Module Descriptors
BUSINESS AND ACCOUNTING SKILLS
ECON40102
Key Facts
Faculty of Business, Education and Law
Level 4
30 credits
Contact
Leader: Margaret Paling
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 72
Independent Study Hours: 228
Total Learning Hours: 300
Assessment
- COURSEWORK -ESSAY weighted at 10%
- GROUP PRESENTATION weighted at 15%
- ASSIGNMENT weighted at 20%
- ASSIGNMENT - SECOND ASSIGNMENT weighted at 20%
- ASSIGNMENT - THIRD ASSIGNMENT weighted at 20%
- COURSEWORK weighted at 15%
Module Details
Module Texts
Atrill, P. and E. McLaney. (2004). Accounting and Finance for Non-Specialists. FT: Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0273 679 627
Cottrell, S. (2003). The Study Skills Handook. Palgrave. ISBN: 0333751892
Peck, J and Coyle, M. (1999). The Students Guide to Writing. Palgrave. ISBN: 0333727428
Cottrell, S. (2003). The Study Skills Handook. Palgrave. ISBN: 0333751892
Peck, J and Coyle, M. (1999). The Students Guide to Writing. Palgrave. ISBN: 0333727428
Module Learning Strategies
The learning strategies will require students to commit 300 learning hours, of which 72 hours will consist of contact time. A combination of lectures and tutorial/workshops will provide students with the opportunity to develop a range of business skills.
A further 228 hours of independent study will require students to further develop and practise these skills using a combination of formative and summative assessment exercises independently and as part of a small group.
A further 228 hours of independent study will require students to further develop and practise these skills using a combination of formative and summative assessment exercises independently and as part of a small group.
Module Resources
IT Network System, Library Resources, TV/Video
Module Indicative Content
The purpose of this module is to provide students with an introduction to the study and transferable skills necessary for the satisfactory completion of a higher education business course and subsequent employment and career development. In particular the module will focus on communication, numeracy and I.T. skills. Personal Development Planning will be introduced through this module.
Topics covered in the module will be drawn from: introduction to the University learning environment (e.g. library induction, accessing on-line resources, IT including the use of Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Internet/Outlook, etc.); research skills and referencing; developing lines of argument and enquiry; written communication skills (e.g. report writing, essays, business letters, CV compilation; other recruitment communication - letters of application, application forms; working in groups and group motivation and behaviour; managing the meeting process (agenda/minutes, etc); oral communications (e.g. presentations, interview techniques; body language, etc); assignment and examination techniques;.
The skills module will also introduce students to basic accounting principles and quantitative techniques for business. In this respect the module will cover: accounting terminology, the legal framework of accounting; compilation of basic financial statements (trading and profit and loss account, balance sheet); equations and percentages in a business context; calculation and interpretation of a menu of ratios; averages (mean, mode, median); probability; measures of dispersion; normal distribution; graphical representation of business information.
Topics covered in the module will be drawn from: introduction to the University learning environment (e.g. library induction, accessing on-line resources, IT including the use of Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Internet/Outlook, etc.); research skills and referencing; developing lines of argument and enquiry; written communication skills (e.g. report writing, essays, business letters, CV compilation; other recruitment communication - letters of application, application forms; working in groups and group motivation and behaviour; managing the meeting process (agenda/minutes, etc); oral communications (e.g. presentations, interview techniques; body language, etc); assignment and examination techniques;.
The skills module will also introduce students to basic accounting principles and quantitative techniques for business. In this respect the module will cover: accounting terminology, the legal framework of accounting; compilation of basic financial statements (trading and profit and loss account, balance sheet); equations and percentages in a business context; calculation and interpretation of a menu of ratios; averages (mean, mode, median); probability; measures of dispersion; normal distribution; graphical representation of business information.
Module Additional Assessment Details
An individual portfolio of assessment tasks (NB. Some of the tasks may be group-based) - 100% (Tests All Learning Outcomes)
Assessment Tasks
Week 4 - 500 word Essay (10%) LO1
Week 6 - Group PowerPoint Presentations (15%) LO1
Week 12 - Accounting Assignment (20%) LO2
Week 18 - Excel & Word Assignment (20%) LO1 and 2
Week 20 - Business Mathematics Assignment (20%) LO2
Week 24 - Job Application Documents (15%) LO1
Learning Outcome 3 will be covered by the compilation of the Personal Development Plan during personal tutorials.
Assessment Tasks
Week 4 - 500 word Essay (10%) LO1
Week 6 - Group PowerPoint Presentations (15%) LO1
Week 12 - Accounting Assignment (20%) LO2
Week 18 - Excel & Word Assignment (20%) LO1 and 2
Week 20 - Business Mathematics Assignment (20%) LO2
Week 24 - Job Application Documents (15%) LO1
Learning Outcome 3 will be covered by the compilation of the Personal Development Plan during personal tutorials.