Course profile

Economics Honours Thesis (ECON6110)

Study period
Sem 1 2025
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 22/11/2025)
Study level
Undergraduate
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
8
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Economics School

A significant part of the Honours program involves writing a thesis. This is an advanced course that introduces students to the world of economic research. This course supports the student’s progression in the writing and development of their thesis. If enrolling in the Honours program as a full-time student, you must enrol in this year-long thesis course in both semester 1 and semester 2 of your Honours year. The course commences in semester 1 and concludes at the end of semester 2.

Course requirements

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

ECON6120 or 6910 or 6920

Restrictions

Enrolment restricted to students in the BEcon(Hons), BAdvFinEcon(Hons), BA(Hons - Economics)

Course contact

School enquiries

Student Enquiries, School of Economics

All enquiries regarding student and academic administration (i.e. non-course content information, e.g., class allocation, timetables, extension to assessment due date, etc.) should be directed to enquiries@economics.uq.edu.au.

Enquiries relating specifically to course content should be directed to the Course Coordinator/Lecturer.

Course staff

Lecturer

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

There are no scheduled classes for this course.

Aims and outcomes

Aims and outcomes

The main aims of the course are to:

a) facilitate the formulation and completion of a high quality Honours thesis.

b) enable students to participate in the research community. 

c) support the students growth in their understanding of diverse perspectives and as respectful leaders.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Demonstrate an ability to work as a researcher in a chosen sub-discipline of economics.

LO2.

Use critical judgement in defining and analysing a research question.

LO3.

Build an argument that competently and persuasively analyses a research question in the form of a thesis.

LO4.

Effective communication of research findings in academic settings and with diverse audiences.

LO5.

Demonstrate understanding of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values and perspectives, their contributions to Australian society, and the interlinkage between different cultures and alternative economic systems.

LO6.

Conduct themselves in an ethical and socially responsible way by adopting forward-looking solutions to support a more sustainable economy.

Course overview
Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Thesis Honours Thesis 95%

31/10/2025 1:00 pm
Presentation Oral presentation of the research question
  • In-person
 1%

Week 5 Mon - Fri

Further details regarding the precise date and location will be provided on course Blackboard.
Thesis Mid-Term Progress Report 2%

28/07/2025 1:00 pm
Presentation, Thesis Final Progress Report and Oral Presentation 2%

Week 20 - Week 23

Further details regarding the precise date and location will be provided on course Blackboard.

Assessment details

Honours Thesis

Mode
Written
Category
Thesis
Weight
95%
Due date

31/10/2025 1:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

The Honours Thesis is a very important part of the overall Honours program, and it is weighted accordingly.

Since any given thesis will concentrate on a particular area of research, such as economic theory, empirical economics, economic history, experimental economics, econometrics, etc., it is not possible to prescribe the precise structure each thesis must have. However, an impression of the standard and possible structure of theses may be obtained by perusing some of the Honours theses in the Economics and Business Library.

A copy of the completed thesis should also be given to the Advisor(s) at least two weeks before the due date. Otherwise, feedback cannot be expected.

Ethics

Ethics approval must be sought prior to any form of primary data collection. Information regarding the ethics application process is as follows:

Information about how to submit an application is available here: http://www.uq.edu.au/research/integrity-compliance/low-and-negligible-risk-reviews

All applications should use the HREA form. http://www.uq.edu.au/research/integrity-compliance/hrea

Any questions regarding the ethics process should be directed to BELLNR@UQ.EDU.AU

CONTENTS OF THE ECONOMIC THESIS

Your thesis is to contain the following information:

  • Title page (see next section regarding formatting and information required)
  • Acknowledgements Page (e.g. Advisor etc.)
  • Declaration Statement (See next page: signed by the student)
  • Abstract Page (maximum one page)
  • Table of Contents
  • Lists of figures, tables, illustrations & diagrams
  • Acronyms and abbreviations
  • The main body of text - chapters
  • Bibliography
  • Appendices

