Students
ECON8030 – Applied Economics Project
2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Andrea Chareunsy
Xiaoman Selma Huang
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(ECON840 or ECON8040) and (ECON912 or ECON8012) and (ECON913 or ECON8013)
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit is a Capstone for the Master of Applied Economics. It is designed to create a bridge between the knowledge and skills acquired in the course, and the broader society, including business and government. The unit attempts to provide students with a practical understanding of how theories, methods and knowledge of economics can be relied upon to understand and solve issues in the real world. The unit is primarily based on a specific economic project chosen from the students' own business or social environment. Students work in teams to nominate a problem, and to undertake appropriate research and analysis so as to ultimately propose solutions. The scope of the economic project can be microeconomics or macroeconomics; this will depend on the nature of the chosen problem, and the theories and techniques selected in response. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Apply advanced knowledge of key economic ideas to the problems faced by economic decision makers.
- ULO2: Integrate and synthesise learning in order to critically reflect upon complex economic issues and evaluate established knowledge.
- ULO3: Effectively communicate complex economic ideas and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- ULO4: Interpret and apply ethical dimension of business practice to economic and policy decision choices.
- ULO5: Collaborate with peers to prepare and present research findings on current real-world issues.
General Assessment Information
Team work is an integral part of the Unit. You are required to be part of a team, actively participating in the discovery, development and completion of the team project. Teams will be formed in the first two weeks of Session.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research project proposal | 40% | No | Week 6 |
| Presentation | 20% | No | Week 12 & 13 |
| Research project | 40% | No | Week 13 |
Research project proposal
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 21 hours
Due: Week 6
Weighting: 40%
The research project proposal, due in week 6, consists of two parts. Part A, worth 25%, is an essay-style proposal of a chosen topic which will include background, relevance and impact. Part B, worth 15%, is a 3 minute pitch followed by a Q&A defence of the proposal.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply advanced knowledge of key economic ideas to the problems faced by economic decision makers.
- Integrate and synthesise learning in order to critically reflect upon complex economic issues and evaluate established knowledge.
- Effectively communicate complex economic ideas and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Interpret and apply ethical dimension of business practice to economic and policy decision choices.
Presentation
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 12 & 13
Weighting: 20%
Formal presentations will take place in weeks 12 and 13. Students present the findings of their group project. However, students will be assessed based on their individual presentation of their assigned section.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply advanced knowledge of key economic ideas to the problems faced by economic decision makers.
- Integrate and synthesise learning in order to critically reflect upon complex economic issues and evaluate established knowledge.
- Effectively communicate complex economic ideas and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Research project
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%
The 3,500-word report will provide an analysis of the chosen topic based on existing literature. Students are expected to work in groups to offer a critique of the theories and methods employed for these analyses and propose solutions to problems and issues encountered in their chosen area. The group report will be due in Week 13.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply advanced knowledge of key economic ideas to the problems faced by economic decision makers.
- Integrate and synthesise learning in order to critically reflect upon complex economic issues and evaluate established knowledge.
- Effectively communicate complex economic ideas and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Interpret and apply ethical dimension of business practice to economic and policy decision choices.
- Collaborate with peers to prepare and present research findings on current real-world issues.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Group Learning:
There will be a weekly virtual lectorial via Zoom/Live Chat. The link will be provided on iLearn prior to the scheduled lecture time. This is then followed by a break-out Zoom team meeting. This course is project-based, with little reliance on a common textbook or set of readings. As such, Zoom attendance (and other synchronous interaction) is paramount to the successful completion of this Unit. Projects will be based on a common industry, pre-selected by the industry participant.
The Unit is organised into three blocks of webinars/meetings covering: 1. research and discovery; 2. discussions around project appropriate theoretical and methodological approaches; and, 3. preparation and presentation of the research projects.
Individual Learning:
You are expected to research and read papers relevant to your project, read assigned theoretical and methodological articles to deepen your knowledge of tools necessary for your project, as well as actively participate in the preparation and presentation of the final report.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.