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58989-01 - Lecture: Computing for Business and Economics (3 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Every fall sem. |
| Lecturers | Dietmar Maringer (dietmar.maringer@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | This course provides an introduction to different computational methods relevant in economics and business, combining theoretical concepts with hands-on implementations. The main topics are: * introduction to programming with Python, * selected topics from computer science (software engineering, algorithms, data structures) * fundamental numerical techniques (roots, systems of equations, unconstrained optimization), and * basics of Monte Carlo simulation. |
| Learning objectives | Participants will be able to implement economic and business models and to solve them numerically, using Python. This course is also provides the foundation for subsequent courses with strong computational components. |
| Bibliography | Langtangen, H. P. A Primer on Scientific Programming Using Python Springer, 2014 Miranda, M. J. & Fackler, P. L. Applied Computational Economics and Finance The MIT Press, 2002 Brandimarte, P. Numerical Methods in Finance and Economics, Wiley-Interscience, 2006 Gilli, M.; Maringer, D. & Schumann, E. Numerical Methods and Optimization in Finance, Academic Press, 2nd edition 2019. (or 1st ed., 2011) |
| Admission requirements | Completed Bachelor Degree This course may require you to do programming. If you are uncertain about your computing skills, we strongly recommend taking advantage of the faculty's free crash courses. These are available to you during the first weeks of each semester, and are given in English. https://wwz.unibas.ch/en/computational-economics-and-finance/teaching/vorkurs-arbeiten-mit-wissenschaftlicher-software/#c55838 |
| Course application | Registration: Please enroll in the Online Services (services.unibas.ch); Eucor-Students and mobility students of other Swiss Universities or the FHNW first have to register at the University of Basel BEFORE the start of the course and receive their login data by post (e-mail address of the University of Basel). Processing time up to a week! Detailed information can be found here: https://www.unibas.ch/de/Studium/Mobilitaet.html After successful registration you can enroll for the course in the Online Services (services.unibas.ch). Applies to everyone: Enrolment = Registration for the course and the exam! |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Wednesday | 08.30-12.00 | Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät, Auditorium |
| Comments | The course will be taught 4h weekly but only in the first half of the semester until 21.10.26. |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 16.09.2026 | 08.30-12.00 | Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät, Auditorium |
| Wednesday 23.09.2026 | 08.30-12.00 | Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät, Auditorium |
| Wednesday 30.09.2026 | 08.30-12.00 | Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät, Auditorium |
| Wednesday 07.10.2026 | 08.30-12.00 | Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät, Auditorium |
| Wednesday 14.10.2026 | 08.30-12.00 | Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät, Auditorium |
| Wednesday 21.10.2026 | 08.30-12.00 | Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät, Auditorium |
| Modules |
Module: Core Courses in Business and Economics (Master's Studies: Business and Economics) Module: Core Courses in Data Science and Computational Economics (Master's Studies: Business and Economics) Module: Core Courses in Finance and Money (Master's Studies: Finance and Money) Module: Field Electives in Economics and Public Policy (Master's Studies: Economics and Public Policy) Module: Field Electives in Finance and Money (Master's Studies: Finance and Money) Module: Fundamentals in Business and Technology (Master's Studies: Business and Technology) Module: Specific Electives in Business and Economics (Master's Studies: Business and Economics) Module: Specific Electives in Data Science and Computational Economics (Master's Studies: Business and Economics) Module: Topics and Methods in Sustainable Development: Economics and Management (Master's Studies: Sustainable Development) Specialization Module: Areas of Specialization in International and/or Monetary Economics (Master's Studies: International and Monetary Economics) |
| Assessment format | exam |
| Assessment details | Written final exam. Assignments are primarily for self-assessment but also might count towards the final grade (up to 15%); details to be agreed during the course. Written examination: repeat exam: IMPORTANT: For courses with main lecture exams, a repetition date is offered in addition to the regular examination date. These repeat exams can only be taken if you have taken part in the regular examination date and if you failed there, i.e. had a grade < 4.0 (see 4.13.4.1 "Sitting Repeat Examinations" in the English translation of the study guide for our master programs from December 13, 2021). |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration, dereg: cancel course registration |
| Repeat examination | one repetition, best attempt counts |
| Scale | 1-6 0,1 |
| Repeated registration | one repetition |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Business and Economics , studiendekanat-wwz@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Faculty of Business and Economics |