THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2021/2022

Information in the Degree Programme Tables may still be subject to change in response to Covid-19

University Homepage
DRPS Homepage
DRPS Search
DRPS Contact
DRPS : Course Catalogue : Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies : BSc Hons (Royal (Dick) Sch of Veterinary Studies)

Undergraduate Course: Growth and Productivity Analysis (VETS10045)

Course Outline
SchoolRoyal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies CollegeCollege of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThe course will provide an applied understanding of how to measure growth. The focus will be applied to agricultural systems in both developing and developed contexts.
Course description Economic growth has long been considered fundamental to development. Agriculture contributes to a large part of the economy of developing countries but is also fundamental to understanding such debates as resource use and climate change. This course will provide a practical application of agricultural growth and productivity measurement. It will further examine the causes of growth and productivity. Taking basic principles and real world data the course has two parts. We will explore household survey data for the measurement of efficiency and then aggregated data to draw indexes of productivity growth. These measures will be unpacked using indicators, such as research spending and weather variability, to understand the effect on our productivity and efficiency measures. Some time will be spent critiquing growth and discussion of other frameworks which attempt to widen our understanding of progress. This is a practical applied course and time will be sent developing estimations in using R and R-studio. This will allow students to develop quantitative techniques and based around issues of measurement, data integrity, and the impact of technology and growth.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2021/22, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  20
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 196 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 50 %, Coursework 0 %, Practical Exam 50 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Individual presentation to the group (50%); Students will prepare a project based on a country of their choice, utilising appropriate data sources and highlighting past growth within the agricultural sector and issues pertinent to agricultural growth.

Practical Computer-based Exam (50%). Students will be given 24 hours to analyse data sets and report on findings against key questions.
Feedback Feedback will be supplied within 15 days of the submission deadline
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)Practical Exam2:00
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Organise economic survey data for analysis.
  2. Demonstrate how to create an index on secondary time series data.
  3. Estimate the impact of external factors on growth
Reading List
Suggested texts include:
Fuglie, K., Wang, S.L., Ball, E. (2012). Productivity Growth in Agriculture: An International Perspective.
CABI, Wallingford, UK

Isakkson et al. (2015). Productivity in developing countries: trends and policies. United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, Vienna 2005
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Planning, organising, time management, in planning and delivering the final essay.

Enquiry and lifelong learning through awareness and ability to understand and assess evolving datasets related to agricultural growth.

Aspiration and personal development, by offering applied quantitative skills for understanding and analysing trends in agricultural growth.

Written communication, ability to produce clear, structured written work that effectively explains information through the essay assignment.
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserProf Andrew Barnes
Tel:
Email: andrew.barnes@sruc.ac.uk
Course secretaryMr Gordon Littlejohn
Tel: (0131 6)51 7454
Email: Gordon.Littlejohn@ed.ac.uk
Navigation
Help & Information
Home
Introduction
Glossary
Search DPTs and Courses
Regulations
Regulations
Degree Programmes
Introduction
Browse DPTs
Courses
Introduction
Humanities and Social Science
Science and Engineering
Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Other Information
Combined Course Timetable
Prospectuses
Important Information