Program Overview

Programming in Finance and Economics II

Description

The course introduces students to advanced and powerful programming techniques, building upon the foundation of Programming in Finance and Economics I. It expands students' capabilities in R and features introductions to Python, MySQL, and the Linux operating system.

Objectives

The course has the following goals:

• Advanced and well-organized R programming, including writing packages and collaborating on R projects
• Deploying programs in R and other languages in cloud and parallel computing environments
• Understanding advanced optimization algorithms
• Learning the basics of a second programming language: Python
• Setting up a data server using Linux and MySQL and creating a data science toolchain
• Learning how to use a no-code environment to create a mobile phone app without writing a single line of code

Prerequisites

• Programming in Finance and Economics I
• Keen interest in programming and quantitative problem solving

Program

The course is structured along computational concepts, not applications. The topics include:

• Setting up a personal data server in the cloud: Linux, SQL, Web scraping, APIs, and Cron
• No-code programming: Create a smartphone app using the Adalo platform
• Advanced programming: Create an R package and learn about collaboration, style, and tools such as git
• Outsourcing: how to write a program specification and communicate with professional programmers
• Python and the Internet of Things (IoT): how to make the first steps in a new programming language
• Advanced and stochastic optimization
• Machine learning methods for textual data (optional, time permitting)
• Algorithmic trading with Interactive Brokers. Setting up a paper trading system (optional, time permitting)

Learning Method - Style of Lessons

The course is organized in seven blocks of four hours. Each block introduces a new concept and employs learning-by-doing to move from theory to practice. Students start with a short tutorial or reading. The course block itself starts with a presentation of a new concept. Next, we study a sample program that illustrates this concept and try to understand the underlying ideas. Most of the time will be devoted to discussing practical implications and implementation details. Grading is based on project work. Students perform small individual tasks (mostly writing summaries) and collaborate in groups on two or three larger programming projects.

Exam Style

• 33% Small individual tasks (write three one-page summaries)
• 67% Programming projects in small groups (two or three projects)

Requested Material

Students should bring a laptop with R and R Studio installed to all classes. Further software (Python, SQL, Terminal) will be installed together or will be used on a server. Students will be required to purchase an IoT kit for approximately CHF 20 and server space for approximately CHF 25.

Education

• Master of Science in Economics, Core course, Minor in Data Science, 1st year
• Master of Science in Economics in Finance, Core course, Minor in Quantitative Finance, 1st year
• Master of Science in Economics in Finance, Core course, Minor in Digital Finance, 1st year

Additional Information

• Semester: Spring
• Academic year: Not specified
• ECTS: 3.0
• Language: English