Students

ECON3081 – PACE: Current Issues in Economics

2025 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Ben Wang
ben.wang@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above including ((ECON203 or ECON2003) and (ECON204 or ECON2004))
Corequisites Corequisites
10cp from ECON units at 3000 level
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

To summarise the knowledge, tools and capabilities learnt during their economics training, students in this capstone unit complete a major research project covering a current economic issue, under the supervision of an academic research adviser. Real-world research problems are provided by an industry partner. The unit provides an opportunity for students to gain a sound understanding of how to conduct a fully-fledged research project and to contextualise their graduate capabilities. By engaging in this real-world research experience, students learn how to navigate and address complex economic challenges, while developing critical thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills that are highly valued in today's job market. This capstone unit empowers students to showcase their expertise, positioning them for success in their chosen career.

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: Create economic knowledge-based solutions that can be applied to problems faced by key economic decision makers.
  • ULO2: Critically analyse economic issues and make policy recommendations based on economic theories and sound statistical or econometric evidence.
  • ULO3: Effectively communicate solutions to economic problems to specialist and non-specialist audiences, in written reports and oral presentations.
  • ULO4: Work in a team to develop a major group economic research report for an Industry Partner.

General Assessment Information

Late Assessment Submission Penalty (written assessments) Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted.  For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Professional Practice: Industry Research Project 50% No Report: 11:55PM 7th November. Presentation: Week 11 in class
Skills Development: Research Pitch Planning 20% No Report: 11:55PM 29 August. Presentation Week 7 in class
Skills Development: Industry Data Analysis 30% No 11:55PM 17th October

Professional Practice: Industry Research Project

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Report: 11:55PM 7th November. Presentation: Week 11 in class
Weighting: 50%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for students to enhance their employability as an economist. Students will work in teams to produce a team research project consisting of a presentation and a written report. The presentation is designed to provide opportunities for constructive feedback from peers and academic staff. Each team is required to produce a team economic research paper based on the topics presented by the industry partner at the beginning of the session.

Skills in focus:

  • Teamwork
  • Written and oral communication skills
  • Discipline knowledge
  • Analytical and Critical thinking
  • Work readiness

Deliverable: Presentation and Written report (approx. 1000 words individual contribution).

This is an individual (30%) and group (20%) assessment.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Create economic knowledge-based solutions that can be applied to problems faced by key economic decision makers.
  • Critically analyse economic issues and make policy recommendations based on economic theories and sound statistical or econometric evidence.
  • Effectively communicate solutions to economic problems to specialist and non-specialist audiences, in written reports and oral presentations.
  • Work in a team to develop a major group economic research report for an Industry Partner.

Skills Development: Research Pitch Planning

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Report: 11:55PM 29 August. Presentation Week 7 in class
Weighting: 20%

 

The purpose of this task is to help students establish a clear sense of direction early in their project and to encourage students to develop both individual and team research goals. The task consists of a submitted written plan to receive feedback, followed by a pitch presentation. The written plan is guided by a set of constructive questions that promote students to think about their project in a systematic way.

Skills in focus:

  • Work readiness
  • Critical and Analytical skills
  • Discipline skills
  • Communication skills

Deliverable: A written report (approx. 1,200 words) and Presentation.

This is an individual (10%) and group (10%) assessment.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Create economic knowledge-based solutions that can be applied to problems faced by key economic decision makers.
  • Critically analyse economic issues and make policy recommendations based on economic theories and sound statistical or econometric evidence.
  • Effectively communicate solutions to economic problems to specialist and non-specialist audiences, in written reports and oral presentations.
  • Work in a team to develop a major group economic research report for an Industry Partner.

Skills Development: Industry Data Analysis

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 11:55PM 17th October
Weighting: 30%

 

The purpose of this task is for students to develop their ability to apply their reasoning and analytical skills in relation to data. Students will analyse data sets relating to economic issues raised by the industry partner.

Skills in focus:

  • Problem solving
  • Work readiness
  • Discipline skills
  • Critical thinking

Deliverable: Written submissions to short answer questions.

This is an individual assessment.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Create economic knowledge-based solutions that can be applied to problems faced by key economic decision makers.
  • Critically analyse economic issues and make policy recommendations based on economic theories and sound statistical or econometric evidence.

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

Lecture time: Fridays 9am - 12pm

Learning and teaching strategy The learning and teaching strategy in ECON3081 recognises that students learn from contact with academic staff and their peers. It also recognises that students must take responsibility for their learning process, which includes independent study and reflection.

Lectures and consultation seminars The timetabled three-hour lectures for ECON3081 are in a mixed format, comprising of a variety of formal lectures, industry partner presentations, student presentations and consultation seminars. As ECON3081 is a participation and capstone unit, you are strongly encouraged to get engaged each and every lecture in order to gain vital hands-on experience and exposure to the ideas of peers, academic staff and the industry partner.

Required and Recommended Texts There is no set textbook for the course. Recommended reading material will be posted to the unit iLearn during the session.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Unit information based on version 2025.04 of the Handbook