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BAEcon Economics and Finance / Course details

Year of entry: 2021

Course unit details:
Microeconomic Analysis 1

Unit code ECON10171
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 1
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Offered by School of Social Sciences
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This unit is an introduction to Microeconomic analysis with calculus. Topics include consumer theory, demand analysis, consumer welfare analysis, and the theory of the firm.

Pre/co-requisites

ECON10171 MIcroeconomic Analysis 1 Pre-requisites: A level Maths

A-Level Mathematics (compulsory Pre-Requisite).

This course unit is for BA Econ, BSc Econ and PPE students only.

NOT available to students who have previously taken ECON10041/42 or ECON10081/82.

Aims

This unit aims to:

  1. Provide an introduction to fundamental concepts and techniques of microeconomics analysis.
  2. Cover the preparatory material for more specialist courses in economics in the second and third year.
  3. Provide key employability skills, such as the ability to describe recent key microeconomic concepts and expose students to a range of applications.

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes of this unit are:

  1. To have a firm grounding in introductory microeconomics principles.
  2. To be able to manipulate and perform basic analysis of economic data relating to issues of contemporary importance.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of key theoretical explanations of individual, firm and industry behaviour.

Syllabus

  1. Introduction: Microeconomics - Allocation of scarce resources, Models, Uses of microeconomic models.
  2. Supply and Demand - Demand, Supply, Market equilibrium, Shocking the equilibrium, Comparative statistics, Elasticities.
  3. Consumer Theory - Preferences, Utility, Budget constraints, Constraint Consumer Choice, Behavioural economics.
  4. Demand - Deriving demand curves, Effects on demand.
  5. Consumer Welfare and Policy Analysis - Consumer Welfare, Expenditure functions, Consumer Surplus.
  6. Firms and Production - Short run productions, Long run productions, Isoquants, Returns to Scale.
  7. Costs - Opportunity Costs, Short run costs, Long run costs, Cost curves.
     

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures and tutorial/exercise classes, independent study, group learning and online learning.

Employability skills

Analytical skills
Skills of analysis, and the application of analytical models. The evaluation and critical analysis of arguments, theories and policies. To be able to synthesise and evaluate data.
Group/team working
Working in teams and presenting team work.
Problem solving
Other
To be able to independently locate and assess relevant literature, and to draw on these to develop understanding and to construct arguments. Application of subject knowledge. Time management and ability to work to deadlines.

Assessment methods

70%      Exam

30%      Mid-term test

 

Feedback methods

  • Weekly problem sets: feedback on solutions in tutorials.
  • Feedback on presentations in tutorials.
  • Office hours.
  • Revision sessions.
  • Discussion boards.

Recommended reading

Jeffrey Perloff (2014) “Microeconomics with Calculus, Global Edition” (ISBN-10: 0273789988; ISBN-13: 9780273789987).

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Assessment written exam 3
Lectures 32
Tutorials 9
Independent study hours
Independent study 56

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Craig Webb Unit coordinator

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