AP2EQ4-Quantitative Methods 2

Module Provider: Agr and Food Econ
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Prof Kelvin Balcombe
Email: k.g.balcombe@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Develop the mathematical and statistical ideas that you will need in your career.  Master the software to deal with data (such as spreadsheets and python). Go beyond data summary and understand how to employ statistical methods in a context of your chosen subject.

Aims:
The purpose of this module is to build a further understanding of some of the main mathematical and statistical ideas used by applied economists and business managers working in the agricultural, food and rural sectors. It aims to enhance the ability of students to carry out numerical exercises and to consolidate and extend existing quantitative skills.

Assessable learning outcomes:
1) Students should be able to use an extended set of statistical methods to solve a range of problems relating to business and economics applications; 2) Students should have an understanding of the quantitative materials that they will face in other courses; 3) This course will provide the foundation for learning more sophisticated methods.

Additional outcomes:
By the end of this course students should be able to: 1) identify and use appropriate mathematical and statistical methods to solve a range of problems relating to business and economics applications; 2) be proficient in the use a spreadsheet package to present and analyse business and economics data

Outline content:
Matrix Manipulation, Discounting, Contingency Tables, Regression and Analysis of Variance, Calculus applied to Business Problems.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures supplemented by workshops\tutorials where students complete example sheets relating to lecture material. Help available from lecturer and teaching assistant(s). Some workshops will be in computer lab

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20
Tutorials	10
Guided independent study:	70
Total hours by term	100
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	70
Set exercise	12.5
Class test administered by School	17.5

Summative assessment- Examinations:
A 2 hour examination paper

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
1 Assignment (12.5%); 1 Test (12.5%) and 3 'snap-tests' (5%).

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:
By examination in August/September only

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 22 June 2021