Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - ECON 482 D200

Selected Topics in Economics (3)

Computational Macro

Class Number: 2357

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Thu, 2:30–5:20 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:

Prerequisite: ECON 305

Description

This course provides students with the empirical and computational tools necessary to tackle pressing real-world macroeconomic problems. The primary goal of the course is to bridge the gap between abstract theory and applied analysis, enabling students to use quantitative methods to understand and interpret economic events.
Many macroeconomic topics will be studied in the course including growth, consumption and saving behaviors, inflation, expectation formation, and learning. Students will learn about the equilibrium consequences resulted from individual behaviors and how to analyze them. For each topic, the course will first lay out the theoretical macroeconomic frameworks, discuss the model predictions and how they can be reconciled with real-time economic data, and show how to apply computational/empirical tools to perform quantitative analysis.
The course will cover the following topics (subject to changes):
1. Macroeconomic Data and Visualization
2. Labor, Consumption and Saving (optimization and solving system of equations)
3. Asset Pricing (iterative methods)
4. Deterministic Dynamics in Growth Model
5. DSGE models (State Space Models, VAR, Simulation Methods, Kalman Filter)
6. Monetary Policy, Expectations, Information Frictions, and Learning
The course will have bi-weekly assignments, group presentation, and a major final report. Assignments will include theoretical, empirical, and computational work. Students are encouraged to work on assignments in groups and will be trained in a computer lab to use the necessary software; no prior computer skills are required. For presentations, students will form groups. A list of related academic papers will be provided, and each group can select one paper on a topic that interests them for an in-class presentation. The students will then write a final research report for the same paper and topic, which emphasizes the critical skill of communicating complex economic analysis in writing.

Grading

  • Assignments 40%
  • Paper Presentation 20%
  • Final 30%
  • Participation 10%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

None, lecture notes and codes will be provided by the instructor

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

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

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.