PhD Course Descriptions

REAL9450 - Urban Real Estate Econ (Course Syllabus)

Urban Real Estate Economics uses economic concepts to analyze real estate markets, values, and trends. The course focuses on market dynamics in the U.S. and internationally, with an emphasis on how urban growth and local and federal government policies impact urban development and real estate pricing. A group development project gives hands on experience, and invited guest speakers bring industry knowledge. Besides the group project and presentation, problem sets are required along with a midterm and optional second exam. Lecture with discussion required.

Prerequisites: MGEC 6110 AND MGEC 6120

REAL9460 - Adv Topic in Urban Econ (Course Syllabus)

This course addresses advanced topics in urban and real estate economics. The course will mix theory and empirics and will cover a broad range of topics including the modeling and estimation of agglomeration economies, land use and urban costs, transportation in cities, urban growth, migration between cities etc. The classes will mix formal presentations made by the instructor and student-led discussions of recent academic papers. In addition to presentations, students will be expected to complete a series of assignments including a short original research paper. PhD students will be expected to complete a research paper in addition to the successful completion of the course examination requirements. Prerequisites: The course assumes that students have familiarity with standard first year econometrics and microeconomics.

REAL9470 - Adv Real Est & Urb Econ (Course Syllabus)

This course covers fundamental topics in the broad fields of urban economics and real estate. We will focus on the application of econometric methods and economic modelling to analyze important issues, such as household sorting and valuation of local amenities, racial segregation, and the provision of local public goods.

REAL9480 - House Real Est Decision (Course Syllabus)

In this course we will study theory and evidence of how households make decisions surrounding real estate, how they interact with the financial sector, and how housing and mortgage choices influence urban markets and household balance sheets. We will examine real estate decisions from both supply and demand perspectives. There will be a special focus on the tools of modern empirical research, emphasizing the many challenges to causal identification and popular methodologies to overcome and address these challenges. The course will cover topics in mortgage choice, refinancing, renegotiation, default and foreclosure, discrimination, housing search, and market segmentation. Prerequisites: The course assumes that students have familiarity with standard first year econometrics and microeconomics.

REAL9620 - Applied Economics Sem (Course Syllabus)

The goal of this course is to help doctoral students develop critical thinking skills through both seminar participation and writing of referee reports. To this end students will attend the Wharton Applied Economics each Wednesday at noon seminar when it meets; prepare two written referee reports on WAE papers per semester, due before the seminar is presented. After attending the seminar and the ensuing discussion of the paper, students will prepare follow-up evaluations of their referee report reports, due one week after the seminar.

REAL9950 - Dissertation (Course Syllabus)

Dissertation

REAL9990 - Independent Study (Course Syllabus)