IEF 304 Econometrics
This course provides students with a solid foundation in econometrics, focusing on the description of economic data and drawing meaningful inferences from its patterns and features. Beginning with the fundamental axioms of probability, students learn how to calculate probabilities for basic events and study the essential characteristics of random variables—key tools for modeling complex economic phenomena. Students examine both discrete and continuous random variables through their probability distributions and summary statistics, including means, variances, and standard deviations. The course also explores relationships between variables, covering covariance, correlation, and simple regression models. Core statistical concepts—such as hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, and statistical inference—are introduced and applied to analyze the properties of individual random variables as well as comparisons across multiple variables. Through practical exercises, data analysis assignments, group projects, and class discussions, students apply econometric techniques to real economic data. The experiential approach strengthens research skills, critical analysis, and communication ability, preparing students for further work in economics, finance, and data-driven analysis.
Learning Outcomes
Apply fundamental probability axioms to compute probabilities for economic events and datasets.
Describe and interpret random variables, including discrete and continuous probability distributions.
Calculate and analyze summary statistics, such as means, variances, standard deviations, and distributional properties.
Evaluate relationships between variables using covariance, correlation, and simple regression models.
Conduct hypothesis tests and construct confidence intervals to support empirical economic analysis.
Use statistical inference techniques to compare characteristics across datasets and evaluate economic hypotheses.
Perform practical data analysis through econometric software, projects, and written/oral presentations.