BSc Economics with Data Science

Program Overview

---

Our BSc Economics with Data Science (including foundation year) is open to Home and EU students. It will be suitable for you if your academic qualifications do not yet meet our entrance requirements for the three-year version of this course and you want a programme that increases your subject knowledge as well as improves your English language and academic skills. On your four-year Economics and Data Science (including foundation year), we work with you to help you develop your subject-specific knowledge and to improve your academic skills. You receive a thorough grounding in these areas during your foundation year (known as Year Zero) to prepare you for a further three years of undergraduate study at Essex. You are an Essex student from day one, a member of our global community based at the most internationally diverse campus university in the UK. After successful completion of Year Zero in our Essex Pathways Department , you progress to complete your course with our Department of Economics. Our BSc Economics with Data Science course allows you to build a comprehensive knowledge of economics whilst developing relevant computing and programming skills. Through exploring these two subject areas you apply your computing skills to the real world economic and financial problems and perform complex analysis on individuals’ economic behaviour. Economics at Essex is not only about stocks, shares and financial markets; it is concerned with the material wellbeing of human societies. Our course gives a thorough introduction to all aspects of economics, including micro and macro-economics, whilst also introducing you to programming languages and algorithms. You’re supported by both our Department of Economics and School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, and will explore a wide range of topics from both subject areas, including:

• Mathematical methods for solving economic and financial problems
• Object-oriented programming using java
• Commonly used algorithms
• How to apply macro-economic analysis to macro-policy issues

Our Department of Economics is ranked 4th in UK for research power in economics and econometrics (Times Higher Education research power measure, Research Excellence Framework 2021). You also study within our School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering who play a leading role in technological research and development. Your education is inspired and informed by our pioneering research, so that you graduate with a strong training in economics and computing skills. Why we're great.

• You gain a solid understanding in both economics and computing, which is a combination highly valued by employers
• Our students are extremely happy – we receive consistently high student satisfaction scores
• We’re home to many of the world's top scientists and researchers in their field

Our expert staff

Study and work alongside some of the most prominent economists and computer scientists of our time. Our economics researchers are at the forefront of their field and have even received MBEs , with students coming from across the globe to study, research or work with us. Our Department of Economics is a richly diverse home to staff and students from all over the world who have a strong sense of belonging and want to think, learn and change the world together. Many of our researchers also provide consultancy services to businesses in London and other major financial centres, helping us to develop research for today's society as well as informing our teaching for the future.

---

Specialist facilities

Take advantage of our extensive learning resources to assist you in your studies. Our facilities and tools include:

• Extensive software for quantitative analysis, which is available in all computer labs across the University
• Access a variety of economics databases as well as multiple copies of textbooks and e-books in our Albert Sloman Library
• We have six laboratories that are exclusively for computer science and electronic engineering students. Three are open 24/7, and you have free access to the labs except when there is a scheduled practical class in progress
• All computers are dual boot Windows 10 and Linux. Apple Mac computers are dual boot MacOS and Windows 10
• Software includes Java, Prolog, C++, Perl, Mysql, Matlab, DB2, Microsoft Office, Visual Studio, and Project

---

Your future

Many employers want economists with computing skills who can tackle large data sets and real- world problems. Our course helps you to become more employable and takes you closer to that dream job or postgraduate study when you graduate. Our students are in demand from a wide range of employers in a host of occupations, including financial analysis, management, public administration and accountancy. Our recent graduates have gone on to work for a wide range of high-profile companies including:

• Bank of England
• Barclays Capital
• Citigroup
• Deloitte
• Ernst and Young
• Morgan Stanley
• Bank of New York
• Santander

We also work with the University’s Student Development Team to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Program Outline

Course structure

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we’ll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

---

---

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose. Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

---

---

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits. In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available. Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code . For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

HR	100	4	FY
The department or school the module will be taught by. In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.	The module number.	The UK academic level of the module. A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course. A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules. A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.	The term the module will be taught in. AU : Autumn term SP : Spring term SU : Summer term FY : Full year AP : Autumn and Spring terms PS: Spring and Summer terms AS: Autumn and Summer terms

