| Unit name | Internet Economics and Financial Technology (Teaching Unit) |
|---|---|
| Unit code | COMSM0046 |
| Credit points | 0 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Cartlidge |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
A general knowledge of Computer Science is required. No prior knowledge of economics is assumed. To take the coursework assessment, a basic knowledge of Python is recommended. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
EITHER COMSM0047 Internet Economics and Financial Technology (Examination assessment, 10 credits) OR COMSM0140 Internet Economics and Financial Technology (Examination and Coursework assessment, 20 credits). Please note: COMSM0046 is the Teaching Unit for the Internet Economics and Financial Technology option. Single Honours Computer Science and some Joint Honours students can choose to be assessed by either examination (10 credits, COMSM0047) or examination and coursework (20 credits, COMSM0140) by selecting the appropriate co-requisite assessment unit. Any other students that are permitted to take the Internet Economics and Financial Technology option are assessed by examination (10 credits) and should be enrolled on the co-requisite exam assessment unit (COMSM0047). |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
Why is this unit important?
Great wealth has been amassed by people who recognised the economic and algorithmic benefits arising from the internet revolution. In this unit, we uncover how the internet impacts the economics of enterprise and finance and we learn to understand key financial technologies using economic principles. Some microeconomic theory will be introduced in the context of internet enterprise, trading technologies, and financial technology, however the unit assumes no background knowledge in economics.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
This is an optional unit that can be taken in Year 4.
An overview of content
This unit provides students with a broad overview of the algorithmics and economics of the internet and their role underpinning modern financial technology. The unit begins by introducing the economic principles necessary to understand and analyse how and why financial technologies succeed, before exploring a range of topics in financial technology including auctions, financial markets, and automated trading.
The exam option will enable students to demonstrate all the general learning outcomes for the unit. The coursework assessment option requires students to demonstrate deeper analysis and synthesis of ideas for the additional 10CP.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
This unit complements other units on the Computer Science programme by offering an economic perspective on the drivers of technology success and failure.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate how the internet impacts the economics of enterprise and finance.
2. Explain the key design features of a number of internet and financial technology algorithms.
3. Discuss key financial technologies using economic principles.
When the unit is taken with the associated 20 credit option that includes coursework, students will also be able to:
4.Implement, deploy, and/or assess key financial technologies using economic principles.
This unit has blended delivery. Each week there are asynchronous materials for you to consume in your own time. These materials are complemented by weekly in-class activities designed to encourage engagement, interaction, and problem solving. Activity sessions also include formative exercises to monitor and enhance learning. If taken with coursework, the unit also provides weekly coursework support sessions.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Weekly classes include formative problem worksheets to group activities to apply your learning and prepare for the exam and coursework assessment. Feedback is given via class discussions.
Teaching will take place over Weeks 1-7, with coursework support in weeks 9-11 and for students assessed by examination, consolidation, and revision sessions in Weeks 12.5
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
3-hour exam (10 credits: COMSM0047 – 100%, COMSM0140 – 50%) for all students covering prepared and selected topics (also see interactive intended learning outcomes).
In addition, students taking COMSM0140 will also take a coursework in weeks 9-11 (50%, equiv. to 10 credits).
When assessment does not go to plan
Students will retake relevant assessments in a like-for-like fashion in accordance with the University rules and regulations
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. COMSM0046).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
