Students

ECON7035 – Applied Econometrics

2023 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Chris Heaton
chris.heaton@mq.edu.au
06EaR-453
TBA on iLearn
Tutor
Colin Bowers
colin.bowers@mq.edu.au
TBA on iLearn
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
ECON8040
Unit description Unit description

The aim of this unit is to enable MRes students to upgrade their basic econometric knowledge and skills to a level where they can independently design an empirical research project and use relevant econometric methods to draw valid conclusions, with clear understanding of advantages and limitations of the methods involved. To that end, students will be introduced to various econometric methods and their properties under different circumstances.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Identify and develop a relevant econometric model suitable for the objective of analysis.
  • ULO2: Estimate the model using an appropriate estimation method.
  • ULO3: Interpret the estimation results and draw valid inferences.
  • ULO4: Understand and replicate the empirical results reported in some academic articles that are prescribed by the lecturer.

General Assessment Information

Late Assessment Submission Penalty (written assessments) 

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55 pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern. 

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration. 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Lecture interaction 10% No Weekly from Week 2
Assignment 30% No Week 14
Tutorial Exercises 20% No Weekly from Week 2
Take home test 40% No Week 8 and Week 12

Lecture interaction

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: Weekly from Week 2
Weighting: 10%

Lectures will include embedded exercises that engage students in the material being taught and ensure that students grasp essential concepts.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Interpret the estimation results and draw valid inferences.
  • Understand and replicate the empirical results reported in some academic articles that are prescribed by the lecturer.

Assignment

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 14
Weighting: 30%

A written report comprising the application of technical skills and theoretical concepts acquired in the unit to a simple research question in economics.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and develop a relevant econometric model suitable for the objective of analysis.
  • Estimate the model using an appropriate estimation method.
  • Interpret the estimation results and draw valid inferences.

Tutorial Exercises

Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Weekly from Week 2
Weighting: 20%

A weekly assessment (from Week 2) that covers material from previous lectures, with an emphasis on the most recent work, and ensures acquisition of the concepts and skills necessary to understand and apply the unit material.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Interpret the estimation results and draw valid inferences.
  • Understand and replicate the empirical results reported in some academic articles that are prescribed by the lecturer.

Take home test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 8 and Week 12
Weighting: 40%

Two diagnostic tests (worth 20% each) of technical skills and applied knowledge acquired in the unit up until the week of the test.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and develop a relevant econometric model suitable for the objective of analysis.
  • Interpret the estimation results and draw valid inferences.
  • Understand and replicate the empirical results reported in some academic articles that are prescribed by the lecturer.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Classes

  • Online lectures will be available each week. Lectures will include links to datasets and reference material. Lectures will also include embedded questions which must be answered by students before the weekly deadline. The lectures cover all the material necessary to pass the unit, including some material that is not available in other formats. Consequently, students are expected to study the lectures closely.
  • There is a tutorial class held in each week except Week 1. Students must register in a tutorial class. Changes to tutorial enrolments may only be made using the online system subject to available capacity. The Unit Convenor cannot make enrolment changes on behalf of students. Changes to tutorial enrolments generally take up to 24 hours to be reflected on iLearn.
  • Students must complete and submit the tutorial exercises each week before the deadline, which will be prior to the first scheduled class each week. The tutorial exercises will be discussed in class.
  • The timetable for classes can be found on the University website: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/
  • Students are expected to study all lectures, attempt the lecture exercises and tutorial exercises, attend the tutorial classes, discuss the unit material both in-class and online, and read the text. It is important that students identify problems that they are having with the unit material each week. If a reasonable but unsuccessful effort has been made to solve a problem, then the student should seek help from the tutor during the tutorial. Outside class time, the best way to get help with a problem is to post it on the online discussion forum.
  • It is expected that students will spend an average of approximately 10 hours per week working on this unit (including class time).

Required and Recommended texts and/or materials

Additional useful textbooks and resources.

  • Hill, C. H., Griffiths, W. E. and Lim, G. C. (2018) Principles of Econometrics (5th ed.) Wiley.
  • Wooldridge, J. M., Wadud, M., Lye, J. and Joyeux, R. (2021) Introductory Econometrics (2nd Asia-Pacific ed.) Cengage.

  • Gujarati, D.N., and Porter, D.C. (2010) Essentials of Econometrics (4th ed.) McGraw-Hill.

  • A list of prescribed reading will be developed on the website as the unit progresses.

  • The data sets used in the textbook and in lectures will be provided on the website.

Technology Used and Required

  • Course material is available on the learning management system (iLearn).

  • Announcements will be made regularly on iLearn. Students should ensure that these announcements, and posts on the online discussion forum, are forwarded to their email account, which they should check regularly. Staff may also occasionally directly email students. Students must check their email daily.

  • Students will need access to an internet-connected computer capable of streaming video and (if they are attending online tutorials) participating in Zoom meetings.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2023.05 of the Handbook