Department of Economics
Princeton University

Economics 517: Econometric Theory I.
Fall 2003
(preliminary: August 31)

Lectures: T Th   9:00-10:30
Fisher B06


Precepts: To be announced


Professor: Bo E. Honoré, 209 Fisher Hall 
Office Hours: TH 1:30-3:00
Email: honore@princeton.edu
Phone: 8-4014


Secretary: Annamarie Scarpati, 208 Fisher Hall 
Email: scarpati@princeton.edu
Phone: 8-6237


Preceptor: Fabio Milani
Office Hours: To be announced 
Email: fmilani@princeton.edu

 

Description/Objectives:

This course will be divided into two parts. Part 1 will cover basic probability theory and statistics. The second part will introduce the linear regression model and develop tools associated with it.

Readings/Topics covered:

The lectures in the first part of the course will be based on "Probability and Statistics" (Pearson Addison Wesley; 3rd edition) by Morris H. Degroot and Mark J. Schervish. However, there are a number of good books that discuss the material. Which one is optimal for a particular student will depend on her/his background.

The second part will follow "Econometrics" by Fumio Hayashi (Princeton University Press), which you should also buy. In the past, I have used "A Course in Econometrics" by Arthur Goldberg (Harvard University Press). That is also a very good book, but you are not required to buy it. The material in the last half of 517 corresponds to the  first 3 chapters of Hayashi and to chapters 14-34 of Goldberger.

Problem Sets:

The material covered in the course cannot be learned without solving a lot of problems! A problemset will therefore be assigned every week. Most of the problems will be theoretical, but some will be applied. You will be asked to hand in a subset of the problems so that you can get feedback. The rest of the problems will be discussed in weekly sessions with the preceptor.
 

Tests:

Grades will be assigned on the basis of a 90 minute midterm and a 180 minute final exam. Homeworks will be considered in the bottom part of the grade distribution.