MA Qualifier in Economics 2012/13
(Please note that the following information is provisional. Some slight changes may be made before the next offering of the programme.)
This program comprises 26 weeks of taught coursework (30 ECTS credits).
The MA qualifier is designed for graduates who wish to bring their economics to a level where they are prepared for a Master's course.
It must be noted that the MA qualifier is not a diploma per se. It is only a first step to be potentially eligible for the MA program.
Students must also be warned that the School of Economics does not commit to admitting any students who have performed the MA Qualifier to the MA in Economics programme on the sole ground that they have done the MA Qualifier. Achieving an average of 60% in the MA Qualifier programme is a necessary condition for consideration for a place on the MA programme.
It is a light program adapted to suit the needs of those who may be working part-time as they study.
Students must take six courses: five compulsory core modules and one optional module.
Core Modules
The following five core modules are required (total 25 credits).
- ECON 20010 Microeconomics 1
- ECON 20020 Macroeconomics 1
- ECON 30110 Microeconomics 2
- ECON 30120 Macroeconomics 2
- ECON 30130 Applied Econometrics I
Option Modules
Students must also take one option offered by the School (total 5 credits). This must be a Level 3 option.
Options Available 2011 – 2012 (Provisional)
The following table gives the Level 3 modules that we hope to offer in 2011 – 2012. Note that one of these modules, FIN 30200 is offered by a cognate School. However for the purpose of meeting the MA Qualifier requirements it should be treated as an ‘Economics’ module.
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Level 3 Options
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ECON 30100 Health Economics |
Communication in the School
The main method of communicating with students is via Blackboard and the notice boards outside the School office located on the second floor (G) in the JHN Building. The notice boards may include information such as timetable changes, tutorial information, upcoming seminars, career opportunities and urgent messages or announcements.
Blackboard is a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) which is used in conjunction with more traditional teaching practices. It allows lecturers to share course materials such as lecture notes and problem sets, post announcements for students, and run quizzes and surveys. Blackboard also includes a Virtual Classroom facility, discussion forums and various other course tools. Once you register with UCD Computing Services you will receive an e-mail account, a UCD Connect account and access to Blackboard.
All staff are available for consultation at regular times which should be posted outside their office door. In order to make an appointment to meet with a staff member outside these hours you should contact the staff member directly either by e-mail or telephone. Staff contact details are posted outside the School office as well as on the School website.
Lectures and Tutorials
The main components of teaching and learning in the School of Economics are lectures, tutorials, continuous assessment and examinations.
Lectures
In most modules lectures take place 2 hours per week. What happens in a lecture depends on the lecturer and the size of the audience. Usually lecturers give formal presentations of theoretical / conceptual material to students. Although many lectures use PowerPoint and other electronic delivery methods students are strongly recommended to take notes during lectures in order to help them retain the information.
Tutorials
Some modules have tutorials associated with them. Tutorials are small groups which are lead by a tutor and where material previously covered in lectures is reviewed or explored in further detail. Its purpose is to help consolidate your understanding of theoretical / conceptual material, often through problem sets. You will register for the tutorial at the same time as you register for the lecture portion of the module. Tutorials should always be done in the same semester as the lecture.
Assessment
At least 30% of the final grade for all modules will be made up of continuous assessment. The form of assessment will depend on the lecturer and the level and subject matter of the module but possibilities include multiple choice tests, essays and computer-based project work. The balance of the final grade will consist of a final exam.
Attendance
One of the biggest differences between school and university is that the onus is on you the student to take control of your learning. While attendance at lectures and tutorials isn’t regularly monitored, it is strongly recommended that you attend. University courses move quickly making it easy to fall behind when you don’t attend. It is our experience that non-attendance at lectures and tutorials is the principal reason for poor performance in module assessments.
Problems
If you have any problems with a course you should address them firstly to the module co-ordinator. If you still have not managed to resolve your problem then you may approach the Head of School.
Policy on Late Submission of Coursework
All of our modules have a continuous assessment component. This may take the form of class tests, mid-semester exams, essays etc. UCD’s policy on late submission of essays and projects is:
- The due date for each item of coursework must be clearly indicated to students.
- Coursework must be delivered by hand to the School Office or submitted electronically via an approved system, no later than 3 pm on the due date. Coursework should not be submitted directly to individual staff members, placed directly in staff post boxes, or delivered to or deposited in any location other than that designated by the School. The School will issue a receipt to confirm submission of coursework.
- Coursework received at any time within the two weeks following the due date will be graded but a penalty will apply. Coursework submitted at any time up to one week after the due date will have the grade awarded reduced by two grade points (or the percentage mark reduced by 10%). Coursework submitted more than one week but up to two weeks after the due date will have the grade reduced by four grade points (or the percentage mark reduced by 20%).
- Coursework received more than two weeks after the due date will not be accepted.
- Where coursework is submitted late due to unanticipated exceptional or extenuating circumstances, students must follow the appropriate procedures for extenuating circumstances. These can be found at http://www.ucd.ie/acshs/forms_policy.html .
UCD has comprehensive regulations on plagiarism. Regulations and procedures can be found at http://www.ucd.ie/acshs/forms_policy.html.
