Data Analytics for Economics and Finance

The course is a 7.5 credits bachelor course in Economics/Finance within the first cycle.

Admission to the course requires a minimum of 60 credits of Economics, of which at least 45 credits have obtained a passing grade, or 60 credits of Finance, of which at least 45 credits have obtained a passing grade.

This course develops practical skills in modern computational data analysis for economics and finance. Students learn how to assemble and manage large datasets from multiple sources, assess data quality, visualize complex data, and apply machine learning methods.

Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on translating output into meaningful economic and financial insights and on critically evaluating the reliability and limitations of empirical findings. The course is largely based on computer-based project work.

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

1. Use modern software tools to assemble datasets by merging and processing data from multiple economic and financial data sources.
2. Analyze and assess the quality of economic and financial datasets.
3. Choose and implement appropriate data visualization techniques to explore and present economic and financial datasets.
4. Train, evaluate, and compare basic machine learning models using economic and financial datasets.

The course content is primarily presented during lectures.

A significant part of knowledge acquisition in the course is achieved through individual work.

Language of instruction: English

The learning outcomes are assessed through written assignments and written exams. To pass the course, a passing grade is required for both of these components. For a passing grade on the assignments, all tasks must be approved within the same or a maximum of two consecutive course sessions.

In connection with written assignments, the course coordinator or teacher may conduct a follow-up oral conversation with the student. The conversation serves as an assessment support for the written assignment. The purpose of the conversation is to ensure that the learning objectives of the assignment are met and that the text, ideas, and/or analysis are the student’s own work.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E) and Fail (F).

The course will be evaluated upon completion. The course evaluation is done digitally and anonymously via a survey. The survey material is compiled and processed by the course committee, where the results of the course evaluation and suggestions for any improvement measures are discussed.

The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.