MY476 Half Unit
Population Analysis: Methods and Models
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Arjan Gjonca
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in Development Management (Political Economy), MSc in Development Management (Political Economy) (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in Development Studies, MSc in Economic Policy for International Development, MSc in Health and International Development, MSc in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies, MSc in Social Research Methods, MSc in Statistics, MSc in Statistics (Research), MSc in Statistics (Social Statistics) and MSc in Statistics (Social Statistics) (Research). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
How to apply: Places will be allocated with priority to ID and joint-degree students. If there are more ID and joint-degree students than MY476 can accommodate, these places will be allocated randomly.
Deadline for application: Places are limited. Please apply as soon as possible. There is no need to include a written statement.
For queries contact: Methodology.admin@lse.ac.uk
Please refrain from emailing the course convener with personal expressions of interest, as these do not impact the selection process.
Places will be allocated with priority to ID and joint-degree students. If there are more ID and joint-degree students than MY476 can accommodate, these places will be allocated randomly.
Requisites
Additional requisites:
Students should have basic numeracy, but the course does not require advanced mathematical knowledge. Some practical sessions will involve use of the spreadsheet EXCEL. IT Training provides numerous self-paced student supervised workshops on EXCEL and downloadable course guides. Students with no prior experience of EXCEL are advised to attend one of these workshops before the course.
Course content
This course provides an introduction to the key concepts and methods required for population analysis and the understanding of population issues. The course will explain the dynamics of population change and enable students to learn basic methods for measuring population structure and the determinants of population size and change (fertility, mortality and migration). The course will also provide an introduction to population projections and describe and evaluate how demographic data are collected and used. Emphasis is placed on the understanding and interpretation of demographic data and demographic indicators, as well as the methods of population analysis required to understand the major population issues the World is facing at present.
Teaching
15 hours of seminars and 11 hours of lectures in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
There will be a revision lecture in week 11.
Formative assessment
Students will be expected to complete exercises, write one essay and complete one mock exam during the term
Indicative reading
- Demography: Measuring and Modeling Population Processes by S H Preston, P Heuveline and M Guillot, 2001.
This will be used as a reference text in the course. Students may also find it helpful to consult some of the other standard texts available including:
- Essential Demographic Methods by Kenneth W. Wachter, 2014 (recommended);
- Demographic Methods by Andrew Hinde, 1998;
- Demographic Methods and Concepts by Donald Rowland, 2003 (less advanced);
- Methods and Models in Demography by C Newell, 1988 (less advanced).
Assessment
Exam (100%), duration: 120 Minutes in the January exam period
Key facts
Department: Methodology
Course Study Period: Autumn Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 10
Average class size 2024/25: 10
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Application of numeracy skills