BE344-6-SP-CO:
Big Data in Finance

The details
2024/25
Essex Business School
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 6
Future
Monday 13 January 2025
Friday 21 March 2025
15
09 February 2024

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

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Key module for

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Module description

The purpose of the module is to introduce students to big data and how big data are used in finance. The module will first explore the definitions of big data and discuss applications in corporate finance, financial markets and risk modelling. It will then discuss in more detail the use of structured and unstructured big data in finance.

Module aims

The aims of this module are:



  • To equip students with the knowledge that is necessary to understand the use of big data in finance.

  • To enable students to understand the applications of big data in finance.

  • To enable students to critically evaluate the use of big data in finance.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:



  1. Understand what is big data and its main characteristics.

  2. Understand how big data is used in financial markets and financial services.

  3. Be familiar with the problems associated with the collection and handling of big datasets in finance.

  4. Critically evaluate the role of big data applications in financial markets, especially with respect to high frequency finance.

  5. Critically evaluate how the collection of big data via social media has improved forecasting.

  6. Understand how big data can be used in corporate finance and risk management.

Module information

Syllabus information



  • Big data in finance

  • Applications of big data

  • Unstructured data in finance

  • Structured data in finance

  • Risk management and big data

  • High Frequency Finance

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

  • One 2-hour lecture per week
  • One 1-hour workshops per week

Students are expected to undertake the reading before classes and be prepared to engage in discussion.

Bibliography*

(none)

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Exam  Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during Summer (Main Period) 
Exam  Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during September (Reassessment Period) 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
50% 50%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
50% 50%
Module supervisor and teaching staff

 

Availability
Yes
No
No

External examiner

No external examiner information available for this module.
Resources
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.

 

Further information
Essex Business School

* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.

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