Undergraduate Programmes

Economic activity is important for the individual and society and it is essential for any student to gain as much insight as possible into the functioning of the economic world. Since Economics is a social science that studies an eternal problem of man, namely how to satisfy unlimited wants with limited resources, it has a bearing on everyone. As members of society, each one of us is a consumer (purchasing goods and services to satisfy our needs) and a producer (using various skills in the work place to produce ‘something'). But how does this system function? How does the South African economy fit into the global economy? What can be done to encourage higher economic growth, resulting in a better standard of living for all? Economists study these and other issues.

Economics allows a wide choice of careers. Although some careers require postgraduate studies in Economics and Econometrics, experience has shown that undergraduate qualifications in Economics yield good returns for careers in the business world and in the public sector. In business, microeconomics facilitates logical decision-making in the firm while macroeconomics provides insight into the economic environment within which the enterprise operates. Majoring in Economics may also improve the likelihood of promotion in government departments. Economics also creates opportunities in teaching and is recommended for students who envisage a career in journalism.

Administrative arrangements

All enquiries are handled by Mrs R Gelderblom (room 506, Schumann Building). Any administrative (or other) problems that cannot be dealt with by Mrs Gelderblom, will be managed by the module convenor of the particular module.

Only in the case of any further problems, should the matter be taken up with the departmental chairperson, Prof Jansen. Students are welcome to consult lecturers during office hours, as well as immediately after lectures.

SunLearn

SunLearn is an important medium of communication between the department and the students. Students are therefore expected to visit https://learn.sun.ac.za on a regular basis. Information, including course outlines, test venues, comments on test papers and certain class notes, will be placed on SunLearn.

Essays, assignments and plagiarism

Plagiarism is when words / phrases are copied from an original source without acknowledging the source. Plagiarism is illegal and is viewed as a serious offence. Technological progress and specifically the internet, has led to plagiarism becoming a big problem especially at universities and other academic institutions. The department has adopted several rules to address this problem. If students do not adhere to these rules, they will be guilty of plagiarism. The department will refer such students to the disciplinary committee of the university and students that are found guilty in this way, can be expelled from the university.

Each student that hands in an essay or an assignment, has to sign a form on SUNLearn that states that there is no plagiarism in the essay. The final copy of the essay or assignment has to be loaded electronically onto SUNLearn as well. Details regarding this procedure will be announced in the classes.

Tests/Assessments

Check the relevant test dates at the beginning of the year and make a note of these dates. The venues where and times when tests are to be written, will be announced beforehand in class and posted onto SUNLearn.

All test/assessment results will be published on SUNLearn. No marks will be made available to individual students before the official release of the results. Only assessment results of students who have paid their student fees will be placed on the university's web page at www.mymaties.com. No results will be made available telephonically by the department.

You may query the marking of your tests after you have read the feedback on SUNLearn. (Normally within the first week after results become available and/or the first week of the new term or semester). The department will make information available as to where and when the scripts can be viewed. Written applications for the amendment of marks should be handed in during the period as announced by the department. No queries or discussions will be allowed after this period.

The Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences follows a Flexible assessment approach.  This is a process by which a student's work in a semester- or year-module is systematically assessed and weighed through consecutive opportunities during the course of the semester/year using a variety of assessment methods e.g. assignments, tests, portfolios, seminars, tutorials, project reports, etc.  A final mark is awarded without a formal university examination.

The system of flexible assessment allows for three official assessment periods per semester.  The first of these (A1) will be during the semester, the second (A2) will be in the time period of the first examination, and the third (A3) will be in the time period of the second examination.

No formal class mark is obtained.  Only a final mark is entered into the University's central computer system on the prescribed submission date for final marks.

Prerequisites

The prerequisites for each module are shown on each module page.

• A prerequisite pass module (PP) is a module which students must have passed before they are allowed to take the module(s) for which it is a prerequisite pass module.
• A prerequisite module (P) is a module in which students must have achieved a class mark of at least 40, or a final mark of at least 40 in the case of a module subject to continuous assessment, before they are allowed to take the module for which it is a prerequisite module.
• A correquisite module (C) is a module which students must take in the same academic year as the module for which it is a corequisite, or in an earlier academic year.

No qualification will be awarded unless the candidate has passed all the relevant prerequisite and corequisite modules.