Admission requirements
BSc students: Statistical Physics 1
MSc students: None
Description
The course provides an overview of the subject of Econophysics, presented as an active research field with many open questions, rather than an established discipline with settled results. Economic and financial systems are regarded as complex systems composed of many interacting and networked units. Extensive empirical results and theoretical tools, including probability theory, random matrix theory and graph theory, are introduced. The course has a modular structure and its schedule is organized into four intense weeks, roughly one per month, each covering a relatively self-contained topic of increasing complexity.
The Econophysics course is intended for BSc, MSc and PhD students. Prior knowledge in statistical physics and probability theory is not strictly required to participate. Yet, some proficiency in both will greatly help. Knowledge in economics and finance is not required.
Topics:
Introduction to Econophysics and elements of probability theory;
Single financial time series: empirical properties versus the random walk model;
Multiple financial time series: empirical cross-correlations and Random Matrix Theory;
Financial and economic networks: empirical properties and random graph models.
Course objectives
Upon completion of this course you will be able to:
Identify what types of scientific problems the field of Econophysics deals with;
Familiarize with the evolution of key research questions in the field;
Acquire a sufficient knowledge of probability theory, time series analysis, correlation analysis and network science to be applicable to Econophysics problems;
Acquire a scientific perspective giving priority to reconciling models with empirical data.
Schedule
The timetables are available through My Timetable (see the button in the upper right corner).
Teaching method
See Brightspace.
Assesment method
As homework assignment during the course, students (when possible, in groups) will prepare a short presentation, to be delivered to the rest of the class, about a pre-assigned research article in the field of Econophysics. The topic of such articles, while being connected to the course content, will also expand beyond it and provide extra learning material for the class. Students will receive a grade for their presentations, based on the demonstrated level of understanding and clarity.
The final grade will be determined as follows:
Student presentation (50%)
Final exam (50%, but the exam must be passed to pass the course).
Resit, review & feedback
Examinations are held twice during the academic year for each component offered in that academic year. Midterm tests cannot be retaken. The Board of Examiners determines the manner of resit for practical assignments.
For review and feedback, see Brightspace.
Reading list
Required: course slides and other notes/material (available on BrightSpace).
Suggested: textbook “Econophysics: An Introduction” by S. Sinha, A. Chatterjee, A. Chakraborti, B.K. Chakrabarti (Publisher: Wiley-VCH, 2010, ISBN: 978-3-527-40815-3).
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap (button in upper right corner) is mandatory. General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer(s) (listed in the right information bar).
Remarks
Software
Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, the Faculty of Science will use the software distribution platform Academic Software. Through this platform, you can access the software needed for specific courses in your studies. For some software, your laptop must meet certain system requirements, which will be specified with the software. It is important to install the software before the start of the course. More information about the laptop requirements can be found on the student website.