Applied Project ECO511

Project Overview

The applied project ECO511 is a year-long supervised research effort by students designed to compliment formal course work. The point of the project is for students to apply what they have learned in class to a real-world research problem. Topics can range in both subject matter and methodology (both empirical and applied theory are possible). Topics are proposed by supervisors at the beginning of the year in a catalogue. Students form groups of twos or threes and then submit ordered rankings of desired topics. Students are then matched to supervisors/topics and work begins. Supervisors should provide some guidance in terms of methodology and data, but students should retain the freedom to be creative in addressing the question. Students are required to submit a midterm report in December describing progress to date. A final written report is due in March, which the students then defend to the supervisor in an oral exam.

Project timeline

Sept 15, 2020 : Project Overview presentation to all student
Mid September 2020: Project topics are announced in a catalogue to students. Students form groups of twos or threes and send ranked order of three topics from the catalogue to emails listed below. In the email, students should put subject "ECO511 - TOPIC SELECTION"
End of September 2020: Students are matched to projects/supervisors. Supervisors meet with students to make research plan. Work begins.
December 2020: Deadline for submitting midterm report. The midterm report presents the research question, efforts to date, and plan for finishing the project. If the project involves data, a data description would be good at this point. The midterm report is usually about 5-10 pages long. Please send the report to the supervisor as well as to emails listed below. In the email, students should put subject "ECO511 - MIDTERM REPORT"
Mid March 2021: Deadline for submitting final report. The final report should look like a small research paper, about 10-20 pages. The report should outline a research question and (briefly) review previous literature. The report should then explain a strategy for addressing the research question, implement the strategy, present results, and discuss.
- Please send the report to the supervisor as well as to emails listed below. In the email, students should put subject "ECO511 - FINAL REPORT"
End March 2021: Oral Exam with supervisor (no other judge needed). Students should present the findings of the report and address questions.
April 2021 : Supervisor submits project grade out of 20.

Co-ordinators and administrator Contact

Please send all contact info to both co-ordinators

Geoffrey Barrows geoffrey-masters.barrows<a>polytechnique.edu

Alessandro Riboni alessandro.riboni<a>polytechnique.edu

and the course administrator:

Weronika Leduc weronika-natalia.leduc<a>polytechnique.edu