Modules for course L193 | BSC/BICFE
BSc Financial Economics (Bangor International College)

These are the modules currently offered on this course in the 2019–20 academic year.

You can also view the modules offered in the years: 2018–19.

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Year 1 Modules

Compulsory Modules

Semester 1

Semester 2

Optional Modules

20 credits from:

  • QXS-1002: Vocabulary (10) (Semester 2)
    This course is only available to students whose native language is not English and who have not passed the Cambridge Advanced level examination.
  • QXS-1003: Speaking and listening (10) (Semester 1)
    This course is only available to students whose native language is not English and who have not passed the Cambridge Advanced level examination. This is a single module, taught during the first term of the university year. The course is thematically organised around topics of general interest and wide academic application. Each unit comprises a video or audio tape and exercises and speaking activities based on it. The exercises used are approximately equivalent to Cambridge Advanced level, ALTE level 4, corresponding to 'Competent User' in the Council of Europe framework. Tapes and videos are at levels from Advanced to native speaker level to reflect the needs of students' other study at this university.
  • QXS-1004: Grammar and Writing 1 (10) (Semester 1)
    This course is recommended for all non-native speakers of English who would like to improve their overall competence in communicative grammar and written English. QXS1005 can be taken as a follow-up course but is not a co-requisite. This single module course provides practice in the different areas of academic writing skills with emphasis on essay writing, editing, style, referencing and quotation. It also covers work-related skill sincluding preparing a CV. This course also provides practice and gives reinforcement in major grammar areas including tenses, conjunctions, articles, prepositions, phrasal verbs and passives. The module uses a communicative approach and by the end of the course, students would be expected to be approaching the level of ALTE level 4 (Cambridge Advanced English), corresponding to 'Competent User' in the Council of Europe Framework.
  • QXS-1005: Grammar and Writing 2 (10) (Semester 2)
    This course is only available to students whose native language is not English, who would like to improve their overall competence in communicative grammar and written English. QXS1004 can be taken as a pre-course but is not a co-requsite). This single module provides communicative grammar practice in the areas of conditional, modal verbs, subject/verb agreement, prepositions, phrasal verbs, gerunds and infinitives, relative clauses, expressions of probability and possibility, articles and tenses. The course also provides practive in different writing skills including business and personal letters, reports, book reviews, literature reviews and essays. The academic writing skills of re-writing, editing, quoting and referencing are also reinforced and set expressions in academic writing are also reviewed. The module uses a communicative approach and by the end of the course, students would be expected to be approaching the level of ALTE Level 4 (Cambridge Advanced English), corresponding to 'Competent User' in the Council of Europe Framework.
  • ASB-1105: Principles of Business Mgmt (20) (Semester 1 + 2)
    This module builds on the introduction to a range of core quantitative methods (covered in ACR/ASR1004) which will be applied to various problems in finance, business and economics. The main techniques covered include linear algebra, equation solving, indices and logarithms, differentiation and optimisation. The module is designed to be accessible and useful to students of all levels of mathematical background and ability. Throughout the course, the amphasis is very much on practical applications of quantitative techniques.
    or
    ADB-1105: Egwyddorion Rheoli Busnes (20) (Semester 1 + 2)
  • ASB-1110: Mgmt & Financial Accounting (20) (Semester 1 + 2)
    Financial accounting:- Measuring and reporting the financial position of an organisation; Measuring and reporting the financial performance of an organisation; Book-keeping and the preparation of company accounts. Management accounting:- Marginal analysis; Full costing, activity-based costing; Budgeting, accounting for control.
    or
    ADB-1110: Cyfrifeg Rheolaeth ac Ariannol (20) (Semester 1 + 2)
  • ASB-1600: Marketing (20) (Semester 1 + 2) or
    ACB-1600: Marchnata (20) (Semester 1 + 2)
  • Uchod mae rhestr o fodiwlau sy'n nodweddiadol o'r rhai sy'n cael eu cymryd gan fyfyrwyr yr Ysgol Busnes. Os ydych chi eisiau cymryd modiwlau eraill, cysylltwch gyda'ch Ysgol Academaidd. Above is a list of suggested modules typically taken by Business School students. Please contact your Academic School if you wish to take alternative modules.

