GY428 Half Unit
Applied Quantitative Methods
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Stephen Jarvis
Duygu Buyukyazici
Availability
This course is compulsory on the MSc in Environmental Economics and Climate Change and MSc in Environmental Policy, Technology and Health (Environmental Economics and Climate Change) (LSE and Peking University). This course is available on the MPhil/PhD in Economic Geography, MPhil/PhD in Environmental Economics, MPhil/PhD in Regional and Urban Planning Studies, MSc in Geographic Data Science, MSc in Innovation Policy, MSc in Local Economic Development and MSc in Urban Policy (LSE and Sciences Po). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
How to apply: Priority: MSc Environmental Economics & Climate Change, Geography & Environment, then other students. Priority is typically for students enrolled in Geography and Environment programmes, or joint degree programmes, however course specific availability is indicated via the 'Availability section' on the LSE course guide webpages. Guidance on how to apply to individual controlled access courses can also be found on LSE for You in the Graduate Course Selection system.
Please note: The number of students that can be accommodated is limited. If a course is over-subscribed, places will be allocated at the Department's discretion and a waiting list may be created. It is advised to have an alternative course in mind as a back-up in case you are unable to secure your first-choice course selection.
Deadline for application: Further guidance and information on course selection for Geography and Environment courses (GY4xx) will be available on the Geography and Environment Course Selection Moodle page which will go live from Monday 8 September and will be updated with course availability information daily throughout the course selection period. This page includes information on the timeline for course selection decisions in the Geography and Environment Department as well as the individual course application processes and requirements
A list of all taught master's courses in this Department are listed on LSE's course guide webpages.
For queries contact: geog.env@lse.ac.uk
The number of students that can be accommodated is limited. If the course is over-subscribed, places will be allocated at the Department’s discretion and a waiting list may be created. For further details, please contact your relevant Programme Coordinator.
Requisites
Additional requisites:
A background in undergraduate statistics or, preferably, econometrics is required
Course content
This course will provide an introduction to quantitative methods in use in modern environmental and resource economics. Emphasis will be placed on the practical use of empirical tools. This applied focus will be complemented by the investigation of assumptions and proofs that can improve the understanding of empirical results. Students will apply the methods taught using statistical/econometric software and data documenting some topical public policy questions. These applications will take place in ten seminars of one hour each. During the seminars the students will gain understanding of the statistical programming language R. Throughout the course, examples from relevant and topical empirical papers published in the area of applied econometrics and environmental economics will be critically discussed. The module will focus on linear regression methods, with an emphasis on their use for causal inference. The first part of the course will cover the standard linear regression model, its assumptions, violations and testing procedures. Functional forms and non-linear models will also be discussed. The latter part of the course will cover a range of important estimation approaches, including fixed effects with panel data, difference-in-differences, instrumental variables and regression discontinuity designs. The course will conclude with a more general discussion of how these tools can be used in research and policy analysis.
Teaching
20 hours of lectures and 9 hours of seminars in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
In the Department of Geography and Environment, teaching will be delivered through a combination of classes/seminars, pre-recorded lectures, live online lectures and other supplementary interactive live activities.
Formative assessment
There will be an opportunity to get feedback on one or more of the problem sets assigned during the AT.
Indicative reading
Detailed reading lists will be provided to support each course component, but the following texts will be particularly useful:
- Stock J.H. and M.W. Watson (2019). Introduction to Econometrics. Fourth Edition Pearson International Edition;
- J. Wooldridge (2006), Introductory Econometrics: A Modern Approach, Thomson;
- Angrist J and Pischke J.S. (2014) Mastering ‘Metrics, Princeton.
- Angrist J and Pischke J.S. (2009) Mostly Harmless Econometrics, Princeton.
- Cunningham S. (2021) Causal Inference The Mixtape, Yale.
Assessment
Exam (70%), duration: 120 Minutes in the January exam period
Problem sets (30%)
Key facts
Department: Geography and Environment
Course Study Period: Autumn Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 55
Average class size 2024/25: 28
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Application of numeracy skills
- Specialist skills