Econ 3334 Introduction to Econometrics

Fall, 2016
Lecture Information: Tutorial Information:
Monday and Friday Not weekly, to be announced on Canvas.

Webpage: http://canvas.ust.hk/

Instructor Information: Teaching Assistant (TA) Information:

Instructor: Xun (Sean) Lu To be announced on Canvas.
Office: Room 6058 LSK
Office Hour: Monday 11am-12pm (or
by appointment, or any time you can find me)
Phone: 2358-7616
E-mail: [email protected]

Course Overview: Econometrics bridges the gap between economic theory and real-world
empirical data. This course introduces you to econometric techniques and their applications in
economic analysis. It begins with a review of basic statistical tools, and then focuses on linear
regression with one regressor and linear regression with multiple regresssors. The emphasis is on
practical issues in econometric analysis of cross-sectional data. Stata will be used for computer-based
calculations.

Prerequisites
Basic statistics or consent of instructor

Textbook
Required:
Stock, James and Mark Watson. Introduction to Econometrics. (3rd edition), Pearson.
* This book is available at HKUST bookstore. Please note that there is a brief edition of this book,
which is the first half of the 3rd edition. You CAN use the brief edition for ECON 3334. But if you
decide to take ECON 4284 (Econometrics of Cross-sectional and Panel Data) later, it is better to
purchase the 3rd edition, as ECON 4284 covers the second half of the 3rd edition.

Recommended:
Jeffrey M. Wooldridge. Introductory Econometrics. (4th edition), South-Western.
* This book is more difficult than the one by Stock and Watson, and is recommended for students who
are not afraid of challenges.

Course Webpage
I will distribute materials for this class through Canvas, so please make sure to check Canvas at least
twice per week for announcements and postings.

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Lectures
Please make sure to attend all the lectures. There is a lot of information in the book, and my job is to
explain the most important topics during class (which turn out to be the ones I focus on for exams).
You are responsible for all material covered during lectures. Also, I may check attendance and give
bonus points. I will post the lecture notes several days before the lectures. It will be extremely helpful
to read the notes in advance.

Tutorials
We also have about 8 tutorials for this class that is separate from the lectures. The TA will teach you
how to use Stata and solve some practice questions. The tutorial is NOT weekly. Each time, the TA
will announce it through Canvas and send emails several days before the tutorial.

Computer Package
We will use the statistic software Stata and R to analyze data.

You do NOT need to buy Stata. Stata is available in the computer lab LSKG021. I will reserve some
time slots for ECON3334. The details will be announced on Canvas. Other time slots depend on
whether the lab is occupied.

R is free: https://www.r-project.org/

Problem Sets
There will be six problem sets, each of which will carry a weight of 3% towards the final grade. The
lowest problem set grade will be dropped. The problem sets will involve both theoretical and
empirical work. Group study and free discussion are encouraged. But you should submit your own
answers.

Each problem set is to be handed in at the beginning of class on the day it is due. Problem sets will
not be accepted by email or in department mailboxes. If you need to hand in a problem set early
because you cannot be in class on the day the problem set is due, then please make arrangements
with your TA before the problem set is due. Late submission of problem sets will generally not be
accepted!

Examinations
There will be one mid-term exams and one final exam. The mid-term carries a weight of 30%. The
final exam will have 55% weight. The final will be cumulative and cover all the course materials.

All exams will be closed book/note. Please bring a basic scientific calculator (non-programmable) to
the exams. There will be no make-up exams. If you miss a midterm, you will receive a zero. The only
exception is a verifiable medical reason, in which case the weight of the missed mid-term will be
shifted to the final exam.

Finally, if you are caught cheating during an exam, you will receive a zero on the exam, may fail the
course, and may be subject to further disciplinary action by HKUST.

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Performance Evaluation
The grades in this course will be based on the following:
Assessment Activities Weighting
Six problems sets 15%
Mid-term 30%
Final Exam 55%

Re-grading Policy
All grading problems must be rectified within one week from the time a problem set or an exam is
returned. Re-grading of exams may not be allowed if they were written in pencil. Please talk to the TA
first regarding the re-grading. If there are some further issues, you can contact the instructor.

Office Hours/Email
Please drop by during my office hours or the TA’s office hours if you need help with anything. Send us
an email if you have any concerns; we will try to respond within 24 hours. Please note, however, that
emails are not the proper venue to answer particular problem set questions; we can help you with that
during office hours or the tutorial.

