Econometrics of Markets and Competition (ECOM90017)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2
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This course teaches students how to build econometric models from economic theory to investigate how markets operate, and evaluate policy-relevant questions. Applicants of econometric tools developed in this course will be highlighted in various fields of economics including industrial organization, public economics, health and others. Examples of topics covered include: firms’ use of price discrimination as a profit-maximizing strategy; measuring the welfare effects of mergers for antitrust analysis; identifying strategic interaction amongst governments and its impact on policy decisions; and quantifying moral hazard and adverse selection in health insurance markets. Basic topics in numerical analysis will also be covered, including optimization, numerical integration, and numerical differentiation. The computer software used is MATLAB.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:



  • Estimate structural econometric models and use counterfactual analysis to assess policy questions
  • Understand basic identification challenges in estimating the parameters of economic models
  • Learn basic programming skills and numerical methods
  • Apply methods learned in the course to address policy questions for an industry.

Generic skills

On successful completion of this subject, students should have improved the following generic skills:

  • High level of development: written communication; problem solving; statistical reasoning; application of theory to practice; interpretation and analysis; critical thinking; synthesis of data and other information; evaluation of data and other information; use of computer software; accessing data and other information from a range of sources; receptiveness to alternative ideas.
  • Some level of development: collaborative learning; team work.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

One of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ECON40001 Advanced Microeconomics
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
ECON90063 Advanced Microeconomics
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

AND

One of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ECOM40006 Econometrics 3
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
ECOM90013 Econometrics 3
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ECON40007 Industrial Organisation
Not available in 2025
 12.5

Recommended background knowledge

Please refer to the Prerequisites. Computer programming experience in MATLAB, C, Java or some other language is helpful, but not necessary.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

For Masters students and PhD students outside economics: Class assignment 1 in computer code

  • 10 hours
Week 310%

For Masters students and PhD students outside economics: Class assignment 2 in computer code

  • 10 hours
Week 510%

For Masters students and PhD students outside economics: Class assignment 3 in computer code

  • 10 hours
Week 910%

For Masters students and PhD students outside economics: Class assignment 4 in computer code

  • 10 hours
Week 1210%

For Masters students and PhD students outside economics: End-of-semester exam

  • 180 minutes
Hurdle requirement: Successful completion of this subject requires a pass (50%) in the final exam.		During the examination period60%

For PhD students in economics: Class assignment 1 in computer code

  • 10 hours
Week 310%

For PhD students in economics: Class assignment 2 in computer code

  • 10 hours
Week 510%

For PhD students in economics: Class assignment 3 in computer code

  • 10 hours
Week 910%

For PhD students in economics: Class assignment 4 in computer code

  • 10 hours
Week 1210%

For PhD students in economics: Within-semester 1-hour paper presentation

  • 3 hours
From Week 6 to Week 1215%

For PhD students in economics: Within-semester research article referee report

  • 3 hours
Week 1215%

For PhD students in economics: Within-semester independent model coding and estimation project

  • 10 hours
Week 1230%

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    Principal coordinatorAndy Wu
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hoursSeminars, or lectures and tutorials totalling 3-hours per week
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025
    Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025
    Census date 1 September 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail26 September 2025
    Assessment period ends21 November 2025

    Semester 2 contact information

    Andy Wu: andy.wu1@unimelb.edu.au 

     

Time commitment details

Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours per semester

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    You will be advised of prescribed texts by your lecturer.

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    CourseMaster of Applied Econometrics
  • Available through the Community Access Program

    About the Community Access Program (CAP)

    This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.

    Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants

    Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.

  • Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students

    This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.

Last updated: 4 March 2025