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THE ASHESI-SWARTHMORE SUMMER COURSE

INSTRUCTORS: Eric Cheever (PhD). Professor, Swarthmore. & Stephen E Armah (PhD). Asst Professor, Ashesi.
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1. ASHESI UNIVERSITY

2.UNIV CHICAGO

3. HARVARD

4.MIT

THE IDEA: ASHESIS STUDENTS SHOULD BE AS


PREPARED FOR ECONOMICS GRADUATE SCHOOL AS THE STUDENTS FROM THE BEST SCHOOLS. AFTER ALL WE MATCH THEM FOR AESTHETICS OF THE CAMPUS!!
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The Relevant Questions


What are the requirements for economics graduate school in the USA/UK/Canada/Ghana? What makes for the best preparation for economics graduate school? What advantage does the big or best schools at the undergrad level offer their students that small schools like Ashesi do not offer? What preparation does Ashesi currently offer its students? What will the Summer Course contribute?
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Required for Econ Grad School


Single Variable Calculus Several Variable Calculus Linear Algebra Microeconomics Macroeconomics Statistics

Recommended Preparation
In addition to the required good preparation includes: Real Analysis Difference and Differential Equations Optimization techniques Econometrics Intermediate micro and macroeconomics Basic programming skills: Usually familiarity with matlab is enough especially for monetary, applied and environmental economics students.
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What does the big or best schools offer their students that small schools do not?
Big schools have vibrant mathematics and economics departments and offer economics and mathematics as independent majors. This enables such schools to offer a plethora of mathematics and economics courses that help their students with econ graduate school aspirations to take the relevant courses. Note that Ashesi does offer Quant Methods that introduces students to linear programming and basic regression Analysis.
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PROPOSED SUMMER COURSE


Course Description.
This course aims at introducing students to the type of mathematics needed for effective graduate work (MA/MBA/PhD) in economics and finance related subjects. Students will also be introduced to Matlab which is a popular software for engineers and economists and which will be used to solve the optimization and modelling problems that students will be exposed to in class. The course will be jointly taught by Swarthmore (Prof Erik Cheever) and Ashesi (Dr Steve Armah) faculty. The course is open to Ashesi students, Ashesi Alumni and to Swarthmores study abroad students.
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ASHESI-SWARTHMORE SUMMER COURSE IN MATHEMATICAL ECONOMICS


Week 1: Introduction to Linear Algebra Concepts used in Economics Week 2: A Brief Review of Single variable Calculus with application to Economics & Introduction to Econometrics Week 3: Introduction to Several Variable Calculus with App to Econ Week 4: Optimization Techniques with Application to Economics and Econometrics Weeks 5 & 6: Practical Economics/Econometrics Project TOTAL TIME ALLOCATION: 4 hrs a day total (with Matlab) 2 hrs Theory (Armah) 9-11am [2 hr break]: 1st hr is office hour for Dr Armah 2 hrs Matlab Modeling (Dr Cheever) 1-3 PM Dr Cheever will hold his office hour after his session.
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PROPOSED SUMMER COURSE


Motivation
To augment the current preparation that Ashesi offers its students for admission to economics-related graduate schools in the USA/UK/Canada. To provide other skills that will actually put the Ashesi student at an advantage even compared to the most prepared student from a USA undergraduate college. Note that one of Ashesis core missions is to ensure that Ashesi graduates make it to the best econ grad schools in US/UK/Canada.

Feasibility Considerations. A minimum of 6 students and a maximum of 50 students.


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