On the other hand, students overwhelmingly found that the best aspect of the course is that they learned to write economic research papers. For the post-1997 comments, students identified the ability to write an economic research paper as the most important thing they learned. Several students suggested that ECON 301, Mathematical Economics would be a good prerequisite for the course. The students concluded that while demanding, the hard work paid off in the end. Econometric Analysis ECON 462, Economic Forecasting is taught the final semester of the senior year as a capstone course.
Students conduct a major econometric research project for the class.
Econometrics is a prerequisite for Forecasting. ECON 300, while not a prerequisite, must be taken before Forecasting due to scheduling. This makes forecasting a good place to test the effectiveness of the ECON 300 preparation. All economics majors must take Forecasting. Since the ECON 300 course was offered as an elective for the first two offerings, some students completed the course prior to taking Forecasting and some did not.