• Homework (20%)

Four sets of homework questions, of equal value, will be given throughout the semester. Students are required to submit their answers by the due date for each set via turnitin. Late submission:  Students who do not submit this task by the due date and time receive a result of zero. This penalty does not apply when an application for Special Consideration has been made and approved. Note: applications for Special Consideration Policy must be made within 5 (five) business days of the due date and time. Students who have applied for special consideration must let the lecturer know about it immediately via email. No homework will be accepted after the marked homework has been returned to the students.

• Class test (20%)

Topics: the topics covered in Weeks 1−4.

Duration: 50-60 minutes

It is a closed-book test. A calculator is needed for simple calculations. Failure to sit the test will result in a mark of zero being awarded for this component, except for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved. If special consideration is granted, a supplementary test will be arranged.

• Assignment (20%)

The assignment will consist of questions requiring computed and written answers. The questions will be based on material covered in the lectures up to the due date. It must be submitted via turnitin.

Late submission: No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission incurs a 20% penalty). Late submissions will be accepted up to 96 hours after the due date and time. This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved. Note: applications for Special Consideration must be made within 5 (five) business days of the due date and time. Students who have applied for special consideration must let the lecturer know about it immediately via email. No assignment will be accepted after the marked assignments have been returned to the students.

• Final examination (40%)

The examination will be closed-book and of two hours’ duration. It will cover all the topics that have been discussed in class during the semester. You will need a calculator.

The University Examination period starts immediately after the closure of classes. You are expected to present yourself for examination at the time and place designated in the University Examination Timetable. The timetable will be available in draft form approximately eight weeks before the commencement of the examinations and in final form approximately four weeks before the commencement of the examinations: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/exam.

Students who do not sit for the final exam will be awarded a grade of FA (failed absent). The only exception to this rule will occur in cases where a special consideration is granted on the grounds of unavoidable disruption to studies. Students who are prevented from sitting the final exam due to illness or unavoidable disruption may wish to consider applying for special consideration; see below for the related information. If a supplementary examination is granted as a result of the special consideration process the examination will be scheduled for after the conclusion of the official examination period. If the student does not attend the supplementary examination at the scheduled time, a grade of FA will be awarded.

Classes

Lecture Class: Tuesday 1 - 4 pm (6 EAR 306)

There is a single three-hour lecture/tutorial class per week. Attendance at lectures is strongly recommended. Selected questions from tutorials will be discussed during lectures.

It should be noted that class attendance is only one part of university study. In addition to class attendance, students are expected to spend around six to nine hours per week in private study in order to perform well in the unit.

The timetable for classes can be found on the University website at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/

Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials

Lecture slides will be made available on the unit web site as the unit progresses. In addition to these lecture slides, students may find the following reference helpful.

Marno Verbeek, A Guide to Modern Econometrics, 5^th edition

Technologies used and required

(1)     Students will require a non-programmable calculator for tutorials, tests and the final examination.

Students will also require access to a computer, on which the following are installed or accessible.

(2)     Gretl: It is free, open-source software. Visit the Gretl website: http://gretl.sourceforge.net/, and choose the operating system of your computer from the menu on the left-hand side. Download and install the program onto the computer. Download also the manual and all the data for practice.

(3)     An internet browser, such as Firefox and Internet Explorer, to access iLearn.

(4)     Adobe Acrobat Reader: to read course material downloaded from iLearn. This program can be downloaded from http://www.adobe.com/downloads/.

Learning and Teaching Activities

ECON3033 is taught via lectures, set reading, and tutorial exercises. Students are expected to attend lectures, read the texts after the lecture, attempt tutorial questions, submit homeworks and assignment, and participate in class discussions.

Unit Web Page

Useful information and some course material will be made available on the learning management system (iLearn): ilearn.mq.edu.au. Visit the homepage regularly for new information, course material and announcements.