ECON 4818 Introduction to Econometrics

Instructor Contact:

Sara Avila, PhD

Email: sara.avila@colorado.edu

About the Course:

This course provides an introduction to the theory and applications of modern econometrics. The course reviews hypothesis testing and mathematical expectations and then introduces the linear regression model.

Organized into fourteen modules, the course is divided into five parts. The first part reinforces the fundamentals of mathematics and probability theory. The second part introduces simple and multiple regressions. The third part overviews the main assumptions of linear regression models with emphasis in unbiasedness, asymptotics, and heteroskedasticity. The fourth part explores variable transformations. Finally, students are expected to apply their knowledge in a Mini-Project.

The applications of the tools and skills learned in this course are to be applied to a myriad of areas: health, education, income distribution, sports management, urban planning, voting prediction, race issues, environmental conservation, climate change, just to name a few.

Course Prerequisites: Requires prerequisite courses of ECON 3070 (Intermediate Microeconomic Theory) and ECON 3818 (Introduction to Statistics with Computer Applications) or STAT 4520 or APPM 4570 or CHEN 3010 or CSCI 3022 or CVEN 3227 or MATH 4520 (all minimum grade C-).

Proctoring: This course requires proctored examinations. Exams are proctored which will require planning on your part. Proctors are individuals who administer the exam process following the guidelines provided by University of Colorado Boulder to ensure academic integrity. Some proctoring options require the student to pay a fee.

Objectives:

By the end of the course you should be able to:

1. Explain the assumptions of the simple and multiple linear regression model
2. Conduct econometric analysis of the linear regression model using statistical packages
3. Make and test inferences in the linear regression model
4. Formulate a novel but straightforward question and test it using real world data
5. Communicate the results of econometric analysis in a clear and professional way

Required Texts:

Introductory Econometrics: A modern approach, 7th Edition with Mindtap, by Jeffrey M. Wooldridge, Cengage Publishing, ISBN 978-1-337-55886-0. Students are required to have access to MIndtap (which includes an eBook) at a minimum and can optionally choose to purchase a paper text. Mindtap is where you will read your textbook and complete some graded assignments. You will access Mindtap through our course website, Canvas

Grading (out of 1000 points):