The course will commence with an explanation of the financial analysis of projects and move on to provide students with an understanding of the theoretical rationale for modern cost benefit analysis (CBA). Emphasis will be placed on case studies with particular stress on the handling of shadow prices, and opportunities will be provided to give students a thorough working knowledge of its application in developing countries.

IDEC 8088 is a course in CBA for Masters and PhD Part A students, and thus the assessment will be different from IDEC 8001 (for Graduate Diploma students).

There will be tutorial exercises focus on the practical application, mid-term and final examinations focus on the conceptual framework of CBA. They will count towards the grade as follows:

            Tutorial exercises          20%

            Mid-term                      25%

            Final exam                    55%

Tutorial exercises will be assigned whenever is appropriate. The aim is to provide students hand-on experiences in using spreadsheets for actual cost benefit calculations.

Boardman, A.E. et al. (2006). Cost Benefit Analysis - Concepts and Practices, Third Edition, Prentice Hall, NJ.

Sinden, J.A. and Thampapillai, D.J. (1995). Introduction to Cost Benefit Analysis, Longman, Melbourne.

Campell, H. and R. Brown (2003). Benefit-Cost Analysis: Financial and Economic Appraisal Using Spreadsheets, Cambridge.

Nas, T.F. (1996). Cost Benefit Analysis - Theory and Application. Sage, California.

Delivery Mode:

the course will be delivery "on campus" with materials posted in the WebCT.