Syllabus

Economics 3818
Fall 2003

Brad Graham, Instructor

Econ 304, MWF 8:45am – 9:45am
Bradley.Graham@colorado.edu

Course Information
(Website: http://ucsu.colorado.edu/~grahamb/3818)

I. General: Economics 3818 is a one-semester course in statistics and econometrics for economics majors. There are two main goals of this course. The first objective is to give the student a fundamental understanding of probability and statistics. The second goal of this course is the use and understanding of regression analysis, the major tool of applied economists.

II. Prerequisites: Course prerequisites are Economics 1000 or 2010 and 2020; and Economics 1078 and 1088 or equivalent. These prerequisites are strictly enforced.

III. Requirements: There will be three lectures weekly, meeting Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00 to 10:50, and one recitation section per week.

The course grade will be determined by:

Two midterm exams (each 25% of the total score in the course), given September 26 and October 31. Make-up exams will not be given;

Approximately ten problem sets (25%), due each Friday in class starting September 5, except for the weeks of the midterms, Fall break, and Thanksgiving. Late homework will be accepted for up to one week after the due date and will be awarded half credit;

A final exam (25%), December 17 from 1:30 – 4:00;

Attendance. Daily attendance will be taken in lecture beginning the second class meeting. In order to receive a passing grade in the course, you must attend a minimum of 80% of the lectures. A sign-in sheet will be circulated during each class. It is your responsibility to make sure that you have signed in by the end of class.

IV. Text: The Basic Practice of Statistics, by David S. Moore.

V. Software: Microsoft Excel will be used for much of the data analysis in this course. The Excel manual listed under textbooks is highly recommended since it will lead you through the Excel applications for the course. Microsoft Excel is supported in all of the campus computer labs, including the lab in the basement of the Economics building.

VI. Special Accomodations Policy: If you have specific physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities and require accommodations, please let me know early in the semester so that your learning needs may be appropriately met. You will need to provide documentation of your disability to the Disability Services Office in Willard 322 (phone 303-492-8671).

VII. Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonestly will not be tolerated. Breaches of this policy will result in a course grade of F and a reporting of the incident to academic affairs.

VIII. Tentative Course Calendar

*Week of ... ( denotes a single class)**	Text Sections
August 25	1.1, 1.2
September 1	1.3, 2.1, 2.2
September 8	2.2, 2.3, 2.4
September 15	2.5, 3.1
September 22	3.2, Review
September 26*	Midterm I (Chapters 1-3)
September 29	4.1, 4.2
October 3*	Fall Break
October 6	4.3, 5.1, 5.2
October 13	5.3, 6.1, 6.2
October 20	6.2, 6.3, 6.4
October 27	6.4, Review
October 31*	Midterm II (Chapters 4-6)
November 3	7.1, 7.2
November 10	7.2, 8.1, 8.2
November 17	11.1, 11.2
November 24	11.3
November 27*	Thanksgiving
December 1	Advanced Regression Topics
December 8	More Regression and Review
December 17	Final Exam 1:30 - 4:00