Referring to knowledge

Referring to abilities, skills

Given the nature of this subject, meeting the learning objectives requires a significant amount of practical work. The teaching methodology therefore combines theoretical and practical content, with a focus on real-world applications.

The course is delivered through a combination of lectures and problem-solving sessions, organised as follows:

— Two 2-hour lectures per week. The lecturer presents the theoretical and practical material needed for students to meet both the general and specific learning objectives.

— Problem-solving within lectures. After the theoretical explanation, part of the lecture is devoted to working through exercises in small groups. These sessions are designed to develop students’ problem-solving skills.

The Virtual Campus supports communication between students and teaching staff. It hosts all administrative and academic information for the subject: the course plan, activity schedule, exercise lists for problem-solving sessions, and additional exercises with model solutions.

The main activities throughout the course include:

— On-campus learning activities: carried out in the classroom with the lecturer. They comprise both theoretical content and theory with a more practical component.

The total number of hours for these activities is 60. To support these activities, students have access to lecture materials (theoretical and practical) on the Virtual Campus a week before the start of the course.


— Independent learning activities: including problem-solving exercises. At the end of each unit, students must submit a set of 10 exercises applying the theoretical knowledge acquired. The total number of hours for these activities is 50.


— Tutored/directed activities: the discussion of problems, resolving doubts and monitoring students’ independent work. The total number of hours for these activities is 40.

These activities are designed to help students acquire the competences needed to interpret economic, business and sociological information, critically analyse statistical data, and become familiar with the different tools available for doing so.
In addition, independent learning strengthens students’ ICT skills, which are essential for their future professional development.

To pass the continuous mode of assessment, students must demonstrate that they have acquired the requisite knowledge and competences by meeting the minimum requirements established for both for the compulsory activities and the final examination (see criteria below). The latter can be sat at any of the official examination sessions.

Students may opt for the single mode of assessment up to the last day of class.


Continuous assessment consists of two parts:

— A series of assessed activities throughout the course, including four scheduled in-class tests (30%) and ten regular exercises (10%).

— Team project: students work collaboratively throughout the semester to analyse problems or situations and make final decisions. The project is assessed by both peers and the lecturer. Projects are presented in class and the best receive bonus marks.

Students who obtain a grade lower than 3.5 out of 10 on the continuous assessment are automatically transferred to the single mode of assessment.

— A final examination covering the entire syllabus, to be taken on the date established for that purpose by the Academic Board (60%).

All activities must be completed by the scheduled date and in the designated place. All of the assessed activities completed during the course (continuous assessment activities and final examination) are graded out of 10. Students pass the subject if they achieve a final grade of at least 5 out of 10. However, any student who obtains less than 3.5/10 on the final examination is no longer deemed eligible for continuous assessment and is awarded this mark as their final grade for the subject.

Students must obtain a final grade of 5 out of 10 or higher to pass the subject.

 

Examination-based assessment

Students who are unable to meet the requirements for continuous assessment and those who opt for this mode of evaluation are required to sit an examination covering the whole of the syllabus (including practical components issues), on the date established for that purpose by the Academic Board. The mark obtained on this examination constitutes the final grade for the subject.

The written examination assesses both theoretical knowledge and practical applications. Students must demonstrate the knowledge, skills and competences acquired during the course.

To pass the single mode of assessment, students are required to:
a) Submit a written request waiving their right to continuous assessment. The deadline for this request is the day of the final examination.
b) Obtain a minimum mark of 5 out of 10 on the final examination during one of the official examination sessions.

 

Repeat assessment

Students who do not pass either the continuous or single modes of assessment are entitled to a repeat assessment. This takes the form of a final examination covering the contents, skills and competences set out in the course plan.

To pass the repeat assessment exam, students must obtain a minimum mark of 5 out of 10.

In this case, assessment of the subject is based entirely on a single examination worth 100% of the final grade. The exam is to be taken during the official examination session established for that purpose by the Academic Board.