Special Topics in Economics
CAS EC 490
May be repeated for credit as topic varies. Further information and topics can be found in each section's notes.
FALL 2026 Schedule
| Section | Instructor | Location | Schedule | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AA | Aryal | FLR 122 | TR 11:00 am-12:15 pm | EC490: The Economics of Auctions: Theory and Empirics. Auctions are everywhere—from the Google and Instagram ads you see online and infrastructure and defense contracts to Treasury bonds and energy leases. EC 490: The Economics of Auctions: Theory and Empirics teaches students the tools to understand how these markets actually work. The course combines auction theory with hands-on analysis of real bidding data: you will learn how to bid strategically, how auction design affects prices and outcomes, and how to use bids to learn about (hidden) demand and costs. A major focus of the course is a research project using real auction data. Rather than just learning existing results from the theory, you will write your own research paper: Build an economic model, estimate it, and use the estimates to answer interesting questions. You will finish the semester with a complete research paper and present and defend your findings—an opportunity to experience the full process of doing economic research. No prior auction theory or programming experience is required; the necessary auction theory and MATLAB skills will be taught as part of the course. |
Note that this information may change at any time. Please visit the MyBU Student Portal for the most up-to-date course information.
