BSc ECONOMICS AND FINANCE

Title:

Introductory Quantitative Methods in Economics and Business 2 and Study Skills

Code:

EC120

Convenor:

DR Simonetta Longhi

Summary:

This module extends the use of standard statistical techniques acquired in ‘Introductory Quantitative Methods 1’ and develops basic study and careers skills.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Project 40%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Introductory Mathematics for Economics 2

Code:

EC121

Convenor:

MISS Anisa Butt

Summary:

This module extends the knowledge of mathematical concepts and techniques gained through ‘EC116 Introductory mathematics for economics 1’. Reference is made in compulsory taught modules for single degree programmes in the Department of Economics.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Assignment 10%, Set exercise 10%, Class test 20%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Introductory Microeconomics

Code:

EC113

Convenor:

PROF Marina Della Giusta

Summary:

To introduce students to the basic principles of microeconomics.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 50%, Class test 50%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Introductory Macroeconomics

Code:

EC114

Convenor:

DR Mark Guzman

Summary:

Introductory Macroeconomics is a first course in understanding what economists consider to be a nation’s economy.  It is designed to provide you with a general introduction to the basic concepts and models used by economists to comprehend the actual world in which you live and the general discussions found in the media and in political discourse.  

Assessment Method:

Exam 50%, Set exercise 25%, Class test 25%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Introductory Quantitative Techniques for Business and Finance

Code:

IC104

Convenor:

DR Nikoloas Antypas

Summary:

This module introduces students to a range of quantitative techniques that are commonly applied in business, finance and management. 

This module is delivered at University of Reading and University of Reading Malaysia. 

Assessment Method:

Exam 75%, Project 25%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Introductory Securities and Markets

Code:

IC101

Convenor:

PROF Brian Scott-Quinn

Summary:

An introduction to the economics of banking, types of money including cryptocurrencies, and sustainable finance focussed on the role of the finance industry in mitigating climate change impact.  

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Class test 40%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Introductory Finance/Trading Simulation I

Code:

IC102

Convenor:

DR Gita Persand

Summary:

This module is delivered at University of Reading and University of Reading Malaysia.

This module aims to provide the student with an overview of the financial system. This will include an overview of the role that the financial system plays in the economy, a discussion of some of the main players in the system, the instruments they trade, and the trading prices. Part of the module will focus on capital markets and the private and public financial institutions participating in these markets. The remainder of the module covers the time value of money, longer-term securities like bonds, risky securities like stocks, and the way in which returns and the values of real and financial assets relate to each other. The purpose of the trading simulation part of the module is to introduce students to computer simulation of securities dealing and spreadsheet modelling. Students are taught the relevant theory and will experience how this theory works in a virtual dealing environment. 

Assessment Method:

Exam 70%, Practical 10%, Class test 20%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Intermediate Microeconomics

Code:

EC201

Convenor:

DR Minyan Zhu

Summary:

This module builds on material covered in introductory microeconomic courses and introduces students to some of the more advanced topics in microeconomic theory, including intertemporal choice, decision-making under risk, game theory, and general equilibrium theory.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Set exercise 40%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Intermediate Macroeconomics

Code:

EC202

Convenor:

DR Mark Guzman

Summary:

Intermediate Macroeconomics builds on concepts introduced in Principles of Macroeconomics.  It is designed to provide a more in-depth understanding of the fundamental principles and analytic concepts related to economic growth, inflation, unemployment and interest rates.  

Assessment Method:

Exam 50%, Set exercise 25%, Class test 25%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Introductory Econometrics

Code:

EC204

Convenor:

DR Steven Bosworth

Summary:

This module is primarily designed to give students a general understanding of basic econometrics with an emphasis on the interpretation of basic linear regression results and their relevance in economic analysis. It is linked closely to EC205, which is a natural follow-on.The module will also help students understand key elements involved in career development, and help access relevant work experience and internships while at University.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Project 20%, Class test 20%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Intermediate Mathematics for Economics

Code:

EC206

Convenor:

MISS Zhe Wang

Summary:

The module will make use of the introduction to mathematical techniques covered in Part 1 and present a further range of methods and their economic applications. Other core and elective modules in the various Economics programmes will make use of this material and provide further applications in their own context.

Assessment Method:

Exam 80%, Assignment 5%, Class test 15%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Corporate Finance

Code:

IC201

Convenor:

PROF Carol Padgett

Summary:

This module focusses on corporate value, considering how it is measured and how companies can create value through their strategies, financial decisions and governance practices. 

Assessment Method:

Exam 70%, Assignment 30%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Portfolio Management

Code:

IC204

Convenor:

DR Nikoloas Antypas

Summary:

The module examines the issues involved in understanding the investment market, constructing an optimal investment portfolio, evaluating the performance of that portfolio, and adjusting its composition through time. 
 
This module is delivered at University of Reading and University of Reading Malaysia. 