Year 2 Modules

Compulsory Modules

Semester 1

  • ASB-2111: Statistical Methods (20) or
    ADB-2111: Dulliau Ystadegol (20)
  • ASB-2202: Corporate Finance (20)
    Present value and the opportunity cost of capital; Net present value and alternative methods of investment appraisal; Project analysis; Financial planning, and analysing financial performance; Investment risk and return, and portfolio theory; The Capital Asset Pricing Model; Short-term and long-term financing; Capital structure, and market imperfections; Weighted average cost of capital; Dividend policy; Financial and real options.
  • ASB-2307: Microeconomics (20)
    • Demand and supply microfoundations • Rational choice • Individual and market demand • Uncertainty and consumer behaviour • The cost of production and profit max • Market structure • Strategic interdependence • Game theory • General equilibrium • Markets with asymmetric info • Externalities • Government regulation • Productivity and comparative advantage • International trade theory.
  • ASB-2320: Current Issues in Economics (20)

Semester 2

  • ASB-2111: Statistical Methods or
    ADB-2111: Dulliau Ystadegol
  • ASB-2202: Corporate Finance
    Present value and the opportunity cost of capital; Net present value and alternative methods of investment appraisal; Project analysis; Financial planning, and analysing financial performance; Investment risk and return, and portfolio theory; The Capital Asset Pricing Model; Short-term and long-term financing; Capital structure, and market imperfections; Weighted average cost of capital; Dividend policy; Financial and real options.
  • ASB-2308: Macroeconomics (20)
    • The role of macroeconomics, macroeconomic variables and statistics; • Introduction to schools of thought; • The classical model; • The Keynesian model; • Aggregate demand and supply analysis; • The Phillips curve; • The role of expectations; • Open economy macroeconomics; • Macroeconomic policy debates: monetary policy, fiscal policy, exchange rate policy, government debt management; • Theories of consumption; • Theories of growth.
  • ASB-2320: Current Issues in Economics

0 to 10 credits from:

Optional Modules

10 to 20 credits from:

