This course introduces statistical concepts and basic tools involved in modelling and analyzing spatial data: Data that are correlated in ‘space’, arising in regional and urban economics, epidemiology and public health, environmental science, ecology, biology, geology and other disciplines. An outline is given to the three types of spatial data: geostatistical data, lattice data and point patterns. Emphasis is on the analysis of lattice data due to its close ties with regional science and economics. Exploratory spatial data analysis methods, including various plots and tests for spatial autocorrelation, are introduced. Some standard spatial linear regression models and spatial panel data models are also discussed. Quasi-maximum likelihood and GMM methods are used for model estimation and inferences. Real data analyses using R are presented throughout the course.
We will cover the following topics:
- Spatial Data in R: Vector and Raster
- Handling geometry operations and coordinate reference systems
- Making maps, a.k.a. the ancient art of cartography
- Spatial descriptive measures and point pattern analysis
- Areal data analysis and spatial models
- Engaging in geostatistical analysis
The purpose of this course is to introduce the basic concepts of statistics through illustrative use of statistical methods for solving applied problems. Emphasis will be placed on statistical reasoning, rather than derivation of theoretical details. Students will learn to solve common statistical problems using statistical software. This course is designed for students who wish to pursue a non-quantitative major at SMU. Students who intend to pursue a quantitative major should take its companion course, COR-STAT1203 Foundational Statistics for Data Analysis (B).
- Define, collect, organize, and visualize data.
- Understand basic probability concepts (such as joint probability, marginal probability, and conditional probability).
- Understand various probability distributions (including discrete and continuous distributions).
- Construct and interpret point and interval estimates.
- Conduct one-sample and two-sample hypothesis tests.
- Conduct simple linear regression analysis.
This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of creating an inclusive green economy (IGE). Students can gain insight into the economic principles of green economies, which strive for a balance of economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social equity, ultimately leading to long-term sustainable economic growth. The course explores ideas that examine the interconnected relationship between people and the environment in economic processes. In the context of the SMU-XO course, students will be afforded the opportunity to engage in hands-on projects facilitated by our project partners. These projects are centered on sustainable development and the green economy, necessitating students to rigorously analyze, deliberate, and contribute to the formulation of sustainable economic policies and strategies.
This course aims to help students:
- Justify and elucidate the core concepts behind establishing an inclusive green economy in contrast to conventional business practices. • Recognize the essential conditions for transitioning national economies to greener models and outline the primary opportunities and challenges in crucial sectors.
- Elaborate on the significance, value, and structure of Green Economy indicator frameworks and their correlation with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, analyze the process of prioritizing and selecting indicators and their integration into a national Green Economy monitoring framework.
- Justify the need for greater utilization of green fiscal policy and outline the various fiscal instruments that can be used to promote positive economic, social, and environmental outcomes. Emphasize the main opportunities and challenges in the energy, transport, and waste management sectors.
- Comprehend the potential impact and fundamental principles of sustainable finance, and underscore the relevance of sustainability considerations for key actors in the financial system. Describe different sustainable finance products, such as bonds and loans, that could offer the necessary capital to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Comprehend the evolution of legal and governance frameworks supporting the trade and green economy interface. Identify perceived challenges and potential opportunities related to trade in the transition to a green economy and highlight sectoral case studies of green trade in action.
Financial markets play a vital role in economic growth and development. At the same time, financial volatility highlights the importance of central banks in conducting monetary policy and maintaining financial stability. This course consists of two parts. The first reviews key concepts in monetary theory, including interest rates, money market equilibrium, and the dynamic AD-AS model. Students will develop an understanding of how monetary policy influences macroeconomic outcomes and economic stabilisation. The second part focuses on monetary policy and the role of central banks. Students will examine monetary policy frameworks, the money supply process, policy instruments, transmission mechanisms, exchange rate policy, and the challenges of policy implementation. Through SMU-X experiential learning, students will work on real-world projects with the Central Bank of Vietnam, applying economic theory to practical policy issues such as monetary framework modernization, financial market oversight, and exchange rate management. These projects strengthen critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills. As an SMU-XO course, students will also participate in an immersive experience in Vietnam through guest lectures, interactions with local students, and business visits, enhancing their global awareness and cultural competence while fulfilling the Global Exposure requirement. Teamwork forms a key component of the course and is assessed through group projects and peer evaluations.
This course aims to help students:
• Revise the key theories and strategies in modern Macroeconomic Management model.
• Understand the conduct and strategies of Monetary Policies, especially from the central bank's point of view.
• Solve real-world problems given by a central bank and acquire crucial teamwork skills
• Gain insight into financial markets business environment and develop potential networking through interactions with local businesses and industry experts.
• First-hand experience with the rich culture and gaining different life-skills through interaction with local university students and other cultural exchange activities.
