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Course & Unit Catalogues


ES12003: Programming and computational methods for economists

[Page last updated: 23 October 2023]

Academic Year: 2023/24
Owning Department/School: Department of Economics
Credits: 10 [equivalent to 20 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 200
Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Period:
Academic Year
Assessment Summary: CWPG 50%, EXOB 50%
Assessment Detail:
  • Open book unseen exam (EXOB 50%)
  • Project (CWPG 50%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: On completing this unit, students should be able to:
  • Command the basics of coding (eg, R, Python) for scientific computing
  • Establish a computational strategy to solve an economic model
  • Use visualization techniques from appropriate software (eg, R, Excel). for presenting computational findings.
  • Master numerical methods for economic analysis.
  • Recognise economic and practical problems where coding software can be applied fruitfully.



Synopsis: Gain introductory knowledge of the principles of programming, as well as computer software used by economists. You will get practical experience writing, implementing and evaluating program code, and learn how this can be applied to real-world situations. Youll go on to study numerical methods used to determine the solutions to economic problems. During this unit youll gain skills in different programming languages that will be used later in your degree.

Content: Introduction to coding language and software, and related applications. Mathematical applications may include: Mathematical Programming Problems, Nonlinear Programming, Dynamic Optimization. Statistical applications may include: data representation (eg, probability, statistical distributions, time series) and data analysis (eg, average, standard deviation, correlation). Economic applications may include: Game Theory, Market dynamics, simulations of simple economic models.

Course availability:

ES12003 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Economics
  • UHES-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Economics (Year 1)
  • UHES-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Economics with professional placement (Year 1)
  • UHES-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Economics with professional placement and study abroad (Year 1)
  • UHES-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Economics with study abroad (Year 1)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2023/24.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.