Course Syllabus for students Spring 2016

On completion of the course the students will be able to:

1. explain and discuss information transmitted by analytical methods and model-based argumentation associated with their thesis.
2. indicate what information is provided by empirical quantitative and computational techniques used in their thesis, including the techniques found in the literature review of the thesis.
3. recognise current research issues in economics and explain and discuss the core principles of economics as they relate to dealing with those issues in a specialised topic area.

4. apply abstract theorising in an appropriate theoretical framework to consider the essential issues for a specialised economic topic.
5. communicate ideas, information and concepts on a specialised economic topic by means appropriate to the problem and audience at hand, orally and in writing, using graphical, tabular, algebraic, and calculus-based techniques when appropriate and indicating knowledge of more advanced techniques when appropriate.
6. critically discuss economic matters, questions, and situations, including the results of policy changes or other exogenous events, with rigorous argumentation for discussion. Such argumentation should indicate ability at master level in economics.
7. demonstrate clearly ideas and information on a specialised economic topic.
8. independently identify, formulate, investigate, and critically analyse economic problems using various information sources and perform tasks within given time frames, demonstrating self-organisation, initiative, and time management.

9. analyse issues in a specialised economic topic from relevant scientific aspects, and from relevant societal and ethical aspects when appropriate.
10. exhibit an understanding the role of knowledge in society and the individual's responsibilities when it comes to the use of this knowledge.

Method seminars, thesis writing under supervision, thesis presentation and defence at a seminar,opposition on another master thesis, and active participation in the master theses' seminars during the semester. The purpose of this course is as follows:

• To train and develop the ability of students to independently analyse various economic problems by applying economic theory and scientific methods,
• To develop, in particular, the analytical skills of students in a way that is valuable both for a scientific career and for a career in private enterprises, public administration, or international organisations.
• To train and improve the stylistic ability of the students, the ability and skills of students to search and to evaluate information, and the ability of students to critically and constructively review the analyses of other students.

The thesis work starts with a number of seminars where different methodological and practical aspects of the thesis work are discussed. During his/her work, the individual student is supervised by a senior researcher assisted by a doctoral student.

The teaching is conducted in English.

Bachelor degree equal 180 credits in Economics (or the equivalent). 45 credits at master level with a minimum of 30 credits in Economics at the master level and 7,5 credits in Econometrics/Statistics (or the equivalent) at the master level. In addition students shall either have completed a bachelor thesis in economics or completed the course Critical Analysis and Academic Writing (or the equivalent).

The course is graded A, B, C, D, E, FX or F.

The ILOs within Knowledge and Understanding, Skills and Abilities, Judgment and Approach will be examed trought Oral presentation and Written thesis.
In assessing the performance of the students’ work the following points are in particular important:

• The ability to find relevant information,
• The ability to formulate a clear and relevant research problem,
• The ability to apply relevant economic theory,
• The ability to apply scientific methods of analysis,
• The ability to clearly present, explain and defend the results.

Each student shall make an oral presentation of her/his thesis at a public seminar and defend his/her thesis against the opposition of an discussant. Each student shall also act as a discussant to another student’s thesis. The ability to present and defend the own thesis and to critically examine and discuss another student’s thesis is included in the performance judgment.
The Master thesis in economics (30 credits) has a great theoretical depth and wide scope in application. The thesis (30 credits) also presupposes knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methodology at an advanced level. The student will be able to show sufficient progress to be able to continue to PhD studies. To secure and maintain a research connection, it is compulsory for the student to actively participate in four seminars at the Economics, Finance, Statistics and Informatics (EFSI) department during the term in order to pass the course. At the seminars Ph.D. candidates and more senior researchers present and defend their current research. The master-students are further obliged to present their research proposal before the faculty members at the EFSI department. The master-students are encouraged to choose a topic in the same research area in which the main supervisor is specialized.

Name of the Test	Value	Grading
Examination1	30 credits	A/B/C/D/E/FX/F

¹ Determines the final grade of the course, which is issued only when all course units have been passed.

It is the responsibility of the examiner to ensure that each course is evaluated. At the outset of the course, evaluators must be identified (elected) among the students. The course evaluation is carried out continuously as well as at the end of the course. On the completion of the course the course evaluators and course examiner discuss the course evaluation and possible improvements. A summary report is created and archived. The reports are followed up by program directors and discussed in program groups and with relevant others (depending on issue e.g. Associate Dean of Education, Associate Dean of faculty, Director of PhD Candidates, Dean and Director of Studies). The next time the course runs, students should be informed of any measures taken to improve the course based on the previous course evaluation.

The ILOs within Knowledge and Understanding, Skills and Abilities, Judgment and Approach will be examed trought Oral presentation and Written thesis.
In assessing the performance of the students’ work the following points are in particular important:
•The ability to find relevant information,
•The ability to formulate a clear and relevant research problem,
•The ability to apply relevant economic theory,
•The ability to apply scientific methods of analysis,
•The ability to clearly present, explain and defend the results.
Each student shall make an oral presentation of her/his thesis at a public seminar and defend his/her thesis against the opposition of an discussant. Each student shall also act as a discussant to another student’s thesis. The ability to present and defend the own thesis and to critically examine and discuss another student’s thesis is included in the performance judgment.
The Master thesis in economics (30 credits) has a great theoretical depth and wide scope in application. The thesis (30 credits) also presupposes knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methodology at an advanced level. The student will be able to show sufficient progress to be able to continue to PhD studies. To secure and maintain a research connection, it is compulsory for the student to actively participate in four seminars at the Economics, Finance, Statistics and Informatics (EFSI) department during the term in order to pass the course. At the seminars Ph.D. candidates and more senior researchers present and defend their current research. The master-students are further obliged to present their research proposal before the faculty members at the EFSI department. The master-students are encouraged to choose a topic in the same research area in which the main supervisor is specialized.

Recommended literature:

• Greenlaw, Steven A.: "Doing Economics: A Guide to Understanding and Carry out Economic Research" Houghton Mifflin Comany Boston & New York, ISBN 0-618-37983-5

The main supervisor and the assistant supervisor assist in the choice of literature for each thesis work.