Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2021 - ECON 233 D100

Introduction to Economic Data and Statistics (4)

Class Number: 3209

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2021: Mon, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2021: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 17, 2021
    Fri, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    MATH 150, MATH 151, MATH 154, or MATH 157, with a minimum grade of C-; 15 units. MATH 150, MATH 151, MATH 154, or MATH 157 may be taken concurrently with ECON 233.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduces statistical methods, concepts and their application to economic data using both spreadsheets (e.g., Excel) and a specialized statistical programming language such as R. Students who have taken ECON 333 first may not then take this course for further credit. STAT 270 or BUS 232 will be accepted in lieu of this course.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course introduces the basics of probability and statistics for economics students. Like STAT 270 or BUS 232, it satisfies the lower-division statistics requirements for the economics major. It differs from these courses in two important ways:

  1. We will emphasize the use of economicdata to answer economic questions, and
  2. We will learn to use both Excel (the standard tool in the business world) and R (a more powerful package for statistical analysis that is increasingly used in the business and academic world, and is the main tool used in ECON 333).
Topics:
  1. Data cleaning with Excel
  2. Probability and random events
  3. Random variables
  4. Data analysis with Excel
  5. Statistics
  6. Estimation and asymptotics
  7. Statistical inference
  8. Using R (including R Markdown, the Tidyverse, and ggplot)
  9. Multivariate data analysis

Grading

  • Quizzes 10%
  • Assignments 20%
  • Two midterm exams (20% each) 40%
  • Final exam 30%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Brian Krauth, Introductory Statistics for Economics.  Free e-book.


Department Undergraduate Notes:

Please note that, as per Policy T20.01, the course requirements (and grading scheme) outlined here are subject to change up until the end of the first week of classes.

Final exam schedules will be released during the second month of classes. If your course has a final exam, please ensure that you are available during the entire final exam period until you receive confirmation of your exam dates. 

Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability must contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) at 778-782-3112 or caladmin@sfu.ca.

***NO TUTORIALS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES***

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2021

Teaching at SFU in fall 2021 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with approximately 70 to 80 per cent of classes in person/on campus, with safety plans in place.  Whether your course will be in-person or through remote methods will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the fall 2021 term.