IDEC8001 Applied Economics: Cost/Benefit Analysis
| Offered By | International and Development Economics Program |
|---|---|
| Academic Career | Graduate Coursework |
| Course Subject | International and Developmental Economics |
| Offered in | Second Semester, 2009 and Second Semester, 2010 |
| Unit Value | 6 units |
| Course Description |
The course will commence with an explanation of the financial analysis of projects and move on to provide students with an understanding of the theoretical rationale for modern cost benefit analysis (CBA). Emphasis will be placed on case studies with particular stress on the handling of shadow prices, and opportunities will be provided to give students a thorough working knowledge of its application in developing countries. IDEC 8088 is a course in CBA for Masters and PhD Part A students, and thus the assessment will be different from IDEC 8001 (for Graduate Diploma students). |
| Learning Outcomes | Students will have the knowledge and skills to analyse, critique, and evaluate a Cost-benefit report and to select projects that would improve the welfare of the economy as a whole. |
| Indicative Assessment |
There will be tutorial exercises focus on the practical application, mid-term and final examinations focus on the conceptual framework of CBA. They will count towards the grade as follows:
Tutorial exercises 20% Mid-term 25% Final exam 55%
Tutorial exercises will be assigned whenever is appropriate. The aim is to provide students hand-on experiences in using spreadsheets for actual cost benefit calculations. The assessments for Masters and PhD students will be different from those for Graduate Diploma students, for instance, they may require to answer have different examination questions. |
| Workload | Three hours and a half contact hours per week, including 2.5 lecture hours and one hour tutorial. Consultation is by appointment. On average, students are expected to spend five to six hours on average outside of contact hours to complete the course. |
| Course Classification(s) | AdvancedAdvanced courses are designed for students having reached 'first degree' level of assumed knowledge, which provide a deep understanding of contemporary issues; or 'second degree' and higher levels of knowledge; or for transition to research training programs. and SpecialistSpecialist courses are designed for students having reached 'first degree' level of assumed knowledge, which provide for the acquisition of specialist skills; or 'second degree' and higher level of knowledge; or for transition to research training programs; or knowledge associated with professional accreditation. |
| Areas of Interest | Economics |
| Eligibility | Students with non-economics background are encouraged to consult the lecturer-in-charge regarding the eligibility and assumed knowledge for the course. |
|
Assumed Knowledge and Required Skills |
Knowledge at introductory level of microeconomics is required. |
| Consent Required | Students with non-economics background are encouraged to consult the lecturer-in-charge regarding the eligibility and assumed knowledge for the course. |
| Prescribed Texts | Perkins, F.C. (1994). Practical Cost Benefit Analysis: Basic Concepts and Applications. Macmillan, Melbourne. |
| Indicative Reading List |
Boardman, A.E. et al. (2006). Cost Benefit Analysis - Concepts and Practices, Third Edition, Prentice Hall, NJ. Sinden, J.A. and Thampapillai, D.J. (1995). Introduction to Cost Benefit Analysis, Longman, Melbourne. Campell, H. and R. Brown (2003). Benefit-Cost Analysis: Financial and Economic Appraisal Using Spreadsheets, Cambridge. Nas, T.F. (1996). Cost Benefit Analysis - Theory and Application. Sage, California. |
| Programs | Graduate Certificate in Economics of Development, Graduate Certificate in International and Development Economics, Graduate Diploma in Environmental and Resource Economics, Graduate Diploma in International and Development Economics, and Graduate Diploma in International Trade and Economic Relations |
| Other Information |
Delivery Mode:
the course will be delivery "on campus" with materials posted in the WebCT. |
| Academic Contact | Dr Amy Lui |
The information published on the Study at ANU 2009 website applies to the 2009 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2008 website.
