B.Sc. Economics and Finance

Prerequisite: No prerequisite required

In this course students will examine how economic tools can be used to understand and predict the behaviour of individual economic agents. The course provides students with a basic overview of the key microeconomic topics including individual consumption behaviour, production, cost, price setting by firms as well as the notion of market failure. The course allows students to develop an understanding of how to use economic tools and models.

Prerequisite: No prerequisite required

The course examines the composition of the economy’s key macroeconomic variables and the relationships which exist among such variables. Throughout the course, variables such as national income, economic growth, money demand and money supply and inflation are examined. In addition, the course would allow students to develop an understanding of how certain macroeconomic variables are measured and how such measurements can be interpreted.

Prerequisite: ECON1003: Mathematics for Social Sciences I OR CAPE Mathematics

This course illustrates how mathematical techniques are used to understand business, economic or any social sciences phenomena. It extends on Mathematics for Social Sciences I/CAPE Pure Mathematics, exposing participants to further linear algebra (e.g. vector spaces, normalization, dependence; linear transformations, Eigen values and Eigen vectors) and calculus (e.g. optimization, integration and differential equations). Greater emphasis is placed on the application of these topics in various social sciences fields such as: economics, finance, management, accounting, sociology, political science and psychology.

Prerequisites: GRADE 1 at CXC CSEC Mathematics (General Proficiency) OR an A at Cambridge GCE O’Level Mathematics OR a pass in ECON0101 OR the Faculty of Social Sciences’ Mathematics Proficiency Test (MPT)

This course introduces students to the statistical principles necessary for students pursuing higher level courses in the Faculty of Social Sciences. The aim of the course is to enable students to develop the foundational knowledge of the key statistical concepts such summarizing data, probability, inference and regression. It is organised around four main statistical concepts: Descriptive statistics, Probability, Inference and Estimation. Excel will be used to illustrate the concepts introduced in class.

Prerequisite: No prerequisite required

This course introduces students to the role and functioning of the financial services sector; that is the peculiarities of financial systems. Banks and financial institutions in any economy encounter various financial issues as a consequence of the unique role that money and finance plays in the economy and hence the operation and management in banks and non-bank financial entities as well as the management of their respective portfolios are essential areas of study in this course. Further, students will explore the financial risks facing such institutions and their regulation with particular reference to Caribbean financial centres as well as be introduced to important concepts with regards to the evaluation of the real assets investments undertaken by firms.

This course deals with the basics, major concepts and principles of computers and computing. Topics covered will include: evolution and classification of computers, computer hardware, software and data communications; computer data processing; programming and programming languages; microcomputers in business, computer security and controls

This course deals with the role, practice, importance and social responsibility of management in contemporary society. The topics to be covered include: overview of the management task and approaches to managing; nature, importance and types of objective; fundamentals of planning; organizing for effective performance; the control process; staffing and human resource management; leadership and decision-making; Production and Operations Management; social responsibility of management and international influences on management

This course is designed to equip students with the study and research skills they will need in order to get the maximumbenefit from all their courses at the University. Familiarize them with the linguistic situation in the Caribbean and break down certain misconceptions that are typically held. It also introduces students to the rhetorical modes of discourse.

Objectives: To develop an awareness of the main process of cultural development in Caribbean societies, highlighting the factors, the problematics and the creative output that have fed the emergence of Caribbean identities. To develop a perception of the Caribbean as wider than island nations or linguistic blocs. To stimulate students interest in, and commitment to Caribbean civilization and to further their self-determination.

This course is designed to equip students across the disciplines (and particularly Social
Sciences, Law, and Science and Technology) with skills in, business, technical and scientific
writing.
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Writing effective arguments, writing problem solution arguments, arguing for
action and proposing solutions;
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Writing to persuade: subjective/objective viewpoints - use of logic versus
emotive expression; methods of refutation Writing business, technical and
scientific documents describing and writing project proposals
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Writing from research in the field: designing and using surveys, questionnaires,
interview schedules and so forth-understanding, analyzing and using the
language of business technical innovations in vocabulary etc.
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Assessment: 100% coursework - continuous assessment consisting of selection
of five or six written assignments on the major segments of the course.

