Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2021 - ECON 483 D100

Selected Topics in Economics (3)

Economic Applications of Machine Learning

Class Number: 2862

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Aug 17, 2021
    Tue, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    To be determined by the instructor subject to approval by the department chair.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The subject matter will vary from term to term depending upon the interests of faculty and students.

COURSE DETAILS:

Selected Topics: Machine Learning in Economics

Prerequisite: ECON 333

This course is meant to teach applications of machine learning concepts to economic problems. In particular, the focus will be on program evaluation methods and their implementation via machine learning algorithms on R.

The course will cover:

  • Standard econometric methods (OLS, GLS, IV regressions)
  • Program evaluation methods: Average Treatment effects estimation, Difference-in-differences methods, Regression discontinuity designs
  • Regression trees/classification trees
  • Implementation of the methods in R
Technology requirements: All material will be posted on canvas, and lectures will be given on Zoom (and recorded). A high-speed internet connection is needed with a microphone and a camera. Lectures are delivered synchronously through Zoom.

Topics: program evaluation, machine learning, R

Grading

  • Term paper 30%
  • 2 paper presentations 30%
  • Final exam 40%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

None.

RECOMMENDED READING:

“Mostly harmless Econometrics” by Joshua D. Angrist and Jorn-Steffen Picshke

“Introduction to statistical learning with R” by Gareth James, Daniela Witten, Trevor Hastie and Rob Tibshirani (available at https://www.statlearning.com/)

“Causal inference: the mixtape”, by Scott Cunningham (free on https://mixtape.scunning.com/index.html)


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 later in the semester. This will allow students to avoid enrollment conflicts, and will significantly reduce instances of exam hardship. If your course has a final exam, please ensure that you are available during the final exam period (August 10th -20th) 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 SUMMER 2021

Teaching at SFU in summer 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods, but we will continue to have in-person experiential activities for a selection of courses.  Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges 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. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).