NES1102 : Introductory Business Economics
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Carmen Hubbard
- 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 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To cover selected principles of economics from a business perspective and to show how economics can be used to understand business problems and aspects of the business environment. This is an introductory module designed for first year undergraduates without ANY prior knowledge of economics.
Outline Of Syllabus
Economics definition and key concepts; business economics.
The working of competitive markets: business in a competitive market; demand and supply, price and output determination; elasticity of demand and supply; Government intervention in competitive markets.
Background to demand: marginal utility theory and demand and the firm.
Background to supply: cost and production; short vs long-run.
Revenue and profit maximisation.
Market Structures: Perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Online assessment: MCQs and practical exercises using the software MyLabEconomics of Pearson |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 3 | 5:00 | 15:00 | A combination of short recordings of lecture material in the form of PP slides available on Canvas. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Online assessment: MCQs and practical exercises using the software MyLabEconomics Pearson |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 9 | 1:00 | 9:00 | Present in Person (PiP) |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 30 | 1:00 | 30:00 | Lecturer will give students relevant reading for module topics throughout the semester |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | Workshops will provide an opportunity for students to practice their analytical skills |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Discussion session with lecturer |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 10:00 | 10:00 | preparation for workshops |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Present in Person lectures, backed up with workshops, homework and freely-available web-based material (e.g. Financial Times, The Economist) convey the underlying principles.
These methods should enable students to gain an understanding of how economics, in theory and in practice, relates to business activity. They should also enable students to apply major economic principles to the analysis of the behaviour of firms and consumers, and to understand economic arguments.
Students will be able to use the software MyLabEconomics of Pearson to practice and consolidate their learning. The software is also used for examination.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 90 | 1 | A | 80 | MCQ in person, exam using MyLabEconomics via Canvas. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer assessment | 1 | M | 20 | 45 minutes mid semester MCQ in person using MyLabEconomics via Canvas. |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer assessment | 1 | M | Computer based homework via MyLabEconomics. Formative Feedback given |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The formative assessment provides an opportunity for students to receive feedback on their progress with the learning outcomes and also practice using the MyLabEconomics system which is used for the summative assessments.
The 45 minute online digital test using MyLabEconomics (PiP) will take place by mid- November, giving the students the opportunity to rehearse and get feedback on topics covered so far in the module. It also allows students to experience the exam-format in preparation for the proper exam in January. Format: similar to exam; multiple choice questions and practical exercises which will test the students' conceptual understanding, analysis and interpretation of information, and problem-solving skills. The assessment is organised by the Module leader as an in-class test which is timetabled. The test accounts for 20% of the final mark.
The 90 minute, end-of-semester exam assesses students' ability to demonstrate a thorough understanding and application of fundamental concepts and principles covered in the module. Format: multiple-choice questions and practical exercises drawn from all topics covered during the semester. The end of Semester exam will run as an in person MCQ digital exam via Canvas (using MyLabEconomics).
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES1102's Timetable