Course Catalogue

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This dissertation course is unique in that it is a piece of independent work which provides an alternative to the traditional dissertation. The main aim is to cultivate students' autonomy in research, writing, presentation, and to enhance their graduate and employability skills, specifically within the context of applying economic analysis to a selected topic in economics. It also offers opportunities to tackle a real-world challenge in collaboration with an external partner organisation. Joint Honours students can choose to undertake a dissertation in Economics or their other subject.

Meetings between students and supervisors are arranged to suit both parties.

There are three asynchronous sessions focussing on Dissertation/Academic Writing and Presentation Skills.

University of Glasgow students must have achieved Subject Honours entry requirements as detailed below to enrol on this course. Permission is required for non-Economics students to take this course as an outside option.

A GPA of 12 (average C3) in Economics 2A and 2B with no course grade below D3, attained at the first attempt. A minimum grade of D3 in both ECON1012, Introductory Mathematics for Economists and ECON013, Introductory Statistics for Economists unless exemptions were agreed on the basis of other courses taken in year 1. Refer to course specifications for details. These grades may be achieved at the second attempt.

ECON4006P: Economics Dissertation

Intended Learning Outcomes

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

The aim of this course is to allow students to apply the diverse knowledge and skills gained throughout their studies to real world challenges. Students will analyse and synthesise relevant literature and will undertake research to solve a live real world or conceptual challenge. This will enable students to connect theory to practice, develop professional competence and creativity, and develop written and oral communication skills in both academic and non-academic settings. Students will also develop employability skills through their development of various assessments for non-academic audiences.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Justify why a specific economic problem can serve as the basis of a research project;

2. Summarise the academic literature that is relevant to a given economics research question; 

3. Select the arguments and techniques that can answer a given economics research question;

4. Conclude an analysis of economics data with support and limited bias;

5. Compose available evidence and supported criticism into a sustained logical argument ;

6. Carry out an economics research project within a given time frame;

7. Implement the oral, written, visual, and digital skills that can support the communication of economics problems, research, and research findings to key stakeholders.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.