ECON 7011 - Intermediate Microeconomics IID

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2017

This postgraduate course is an introduction to intermediate-level microeconomic theory and analysis. Students will develop their abilities to analyse, evaluate and synthesize economic information. The skills developed in this course will help students make informed, responsible and critically discriminating judgements about current economic and social policy issues. Intermediate Microeconomics IID will put an emphasis on the mastery of theoretical concepts and analytical tools that will form a strong basis of further study in economics courses. Real world applications will be provided where possible, and further readings will be suggested to expand the ability of students to relate the basic theoretical concepts to applied contexts.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ECON 7011
    Course Intermediate Microeconomics IID
    Coordinating Unit Economics
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assumed Knowledge Introductory level microeconomics
    Restrictions Available to MFin&BusEc, MHealthEcPol, GCertEc, GCertIntEc, GDipIntEc, GDipAppEc & MAppEc students only
    Course Description This postgraduate course is an introduction to intermediate-level microeconomic theory and analysis. Students will develop their abilities to analyse, evaluate and synthesize economic information. The skills developed in this course will help students make informed, responsible and critically discriminating judgements about current economic and social policy issues. Intermediate Microeconomics IID will put an emphasis on the mastery of theoretical concepts and analytical tools that will form a strong basis of further study in economics courses. Real world applications will be provided where possible, and further readings will be suggested to expand the ability of students to relate the basic theoretical concepts to applied contexts.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Raul Barreto





    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1. Critically analyse and explain consumers', firms', and market behaviour using mathematical tools and diagrams.
    2. Select and apply an appropriate model to a given microeconomic problem in a logical, rigorous, and precise manner.
    3. Demonstrate a proficiency in utilising numerical and graphical techniques as well as verbal presentation of microeconomic concepts.
    4. Develop communications skills through the presentation of your work, interactions during tutorial sessions, and appropriate use of the discussion board.
    5. Apply microeconomic models to design solutions to practical economic issues and real-world scenarios.
    6. Assess the microeconomic theories and models in terms of their policy implications, advantages and limitations.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1,2,5,6
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1,2,5,6
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    3,4
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1,2,3,4,5,6
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    6
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Textbook:
    Intermediate Microeconomics: A Modern Approach. Hal R. Varian. 9th Edition. W.W.Norton

    Exercise Book:
    Workouts in Intermediate Microeconomics. Theodore C. Bergstrom. 9th Edition. W.W.Norton
    Recommended Resources

    Microeconomic References

    The following textbook cannot be used as a substitute for the Varian book. But it may be used as a complement to it, providing further examples and explanations.

    "Microeconomics and Behaviour", by Robert H. Frank, McGraw-Hill, 7th Edition

    Math References

    "Mathematics for Economics and Business", by Ian Jacques, Prentice Hall, 7th edition.

    “Mathematics for Economists”, by Carl P. Simon and Lawrence Blume (Norton), 2nd Edition

    “Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics” by Kevin Wainwright and Alpha C. Chiang, McGraw-Hill, 2004 Edition.

    “Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics” by Alpha C. Chiang, McGraw- Hill, 1993 International Edition.

    "Essential Mathematics for Economic Analysis" by K. Sydsaeter and P. Hammond, Prentice Hall, 2006 Edition.

    Online Learning

    This course uses MyUni intensively and you are required to check the website regularly.

    https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/webapps/login/ 

    Course material such as lecture notes, lecture recordings, quiz answers and supplementary material for developing your mathematical skills are available on MyUni. Also, a discussion board will be available for questions you may want to ask the lecturer, tutors or other classmates.

    The lecture recordings should be used as a complement to, rather than a substitute for, attending lectures, as lectures will be interactive. Be aware that sometimes due to technical problems recordings may not be available.

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The lectures will provide you with the necessary understanding of the material to be able to solve the exercises you will be given during tutorial, assignments or exams. Some examples will be given to illustrate the concepts presented in this course.



    Diverse learning styles will be supported by the provision of course materials in a variety of formats. The lecture sessions will be recorded providing an audio-visual resource that can be utilized by students, as well as the written resources of the lecture notes and the textbooks.

    The practical learning approach will be incorporated through the tutorials as described above, as well as through the provision of additional resources such as past-semester assessment tasks.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.


    The University expects full-time students (i.e. those taking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies. This translates to 12 hours per week for a semester course.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Teaching & Learning Activities Related Learning Outcomes
    Lectures 1,3,6
    Tutorials 2,3,4,5

    Lecture Schedule

    The tentative lecture schedule is presented below. Any major changes to this schedule will be announced in class and on MyUni.

    The text chapters given are for the main text by Varian. The chapter numbers given here are only an indication of relevant readings.