Assessment Method:

Assignment 10%, Oral 40%, Class test 50%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Financial Modelling/CMS

Code:

IC206

Convenor:

DR Gita Persand

Summary:

This module is delivered at University of Reading and University of Reading Malaysia.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 5%, Project 50%, Class test 40%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Financial Economics

Code:

EC349

Convenor:

DR Hussein Hassan

Summary:

This module aims to provide a rigorous coverage of the economic reasoning underpinning much of modern finance including portfolio theory and asset pricing. It will apply neoclassical financial analysis both as intellectual contributions in their own and as a set of guidelines to financial decision making in the more complex world of uncertainty and market imperfections. It will also discuss the organisation of a modern financial system highlighting the role of financial intermediaries, such as banks, facing market imperfections. 

Assessment Method:

Exam 50%, Assignment 25%, Set exercise 25%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Derivative Securities/Trading Simulation III

Code:

IC301

Convenor:

MR David Knapp

Summary:

This module is designed to combine theoretical and practical approaches to derivatives. The objectives of the module are the following: first, to give students an overview of the main derivative securities and markets; second, to provide an understanding of derivatives pricing; third, to give an overview of hedging and trading strategies; and fourth, to show how to apply theoretical models and strategies presented in class through exercises, examples and case studies.

Assessment Method:

Exam 80%, Class test 20%"

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Public Economics

Code:

EC314

Convenor:

DR Vivien Burrows

Summary:

This module provides students with the opportunity to explore the rationale for government intervention in the economy, to assess what the role of the government should be, and to analyse a wide range of policy issues.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 50%, Set exercise 50%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

International Economics

Code:

EC311

Convenor:

DR Hussein Hassan

Summary:

International economics is concerned with economic interactions among sovereign nations, in terms of trade in goods and services as well as investment in financial and real assets. It tries to answer questions such as: why do nations trade; what are the gains from trade; are such benefits fairly allocated across various social groups; should trade be free or protected; how much should trade and financial relations among nations be regulated, integrated, coordinated; why do monetary regimes and exchange rates matter; why do some nations tend to accumulate current account deficits and foreign debt whereas other are in surplus and are net lenders. Part of the module will apply the introduced theoretical concepts and models to the policy context of Brexit and EU integration.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Set exercise 40%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Urban Economics

Code:

EC317

Convenor:

DR Vivien Burrows

Summary:

The module introduces students to key topics in urban economics. We will examine some of the main economic theories and models that are used to study cities and their development, and explore a range of problems that affect cities and policies that can be used to address them. 

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Assignment 25%, Set exercise 15%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Applied Econometrics

Code:

EC303

Convenor:

DR Simonetta Longhi

Summary:

This module is one of two applied econometric modules which provide further development of econometric methods introduced in Parts 1 and 2; EC303 focuses on microeconometrics.  EC303 provides a solid grounding in recent developments in applied microeconometrics, enables students to understand what is the most appropriate econometric method for a given set of data and problem faced, and gain practical experience (with computer classes) in analysing a wide range of economic questions.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Project 40%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Advanced Microeconomics

Code:

EC301

Convenor:

DR Steven Bosworth

Summary:

This module introduces game theory and some of its economic applications.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Assignment 20%, Class test 20%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Advanced Macroeconomics

Code:

EC302

Convenor:

DR Alexander Mihailov

Summary:

This module covers major theories of long-run economic growth and short-run economic fluctuations. It looks at issues such as what causes economies to grow, why some countries are richer than others, and what poorer nations can do to catch up. It then looks at alternative explanations for what causes economies to fluctuate in the short run and what role the government can, or should play, in smoothing out fluctuations.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Set exercise 20%, Project 20%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Behavioural Economics

Code:

EC343

Convenor:

DR Stephen Kastoryano

Summary:

This module offers students the opportunity to extend their understanding of how a broad range of economic decisions are made. Neoclassical economics is underpinned by numerous assumptions about how agents make decisions. Many decisions routinely observed are indeed at odds with classical economic theory. This module builds descriptively accurate models of decision making based on actually observed behaviour and aimed at including psychological intuitions about the drivers of such behaviour. While being descriptively more accurate, the models aspire at the same formal and mathematical rigour of classical models, thus constituting generalisations of the former. 

Assessment Method:

Assignment 50%, Class test 50%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Industrial Organisation

Code:

EC347

Convenor:

DR Joo Young Jeon

Summary:

This module presents a number of lessons from theoretical industrial economics for our understanding of corporate decision-making - such as price-setting, output-setting, investment in productive capacity, advertising and collusive behaviour. In this context, the role of industrial competition is emphasised and both the determinants of market structure and the imperatives for competition policy intervention are discussed.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Assignment 20%, Class test 20%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Processes of Long Term Political and Economic Change

Code:

EC337

Convenor:

PROF Ken Dark

Summary:

Understanding the Roman Empire and its relevance to studies of long-term political, cultural and economic change and to contemporary societies and economies in much more depth than in EC118 Economy, Politics and Culture in the Roman World.

