Economic Statistics (formerly ECON 0210) An introduction to the discipline of statistics as a science of understanding and analyzing data with an emphasis on applications to economics.   Key topics include descriptive statistics, probability distributions, sampling, random variables, the Central Limit Theorem, estimation, hypothesis testing, p-values, and linear regression.  Students will be introduced to a statistical programming language.  A weekly one-hour lab is part of this course in addition to three hours of class meetings per week. (Formerly ECON 0210)

Space Economics In this course we will study the economics of outer space. Specific topics include: the existing terrestrial space economy, the historical development of the launch and space observation sectors, the physical constraints of space travel (the rocket equation, life support units), and dual-use technologies; orbit use, focusing on satellites, orbital debris, and emerging industrial concentration; the use of lunar resources, particularly ice extraction and dust management; and the economics of extra-terrestrial human settlements. (ECON 0210 and (ECON 0250 or ECON 0255); ECON 0265 strongly recommended.)

Environmental Economics This course is dedicated to the proposition that economic reasoning is critical for analyzing the persistence of environmental damage and for designing cost-effective environmental policies. The objectives of the course are that each student (a) understands the economic approach to the environment; (b) can use microeconomics to illustrate the theory of environmental policy; and (c) comprehends and can critically evaluate: alternative environmental standards, benefits and costs of environmental protection, and incentive-based environmental policies.

Economic Statistics Basic methods and concepts of statistical inference with an emphasis on economic applications. Topics include probability distributions, random variables, simple linear regression, estimation, hypothesis testing, and contingency table analysis. A weekly one-hour lab is part of this course in addition to three hours of class meetings per week. Credit is not given for ECON 0210 if the student has taken MATH 0116, or MATH 0310, or PSYC 0201 previously or concurrently.

Akhil Rao

Reviews and ratings for Akhil Rao at Middlebury College.Akhil Rao teaches Economic Statistics, Space Economics, Environmental Economics and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Akhil Rao good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

I would like to preface this description by saying that I received an A in the class, but cannot recall a single aspect of it. I truly could not stand this guy, the way he treated the course, and his students. We all know we don't hold PhDs in Economics, why does he act as if we are idiots because we don't? He lacks social skills, empathy, and a willingness to actually teach.

Taking this course with Professor Rao is definitely tough. He grades with a points system so you know exactly where you stand throughout the year, but the issue is that there is an endless amount of homework that lasts all semester long and the exams are also super tough

Everything is graded on whether or not you turned it in, but has a large workload and the lectures are boring. Don't really get taught how to code you essentially just watch. Feel like I could have done just as well without showing up to any classes