This course will introduce methods of measuring income distribution and income inequality, examine macroeconomic models with implications on income distribution and re distribution, and analyze government policies in relation to income distribution. Global studies (including the case of Singapore) on income inequality, intergenerational mobility, and related issues on disparity will be reviewed, and discussed.
Topics may include some or all of the following: measurement of income inequality, problems of rising inequality in advanced and emerging economies, growth and inequality, human capital and inequality, intergenerational mobility and inequality, trade liberalization and inequality, redistribution policies, etc.
- Learn modeling techniques;
- Work with data related to income distribution;
- Interpret empirical findings;
- Explain model predictions intuitively;
- Engage in discussions on policies related to inequality
This course will provide an introduction to the developmental challenges in Asia. The course will begin with introducing the distinction between concepts of economic growth and development. The course will have a strong emphasis on understanding the life and well-being of people in Asian countries through the lens of development economics. We will attempt to diagnose the causes of underdevelopment by analysing its components such as lack of sufficient access to education, savings, and nutrition, and study how these can cause the persistence of underdevelopment.
We will also look at dimensions of identity such as gender and how development policy can be designed in the presence of prejudice. Finally, we will study how the delivery of public goods and services is constrained by issues like state capacity, corruption and political institutions. Policy implications emerging from the material we have studied will be also discussed.
- To understand the factors that lead to persistence of underdevelopment in the empirical context of Asia.
- Learning how to examine the evidence on policy relevant interventions. This will involve looking at tables with statistical output. By the end of the course you should be more comfortable making inferences based on statistical output that is presented to you.
- To develop and sharpen your analytical and presentation skills by participating in class discussions and debates.
- To acquire an appreciation of the issues involved in designing and evaluating developmental policies.
The purpose of this course is to introduce the basic concepts of statistics through illustrative use of statistical methods for solving applied problems. Emphasis will be placed on statistical reasoning, rather than derivation of theoretical details. Students will learn to solve common statistical problems using statistical software. This course is designed for students who wish to pursue a non-quantitative major at SMU. Students who intend to pursue a quantitative major should take its companion course, COR-STAT1203 Introduction to Statistical Theory.
- Define, collect, organize, and visualize data.
- Understand basic probability concepts (such as joint probability, marginal probability, and conditional probability).
- Understand various probability distributions (including discrete and continuous distributions).
- Construct and interpret point and interval estimates.
- Conduct one-sample and two-sample hypothesis tests.
- Conduct simple linear regression analysis.
The students in this course should be able to understand basic theories, concepts and principles, and empirical findings from environmental economics and related fields, and apply the insights from them to the analysis of business and policy issues through the project.
By the end of this course, students will have mastered descriptive and summary statistics, probability axioms, discrete univariate probability distributions, continuous univariate distributions, regression, means, variance, covariance, sampling distributions, central limit theorems, point v. interval estimations, one-, two-, multiple-sample hypothesis tests; and
- know the principles and elements of basic statistics;
- understand the need for data and summarize data sets into meaningful information;
- perform appropriate statistical procedures and write sound interpretations for use in practical decision making.
Through this project, students statistically quantified the well-being of caregivers of persons with mental health issues in Singapore, the attitudes towards various profile groups in Singapore. In addition, students provided recommendations on dispelling the stigma against caregivers of PMHI and raised awareness of the needs for these caregivers' well-being, especially in this COVID-19 period.
Students did an in-depth study and research to understand the perceptions towards dementia in Singapore, and provided recommendations on how to help increase public awareness of dementia and reduce the stigma faced by persons with dementia and their caregivers. More information can be found here: https://x.smu.edu.sg/project-showcase/alzheimers-disease-association-0
The nationwide study, titled 'Guide.Me.' was conducted by faculty and her 95 SMU undergraduates. As part of the project, SMU students interviewed 3,733 Singaporeans across all postal codes in Singapore, about their experiences and perceptions of the blind community. Within the backdrop of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, students conducted the surveys through face-to-face interviews, phone and Zoom calls. With the support of Guide Dogs Singapore, the study aimed to examine the perceptions and views of the visually-impaired, their mobility challenges in Singapore, and how far along Singapore is as an inclusive society.
The learning objectives are as follows:
- To understand the factors that lead To persistence of poverty and under-development in the empirical context of Asia.
- Learning how To examine the evidence on policy relevant interventions. This will involve looking at tables with statistical output. By the end of the course you should be more comfortable making inferences based on statistical output that is presented To you.
- To develop and sharpen your analytical and presentation skills By participating in class discussions and group debates.
- To acquire an appreciation of the issues involved in designing and evaluating developmental policies.
Students developed an internal evaluation of WE CARE's programmes and operations to measure quantitatively the value of the services and activities provided by WE CARE, in relation to the money invested in WE CARE. They quantified the benefit to cost ratio created by WE CARE's services by examining different dimensions of impact such as client health, income, and government savings on incarceration, etc.