- UCAS course code
- LV25
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course unit details:
Principles of Microeconomic Theory 1: Consumers, Welfare, Production and Costs
Unit code | ECON10171 |
---|---|
Credit rating | 10 |
Unit level | Level 1 |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
This unit is an introduction to Microeconomic Theory with calculus. Topics include consumer
theory, demand analysis, consumer welfare analysis, and the theory of the firm.
Pre/co-requisites
Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Advanced Mathematics | ECON10071A | Co-Requisite | Compulsory |
A-Level Mathematics (compulsory Pre-Requisite).
This course unit is for BSc Econ and PPE students only.
NOT available to students who have previously taken ECON10221
Aims
This unit aims to:
1. Provide an introduction to fundamental concepts and techniques of Microeconomic Theory.
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 Microeconomic Theory.
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. Supply and Demand - Demand, Supply, Market equilibrium, Comparative statistics.
2. Elasticities - Price Elasticity of Demand, Other Elasticities, Applications.
3. Consumer Theory - Preferences, Utility, Budget Constraints, Formulation and Solution of the Consumer’s Utility Maximisation Problem.
4. Demand - Deriving Demand Functions, Demand Analysis, Hicks Decomposition, Expenditure Minimisation, The Slutsky Equation.
5. Consumer Welfare Analysis - Consumer Surplus, Compensating Variation, Equivalent Variation.
6. Firms and Production - Short-Run Production, Long-Run Production, Isoquants, Returns to Scale.
7. Costs - Short-Run Costs, Long-Run Costs, Cost Minimisation.
Teaching and learning methods
Synchronous activities (such as Lectures or Review and Q&A sessions, and tutorials), and guided self-study
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
Independent study hours | |
---|---|
Independent study | 56 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
---|---|
Craig Webb | Unit coordinator |
Additional notes
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