ECON 1005 - Introduction to Mathematical Economics (Basic) I
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code ECON 1005 Course Introduction to Mathematical Economics (Basic) I Coordinating Unit Economics Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 3 hours per week Incompatible MATHS 1009, MATHS 1010, MATHS 1013, MATHS 1011 and MATHS 1012. Not available to students with a satisfactory level of achievement in SACE Stage 2 Math Methods, Math Studies, Specialist Math or equivalent. Not permitted after ECON 1010. Assessment Typically tutorial work, mid-semester test, final exam Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Yaping Shan
Office hours: Wednesday 2pm-4pmCourse Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1 To gain confidence with mathematics 2 To develop analytical skills 3 To develop organizational skills 4 To develop both independent learning and group work skills 5 To develop verbal and non-verbal communication skills 6 To successfully use mathematics in economics and business applications 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) Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1,6 The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 2,3 An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 5,6 Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 4,5 A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1,6 A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 1,4,5 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
Textbook:
Ian Jacques, Mathematics for Economics and Business (7th edition) Prentice Hall
Students will also need a calculator with the following functions:
(i) logarithmic function
(ii) exponential function
(iii) nth roots
(iv) nth powersRecommended Resources
“Mathematics for Economists”, by Carl P. Simon and Lawrence Blume (Norton), 2nd Edition
"Schaum's Outline of Introduction to Mathematical Economics", by Dowling Edward T., 3ed Edition.Online Learning
The course makes extensive use of MyUni for purposes including the posting of lecture notes, lecture recordings, tutorial exercises, assignments, and important announcements. The discussion board there is considered an important method of communication.
https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/webapps/login/
Lecture recordings will be made available online. Students should be aware that there may be occasional instances where lecture recording fails due to technical issues.
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Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course is divided into a lecture component and a tutorial component. The lecture covers the key concepts of a particular topic to complement the text. Tutorials will consolidate your understanding of course material by working through problems similar to those in the lecture.
Lectures will be recorded and copies of the lecture recordings will be placed on MyUni, within 24 hours of completion of the lecture, when possible. Please note, sometimes, through technical difficulties, the lecture may not be recorded. This is beyond the control of the lecturer. Should this occur, an announcement will be placed on MyUni.
Students in this course are expected to attend all lectures throughout the semester plus one tutorial class each week.
Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
The workload for a 3 unit course is 12 hours per week. Given that there are 2 hours of lectures and 1 hour of tutorials each week, students are expected to spend 9 hours per week, studying this subject outside contact hours.Learning Activities Summary
Note: Every effort shall be made by the lecturer to adhere to this timetable. However, in the event that students require different times on topics, the lecturer will amend this timetable at his discretion.Week Topics Chapters 1 Introduction to algebra, Linear equations 1.1 to 1.3 2 Linear equations Continued 1.4, 1.5 3 Quadratic functions 2.1, 2.2 4 Indices (powers, exponents) and logarithms, the exponential and natural logarithm functions 2.3, 2.4 5 Mathematics of Finance 3.1 to 3.3 6 Differentiation 4.1 Mid-Semester Break (14th to 25th April) 7 Rules of Differentiation 4.2, 4.3 8 Further Rules of Differentiation 4.4, 4.5 9 Optimisation of economic functions 4.6 to 4.8 10 Partial Differentiation 5.1 to 5.3 11 Optimisation 5.4 to 5.7 12 Matrices 7.1 to 7.3 Small Group Discovery Experience
There will be two two-hour sessions during the semester. One in week 5 and one in week 10. Students will be put into groups of about 4-5 and ask to read a journal article. They then will have to answer some questions, related to the journal articles, that will involve the use of some mathematical tools. The aim of the activity is to help students understand the role of mathematics in every day economic life. -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
The grading scheme for this course, is as follows:
Mid-Semester Test 20% Final Exam 60% Tutorial Assignments 20% Assessment Detail
Mid-Semester Test (week 6):
This will be of 50 minutes duration taken under exam conditions. Topics to be covered in the Mid-Semester Test will be discussed by the lecturer during lecture time in the week’s preceding the test. Failure to sit the midterm examination will result in receiving zero points, whether a medical certificate is provided or not. The grade of the final examination will then account for 80% of the overall grade.Tutorial Assignment:
Tutorial assignment will be available to download from MyUni on a weekly basis, beginning with week 1. The Due date is 4pm Thursday each week. Solutions to each assignment will be discussed during the tutorial session.Tutorial assignment should be neat, tidy, preferably stapled. A standard cover sheet should be included for each assignment. The cover sheet can be found at:
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/professions/hub/downloads/Professions-assignment-cover-sheet.pdfPlease use lined paper or graph paper. Pencil or pen, are both acceptable for Tutorial assignments.
Submission
The Tutorial assignments have to be handed in at the Professions Student Support Hub, located at Nexus 10 (corner Pulteney Street and North Terrace), and will be returned to you in the following week. Electronic submission is not acceptable. Late papers will not be accepted, as it is unfair to students who submit their work on time. Failure to hand in an assignment on time will lead to a zero mark.
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.
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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.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- International Student Support
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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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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