The overall aim of the course is to develop the ability of students to engage in an informed manner in public discourse on matters pertaining to the impact of science, medicine and technology on society. The course will help students to appreciate the essential characteristics of the scientific method as a mode of enquiry into nature and to understand why it provides the foundations of the technological world. (Students in the Faculty of Science and Technology cannot take this course)

Prerequisites: ECON1001: Introduction to Microeconomics I, ECON1002: Introduction to Macroeconomics I AND ECON1004: Mathematics for Social Sciences II OR MATH1190: Calculus A

The course introduces the fundamental concepts of microeconomics. Based on theory, it investigates the behaviour of consumers and firms in a perfectly competitive environment. By studying the interaction of producers and consumers, the course will shed light on how industries and markets operate and evolve, and how they are affected by changes in policies and economic conditions. Students will be exposed to the mathematical concepts that are widely employed in microeconomics and other fields of economics.

Prerequisite: ECON2000 Intermediate Microeconomics I

This course deepens the understanding of basic microeconomics concepts and provides tools of analysis which allows students to blend microeconomic theory with practical relevance to economic problems. It focuses on economic behaviour of firms in different market structures acquainting students with the techniques that allow firms to optimize and enable economists to examine and predict the outcome of policies on firms in different market structures. In addition, it covers the analysis of factor markets and examines the conditions governing the achievement of a general equilibrium in an economy. In addition, some attention is also paid to noncollusive oligopoly, Cournot and Stackelberg equilibria, pricing, price leadership, Pareto Optimality Welfare, techniques of project analysis and the use of investment criteria for capital budgeting.

Prerequisites: ECON1001 Introduction to Microeconomics AND ECON1002 Introduction to Macroeconomics

The course introduces students the macroeconomic analysis of the aggregate economic measures. It teaches various macroeconomic theories used to understand the economy’s performance. Students will become familiar with manipulating the models to solve the macroeconomic problems such as recessions, trade deficits, budget deficits and unemployment as well as develop skills in policy advice informed by the models.

Prerequisites: ECON1001 Introduction to Microeconomics AND ECON1002 Introduction to Macroeconomics

The course focuses on the microeconomics behind macroeconomics in the areas of consumption, investment and money, the classical theory in national income in the long run and growth theory in the very long run. It uses a combination of mathematical and intuitive analysis to provide an understanding of the subject area. The application of analysis comes mainly from studies of the more developed economies and offers lessons that are valuable for developing countries especially the Caribbean.

Prerequisites: ECON1004 Mathematics for Social Sciences II AND ECON1005 Introduction to Statistics

The aim of ECON2025 is to provide students, primarily in the fields of economics, finance and business administration, with a conceptual introduction to the field of statistics and its many applications. Applications of data analysis and statistical methodology are an integral part of the organization and presentation of the material. The discussion and development of each technique is presented in an application setting, with the statistical results providing insights to decisions and solutions to problems. This course prepares students for the study of more advanced statistical material. It also introduces students to the software package Excel and emphasizes the role of computer software in the application of statistical analysis.

Prerequisites: ECON1004 Mathematics for Social Sciences II AND ECON1005 Introduction to Statistics

The objective of this course is to explore techniques and methods that will help students better understand and undertake statistical inference as well as make predictions about future trends in economic or business endeavours. That is, the course will explore the basic tools used by economists and business persons to inform decisions and make predictions. The course covers topics in sampling including experimental design and survey, estimation theory, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, regression analysis, and time series forecasting.

Prerequisites: ECON1001 Introduction to Microeconomics, ECON1002 Introduction to Macroeconomics AND ECON1005 Introduction to Statistics

This course is designed to help students to think and write like an economist. Participants will be exposed to the correct style of the various documents one is likely to encounter as an economist. This course will also examine the approach to crafting an economic paper, with an emphasis on key research topics such as finding a niche, making a contribution and making economic arguments. Given the importance of making presentations, the course would also explore some of the key elements of creating and making economic presentations.