 

FORMAT GUIDELINES FOR THE HONOURS THESIS

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

  • A4 size paper (297 x 210 mm)
  • Font: preferably 12 point (minimum of 11 point for body of text)
  • Double line spacing for text (1½ line spacing is allowable)
  • Left hand margin: minimum of 3cm (for binding purposes)
  • Right hand margin: not less than 2cm
  • Top and bottom margins for text: not less than 2cm (excluding page numbers)
  • Consecutive page numbering
  • Submission will be electronic (pdf)

 

Maximum length : 25,000 words (approx. 80 pages x 12pt font x 1½ line spacing)

 

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

  • THE TITLE PAGE of the thesis should be formatted with the following information:

 

The University of Queensland

Faculty of (Specify Business, Economics & Law; Arts etc.)

School of Economics

 

(title of the thesis in full)

 

A reasonable estimate of word length

An Honours Thesis submitted to the School of Economics, The University of Queensland, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of BEcon(Honours) or BArts(Honours)

by (candidate’s name and degree)

(the date - month & year)

  

  • DECLARATION STATEMENT PAGE (each copy submitted is to be individually signed by the student)


Wording as follows:

I declare that the work presented in this Honours thesis is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, original and my own work, except as acknowledged in the text, and that material has not been submitted, either in whole or in part, for a degree at this or any other university.

..............................................

(Candidate’s name & date)

 

TABLES AND DIAGRAMS

 

Tables, diagrams, and figures should be inserted in the text as soon as possible after the first reference to them in the text. 

 

REFERENCES IN TEXT and BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

It is essential to choose one referencing style and follow it consistently throughout the thesis. A candidate must cite all sources from which information is derived or quoted and any reference referred to in the thesis.


THE ASSESSMENT RUBRIC WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS VIA THE COURSE BLACKBOARD SITE.


This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

An electronic copy must be uploaded through turn-it-in at the Econ6110 Learn.UQ website.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Note that computer problems are not acceptable reasons for requesting an extension. 

Note also that submission after the due date can delay finalisation of the grade for the course, and thus may affect graduation.

Oral presentation of the research question

  • In-person
Mode
Oral
Category
Presentation
Weight
1%
Due date

Week 5 Mon - Fri

Further details regarding the precise date and location will be provided on course Blackboard.

Learning outcomes
L02, L04, L05, L06

Task description

You are required to give a 10-minute presentation describing the proposed thesis research question, providing a summary of the literature review, and a summary of the proposed research method.


This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.

Mid-Term Progress Report

Mode
Written
Category
Thesis
Weight
2%
Due date

28/07/2025 1:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04

Task description

You are required to submit a document containing an outline of your thesis with a substantial draft of at least two completed sections.


This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

This progress report (with the cover sheet signed and commented on by the supervisor) should be submitted via turn-it-in at the Econ6110 Learn.UQ site.


Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.

Final Progress Report and Oral Presentation

Mode
Oral, Written
Category
Presentation, Thesis
Weight
2%
Due date

Week 20 - Week 23

Further details regarding the precise date and location will be provided on course Blackboard.

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04

Task description

Students will give a fifteen-minute seminar summarising their research thesis. After the presentation, the students are required to submit a draft of their honours thesis with substantial content in each section of the thesis.


This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

The progress report (with the cover sheet signed and commented on by the supervisor) should be submitted via turn-it-in at the Econ6110 Learn.UQ site.


Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Grade Cut off Percent Description
1 (Low Fail) 0 - 29

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.
2 (Fail) 30 - 46

Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.
3 (Marginal Fail) 47 - 49

Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes
4 (Pass) 50 - 64

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.
5 (Credit) 65 - 74

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.
6 (Distinction) 75 - 84

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.
7 (High Distinction) 85 - 100

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Aims and outcomes
Learning resources

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.

Assessment
Learning activities

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Learning resources
Policies and procedures

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

Learning activities