001 and a total score of 22 points awarded. 18 Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards The University has procedures in place for the regular review of its educational provision, including the annual review of both modules and programmes which draw on feedback from such sources as external examiners reports, student evaluation, student achievement and progression data. In addition, subject areas are reviewed every three years through a subject and programme quality review scheme that includes external input. These procedures are recorded in codes of practice contained in the TQA Manual. Nearly all subject areas are reviewed from time to time by the national Quality Assurance Agency for HE; see the QAA web site for review reports on subjects at Exeter.