Year 0 Year 1 Year 2 Final Year What is economics? And what are the main economic theories and principles? Build your understanding, studying topics in microeconomics and macroeconomics. Develop your knowledge of economic implications and build your analytic skills in using simple mathematical techniques and economic diagrams. View Introduction to Economics on our Module Directory Want to use mathematical techniques to solve problems? And to calculate basic statistical measures? Develop mathematical skills like number work, algebra, geometry, probability and statistics that can be used on any course requiring mathematics above Higher GCSE standard. Learn to solve relevant problems and know how to present data clearly. View Mathematics and Statistics for Economics and Business on our Module Directory How do you test and evaluate the operation of simple computer programs? Or develop a program using tools in the Python programming language? Study the principles of procedural computing programming. Examine basic programming concepts, structures and methodologies. Understand good program design, learn to correct coding and practice debugging techniques. View Computer Programming on our Module Directory This blended-learning module is designed to support students in their academic subject disciplines and to strengthen their confidence in key skills areas such as: academic writing, research, academic integrity, collaborative and reflective practices. The students are supported through the use of subject-specific materials tailored to their chosen degrees with alignment of assessments between academic subject modules and the skills module. View Research and Academic Development Skills on our Module Directory How do consumers make decisions? Or firms conduct different market strategies? What impact does government policy have on inflation? Or unemployment? Develop your knowledge of economics in relation to a range of contemporary issues. Learn how to apply both micro and macroeconomic principles to the analysis of such problems. View Introduction to Economics on our Module Directory What are the main sources of economic data? And how is data used in economics? Study the methods of quantitative economics, looking at how economic data is described and analysed. Learn to read, understand and manipulate data from both a theoretical and empirical perspective. View Introduction to Quantitative Economics on our Module Directory What mathematical techniques are required for a modern economics degree? Do you have the mathematical tools to attack economic problems? If you are worried that your mathematical background could hold you back, then learn the mathematical skills needed when studying problems of economic interest. View Methods of Economic Analysis on our Module Directory The aim of this module is to provide an introduction to the fundamental concepts of computer programming. After completing this module, students will be expected to be able to demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles and concepts that underlie the procedural programming model, explain and make use of high-level programming language features that support control, data and procedural abstraction. Also, they will be able to analyse and explain the behaviour of simple programs that incorporate standard control structures, parameterised functions, arrays, structures and I/O. View Introduction to Programming on our Module Directory Want to become a Java programmer? Topics covered in this module include control structures, classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism, interfaces, file I/O, event handling, graphical components, and more. You will develop your programming skills in supervised lab sessions where help will be at hand should you require it. View Object-Oriented Programming on our Module Directory Are you ready for graduate employment? Like to improve your core skills? Need to know more about the working world? Attend workshops, events and activities to build your knowledge, abilities and experience with this compulsory, zero credit module that runs during your three years of undergraduate study. View Career Skills in Economics on our Module Directory What tools can you use for macroeconomic analysis? And how can these then be applied to macro-policy issues? Learn how to build alternative macroeconomic models and apply analytical reasoning. Examine real-life macroeconomic questions, on topics such as government budgets or wage-price flexibility, and critically evaluate macroeconomic policies. View Macroeconomics (Intermediate) on our Module Directory How do consumers behave in a competitive market? And what about producers? How do various imperfections affect the outcome of decentralised markets? Study the fundamental concepts and methods in microeconomics. Understand the tools and methods of analysis for economic reasoning, and develop your critical approach to economic issues and policies. View Microeconomics (Intermediate) on our Module Directory What mathematical methods can analyse economic problems? And what mathematical tools are needed to understand economic models? Gain an introduction to the mathematical methods commonly used in economics, build your knowledge of mathematical tools for work in economics and develop your understanding of the mathematical language used in economic literature. View Mathematical Methods in Economics on our Module Directory Which econometric methods can analyse economic data? How do you critically assess applied economic literature? Learn how to carry out statistical and econometric calculations, plus gain experience of using the Stata software package. Demonstrate your subsequent understanding of the linear regression model with your own investigation on an empirical issue. View Introduction to Econometric Methods on our Module Directory This module extends the students' knowledge and skills in object-oriented application programming by a treatment of further Java language principles and of important Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). The Java Collections API is explored in some more detail with emphasis on how to utilise these classes to best effect. A particular focus will be on the interaction with databases (e.g. via JDBC) and on writing secure applications. View Application Programming on our Module Directory Data structures and algorithms lie at the heart of Computer Science as they are the basis for the efficient solution of programming tasks. In this module, students will study core algorithms and data structures, as well as being given an introduction to algorithm analysis and basic computability. View Data Structures and Algorithms on our Module Directory Are you ready for graduate employment? Like to improve your core skills? Need to know more about the working world? Attend workshops, events and activities to build your knowledge, abilities and experience with this compulsory, zero credit module that runs during your three years of undergraduate study. View Career Skills in Economics on our Module Directory What interests you? Design and implement your own research project, under the guidance and supervision of our world-leading academic staff. Demonstrate your knowledge of economic ideas in greater depth, building your professional research skills and developing further understanding of a topic that fascinates you. View Project: Economics on our Module Directory Want to learn about more advanced programming constructs and techniques? Topics covered in this module include concurrency, distributed programming, design patterns, and others. We will also take a closer look at some of the programming concepts taught previously. The module features a substantial, non-trivial assignment that should help you to hone - and demonstrate - your programming skills. View Advanced Programming on our Module Directory This module offers you an understanding of standard IR models, of their merits and limitations, and teaches you how to design and implement a standard information retrieval system. Discover the essential foundations of information retrieval and gain solid, applicable knowledge of state-of-the-art search technology. Explore advanced concepts of search applications such as personalisation, profiling and contextual search. View Information Retrieval on our Module Directory COMPONENT 04: OPTIOL Option(s) from list (30 CREDITS) COMPONENT 05: OPTIOL Option(s) from list (30 CREDITS) Are you ready for graduate employment? Like to improve your core skills? Need to know more about the working world? Attend workshops, events and activities to build your knowledge, abilities and experience with this compulsory, zero credit module that runs during your three years of undergraduate study. View Career Skills in Economics on our Module Directory