Module Catalogue

NES2103 : Consumer and Business Economics

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Available to incoming Study Abroad and Exchange students
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Luca Panzone
  • Lecturer: Dr Diogo Monjardino De Souza Monteiro
  • Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

To enable students to understand how economic theory and numerical analysis can be used to aid marketing and management decision-making in businesses. The module builds upon introductory economics and examines applications in business economics at an intermediate level. The course is divided into two. The first semester considers consumer and behaviour economics and provides some empirical applications from a marketing perspective. The second considers focus on the economics of business strategy and covers models to understand firm business decisions. It will also provide empirical applications and introduce decision on different market structures. Throughout, concepts and applications are made relevant to real world examples.

Outline Of Syllabus

Consumer and Business Economics builds upon introductory economics and examines applications in business economics at an intermediate level. The module provides you with a range of material to gain an understanding on how both economic theory and numerical analysis can be used to aid marketing and management decision-making in businesses.

The course is divided into two main parts. The first part of the module, taught during the first semester, covers the main ideas and concepts in consumer and behaviour economics whilst providing empirical applications from a marketing perspective. The second part of the module, taught during the second semester, focuses on the economics of business strategy and covers economic models that help to understand how firm business decisions are made. This part of the module also provides empirical applications.

Throughout, concepts and applications are made relevant to real world examples. Supporting material for this module includes lecture slides, videos, html docs with R codes and examples

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion150:0050:00in-depth study of the material on books and other sources
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion120:0020:00Exam time preparation and revision.
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion220:0040:00Readings and preparation for assessments
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture102:0020:00Present in Person
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture102:0020:00Present in Person
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading110:0010:00pre-lecture readings
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading120:0020:00Revising lecture and reading material
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading120:0020:00Revising lecture and reading material
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The module uses lectures that build on, and extend economics taught during Stage 1. The lectures are designed to improve awareness and understanding of marketing and managerial decision-making using an economic frame. Diagrammatical exposition is used to explain consumer and firm behaviour under different market situations.
The economic theory is complemented with applied material including statistical regression analysis and
numerical problem-solving methods are examined as important aids to decision-making. A key focus is on the
interpretation of data analysis to aid decision-making, especially the ability to interpret and present results to nonspecialists.
It is important to note that lectures provide a good basis to understand concepts, ideas and applications of methods. However, students are expected to review this material as well as any supplement lecture material
from textbooks and material from Canvas. Independent study and formative essays consolidate learning and improve
both generic and economics-specific writing and presentational skills.
Students will be able to apply the theory into practice through practical examples

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination601A50N/A
Written Examination602A50N/A
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assessments in each semester will test student learning. In particular, assess the awareness, appreciation and capacity to employ findings, research methods and principles of consumer economics.

Reading Lists

Timetable