EC400
Introductory Course in Mathematics and Statistics
This information is for the 2021/22 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Francesco Nava
Dr Dimitry Mukhin
Dr Marcia Schafgans
Availability
This course is compulsory on the MRes/PhD in Accounting (EoA) (Economics of Accounting Track) , MRes/PhD in Economics, MRes/PhD in Finance, MRes/PhD in Quantitative Economic History, MSc in Economics, MSc in Economics (2 Year Programme), MSc in Economics and Management, MSc in Economics and Philosophy, MSc in Finance and Economics, MSc in Finance and Economics (Work Placement Pathway) and MSc in Quantitative Economic History. This course is available on the MPhil/PhD in Economic Geography, MPhil/PhD in Environmental Economics, MRes/PhD in International Development, MSc in Political Science and Political Economy and Master of Public Administration. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
Students on the MRes/PhD in Economics may be exempted from EC400 at the Department's discretion.
Master of Public Administration students may only apply to take EC400 at the beginning of their second year.
Outside applications for EC400 must be made to the Department of Economics by the end of June. This applies to offer holders/students who do not have any EC4XX courses listed in their programme regulations for which EC400 is a pre-requisite. Please contact econ.msc@lse.ac.uk for more information.
Students not on the compulsory programmes listed above who wish to continue studying Economics MSc-level courses must achieve an overall grade of 50% in EC400 with no one subject exam less than 40%. Non-MRes students wishing to study MRes-level courses must achieve an overall grade of 70% with no one subject exam less than 60%.
Pre-requisites
EC400 is an introduction to MSc level concepts in mathematics and statistics, and an undergraduate level understanding is assumed. EC400 is not intended as an introduction for students with little or no economics/mathematics background.
Course content
The aim of this introductory course is to provide students with the essential mathematical, statistical, economic and econometric background for the core Economics courses of these programmes. The course starts with Mathematics Revision sessions and progresses to sections covering Static Optimization & Fixed Points, Dynamic Optimization & Differential Equations, and Probability & Statistical Inference. MSc Finance and Economics students are required to take all three sections of the course. MSc Economics and Management students attend lectures on literacy in accounting instead of the Dynamic Organisation & Differential Equations section but will attend the section on Static Optimisation & Fixed Points, and the section on Probability & Statistical Inference.
Teaching
Approximately: 27.5 hours of lectures (delivered online through a mix of interactive live sessions and pre-recorded content) and 27.5 hours of online/in-person interactive live classes.
Formative coursework
Students will be required to complete daily sets of self-testing exercises during the course.
Indicative reading
Students will be advised of recommended readings and preparation materials in the summer.
Assessment
At the end of the course, students on MSc Management and Economics are examined on: Static Optimization & Fixed Points and Probability & Statistical Inference; but not on Dynamic Optimization & Differential Equations. All other students are examined on:Static Optimization & Fixed Points; Dynamic Optimization & Differential Equations; and Probability & Statistical Inference.
Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2021/22 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the differing needs of students in attendance on campus and those who might be studying online. For example, this may involve changes to the mode of teaching delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.
Key facts
Department: Economics
Total students 2020/21: 330
Average class size 2020/21: Unavailable
Controlled access 2020/21: No
Value: Non-credit bearing
