Barcelona Microeconometrics Summer School 

Welcome to the Barcelona Microeconometrics Summer School (BMiSS)

The Barcelona Microeconometrics Summer School is organized by the Barcelona Graduate School of Economics from July 5 to July 16, 2010. It is directed by Sergi Jiménez-Martín, Professor of Economics at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra. Professor Jiménez-Martín is a Barcelona GSE Affiliated Professor.

Course Content

The increasing availability of individual data from surveys has led not only to a significant growth in the number of academic jobs of an empirical nature using this type of information but also to a greater number of studies commissioned by public and private institutions in which this type of data is used.

The characteristics of this type of data are such that statistical and econometric techniques appropriate for their treatment have a specific nature, generally differentiated from those appropriate for time series data. The qualitative nature of most of the information, the representativity of the samples used, the censoring issues associated to the dependent variables are, among others, some of the aspects that distinguish these techniques from an econometric perspective.

Furthermore, the growing importance of this type of information has also meant that a significant number of official surveys from different countries have a panel data structure. That is, one individual (person, household, firm) is observed for several time periods. This type of data have some econometric advantage and also requires the use of specific techniques.

Finally, it is becoming a usual practice to evaluate public policies by comparing the results of a given treatment in a group of individuals with those of another group with similar characteristics that hasn’t been the object of the treatment. To do this, information from surveys is also used, this being a specific framework for the application of econometric techniques for individual data.

Course Offering Summer 2010

** The Microeconometrics Lab is not a standard course, but a complement to them.

This is a new practical course is available to participants who have signed up for at least one of the standard BMiSS courses listed above. The cost of the Microeconometrics Lab is 125 euros. The same lab course will be offered during both weeks of the BMiSS. Due to space limitations there will be a maximum of 50 seats per lab course. Microeconometrics lab course details

To whom the BMiSS is addressed

Given the strong methodological and empirical nature of the course methodology, candidates to take this Summer School include:

• Researchers and professionals from public institutions (economists from ministries of economy, labor, industry, etc.,) or private institutions (economists from the research departments of financial firms or consultants) whose work requires the handling and treatment of individual data.
• Ph.D. and Master students in economics (or in the social sciences) who intend to or are in the process of preparing dissertations with an empirical component that requires an econometric treatment of individual data.
• Holders of undergraduate degrees in economics or the social sciences who wish to round out their background in quantitative topics that have a general and/or specific applicability.

Entry Requirements

To be considered for admission, applicants must have:

• Strong background in Economics or related fields

• Working knowledge of English

There is limited space in the Barcelona GSE Summer School Courses. Among the candidates who meet the eligibility criteria, the Barcelona GSE will select those with more outstanding professional and/or academic careers. Experience in the handling of data in public and private institutions will be valued.

Fees

Fees include coffee breaks and any material required for the course.

Contact us for special company rates.

Admission Process

Interested candidates should send in their application form before the May 31, 2010. After this deadline, your place may not be guaranteed.

Applications will be evaluated by the program directors and candidates will be informed of their decision. A document will be attached to our response with payment information. The 2010 edition of the BMiSS is not offering scholarships. Before applying, please read through the summer school cancellation policy and other regulations.

Certificate

At the conclusion of the Barcelona Microeconometrics Summer School, participants will receive a certificate for the number of ECTS credits completed. Interested students should check with their universities to see if these credits are transferable.