INTRODUCTORY ECONOMETRICS - 2020/1

Module Overview

This module will provide students with the basic mechanics, both in terms of the theoretical background and the practical skills, for carrying out applied econometrics. Throughout there is an emphasis on understanding the assumptions of the methods so as gain an appreciation of what such techniques can and cannot deliver. An important part of the course is the training in the use of the econometrics software package, Stata.

Module provider

Economics

Module Leader

MARTELLOSIO Federico (Economics)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• The relationship between economic and econometric models


• Simple OLS regressions


• Multiple OLS regression


• Properties of OLS regression


• Dummy variables


• Model specification


• Heteroskedasticity


• Introduction to time series data

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Not applicable

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate:

Their understanding of econometric modelling, and their ability to use the econometric computer package Stata.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• One Multiple Choice test in week 7. This will provide students with an assessment of their understanding of basic concepts studied in weeks 1-6. Worth 15% of the final mark.


• One computer lab test in week 11. This will test students’ ability to produce and interpret econometric results using the econometric package STATA. Worth 15% of the final mark.


• 2 hour examination. Students are required to solve exercises and answer theoretical questions. Worth 70% of the final mark.

Formative assessment and feedback

Students receive verbal feedback during both lectures and tutorials. During lectures, smaller questions and exercises are discussed, while the problems discussed in tutorials are more substantial. After the test, students receive verbal and written feedback in the form of correct answers and a discussion of common mistakes.

Module aims

• introduce students to basic econometric techniques
• provide students with the tools necessary for the correct interpretation of empirical work in economics
• train students to use the econometrics software package, Stata.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Enhance skills in interpreting econometric results


• Train students to learn how to manipulate data and extract information from economic dataset by means of econometric software

The learning and teaching methods include:

• 2-hour lecture per week, x 11 weeks


• 1-hour class devoted to solving problems sets in a computer lab per week x 10 weeks

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ECO2047

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.