ECON 4010 - Honours Economics Thesis

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

The Honours Economics Thesis is designed to provide high-achieving, high-ability students with the tools to undertake individual research. During the Thesis development process, students are expected to (i) learn how to identify research questions, (ii) obtain the ability to map economic theory into coherent explanations of real-world problems, and (iii) learn how to confront economic theory with real-world data. In addition, students should learn valuable presentation skills and writing skills. Part of this learning process may be formalised in a weekly Thesis workshop. Individual learning and development should occur under the mentorship of a student's Thesis supervisor. This thesis course must be commenced and completed within one semester.

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Course Details

Course Code	ECON 4010
Course	Honours Economics Thesis
Coordinating Unit	Economics
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	9
Contact	Up to 2 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Prerequisites	ECON 4011; ECON 4012; ECON 4014; one other Level IV ECON course
Restrictions	Available only to students enrolled in the B.Ec (Honours) program
Assessment	8,000 - 12,000 word thesis, 100%. Typically, the grade for the oral defence of the thesis will count for up to 20% of this overall thesis grade.

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Qazi Haque

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

The full timetable of all activities for this course are made available each year in the School of Economics - Honours Handbook. The Handbook is distributed to honours students at the beginning of Semester 1.

Course Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Identify relevant economic knowledge, concepts, methodologies and skills, and apply these appropriately to analyse and solve current real world problems and issues.

2. Communicate, argue and think using the language of economics, both in writing and orally, and communicate to both economists and non-economists.

3. Collaborate effectively with team members to achieve identified goals.

4. Select and use appropriate tools, including technology, to build economic models and to obtain, evaluate, analyse and interpret data.

5. Recognise ethical, cultural and social dimensions of economics and the role of economists, including in a global context.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1, 4, 5
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	1, 4
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	2, 3
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	2, 3, 5
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	4, 5
Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.	2, 5
Attribute 7: Digital capabilities Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.	2, 4
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	4, 5

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Research ONLY
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

Attend face-to-face weekly workshops (2 hours).

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

The standard undergraduate workload for a full-time students is 48 hours per week which equates to 12 hours per 3 unit course. As the honours thesis is equivalent to a 9-unit course in Semester 2, students should be prepared to apply 36 hours of work per week towards their thesis.

Learning Activities Summary

The thesis workshop is organised to assist students with the selection of a topic and thesis design, and to develop a deeper understanding about the links between economic theory and its application to data. Students will work on the thesis throughout the year with greater intensity in semester two.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

The Honours Thesis is graded according to the M10 - Mark Scheme 10. For details please visit the University's "Results and Grades" website ( ).

Assessment Detail

The precise details concerning the grading process for the Honours Thesis is detailed in the Honours Handbook. As the logistics of the grading procedure may vary slightly from year to year, we urge interested parties to obtain a copy of the current Honours Handbook from the School of Economics.

Submission

Thesis Format

The suggested word count of the text of the thesis (including footnotes but not including references) is between 8000 and 12000 words. Marks may be deducted for excessive length. A statement of the word count must be shown at the start of the thesis e.g. on the title page, or in the abstract.

Thesis Submission

An electronic version of the thesis (preferably in PDF) is typically submitted to the Honours Administrator by the last Friday before Semester 2 exams commence. A hard copy must be submitted after examination – this will be retained by the School.

Other details are available in the annual Honours Handbook.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M11 (Honours Mark Scheme)
Grade	Grade reflects following criteria for allocation of grade	Reported on Official Transcript
Fail	A mark between 1-49	F
Third Class	A mark between 50-59	3
Second Class Div B	A mark between 60-69	2B
Second Class Div A	A mark between 70-79	2A
First Class	A mark between 80-100	1
Result Pending	An interim result	RP
Continuing	Continuing	CN

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

1.     The final result in the Honour’s year will be determined following the University’s Grade Scheme 5. This result will also be reflected on academic transcripts.

a.    First (80% +)

b.    2A (70 - 79%)

c.     2B (60 - 69%)

d.    3rd (50 - 59%)

e.    Fail (< 50%)

Final results for this course will be made available through .

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

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Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator

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