Two - Year Master Degree in Economics

The objective of the course is to provide a good mastery of the basics of programming and the ability to formulate problems, develop solutions and implement these solutions in Python in a clear, accurate and optimal way. Particular emphasis will be placed on the economic applications of the acquired concepts.

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Understand computational logic and create simple algorithms
• Know the main Python commands and the use of Jupyter Notebook
• Use Python commands to acquire and manage databases

• How to install Python
• Programming languages: interpreters and compilers
• How to write a program
• Variables, expressions, instructions
• Conditional execution
• Alternative execution
• Functions
• Iterations
• Strings
• Files
• Lists
• Dictionaries
• Tuples
• Fundamentals of NumPy: Arrays and vectorized computation
• How to use Pandas
• Data loading, storage and file formats
• How to operate on data
• Graphic representations
• Data aggregation
• Time series
• Financial and economic applications

• Lectures
• Computer exercises to apply the concepts explained (the use of a personal laptop is recommended)

The assessment of learning will be carried out through

1. a test consisting of 10 multiple answers about Python language basics (maximum score 20 points)
2. drafting of a report on the analysis of a database chosen by the student, following the guidelines described during the course (maximum score 10 points). It is possible to carry out the report in groups of at most three students.

The final mark will be the sum of the marks obtained in the two phases.