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. 

Unit Webpage

Useful information and the course material will be made available on the learning management system (iLearn). Visit the homepage regularly for new information, course material and announcements.  

Technologies used

1. Students may find a non-programmable calculator useful for tutorials, tests and the final examination.
2. Students will require access to a computer and an internet connection, as well as the ability to stream pre-recorded lectures and particpate in live lectures via Zoom. Note, wifi is available on campus for all current students. A web-browser will also be needed for accessing iLearn.
3. The main software package used is Gretl. It is free and open-source, and available on Windows, Mac, or Linux.
4. The use of a spreadsheet may be helpful for some tasks in this unit. All current students at Macquarie University have access to Microsoft Excel via Office 365. Log in at the Office portal using your student email address and OneID password. Alternatively, other free spreadsheet software options include OpenOffice or LibreOffice.

 

Recommended Texts

Woodridge, Jeffrey M., Introductory Econometrics: A Modern Approach, 7th edition

The text is available online via MQ Library. Each week will include a recommended reading from the textbook. This is not required, however, some students may find it provides additional insights.

 

Other Materials

Material such as lecture slides and recordings, examples, datasets, etc will be made available on the unit web site as the unit progresses.

 

Learning and Teaching Activities

This unit is taught as a mix of lectures and tutorials. The lectures are designed to provide a description of the econometric tools and techniques necessary for this unit and the theory of statistics which supports them. The lectures include numerous examples of the use of the tools in applied problems. Students can reinforce their learning by solving applied problems using the same tools in tutorials and in their own private study. ECON2032 relies heavily on independent learning where students read the relevant chapter(s), revise lecture notes, and practice the techniques by attempting the tutorial questions.

 

Pre-recorded Lectures (Online, 1-2 hours for each week)

Pre-recorded lectures provide an overview of the key concepts and the framework for each topic. Students are expected to familiarise themselves with the key concepts before attending live lectures. Pre-recorded lectures will be available on iLearn. Any material contained in pre-recorded lectures should be considered examinable.

 

Live Lectures (Online, 1 hour for each week)

Live lectures will provide a review of selected concepts and material from the pre-recorded lectures, as well as additional demonstrations of the use of the econometric software in applied problems. It is also an opportunity for students to provide feedback on their understanding of the concepts. Students are expected to deepen their understanding of the topic via live lectures. Links to live lectures will be available on iLearn.

 

Tutorials (Online or Face-to-Face, 1 hour for each week from week 2)

Tutorials will be held weekly, starting from Week 2, and may be either online or face-to-face. Students must register in a tutorial class and generally will not be permitted to attend a tutorial class other than the one in which they are registered. 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.

Each tutorial will consist of a set of practice questions, posted on ilearn at the end of each week in preparation for the following week. That is, Tutorial 1 will be posted on Friday of Week 1, in preparation for the first tutorial, which will occur in Week 2. Students should attempt the questions prior to their allocated tutorial hour.

During the tutorial hour, the tutor will demonstrate how to complete the practice questions, as well as provide assisstance to any specific issues that students may have had with the questions. Students are also welcome to work through the tutorial questions with the tutor present during the tutorial hour.

It is worth emphasizing that the tutorial exercises quizzes, mid-session test, and final exam, will all be based heavily on type and style of practice questions covered in the tutorials. Students are likely to find that the best form of study for this course is to attend the tutorials and ensure they are comfortable with all the practice questions covered therin.

Outside the tutorials, the best way to get help with a problem is to post it on the online discussion forum.