ECON 4818 Introduction to Econometrics

Instructor Contact:

Dr. Sara Avila

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.

This foundational course is essential to your success in the study of economics. 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:

The Department of Economics at the University of Colorado Boulder requires students to use the online proctoring tool, Proctorio, for their proctored exams. Proctorio allows students to complete an assessment at a remote location, such as their home, while helping to ensure the integrity of the exam. There is no cost to use this tool.

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:

Textbook (required): 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. For options and support see:https://www.cengage.com/coursepages/UC_Mindtap

Grading (out of 1,000 points):

Exercises (280 POINTS) – There will be fourteen 20-point exercises. Modules 4-13 will be Computer Exercises through Mindtap. They will be a combination of multiple choice, numeric, and short answer/fill in the blank. They should be done in R (although you can use any statistical package to complete them) and will be open book open notes. Except for the first three modules, computer exercises will be completed in Mindtap.

Discussion postings (100 POINTS) – There will be four 25-point discussion postings. The discussion will occur asynchronously; I will post a discussion question and you will respond to the questions at your convenience prior to the due date. See the class schedule for due dates of posts and comments. Discussions are open book and open note. Discussions will be submitted through Canvas. The initial discussion post is due earlier in the module and the discussion response is due later in the module. 

Homework assignments (200 Points) – There will be ten 20-point Homework assignments.  The format will be multiple choice and/or fill in the blank and will be open book, open notes.  Homework will be completed in Mindtap.

Mini-Project (120 POINTS) – There will be one individual mini project.  This assignment will be 3 pages in length (2 pages of content and 1 page of resources), single spaced, Times New Roman 12 point font, 1” margins. This writing assignment as well as preliminary one-page proposal will be submitted through Canvas. You will investigate your own hypothesis. This paper will encompass most of what we have learned in the class.

Exams (300 POINTS) – There will be two (2) proctored exams. The proctored midterm exam is worth 100 points and the proctored cumulative final exam is worth 200 points. The format of the exam will be multiple choice and calculations