Prerequisite: No prerequisite required

This course examines the regulatory environment for banking and finance. It focuses on the main pillars of regulation and the reasons why they are seen as so important. The course also looks at the impact of regulation on the business of financial institutions [FIs]. It is intended for students who aim to develop a critical understanding of the regulatory environment in which banking and non-banking institutions operate. This face-to-face course is useful for students who are desirous of pursuing a career in banking and finance.

Prerequisite: No prerequisites required

The aim of this course is to provide students with a thorough understanding of the role of IT in the delivery of financial services. Students will be introduced to the various systems that underpin the operation, strategy formulation and decision-making of financial institutions. The course also exposes students to an extensive study of the electronic payments architecture in the current environment as well as to E-banking technologies. Additionally, the practical component of the course seeks to impart useful skills in the most popular application areas in today’s marketplace- business (spreadsheet) software.

Prerequisite: No prerequisite required

This course covers the elements of investments, the construction of optimal investment portfolio using common stocks, bonds, etc. that suits the objectives of different types of investors. Students will learn the methods of measuring portfolio performance, the risk of return trade-off and the efficient diversification of risk. Industry analyses, fixed income securities and theories, asset valuation, and interest rates will be examined. The course also looks at issues surrounding the investment of large pools of institutional funds such as mutual funds.

Prerequisite: No prerequisite required

This undergraduate course is designed to provide students with detailed exposure to risk analysis and management in a changing environment, especially as it relates to the laws, technology and effects globalization may have upon banking and other financial institutions in the Caribbean and globally. This course will encourage students to develop an understanding of the issues involved in the measurement, hedging, minimization, immunization of financial risk in bank portfolios.

(Students interested in following the Minor/Major in Accounting, or taking higher level courses in Accounting will be required to complete ACCT1002 and ACCT1003 and not ACCT2019)

The topics to be covered in this course include the nature and scope of financial accounting; the conceptual framework of accounting; recording of accounting information; users of accounting information and their needs; accounting and administrative control systems; preparation and analysis of financial statements; the 108 109 income statement, balance sheet and statement of cash flows; use of international accounting standards in the preparation of financial statements; ratio analysis; costing principles and systems; budgetary planning and control; responsibility accounting; cost information for decision making, cost volume profit analysis and performance measurement through standard costing.

This course is intended to help students understand and appreciate the role of finance and the financial manager in today’s business. It addresses issues related to the following broad topical areas: financial environment, analysis and planning; basic financial concepts; long-term investment decisions; cost of capital; sources of long-term financing; special managerial finance topics

Prerequisite: No prerequisite required

This course exposes students to the evolution of economic thought from the 1600s to the present. Hence, the course starts with early economic doctrines such as those of the Physiocrats and Mercantilists and then traces the history of economic ideas from the Classical School of economic thought of Adam Smith, David Ricardo, and John Stewart Mill right up to Modern Growth Theories of economists such as Solow and Arthur Lewis.

Prerequisite: ECON2025 Statistical Methods I OR ECON2026 Statistical Methods

This first course in the econometrics sequence develops the basics of econometrics. Precisely, it explores econometric techniques and methods that help students estimate the relationship(s) between one type of variable called explained variable and one or more than one variable called explanatory variable, test relationship(s), verify economic theories, conduct policy analysis and make informed predictions. The course covers topics in single equation regression model, relaxation of the assumptions of the linear classical model, simultaneous equation model, and time series econometrics.

This course is designed for final year undergraduate students in Economics to expose them to, and/or increase their knowledge of the balance of payments, foreign exchange markets, and global debt and equity markets. The course emphasises areas such as balance of payments theory and policy, exchange rate issues, international taxation, and the evolution of the international capital market and monetary system.

This course examines the relationship between finance and economic development. It focuses on critical issues such as: the role of the financial sector in fostering economic growth and alleviating poverty; government policies for the financial sector and their impact on development; and the impact of financial sector crises on economic development. A few particularly volatile local and international sources of finance and their impact on development will also be examined. A key feature of this course will be a number of guest lectures by industry experts.

This course seeks to provide students with the knowledge and tools necessary to assess the potential of investment projects in generating positive and sustainable returns. It will deepen their understanding of financial theory and introduce them to the statistical and econometric methods needed to understand the relationship between financial returns and the macroeconomy.