Facts about the course
- ECTS Credits:
- 7.5
- Responsible department:
- Faculty of Logistics
- Lecture Semester:
- Spring, Autumn
- Teaching language:
- English
- Duration:
- ½ year
TRA720 Cost-Benefit Analysis with Applications in Transport Infrastructure (Spring 2021)
About the course
In this course, we will discuss an analytical approach to evaluation of public investments and other decisions. Focus will be on Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA), which is the method most commonly recommended by researchers and governments. We will discuss key aspects of project evaluation such as how to value benefits and costs, how to account for events in different points of time, how to deal with market imperfections and distributional considerations. We will also discuss uncertainty and critique against formal evaluation methods as well as the role of such methods in decision-making.
Examples will be mainly from the transport sector since this is the sector where CBA is applied most systematically and much of the theoretical development originate. We will introduce different types of relevant transport modes and their characteristics as an introduction to the CBA examples. Other examples and applications may also be discussed if we have time (e.g. applications to health care and environment).
The course is connected to the following study programs
- Master of Science in Logistics
- Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration
- Exchange programme - Master's level
- Master of Science in Sustainable Transport and Urban Mobility
Recommended requirements
Knowledge of basic Microeconomics is recommended.
Reduction of Credits
This course’s contents overlap with the following courses. A reduction of credits will occur if one of these courses is taken in addition:
| Course | Reduction of Credits |
|---|---|
| TRA700 – Transportation Infrastructure Assessment | 7.5 |
| SØK701 – Cost Benefit Analysis | 7.5 |
The student's learning outcomes after completing the course
The successful candidate should have achieved advanced knowledge about theory and methods for economic evaluation of public projects with emphasis on cost-benefit analysis. The candidate also should have:
• Obtained a good overview of the theoretical foundation for cost-benefit analysis and how they are applied onto relevant transport modes.
• Obtained knowledge about the regulatory and planning framework within which these analyses are made, with focus on current international practice.
• Obtained knowledge to use analytical models and calculations to carry out case studies.
• Obtained knowledge about the strengths and weaknesses of this analytical framework.
• Obtained in-depth knowledge about one selected aspect from the course as a topic for the essay
• Improved his/her analytical and writing abilities through the process of assignment writing
Forms of teaching and learning
Lectures and project work.
Examination
- Form of assessment: Written school assessment
- Proportion: 60%
- Duration: 4 Hours
- Grouping: Individual
- Grading scale: Letter (A - F)
- Support material: All printed and written supporting material + calculator with empty memory
- Form of assessment: Home assessment
- Proportion: 40%
- Duration: Semesters
- Grouping: Group
- Grading scale: Letter (A - F)
- Support material: -
Syllabus
Will be announced later.