SØK 3520 Microeconomics

APPLIES TO ACADEMIC YEAR 2014/2015

SØK 3520 Microeconomics


Responsible for the course
Christian Riis

Department
Department of Economics

Term
According to study plan

ECTS Credits
7,5

Language of instruction
Norwegian

Introduction
Through the study of microeconomics students will learn the fundamentals of how markets and economic institutions function.

The course is a thorough study on price formation and the production and income distribution in markets. The analysis covers both markets for consumer goods and markets for production resources. There is a special emphasis on the analysis of price trends and industry development in short and long term.

Furthermore, criteria for economic efficiency and high value added are discussed. In particular the course discusses if conditions for individual economic decisions are leading to effective utilisation of community resources. One sees here both the decisions in competitive markets and decisions in markets with limited competition.


Learning outcome
Acquired knowledge
Students will understand the basic relationships between individual economic decisions and the social consequences in different market situations. Students will understand the basic principles of how changes in some markets have ripple effects to other markets. Students should also understand the distinction between descriptive and normative theory.
 
Acquired skills
Students will master the basic techniques of financial analysis: They should be able to master the basic economic model system, and understand the distinction between exogenous and endogenous variables. They will also be able to formulate economic optimise problems and solve them analytically.

Reflection
Students will be able to identify the welfare and distributional consequences of market processes. They will be encouraged to be aware of trade-offs between market efficiency and other considerations that are not captured by market analysis.


Prerequisites
MET 2910 Mathematics or equivalent

Compulsory reading
Books:
Riis, Christian og Espen R. Moen. 2012. Moderne mikroøkonomi : med digital arbeidsbok. 2. utg. Gyldendal akademisk

Recommended reading

Course outline

  1. Introduction to Microeconomic Analysis
  2. Market equilibrium: supply and demand
  3. Consumer Behaviour
    • Budget constraint and consumer preferences
    • Effects of price and income changes
    • Demand functions and elasticities
  4. Firm behaviour
    • Product function
    • The cost function
    • Profit maximisation
    • Substitution
    • The adjustment in the short and long term
  5. Market Theory
    • Price formation under various cost structures
    • Price and income generation in the short and long term
    • Industrial dynamics
    • The impact of excise taxes
  6. Economic efficiency
  7. Limited competition
    • Monopolies and market power
    • Game theory

Computer-based tools
No specified computer-based tools are required.

Learning process and workload
The course consists of 36 lecture hours + 6 hours of plenary assignment review and feedback in plenary.

Recommended use of hours for students:
Activity
Use of hours
Lectures
36
Planetary assignment review and feedback
6
Preliminary self-study in advance of lecture
42
Working with tasks in the aftermath of lectures
54
Self-study
56
Examination
5
Total use of hours recommended
200

E-learning
The e-learning platform It’s learning is used by the e-learning centre to administrate the mandatory exercises, and make students able to communicate with each other ant the Lecturer. Module sessions are carried out at the beginning of the semester and before exams. The e-learning students are also offered a study guide which is an educational guide to the syllabus.

Recommended use of hours for students:
Activity
Use of hours
Lectures
8
Planetary assignment review and feedback
6
Work on study guide, submitting assignments, activities on It's learning
54
Preliminary self-study in advance of lectures
16
Working with assignments
54
Self-study
56
Examination
5
Total use of hours recommended
200


    Examination
    A five hours individual written exam concludes the course.

    Examination code(s)
    SØK 35202 - Written exam, counts for 100% to obtain final grade in SØK 3520 Micoeconomics, 7,5 credits.

    Examination support materials
    BI-defined exam calculator is allowed. TEXAS INSTRUMENTS BA II Plus™
    Examination support materials at written examiniations are explained under examination information in the student portal @BI. Please note use of calculator and dictionary. https://at.bi.no/EN/Pages/Exa_Hjelpemidler-til-eksamen.aspx


    Re-sit examination
    A re-sit examination is offered every term.
    Re-sit students must take the exam in SØK 35202 as of 2013-2014. There will be no re-sit examiniation in the previous exam code SØK 35201.


    Additional information