GRA 6670 Numerical Methods in Python with Applications
GRA 6670 Numerical Methods in Python with Applications
The course will teach students basic numerical methods, and show how to solve problems that arise in business economics. The aim of the course is to teach basic numerical tools in Python often used in solving and analyzing models in economics, finance, industrial organization, marketing and related fields.
We divide the course in two parts. In the first part of the course, we cover the basic of Python programming and with the relevant scientific packages. We also discuss basic techniques in numerical methods, simulation methods and numerical mathematical programming. The second part of the course is on applications. We will use numerical methods to solve and analyze questions related to climate change, portfolio optimization and insurance markets, savings behavior, transportation choice, demand for products, planning problem etc.
The course will be applied. We cover basic theory related to different economic problems, but the emphasis is on how to solve and analyze a variety of models commonly used in economics and finance. We will solve, simulate and visualize models and explore alternative assumptions and extensions.
This is a course aimed at master students with some basic knowledge in programming and microeconomics/business economics at the master level.
- After taking the course students should have a basic understanding of numerical methods and how to apply them to solve economic models. The emphasis of the course is applying the methods to a range of topics of interest in business economics and finance such as: climate change, portfolio choice, planning/inventory problems, etc.
- Students should be able to use the Python language to solve models that arise in business economics.
- Students will learn basic numerical techniques in Python. They will also know how to apply several scientific packages normally used in applied work.
- Students will learn how to solve and analyze economics models and produce quantitative answers to a variety of practical problems.
- Students will also learn practical techniques in numerical methods in Python. The course is hands-on and they will learn by doing several scientific packages that are often used in practical applications in business economics.
Students will reflect on the importance of economic reasoning in approaching practical questions of economic importance by the practice of solving and analyzing economic models. The course offers an opportunity to reflect on how effective a programming language can be to produce quantitative answers to many economic problems.
- Python Programming I. Loops, Conditionals, Functions.
- Python Programming II. Numpy, Lists, Dictionaries.
- Scientific Packages. Scipy, Numba, Introduction to Object Oriented Programming.
- Basic Numerical Methods I. Nonlinear Equations, Integration, and Function Minimization.
- Basic Numerical Methods II. Function Approximation. Random Variables, Sampling from Distributions,
- Simulation Techniques. Simulation of Stochastic Processes.
- Mathematical Programming. Gurobi Package. Models with Constraints.
- Solving Equilibrium Models. Applications: Climate Change, International Trade.
- Topics in Finance and Risk Management. Applications: Portfolio Optimization, Insurance Markets.
- Discrete Choice Modelling. Applications: Choice of Transportation, Demand Analysis.
- Dynamic Programming. Applications: Saving Behavior, Non-Renewable Resources, Real Options Models.
The class will be practical. In most lectures, we will cover the basic theories in terms of numerical methods, the basic description of the economics model and a brief description of the solution method. Then, we will use the computer and Jupyter notebooks to illustrate in practice how to implement the solution of the model. Students will see in practice how a economics models are solved and analyzed.
Students are expected to participate actively in class. Work in groups is encouraged. There will be practical assignments in order to practice the techniques learned in class.
Please note that while attendance is not compulsory in all courses, it is the student’s own responsibility to obtain any information provided in class.
All courses in the Masters programme will assume that students have fulfilled the admission requirements for the programme. In addition, courses in second, third and/or fourth semester can have spesific prerequisites and will assume that students have followed normal study progression. For double degree and exchange students, please note that equivalent courses are accepted.
Covid-19
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there may be deviations in teaching and learning activities as well as exams, compared with what is described in this course description.
Teaching
Information about what is taught on campus and other digital forms will be presented with the lecture plan before the start of the course each semester.
| Assessments |
|---|
Exam category: Submission Form of assessment: Written submission Weight: 100 Grouping: Group (2 - 3) Duration: 14 Day(s) Comment: The exam will consist of an application of numerical methods to a business economic problem. Students will work in groups. Exam code: GRA 66701 Grading scale: ECTS Resit: Examination when next scheduled course |
| Activity | Duration | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Teaching | 36 Hour(s) | |
Prepare for teaching | 20 Hour(s) | |
Seminar groups | 24 Hour(s) | |
Student's own work with learning resources | 60 Hour(s) | |
Examination | 20 Hour(s) |
A course of 1 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of 26-30 hours. Therefore a course of 6 ECTS credits corresponds to a workload of at least 160 hours.