Course Intended Learning Outcomes (Course ILO):

On completion of this course, you will be able to: 1
1. Understand the significance of key assumptions used in regression models, and explain the
relationship between those assumptions and properties of estimators (BBA 1.1, 1.2, 3; ECOF 1.1,
1.2, 3).
2. Apply regression analysis to economic data, conduct statistical inference and interpret the
results (BBA 4.1, 4.2; ECOF 4.1, 4.2, 4.3).
3. Use the software Stata to conduct econometric analysis (BBA 7.1, 7.2, 7.3; ECOF 7.1, 7.2, 7.3).
4. Collect your own dataset to conduct empirical analysis, and provide answers to economic
questions (BBA 2, 4.3, 4.4, 9; ECOF 2, 4.4, 4.5, 9).
5. Present your understanding of certain economic problems, and use empirical results to justify
your explanation (BBA 2, 4.3, 4.4, 9; ECOF 2, 4.4, 4.5, 9).

Teaching Approach
Teaching and Learning Activities Role in the course Course ILOs addressed
Lectures Learn key concepts and methods 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
and their application
Tutorials Review basic statistics, teach how 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
to use Stata, and discuss answers
to problem sets

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Numbers in parentheses are specific Program Intended Learning Outcomes (PILOs) for the BBA program and the ECOF
program; for details see: http://www.bm.ust.hk/econ/programs/BBA.html and http://www.bm.ust.hk/econ/programs/BSc.html.

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Tentative Schedule
Please note here is that the schedule below is tentative, meaning that I may need to change things as
the session progresses. Therefore, please DO NOT make any travel plans or other commitments based
on this schedule, since I may change the day of the midterm.

Date Day Topic Reading

1 Sep. 2 Fri Topic 1: Introduction to Econometrics SW Ch.1
2 Sep. 5 Mon Topic 2: Review of probability theory SW Ch.2
3 Sep. 9 Fri Topic 2: Review of probability theory SW Ch.2
4 Sep. 12 Mon Topic 2: Review of probability theory SW Ch.2
5 Sep. 16 Fri Holiday
6 Sep. 19 Mon Topic 3: Review of basic statistics SW Ch.3
7 Sep. 23 Fri Topic 3: Review of basic statistics SW Ch.3
8 Sep. 26 Mon Topic 3: Review of basic statistics SW Ch.3
9 Sep. 30 Fri Topic 4: Simple linear regression: Estimation SW Ch.4
10 Oct. 3 Mon Topic 4: Simple linear regression: Estimation SW Ch.4
11 Oct. 7 Fri Topic 4: Simple linear regression: Estimation SW Ch.4
12 Oct. 10 Mon Holiday
13 Oct. 14 Fri Topic 4: Simple linear regression: Estimation SW Ch.4
14 Oct. 17 Mon Mid-term exam
 
15 Oct. 21 Fri Topic 5: Simple linear regression: Inference SW Ch.5
16 Oct. 24 Mon Topic 5: Simple linear regression: Inference SW Ch.5
17 Oct. 28 Fri Topic 6: Multiple regression: Estimation SW Ch.6
18 Oct. 31 Mon Topic 6: Multiple regression: Estimation SW Ch.6
19 Nov. 4 Fri Topic 6: Multiple regression: Estimation SW Ch.6
20 Nov. 7 Mon Topic 7: Multiple regression: Inference SW Ch.7
21 Nov. 11 Fri Topic 7: Multiple regression: Inference SW Ch.7
22 Nov. 14 Mon Topic 7: Multiple regression: Inference SW Ch.7
23 Nov. 18 Fri Topic 8: Nonlinear regression function SW Ch.8
24 Nov. 21 Mon Topic 8: Nonlinear regression function SW Ch.8
25 Nov. 25 Fri Topic 8: Nonlinear regression function SW Ch.8
26 Nov. 28 Mon Topic 9: A guide for empirical studies SW Ch.9

• ‘SW’ stands for Stock and Watson (3rd edition). You should read the entire chapter, but
particularly focus on the sections in each chapter that contain the material we cover during the
lectures.

• This schedule is tentative; I may need to adjust it as the session progresses. DO NOT make
travel plans or other commitments based on this tentative schedule since I may move the
Midterm to a different day.