  • QXS-2001: Integrated English Skills 1 (10) (Semester 1)
    This course is only available to students whose native langauage is not English. Optional for second year students on any course. This module is a wide-ranging topic-based course which utilises a multi-media approach to language learning. Various techniques and materials are used, including video & audio recordings and authentic reading texts. The course places particular emphasis on Listening skills, Communication skills, Grammar and Idiomatic English. The six broad topics around which this language work takes place are Health, Homes, Travel, Culture, Work and People & Relationships. Handouts of materials are provided for students.
  • QXS-2002: Integrated English Skills 2 (10) (Semester 2)
    This course is only available to students whose native language is not English. Optional for second year students on any course. This module is a wide-ranging topic-based course which utilises a multi-media approach to language learning. Various techniques and materials are used, including video tapes and authentic reading texts. The course places particular emphasis on Writing skills, Reading skills, Vocabulary development and Communicative grammar. The six broad topics around which this language work takes place are the Media, Learning & Teaching, Science & Technology, Entertainment, Crime & Punishment, and Stranger and Fiction. Handouts of materials are provided for students.
  • QXS-2003: Business English 1 (10) (Semester 1)
    This course is only available to students whose native language is not English, who would like to improve their skills in Business English. (QXS2004 can be taken as a follow up course but is not a co-requisite). This single module course provides practice in the skills required to work or do business effectively in an English-speaking environment. International business interaction, customs and etiquette are covered as well as British business culture. Students also work on improving their presentation skills and gain confidence in telephoning in English. Business writing is an important element of the course including business letters, reports, memos, faxes and email. Studnets also work on improving their business vocabulary, in particular areas of international trade and the internet. The module uses a communicative approach and by the end of the course, students would be expected to be at the level of ALTE Level 4 (Cambridge Advanced English), corresponding to 'Competent User' in the Council of Europe Framework.
  • QXS-2004: Business English 2 (10) (Semester 2)
    This course is only available to students whose native language is not English. (QXS2003 can be taken as a pre-course but is not a co-requisite). Ths course is recommended for all non-native speakers of English who would like to improve their skills in Business English. The single module course provides practive in the skills required to work or do business effectively in an English-speaking environment. This course focuses on cross-cultural issues, advertising, sales, marketing, interview skills and finding a job as well as job selection procedures. Report writing is also dealt with during this module. Writing, speaking and listening skills for business are an integral part of the course and the course also covers teamwork, travel and hospitality in addition to meeting and negotiation skills. The module uses a communicative approach and by the end of the course, students would be expected to be at the level of ALTE Level 4 (Cambridge Advanced English), corresponding to 'Competent User' in the Council of Europe Framework.
  • ASB-2112: Business Information Systems (10) (Semester 2)
    Information systems and competitive advantage, including the value chain, and the nature of data, information and knowledge; Business systems concepts, business processes and business systems; Communication, networks, software, models for effective virtual communication; Keeping records, including databases, structures, forms, reports and searching; Interacting, including the basics of interface design, and workplace ergonomics; Impact of technology on working life, and new modules of working; Developing and chaning technology, including stages in systems development projects, such as analysis, specification, design and implementation; E-business and e-commerece; Learning with information systems, including innovation, decision making and knowledge management; Control and security, in networked environments, including intranet and internet.
    or
    ADB-2112: Systemau Gwybodaeth Busnes (10) (Semester 2)
    Systemau gwybodaeth a mantais cystadleuol, gan gynnwys y gadwyn werth a natur data a gwybodaeth; Cysyniadau systemau busnes, prosesau busnes a systemau busnes; Cyfathrebu, rhwydweithiau, meddalwedd, modelau ar gyfer cyfathrebu rhithwir effeithiol; Cadw cofnodion, gan gynnwys cronfeydd data, strwythurau, ffurflenni, adroddiadau a chwilio; Rhyngweithio, gan gynnwys cynllunio rhyngwyneb sylfaenol ac ergonomeg y gweithle; Effaith technoleg ar fyd gwaith a modelau gweithio newydd; Technoleg sy'n datblygu a newid, gan gynnwys camau mewn projectau datblygu systemau, megis dadansoddi, manyleb, cynllun a gweithredu; E-fusnes ac e-fasnach; Dysgu gyda systemau gwybodaeth, gan gynnwys datblygiadau newydd, gwneud penderfyniadau a rheoli gwybodaeth; Rheolaeth a diogelwch mewn amgylchedd wedi’i rwydweithio, gan gynnwys y fewnrwyd a’r rhyngrwyd.
  • CCB-2202: Ymdrin â'ch Pwnc yn Gymraeg (10) (Semester 2)
    Edrychir yn fanwl ar gyweiriau iaith ac egwyddorion Cymraeg Clir a cheir cyfle i arbrofi ag ysgrifennu gwahanol ddarnau yng nghyd-destun amrywiol feysydd academaidd ar gyfer gwahanol gynulleidfaoedd. Rhoir arweiniad ar sut i ymgyfarwyddo â thermau penodol gwahanol bynciau. Ceir gyfle i ymarfer sgiliau a fydd o ddefnydd i'r myfyrwyr wrth ddilyn cyrsiau trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg e.e. ysgrifennu nodiadau cydlynnus, crynhoi, trawsieithu a chyfieithu deunydd a defnyddir yn eu meysydd cwricwlaidd. Rhan bwysig o'r modiwl yw'r gwaith paratoi tuag at y cyflwyniad llafar (40% o'r marc terfynol) lle ceir cyfle i gyflwyno elfen benodol ar eu maes academaidd o flaen cynulleidfa o ddarlithwyr a chyd-fyfyrwyr.
  • ASB-2400: Law for Business (20) (Semester 1 + 2)
  • ASB-2406: Work Placement (10) (Semester 1 + 2)
    Preparatory tutorials; Compilation of a CV; Job application letter writing; Ten days at a placement provider's workplace. Debriefing session.
    or
    ACB-2406: Lleoliad Gwaith (10) (Semester 1 + 2)
    Tiwtorialau paratoadol; Llunio CV; Ysgrifennu llythyrau i wneud cais am swyddi; Deg diwrnod yng ngweithle darparwr lleoliad;
  • ASB-2416: Operations Strategy (10) (Semester 1)
    Operations Strategy is the highest level of Operations Management that deals with plans and decisions that shape the long-term capabilities of any organisation in the course of designing, producing and distributing products and services. Themes that will be explored in the module include: • Introduction to Operation Management • Competitiveness • Operations Strategy • Linking Operations Strategy to Competitiveness • Innovation, Design & Technology Strategy • Production Strategy & Lean • Total quality management • Logistics & Location strategies • Supply chain Strategy
  • ASB-2502: Personal Finance and Banking (20) (Semester 2)
  • ASB-2508: Corporate Gov'nce & Regulation (10) (Semester 2)
    What is a corporation? The development and the role of corporate governance systems and codes; The importance of ownership in corporate governance; The role of the board in corporate governance; The performance and remuneration of senior management; The role of the professions in corporate governance; Current International issues of corporate governance and regulation; Why regulate? Institutions of regulation; Forms of economic regulation.
  • QXS modules are for students whose first language is not English or Welsh.

