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2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

TRAN2030 Project Appraisal

10 creditsClass Size: 76

Module manager: John Nellthorp
Email: J.Nellthorp@its.leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

How do public authorities, or private businesses, approach investment decisions? How can governments make decisions about even the most sensitive issues - like where to deposit nuclear waste, or whether or not to build a new generation of nuclear power stations - in a transparent, accountable way?By completing this module, you will gain an understanding of the concepts and theory which underlie investment appraisal and decision making; practical methods used in the public and private sector; and applications not only to transport investment but in other policy areas such as energy policy and regional development.There will be four small group class sessions to discuss case studies, and 11 lectures. This is a 10 credit semester two module, the assessment will be by coursework (33%) and a 1.5 hour exam (67%). A large proportion of the materials are available online, to avoid time spent waiting for library books.Project appraisal is relevant to a wide range of students. The techniques learned (including cost-benefit and multi-criteria techniques) are transferable across many fields of business and public life. One reason for the good feedback on this module is that no prior knowledge is assumed - we have recently taken students from geography, environment, management, economics, languages, aviation and other programmes, and those from any background can do well in this module.Some prior study of microeconomics and quantative methods is advised.For any further information please contact John Nellthorp (J.Nellthorp@its.leeds.ac.uk).

Objectives

After completing this module, students should understand the concepts which underlie the appraisal of investment projects and the advantages and drawbacks of each of the main approaches used (namely cost benefit analysis, multi criteria analysis and framework approaches). They should also be familiar with case studies which demonstrate the use of these techniques in practice.

Skills outcomes
- Working knowledge of analysis methods and their application to public policy problems

- Discounted cash flow techniques widely used in business and public sector

- Effective essay writing

- Communication skills in a seminar group environment
- Working knowledge of analysis methods and their application to public policy problems

- Discounted cash flow techniques widely used in business and public sector

- Effective essay writing

- Communication skills in a seminar group environment


Syllabus

Project appraisal as a tool of policy analysis
The framework and elements of project appraisal
Objectives and criteria
Commercial and social appraisal
Social cost-benefit analysis
Valuing benefits - time, life environment
Capital budgeting - discounting for time, risk and uncertainty
Applications of commercial appraisal, cost-benefit and cost effectiveness analysis, and other appraisal frameworks

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Example Class51.005.00
Revision Class11.001.00
Lecture151.0015.00
Private study hours79.00
Total Contact hours21.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)100.00

Private study

39 hours - Coursework/preparation
20 hours - Background reading
20 hours - Revision

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Performance in coursework exercises

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
In-course AssessmentCoursework33.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)33.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)1 hr 30 mins67.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)67.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 27/08/2009

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