    Week Lecture Topic Text reference
    1 Budget Constraints, Preferences, Axioms Chapter 2,3
    2 IC, MRS and Utility Chapter 3,4
    3 Specific Cases of Utility Chapter 4
    4 Choice Chapter 5
    5 Demand Chapter 6
    6 Slutsky Equation Chapter 8
    MID-SEMESTER BREAK
    7 Mid-semester Test
    8 Technology
    Profit Maximization
    Chapter 18
    Chapter 19
    9 Cost Minimization
    Cost Curves
    Firm Supply
    Chapter 20
    Chapter 21
    Chapter 22
    10 Monopoly
    Monopoly Behaviour
    Chapter 24
    Chapter 25
    11 Oligopoly Chapter 27
    12 Game Theory Chapter 28
    Specific Course Requirements
    This course is closely associated with an undergraduate course, ECON2506 Intermediate Microeconomics IIA. The lecture sessions will be shared between students of both courses, however the tutorial sessions will be separate for this course ECON7011 Intermediate Microeconomics IIA D. Although the core material covered in the lectures will be the same for you, there are differences in the expectations for the depth of understanding of the material. Assessment tasks, although similar to the tasks of the undergraduate students, will be different. Make sure that you check you have received the correct documents for the postgraduate class for any assessment task. If you have any queries or concerns about the distinction between your course and the undergraduate course, please raise them at your postgraduate tutorial, or contact the lecturer.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Due Date/ Week Weight Length Learning Outcomes
    Individual Assignments:
    Assignment 1
    Assignment 2
    Assignment 1 - Week 9
    Assignmnet 2 - Week 12
    10%
    10%
    TBA 1-6
    Tutorial Quizzes Every week (from week 2) 5% N/A 2,3
    Mid-semester Exam Week 7 28% 1 hour 50 minutes 1,2,3,5
    Final Exam Week TBA 47% 3 hours 1-5
    Total 100%
    Assessment Related Requirements
    1. Legible hand-writing and the quality of English expression are considered to be integral parts of the assessment process. Marks may be deducted in the midterm and final examinations because of poor hand-writing.

    2. Only the best nine of eleven quizzes will count.

    If there is a public holiday on a tutorial day, for that tutorial’s students, the best 8 of 10 quizzes will be counted, due to a public holiday reducing the number of classes.

    If you provide an appropriate medical certificate to justify your absence in one of your tutorial quizzes, your grades will be adjusted accordingly.

    3. If you miss a quiz, the midterm, or do not submit the assignment in due time, there will not be a replacement assessment. If a proper medical certificate is presented, or in case of compassionate reasons, formal evidence is provided, then the weight of the missed assesment will be added to the final examination.
    Assessment Detail
    Assignment 1 - (10%)
    Due Date: 3.00 pm on Friday in week 9
    This assignment will assess the topics of the first 6 weeks.
    It will consist of mathematical problems, and short discussion questions.

    Assignment 2 - (10%)
    Due Date: 3.00 pm on Monday in week 12
    This assignment will mainly assess the topics of weeks 8-10 (inclusive) but may also include material from earlier topics.
    It will consist of mathematical problems, and short discussion questions.

    Tutorial Quizzes - 5%
    Weekly – except week 1
    The tutorial quizzes component of the assessment will be based on marks received for short quizzes that will occur in each tutorial (except for the tutorials in week1). Only the best nine of eleven quizzes will count.

    If there is a public holiday on a tutorial day, for that tutorial’s students, the best 8 of 10 quizzes will be counted, due to a public holiday reducing the number of classes.

    If you provide an appropriate medical certificate to justify your absence in one of your tutorial quizzes, your grades will be adjusted accordingly.

    Mid-semester exam - (28%, Week 7) – During lecture time, same location
    This test will assess the topics of Weeks 1-5 (inclusive). It will be 1 hour 50 minutes in length.
    It will consist of mathematical problems and short answer questions, and may also include multiple choice questions.

    The midterm test is redeemable, which means that if the grade you obtained for the final examination is higher than the one you obtained for the midterm, the final examination grade will account for 72% of your overall grade.
    Failure to sit the midterm test will result in receiving zero points, whether a medical certificate is provided or not. The grade of the final examination will then account for 70% of the overall grade.

    Final Exam - (47%)
    There will be a 3 hour exam. The final exam is comprehensive, i.e. it can cover ALL the topics of this course. It will consist of mathematical problems and short answer questions, and may also include multiple choice questions.

    Tutorial Exercises - Non-graded
    Weekly – except week 1
    Tutorial exercises will be made available on MyUni during the week prior to the tutorial. You will be asked to prepare some exercises before going to your tutorial. Please be aware that this preparation is important as it will improve your learning during the tutorial and will contribute towards a dynamic environment where students and tutor will interact more actively with one another. These exercises are not to be submitted or graded.

    Submission

    1- No late assignments accepted. Exceptional circumstances will be evaluated by the lecturer in charge on a case-by-case basis and should be discussed whenever possible at least 48 hours before the due date. Failure to hand in an assignment on time will lead to a zero mark.

    2 – Extensions and alternative assessment conditions for students with disabilities:
    It is your responsibility to contact lecturer, in the first 2 weeks of the semester and provide them with a copy of your Access Plan.
    You do not have an automatic right to extensions for assignments. You must apply for extensions in the designated way at least 2 weeks before the due date for the assignment. The usual extensions available to students with disabilities is 2 days over the regular due date of the assignments.

    3 – Assignments have to be handed in at the Professions Student Support Hub, located at Nexus 10 (corner Pultney Street and North Terrace). No assignment will be collected by the lecturer in charge or any of the tutors.

    4 – Each assignment should be accompanied by a cover sheet.


    5-Quizzes will be handed back during tutorial times. If you were not present during that time, please email your tutor to arrange the collection of your quiz.


    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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