Half Unit Options

The three core courses are valued at a total of two and a half units (GY457 and AC430 are whole units, GY458 is a half unit). To succesfully complete the course, you must take one further taught half unit and complete a dissertation (which counts as a whole unit).

When choosing a half unit, you should consider a number of factors. First, where do your strengths lie? If you are aiming for a distinction, you want to play to those strengths. Are you better at quantitative or qualitatitive analysis? Do you fare better in practical or theoretical courses? Second, and as important, where do your interests lie? Get a copy of the calendar and read through the various course descriptions. Talk to the lecturers involved and your tutor.

As a guide, here are some of the options that have been chosen this year:

• Economic Aspects of Project Appraisal (GY455).Concerned with the application of welfare economics in the context of project appraisal and policy evaluation. Topics include: Cost Benefit Analysis; Risk and uncertainty in evluating public investment decisions; Ex-post policy evaluation. Lecturer - Giles Atkinson.
• Urban Policy and Planning (GY454). Aims to provide a synthesised approach to the analysis of urban policy-making and plan formulation. Explores the way in which economic, political and social forces interact to effect policy approaches in different spatial settings. The aim is also to gain an understanding of the causes for similarity and difference in policy approaches. Lecturer - Andy Thornley.
• Valuation and Security Analysis (AC444) Aims to introduce students to security analysis and valuation from both theoretical and empirical perspectives. Students are provided with an opportunity to apply their skills by valuing, in small groups, from the point of veiw of a "sell-side analyst" a firm's equity of their choice using technologies based on the present values of free cash flows and economic value added. Lecturer - Pascal Frantz.
• Portfolio Management (AC445) Introduces students to concepts of portfolio risk management, international diversification, currency management for international investors, asset allocation, trade implementation costs and trading strategies, portfolio performance, measurement and attribution. Lecture - G Connor.