Curriculum Overview
The First Year - Develop Your Knowledge
During the first year of this course, you will develop your knowledge and understanding of core principles, concepts, methods and theories relevant to the study of Economics and Finance. The emphasis initially will be on quantitative methods (Maths and Statistics) and Economics to build solid academic foundations on which competencies in Business and Finance will be advanced throughout the course.
Year 2 & Final Year - Apply This Knowledge
You will then learn to apply this knowledge to practical and important problems faced by businesses and policy makers in a broad range of settings in the financial industry.
In final year, depending on your area of interest you can specialise in the module areas of Economics, Finance or Maths and Statistics.
The Finance stream places emphasis on problems and applications relevant to the financial industry and corporate financial management. If you choose the Economics or Maths & Stats stream, the emphasis will be instead on different aspects of economic analysis and quantitative methods needed to support (as a consultant or an analyst) and undertake (as a manager or a policy-maker) decision-making in a corporate or policy-making setting.
Interdisciplinary
The distinctive trait of the BSc in Economics & Finance programme is its interdisciplinary nature, as it is a joint endeavour of the School of Business, School of Economics and School of Mathematics and Statistics. It therefore benefits from the diverse perspectives and commitment of all three schools. The programme relies on this to help graduates develop a strong analytical orientation towards decision-making and problem-solving, critical awareness of economic trends and issues, ethical and societal awareness, a penchant for intellectual creativity and innovation, a capacity to communicate persuasively and professionally and a life-long commitment to personal and professional excellence and development.
STAGE 3: OPTIONAL INTERNSHIP YEAR
The purpose of the BSc in Economics & Finance programme at UCD is to form graduates capable of employing advanced quantitative methods to assist and enrich the decision-making processes of firms, organizations and public bodies, as well as society at large. Due to the important role played by financial markets in modern market economies as resource allocation mechanisms, a special emphasis is placed on their functioning and on financial decision-making more broadly (Purpose). The epistemological underpinning of the program is that the quantitative study of Economics and Finance can offer significant help in understanding complex economic and societal issues and improve decision-making in a broad range of contexts (companies, markets, public bodies, etc.). The programme is underpinned by a commitment to scientific rigour, intellectual honesty and integrity (Education and subject/discipline/professional values). The distinctive trait of the BSc in Economics & Finance programme is its interdisciplinary nature, as it is a joint endeavour of the School of Business, School of Economics and School of Mathematics and Statistics. It therefore benefits from the diverse perspectives and commitment of all three Schools. The programme relies on this to help graduates develop a strong analytical orientation towards decision-making and problem-solving, critical awareness of economic trends and issues, ethical and societal awareness, a penchant for intellectual creativity and innovation, a capacity to communicate persuasively and professionally and a life-long commitment to personal and professional excellence and development. Our students have also the opportunity to participate in a range of transformative extra-curricular educational experiences, including business internships, international exchange programmes, student societies and clubs set up with the active support of UCD (e.g., the “UCD Investors and Entrepreneurs Society”, which runs a small investment fund) and case study competitions (the nature of the learning environment for students). The programme adopts a mix of teaching and assessment methods, with an emphasis on formal lectures and tutorials enriched by laboratories (e.g., activities in the data analytics room and project work), debates, presentations, group assignments, simulations, case studies, essays, consulting reports. A range of courses, including modules in multivariate statistics and two econometrics modules, develop skills and competences necessary to carry out research. These are then applied across a broad range of courses, especially in final year, which introduce students to the current research agenda in Economics and Finance. Students are exposed to faculty, national and international, with a range of different perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds (key approaches to teaching, learning and assessment).
Programme Goal 4: Ambition for Action and Contribution Our graduates will be able to talk about, apply and act upon what they know and have the ambition and courage to collaborate, solve problems and contribute to business and society. (CAPACITY and ATTITUDE)
| Programme Goals | Programme Learnings Outcomes |
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Programme Goal 1: Informed Thinkers Our graduates will be knowledgeable in the theory and practice of management as a quantitative discipline, capable of creative thinking and problem solving |
Programme Learning Outcome 1a: Understand and explain core economic theory, with special emphasis on financial economics, to be able to evaluate its range of applicability and limits |
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Programme Learning Outcome 1b: Use the range of quantitative methods related to economic theory and financial economics and to apply the knowledge referred to under the latter to assist the decision-making processes of businesses and other organisations |
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Programme Learning Outcome 1c: Obtain and appropriately use pertinent financial and economic information, using specialist software to process it and to perform financial calculations. |
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Programme Goal 2: Critical and Analytical Judgement Our graduates will have developed analytical ability and the capacity for reflective and critical thinking, enabling them to apply judgement, to act with integrity and to work with others to make sound, socially responsible decisions. |
Programme Learning Outcome 2a: Apply economic theory, with special emphasis on financial economics, and critically use it to assist and lead decision making in a wide range of business and institutional settings and environments |
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Programme Learning Outcome 2b: Be familiar with current research, through the completion of advanced modules, to the point of being able to follow and contribute to the development of economic thinking over time |
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Programme Learning Outcome 2c: Discuss and analyse policies at different levels and in different settings, identifying with intellectual honesty and scientific integrity the possible implications for interested stakeholders (e.g., markets, investors, consumers, employees, etc.). |
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Programme Goal 3: Agility and a Development-Oriented Mindset Our graduates will understand and continually work on their capacities, including communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. They will have encountered transformational learning experiences that will help them value the role of professional and personal development in navigating a dynamic and changing world. They will have the ability to engage with diverse perspectives and diverse settings with agility and an international edge. |
Programme Learning Outcome 3a: Ability to deploy innovative and creative approaches to unfamiliar problems in dynamic contexts |
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Programme Learning Outcome 3b: Deploy and hone over time project planning, management and teamwork skills appropriate to a professional environment, developed through individual and group activities. |
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Programme Goal 4: Ambition for Action and Contribution
Our graduates will be able to talk about, apply and act upon what they know and have the ambition and courage to collaborate, solve problems and contribute to business and society.
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Programme Learning Outcome 4a: Explore a particular economic / financial topic or issue and present the results of the analysis in a clear and informative way using appropriate media |
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Programme Learning Outcome 4b: Appreciate ethical standards in place and contribute to the debate on their evolution over time, being aware of their responsibility as active global citizens |
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Present on a current topic of interest to key stakeholders, with the confidence to take responsibility for assisting decision-making and to shape thinking |
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