courses
Current courses
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AEM 6850
Empirical Methods for Applied Economists
Introduction to empirical research workflows for applied economists: writing R from scratch, data wrangling and visualization, version control with Git and GitHub, and using AI tools effectively. Weekly assignments are submitted via GitHub and audited by classmates for reproducibility, followed by a team or individual research project in the second half of the semester. Aimed at MS, MPS, and second-year PhD students; some coding experience recommended.
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AEM 6851
Advanced Empirical Methods for Applied Economists
Spring 2027
Sequel to AEM 6850. Focuses on understanding the small-sample properties of econometric estimators through Monte Carlo simulations. Students first build on version control and AI tools, then work through regular GitHub-based exercises on specific estimators, and finish with a course project on an estimator of their choice, ideally tied to their own research. Best suited for PhD and advanced MS students active in a research project who have completed graduate econometrics coursework.
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AEM 1500
An Introduction to the Economics of Environmental and Natural Resources
Spring 2027
Undergraduate introduction to using economics to understand and address environmental and natural resource problems. No prerequisites, open to students without prior economics coursework. Large-lecture format; first offering in Spring 2027, with possible guest speakers and field-oriented experiences as the course develops.
Past courses
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AEM 7010
Doing Applied Economics Research: Practical Skills
Spring 2026 Spring 2025
Graduate course on practical research skills, team-taught by three instructors. My section covers trends in empirical economics research, reproducibility, version control with Git, and effective use of AI tools, with a focus on working with secondary data.
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AEM 2500
Environmental and Resource Economics
Fall 2025 Fall 2024 Fall 2022 Fall 2021 Fall 2020 Fall 2019 Fall 2018 Fall 2017 Fall 2016 Spring 2015
Uses microeconomics to understand the causes of environmental and natural resource problems and to devise solutions. Subjects include valuation, benefit-cost analysis, policy design, and property rights. The course relies on these concepts to explore major current policy issues such as economic incentives in environmental policy, air and water pollution, depletion of renewable and nonrenewable resources, and global warming. Prerequisites: introductory microeconomics and calculus.