Assessment Method:

Exam 80%, Assignment 20%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Economics of Banking

Code:

EC327

Convenor:

DR Tho Pham

Summary:

This module provides students with a guide to the economic theory of banking covering the recent developments in academic research with a focus on the microeconomics of banking. The module will address important issues including the economic theory of bank intermediation pointing out the weaknesses in the banking sector, strategies adopted by banks to address risks, economic assessment of competition and stability in banking, the rationale for government intervention, and banking regulation. 

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Assignment 40%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

The Economics of Sports and Games

Code:

EC325

Convenor:

DR Carl Singleton

Summary:

This module introduces students to the “peculiar economics of sport”, as expressed by Walter Neale in his seminal 1964 paper. From considering whether the unit of analysis should be the sports club/individual or sports league to the uncertainty of outcome hypothesis, competitive balance and the implications of the invariance principle for the labour market in sports, we consider various sports and games from an economic perspective.

Some proficiency with statistical software is assumed, as the assessment includes an applied econometrics exercise.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Set exercise 10%, Project 30%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Money and Banking

Code:

EC320

Convenor:

DR Shixuan Wang

Summary:

This module is designed to provide you with an in-depth understanding on two parts: 1) financial markets (direct finance) and 2) financial intermediaries (indirect finance). In the first part, we will cover interest rate, bonds, and stocks. In the second part, we will discuss financial institutions, commercial banks, central banks, money creation, and monetary policy. By the end of this module students should have a clear understanding of the common financial assets, banking system and the central bank - as well as the interrelationship between these institutions and monetary policy, interest rates, and inflation. 

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Class test 40%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Development Economics

Code:

EC319

Convenor:

DR Neha Hui

Summary:

Development economics concerns the application of economic tools to the study of issues that are of particular importance to developing countries. This module primarily (though not necessarily exclusively) focuses on the application of macro and microeconomic theory to understanding causes and consequences of underdevelopment, It also looks at how countries grow and develop and  studies the behaviour of individuals, including their choices and constraints when markets are missing or incomplete. Development economics is a broad field, so that the module will necessarily focus only on a selection of topics relevant for development. 

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Assignment 30%, Class test 10%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Business History

Code:

EC348

Convenor:

PROF Peter Scott

Summary:

The course reviews the history of business from the earliest times to the present day. It provides a wide-ranging introduction to the history of businesses at different times and in different countries. It focuses on the growth of major businesses that have had a significant impact on technological innovation and social structures. It analyses the growth of business through the lens of entrepreneurship, emphasising the role of individual personality and social institutions in the growth of business enterprises.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Macroeconometrics

Code:

EC350

Convenor:

DR Shixuan Wang

Summary:

This module is one of two applied econometric modules which provide further development of econometric methods introduced in Parts 1 and 2.  EC350 focuses on techniques in the time series econometrics. This module is intended to teach students macroeconometrics, which focuses time series econometrics with applications on macroeconomic datesets. In addition students will develop their econometric software skills in R.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Project 40%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Dissertation

Code:

EC3DIS

Convenor:

PROF Ken Dark

Summary:

The dissertation module involves an 8,000 word independent piece of research work which students carry out on a topic of their choice. While mostly working independently, students will receive one-on-one supervision with an academic in the Department.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 20%, Dissertation 80%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Management of Risk

Code:

IC303

Convenor:

DR Ivan Sangiorgi

Summary:

This module will be taught by Dr Ivan Sangiorgi and Dr Indrajeet Mohite.

This module introduces students to a set of techniques to measure and manage market and credit risks in banks. It also covers recent developments in bank regulation. Financial press articles are extensively used to provide context and show the relevance of the teaching material to current risk management issues. Popular portfolio risk models and stress testing frameworks used by risk managers and central banks are explored in detail. This course will help students develop those critical risk management skills that are now considered indispensable for anyone willing to undertake a career in the financial sector. 

Assessment Method:

Project 40%, Class test 60%"

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Financial Engineering

Code:

IC302

Convenor:

DR Miriam Marra

Summary:

Financial Engineering is the application of engineering methods to finance for the design, analysis, and construction of financial contracts that meet the needs of investors and companies. This basic course of Financial Engineering provides an overview of the theory and practice of Financial Engineering, with emphasis on contract design, payoffs replication and application of simple derivatives pricing and hedging methodology to complex derivatives and structured products.

Assessment Method:

Exam 80%, Class test 20%"

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Private Equity and Venture Capital

Code:

IC309

Convenor:

DR Keith Arundale

Summary:

The objective of the Private Equity and Venture Capital module, which is delivered at the University of Reading, is to develop students’ appreciation of the practical aspects of investing by private equity and venture capital firms, understanding the dynamics between the venture capital investor and the entrepreneur, and also the practicalities of raising PE&VC funds from institutional investors. The focus of the module is on venture capital and high-growth ventures from the viewpoints of both the entrepreneur or management team and of the investing institution (general partner), although private equity as a whole is covered (including management buyout transactions) as well as the relationship between the private equity or venture capital firm and its own investors (limited partner institutions). This is a highly practical module; extensive use will be made of case studies and a group project in addition to guest lectures from invited experienced practitioners or entrepreneurs.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Assignment 40%"

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.