Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
Benefit: Cost Analysis is one of the most important and widely used tools of economics. It supports improved decision making about projects and policies by providing a systematic, logical, transparent, and consultative approach to evaluating and prioritising them. In this unit, students learn how to apply Benefit: Cost Analysis in a rigorous, informative and practical way that recognises the importance of consulting with stakeholders and experts. Examples in this unit focus on agriculture and environmental management, but the material presented is applicable in many other contexts. The unit takes an applied approach, aiming to provide students with all the knowledge and skills needed to conduct a Benefit: Cost Analysis themselves. As part of this, each student will construct their own well-designed spreadsheet to do the required calculations, will use it to conduct a Benefit: Cost Analysis, will conduct an informative sensitivity analysis, and will interpret and explain the results in a written report for decision makers. Challenges in completing a Benefit: Cost Analysis are presented, and strategies to overcome those challenges are provided. The academic objectives are to understand the concepts and principles that underpin Benefit: Cost Analysis and to learn how to apply it to evaluate real projects and policies.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 1 Online Online flexible Semester 2 Online Online flexible - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) quantify the benefits and costs of a project or policy.; (2) understand the key theoretical and practical aspects of conducting a Benefit: Cost Analysis; (3) communicate with stakeholders and experts regarding the inputs to and results from a Benefit: Cost Analysis.; (4) construct a spreadsheet to do the required calculations for a Benefit: Cost Analysis.; and (5) conduct an informative sensitivity analysis of a Benefit: Cost Analysis..
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) 2x multiple-choice quizzes (20% each); (2) report on an example Benefit: Cost Analysis (30%); and (3) development of a spreadsheet template for a Benefit Cost Analysis. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Professor David Pannell
- Contact hours
- 150 hours
Lectures: 2 x 45-minute online lectures per week for 12 weeks
Workshops: 1 x 1-hour online workshops per week for 12 weeks
Self-directed learning: 10 hours per week for 12 weeks
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit, one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook one week prior the commencement of study. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Information on essential textbooks will also be made available on the Essential Textbooks. This website is updated regularly in the lead up to semester so content may change. It is recommended that students purchase essential textbooks for convenience due to the frequency with which they will be required during the unit. A limited number of textbooks will be made available from the Library in print and will also be made available online wherever possible. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus.
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.