Coursework Assessment
This assessment takes the form. of a group (up to 6 students in each group) coursework research project. Groups will be assigned semi-randomly with LMO (see details in group choice assignment).
The coursework project is the assessment for the ECO204 module with a weight of 30% of the final mark for the module and includes group mark he same for all group members (80% of individual CW mark) and individual peer assessment component (20% of individual CW mark).
The objective of the project is to apply what you have learned in the module to solve a problem of economics, finance, or related areas. In particular, this can include following methods:
• Linear algebra tools: systems of equations, matrix inverses.
• Calculus tools: partial and total derivatives, gradients, implicit differentiation tools.
• Optimization tools: constrained and unconstrained optimization of functions of several variables.
• Dynamic tools: simple single ODEs and their equilibria
The project should contain four parts:
1. The statement of the problem you address in economic or financial terms (20%),
2. The formulation of the problem in mathematical concepts (30%),
3. The analysis and solution of this mathematical problem (35%),
4. An economic interpretation of the solution (15%),
where the percentages in the parentheses indicate the proportion each part takes in the grading. The grading of the project will depend on the following factors:
1. The clearness of the statement and the significance of the problem.
2. The correctness of the mathematical formulation of the problem and its solution.
3. The correctness and depth of the economic interpretation of the solution.
See the marking grid for further details.
Each group should submit a report, with no less than 3000 no more than 5000 words, through LMO by 17:00, 13 December, 2024 (subject to further adjustments after assessment dates approval). You will find a separate assignment section for this purpose.
Backup: If for some reason submission through LMOfails, students can send their coursework to the module leader via e-mail: anton.bondarev@xjtlu.edu.cn
The typical coursework project should consist in taking a version of an economic model of those being discussed during module (or equivalent), solving it fully and analyzing the comparative statics with different parameter values. The main purpose of the CW task is to train in constructing and solving analytically the theoretical model. Students are encouraged to use any real world data to illustrate and support their findings, but the coursework with no theoretical model and only empirical research will be graded as unsatisfactory. Please refer to examples of successful courseworks for further guidance. You are also encouraged to discuss your coursework topic and methods with tutors and the module leader.
Free-rider policy: If any group member after formation of groups fails to communicate with his/her group-mates and next fails to answer ML’s e-mail queries, he/she will be kicked off the group and will have to complete the CW project alone. If complaint on the free-rider arrives too late in the semester, group-mates may reflect the free-riding by selecting ‘0’ in peer-assessment part.
Peer-assessment policy: Each group member is asked to assess the participation of all his/her group mates. This assessment is anonymous (not known to other group members). The resulting peer-component mark is average from marks received by the student from all other group members and weighs 20% of the final CW mark for each student. If a student receives ‘0’ from all his/her group-mates, there is a penalty automatically computed by the system for his/her final CW mark irrespective of the group mark. In particular, he is then considered free-rider and receives 0 for the CW project.
Late submission policy: Each 24 hours after deadline the penalty is 10 points, late submissions more than 5 days late are not accepted by any channel.
The list of exemplary models which can be used as a basis for the coursework can be found throughout the textbook examples and those discussed in lectures.
List of exemplary topics and examples of successful coursework projects from previous years will be provided.
Students are also encouraged to independently search the literature for prototype models.