Skills development per course
The development of skills is clearly present in a large number of courses. This page offers an overview of the specifics for each course.
Bachelor-1
Block 1
The guidance course aims to offer students a good start of their studies. A number of skills receive attention in this course:
- Making the transition from school to the university;
- Familiarising students with the university’s facilities;
- Planning skills;
- Reading and understanding texts;
- Studying skills;
- Teamwork.
The course Mathematics 1 aims to familiarise students with the mathematical skills that are invaluable during the rest of their studies. Students are taught to recognise which part of mathematics is used, and when to consult more advanced books on mathematics. The following skills are taught:
- Mathematical skills, involving:
- Single-variable functions (exponential and logarithmic functions, differential calculus and optimisation);
- Multi-variable functions (differential calculus and optimisation).
- Teamwork, group dynamics.
Block 2
The ICT course provides an introduction to using computers, vital to anyone living in today’s society. The following computer skills are taught:
- Working with spreadsheets (Excel);
- Modelling using spreadsheets;
- Optimising using spreadsheets;
- Running simulations using spreadsheets;
- Introduction to databases (Access);
- Modelling using databases.
Block 3
The course Mathematics 2 aims to familiarise students with the mathematical skills that are invaluable during the rest of their studies. Students are taught to recognise which part of mathematics is used, and when to consult more advanced books on mathematics. The following skills are taught:
- Mathematical skills, such as:
- Financial mathematics;
- Integral calculus;
- Matrix and vector algebra;
- Differential calculus;
- Teamwork, group dynamics.
Block 4
In addition to the regular lectures and tutorials, the Marketing course offers separate skills tutorials. These tutorials focus on specific skills, which are necessary for courses later in the programme. These small-scale groups offer students the following:
- An introduction to presentation skills;
- An introduction to discussion skills;
- Critical assessment of literature;
- Looking at various marketing subjects from a discriminating perspective.
FEB11005X Applied Statistics 1
Applied Statistics 1 gives an introduction to the world of statistics. The aim is to provide insights into statistical techniques, which are useful later in the programme; not just in Applied Statistics 2, but also in the master studies. The following skills are taught:
- Gaining insight into statistical techniques;
- An introduction to SPSS;
- Group dynamics.
Block 5
FEB11006X Organisation & Strategy
Like Marketing, Organisation & Strategy offers separate skills tutorials, in addition the regular lectures and tutorials. The aim of Organisation & Strategy is to analyse theoretically and empirically the effects of a changing corporate environment on the organisation and strategy of firms. Furthermore, students receive an introduction to academic writing. The skills taught are:
- An introduction to writing skills;
- Finding academic literature;
- Research skills, among which referencing scientific articles.
Bachelor-2
Block 2
FEB12005X Applied Statistics 2
Applied Statistics 2 deals with statistical methods and models often used in economics, where the right approach depends on asking the correct research question and the availability of quantitative data. The aim is to teach students to independently conduct scientific research using statistical methods. This course builds on statistical knowledge and skills students have learned in Applied Statistics 1, and prepares students for later courses (in particular Methods & Techniques, Research Project, seminars and the bachelor thesis). The following skills are taught:
- Basic statistical skills (particularly estimating and testing) with applications in economics.
- Using statistical data and models for scientifically testing views and making sound decisions.
- Active use of statistical models and methods using SPSS.
- Preparing for independent research by formulating research questions and building a statistical model.
Block 3
FEB12006X History of Economic Thought
History of Economic Thought takes students through developments in economic thought over time. Aside from the regular lectures and tutorials, it offers separate skills tutorials. Students learn to process and spread knowledge by writing a paper. The following skills are taught:
- Writing skills;
- Researching scientific literature;
- Research skills, among which referencing scientific articles.
Block 4
FEB12012X Methods & Techniques
The goal of Methods & Techniques is to teach students to independently conduct, assess and use scientific economic research. This course prepares students for the Research Project, and consists of three parts. In the first part, ‘Methods’, students are introduced to the design of a scientific research project. The second part, ‘Techniques 1’, builds upon the groundwork laid in Applied Statistics 1 and 2, focusing on statistical methods for sampling with independent observations. Examples of such sampling are:
- Answers to a survey question, given by an a-select group of respondents;
- Measurements obtained from an experimental group in experimental research.
The third part, ‘Techniques 2’ offers time series analysis, statistical methods for samples with time-dependent observations. Examples of time series are:
- The monthly unemployment figures over 1960-2010;
- The daily closing prices of VOPAK shares over 2006-2010.
The following skills are taught:
- Research skills (how does one design a scientific study?);
- Further expansion of statistical skills;
- Further practice in working with SPSS;
- Introduction to time series analysis;
- Introduction to statistical software EViews.
Block 5
The Research Project consists of an assignment that students make in groups, teaching them how to perform such work independently. The following skills are taught:
- Research skills:
- Applying theory;
- Formulating hypotheses;
- Testing hypotheses using scientific methods and techniques;
- Reporting research findings.
- Writing skills.
Bachelor-3
Block 2
FEB13070 Writing and Presenting in English
This course is primarily aimed at students who want to improve their grasp of the English language. Each meeting offers chances to work on both writing and presentation skills. Using assignments and presentations in English, students can improve their language skills week by week.
Block 2 and 3
FEB13025X Communication Skills
The aim of this course is to convey to students the basic principles of communication. Furthermore, students learn to correctly and persuasively speak in public.
The following communication skills are taught:
- Impact of non-verbal behaviour on overall communication;
- Obtaining information from others as efficiently as possible;
- Presenting in a correct and persuasive manner.
Block 3
A number of major courses and electives in block 3 offer students chances to work on skills, aimed at specific areas within economics. For instance, Financial Methods & Techniques elaborates on the methods and techniques used in the area of Finance.
Block 4
In the major seminars, part of students’ grades is based on participation in discussions, a presentation or a paper. During these seminars, skills learnt in earlier courses are revisited. The goal of the skills programme now becomes clear: at this point, students are able to spread the knowledge they have gained and processed before. The relevant skills include:
- Discussion skills;
- Presentation skills;
- Negotiation skills;
- Writing skills.
Block 5
The bachelor programme is concluded by writing a bachelor thesis on an economic subject the student has encountered in his studies. Writing a thesis means a chance for real spreading of knowledge. All of the skills built up over the course of the bachelor are now put to practice; students now have to independently conduct scientific research.
To support students in writing their bachelor thesis, a special website has been created. This provides students with all necessary information on the writing process, and the relevant requirements – which differ per area of expertise.
