ECON 3519 - Advanced Mathematical Economics III

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2015

This course deals with optimization methods in economic models. The main technical tools are dynamic optimization and optimal control theory. Some familiarity with multivariable calculus and some knowledge of integrals are desirable. A sound knowledge of intermediate microeconomics is also expected. The emphasis of the course will be on developing the tools of dynamic optimization methods such that the student will be able to represent any problem facing economic agents in a mathematically rigorous and coherent manner.

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Course Details

Course Code	ECON 3519
Course	Advanced Mathematical Economics III
Coordinating Unit	Economics
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Assumed Knowledge	ECON 2506 & ECON 2507 & ECON 2503; or equivalent
Assessment	Typically, assessment may comprise 20% for homework assignments, 30% for mid-term tests & 50% final exam

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Dmitriy Kvasov

Course Timetable

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

Course Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Possess a solid grasp of essential mathematical tools required for the further studies in economic theory.

2. Develop an understanding of optimization techniques used in economic theory.

3. Develop an understanding of support/separation theorems and their use in economic theory.

4. Develop an understanding of fixed point theorems and their use in economic theory.

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.	1,2,3,4
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	1,2,3,4
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	1.2.3.4
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	1,2,3,4

Learning Resources

Required Resources

There is no required text for the course. Required reading resources (notes, articles, etc) will be announced during the semester on MyUni or in class.

Online Learning

The course uses MyUni and it is a student’s responsibility to check the website regularly.

Course material such as lecture notes, assignments, and assignment answer guides will be available on MyUni.
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

Learning in this course is through lectures, tutorial, and personal study. 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. The tutorials will be organised as follows:
Your tutor will present the solutions for one of the exercises you were asked to prepare to illustrate what is expected from you in solving these kinds of problems. Students will then be asked to come to the board and present their work and answers to some of the tutorial exercises. Your tutor will provide assistance if needed and questions from other students are strongly encouraged.

Diverse learning styles will be supported by the provision of course materials in a variety of formats. The practical learning approach will be incorporated through the tutorials as described above. The online discussion board will also provide a dynamic forum for students to share and develop their ideas.

Workload

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

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

Students in the course are expected to attend all two-hour lectures and/or tutorial throughout the semester. Students are also
expected to commit approximately 4 to 6 hours to private study, that is, study outside of your regular classes.

Learning Activities Summary

Weeks 1-2: Logic and Set Theory
Weeks 3-4: Functions and Relations
Weeks 5-6: Metric Spaces
Weeks 7-8: Fixed Points
Weeks 9-10: Convexity
Weeks 11-12: Optimization

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

Assignment 10%
Test #1 (in class) 20%
Test #2 (in class) 20%
Final exam 50%

Assessment Detail

There will be one assignment and two in class tests during the semester. The goal of the assignments is to facilitate preparation for
the exams. The assignment and tests are compulsory and NOT redeemable, unless a student has a medical certificate which has to be
presented to the lecturer before any redemption can be arranged.

The final exam will cover the entire course. All material from the lectures, the textbook, or the tutorials is examinable.

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 final examination because of poor hand-writing.

Assessment marks prior to the final exam may be displayed on the course website. Students are encouraged to check their marks and notify the lecturer-in-charge of any discrepancies.

Submission

1. Assignment due date will be announced on MyUni and in class.
2. Assignment is to be handed in in class, late assignments receive 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.

Additional Assessment

If a student receives 45-49 for their final mark for the course they will automatically be granted an additional assessment. This will most likely be in the form of a new exam (Additional Assessment) and will have the same weight as the original exam unless an alternative requirement (for example a hurdle requirement) is stated in this semester’s Course Outline. If, after replacing the original exam mark with the new exam mark, it is calculated that the student has passed the course, they will receive 50 Pass as their final result for the course (no higher) but if the calculation totals less than 50, their grade will be Fail and the higher of the original mark or the mark following the Additional Assessment will be recorded as the final result.

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
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
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.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator