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EXC 3520 Microeconomics

EXC 3520 Microeconomics

Course code: 
EXC 3520
Department: 
Economics
Credits: 
7.5
Course coordinator: 
Anders Tveit
Course name in Norwegian: 
Microeconomics
Product category: 
Bachelor
Portfolio: 
Bachelor - Common Courses
Semester: 
2023 Autumn
Active status: 
Active
Level of study: 
Bachelor
Teaching language: 
English
Course type: 
One semester
Introduction

Microeconomics deals with the behaviour of individual economic units, such as consumers, workers, investors, owners of land, and business firms. Microeconomics explains how these units make economic decisions. Another important concern of microeconomics is how these economic units interact in markets and in industries.

The course is international in that we look at market economies - an economic system we find around the world. At the same time as the system has created growth and welfare, it also provides opportunities for privileges and monopoly power. Therefore, understanding the necessity of market corrections forms an important part of the course.

Learning outcomes - Knowledge

During the course students shall have:

  • learned to recognize the systematic analysis of consumer and firm behavior in various market situations
  • gained an understanding of the efficiency of resources used given different market forms (perfect competition, monopoly, and monopolistic competition).
  • acquired insight into the difference between positive - and normative analysis.
Learning outcomes - Skills

After completing the course students shall:

  • be able to solve basic microeconomic optimization problems, and to understand the main principles of economic modelling.
  • be able to reason based on graphs and standard optimization problems, linked to individual choices and companies' production - and price decisions.
General Competence

Students will be encouraged to reflect on and distinguish between the impact market changes have on efficiency versus their distributive effects, and to be conscious the distinction between efficiency goals and other considerations not captured by the market analysis.

Course content
  1. Introduction to microeconomic analysis
  2. The basis and supply and demand
  3. Consumer theory
    • Consumer behavior
    • Individual and market demand
  4. Producer theory
    • Production
    • The cost of production
  5. Competitive markets
    • Profit maximization and competitive supply
    • The analysis of competitive markets
  6. Market structure and competitive strategy
    • Monopoly
    • Pricing with market power
    • Monopolistic competition and oligopoly
Teaching and learning activities

Five sets of coursework requirements will be posted on Itslearning. In order to attend the final exam, students have to receive passing marks for at least three of these five assignments. Information about deadlines will be presented at the start of the term. 

Answers to the work requirements should be posted electronically through itslearning. Feedback will be provided on Itslearning.

Software tools
No specified computer-based tools are required.
Additional information

Re-sit examination
Students that have not gotten approved the coursework requirements, must re-take the exercises during the next scheduled course.

Students that have not passed the written examination or who wish to improve their grade may re-take the examination in connection with the next scheduled examination.

Qualifications

Higher Education Entrance Qualification

Disclaimer

Deviations in teaching and exams may occur if external conditions or unforeseen events call for this.

Required prerequisite knowledge

No particular prerequisites.

Mandatory courseworkCourseworks givenCourseworks requiredComment coursework
Mandatory53Students who have not got approved three of the five assignments must retake the assignments at the next scheduled course.
Mandatory coursework:
Mandatory coursework:Mandatory
Courseworks given:5
Courseworks required:3
Comment coursework:Students who have not got approved three of the five assignments must retake the assignments at the next scheduled course.
Assessments
Assessments
Exam category: 
Submission
Form of assessment: 
Written submission
Invigilation
Weight: 
100
Grouping: 
Individual
Support materials: 
  • BI-approved exam calculator
  • Simple calculator
  • Bilingual dictionary
Duration: 
3 Hour(s)
Exam code: 
EXC35202
Grading scale: 
ECTS
Resit: 
Examination every semester
Type of Assessment: 
Ordinary examination
Total weight: 
100
Student workload
ActivityDurationComment
Teaching
28 Hour(s)
Teaching
14 Hour(s)
Videos and supplementary exercises
Group work / Assignments
12 Hour(s)
Tutoring sessions
Student's own work with learning resources
119 Hour(s)
Digital resources
  • Test with automatic feedback
24 Hour(s)
Coursework requirements
Examination
3 Hour(s)
Sum workload: 
200

A course of 1 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of 26-30 hours. Therefore a course of 7,5 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of at least 200 hours.