Course syllabus - Intermediate Microeconomics

Objectives

The aim of this course is to provide students with tools and methods for microeconomic analysis.

Learning outcomes

After completed course the student shall be able to
- use mathematical methods to solve constrained and unconstrained optimization problems
- apply these methods to households utility maximization, deriving household demand
- solve firms’ profit maximization and cost minimization problems, deriving firms supply and cost functions
- aggregate household and firm behavior into market demand and supply
- calculate prices and quantities in competitive market equilibrium as well as in other market forms such as monopoly and oligopoly

Course content

Consumer preferences, utility, consumer choice, consumer and market demand, firm behavior, profits, costs, firm and market supply, determination of prices and quantities in market equilibrium, factor markets, and general equilibrium. Compared to the introductory Microeconomics course, these topics are explored in a more formal way, using mathematical analysis. In addition, a selection of other relevant topics such as inter-temporal choice, choice under uncertainty and risk, game theory, monopoly, oligopoly, welfare, and externalities will be covered.

Tuition

A series of lectures integrated with demonstrations and exercises.

Specific requirements

30 credits in Economics (at least 22,5 credits finished when the course starts). TOEFL test result, minimum score 575 with a TWE score of at least 4,5 (PBT) or 90 with a TWE score of at least 20 (iBT)/IELTS test result with an overall band score of minimum 6,5 and no band score below 5,5. The English test is COMPULSORY for all applicants except citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom and USA.

Examination

Written examination (TEN1), 7.5 credits, marks Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG)

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Three-grade scale

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

The course replaces NAA200 Intermediate Microeconomics and overlaps 7,5 credits with ENA005 Intermediate Microeconomics.