Year 3 Modules

Compulsory Modules

Semester 1

  • ASB-3313: Financial Economics (10)
  • ASB-3317: Econometrics (20)
    1. The linear regression model; 2. Ordinary least squares; 3. Maximum likelihood estimation; 4. Goodness of fit and the explanatory power of a regression model; 5. Endogeneity; 6. Instrumental variables; 7. Dynamic regression models: distributed lag and autoregressive models; 8. Non-stationarity and testing for unit roots; 9. Modelling long-run relationships: cointegration; 10. Regression analysis using panel data.
  • ASB-3514: Industrial Organisation (10)
    1.Market structure. a. Static imperfect competition. b. Dynamic imperfect competition. 2. Sources of market power. a. Product differentiation. b. Advertising and marketing. c. Information and reputation. 3. Pricing strategy. a. Price discrimination. b. Intertemporal price discrimination. c. Bundling. 4. Competition and regulation. a. Mergers and acquisitions. b. Entry and exit.

Semester 2

  • ASB-3215: Portfolio Management (10)
    Market efficiency; Performance measurement and attribution; Measuring investment risk; Anomalies in returns and common investment philosophies; Benchmarking and models of expected returns; Testing for excess returns: methodologies; Testing for excess returns: key findings; Theoretical rationale for findings of excess returns; Real-world issues in the implementation of investment strategies.
  • ASB-3301: Macroeconomics (10)
    Economic growth, physical and human capital, technological progress; Labour market, skills and unemployment; Business cycles, consumption and investment; Fiscal policy, public finances; Monetary policy, money and inflation; International macro, currencies and exchange rates.
  • ASB-3309: Behavioural Finance (10)
    Introduction to behavioural finance as a descriptive approach to explaining decisions and behaviour in financial markets, based on psychological theory and evidence; Theory and evidence on the efficient markets hypothesis; Expected utility theory, axioms, attitudes to risk and curvature of the utility of wealth curve, Rabin’s critique; Psychological research, examples of irrational behaviour and choices; Prospect theory, examples of irrational behaviour by individual investors; Limits to arbitrage, evidence of inefficiency, noise trader risk; The closed-end funds puzzle; Investor sentiment, under-reaction and over-reaction to news, momentum, positive feedback trading and herding, bubbles, booms, crashes and fads; Corporate finance applications, new share issues, equity and debt finance.
  • ASB-3316: Applied Economics (20)
    • Introduction to econometric software. • Sourcing data. • Organisation and manipulation of data. • Programming of software. • Applied skills in analysis of data including summarising and visualisation, and a variety of regression techniques. • Analysis of outputs. • Application to economic problems: o Analysing economic relationships o Testing economic theories

0 to 10 credits from:

  • ASB-3217: Investment (10) (Semester 1)
  • Students who did not take AD/SB-2217 Investment in year 2 must take AD/SB-3217 Investment in year 3.

Optional Modules

20 to 30 credits from:

  • ASB-3008: Financial Technology (10) (Semester 2)
  • CCB-3202: Ymdrin â'ch Pwnc yn Gymraeg (10) (Semester 2)
    Edrychir yn fanwl ar gyweiriau iaith ac egwyddorion Cymraeg Clir a cheir cyfle i arbrofi ag ysgrifennu darnau gwahanol yng nghyd-destun amrywiol feysydd academaidd ar gyfer gwahanol gynulleidfaeodd. Rhoir arweiniad ar sut i ymgyfarwyddo â thermau penodol gwahanol bynciau. Ceir cyfle i ymarfer sgiliau a fydd o ddefnydd i'r myfyrwyr wrth ddilyn eu cyrsiau trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg e.e. ysgrifennu nodiadau cydlynnus, crynhoi, trawsieithu a chyfieithu deunydd a defnyddir yn eu meysydd cwricwlaidd. Rhan bwysig o'r modiwl yw'r gwaith paratoi tuag at y cyflwyniad llafar (40% o'r marc terfynol) lle ceir cyfle i gyflwyno elfen benodol ar eu maes academaidd o flaen cynulleidfa o ddarlithwyr a chyd-fyfyrwyr.
  • ASB-3204: Corporate Risk Management (10) (Semester 1)
    The nature of risk management; Risk identification; The firm's loss exposure; Risk measurement and probability distributions; Risk control tools; Risk financing; Insurance and the alternatives; Legal aspects of insurance and insurance contracts; Dealing with insurers.
  • ASB-3210: Advanced Corporate Finance (20) (Semester 1 + 2)
    The module examines the theory and practice of corporate investment and financial decisions. Topics include: mean-variance analysis, option pricing, capital structure, dividend policy, efficient capital markets, agency theory, mergers and restructuring. Particular emphasis will be placed on topical areas within corporate governance and investments.
  • ASB-3527: Executive Compensation (10) (Semester 2)
  • You must ensure you have the relevant pre-requisites. CCB-3202 is not available if taken in year 2.