Microeconomic Analysis

Postgraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

This course will cover the fundamental theories and models from the field of microeconomics and will introduce students to a host of applications of these microeconomic insights. The goal will be to provide students with a solid level of knowledge and understanding that will prepare them for the applied economics courses they will encounter later in the master program. To enhance students' understanding of the different theories, special attention will be paid to teaching relevant applications.

Topics (and examples of applications) covered in the course include:

  • Consumer, production theory and general equilibrium
  • Labor market applications
  • Risk and uncertainty
  • Externalities and preference aggregation
  • Game theory and applications
  • Asymmetric information topics and applications

Learning Outcomes

A student who has completed the course should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge 

The student

  • understands the main results from microeconomic (general) equilibrium theory and the theory of economic games and asymmetric information;
  • is acquainted with applications of these theories to a variety of real world problems;

Skills 

The student is able to

  • formulate small scale microeconomic models;
  • derive model predictions using optimization and equilibrium concepts central to microeconomics;
  • interpret how the assumptions of a microeconomics model influences the predictions it makes;
  • criticize and recognize (possibly testable) shortcomings of the presented models;

General competence

The student

  • has significantly increased the ability to think analytically and tackle complex problems;
  • manages to formulate precise questions about resource (mis)-allocation in strategic and non-strategic settings and understand the microeconomic tools to address these questions.

Level of Study

Master

Semester of Instruction

Autumn
Required Previous Knowledge
Students must have completed a Bachelor's degree in Economics or equivalent (subject to approval by the Department of Economics).
Access to the Course
The course is oriented towards students in the Master`s Programme in Economics, Professional Studies in Economics, Master's Programme in Information Technology and Economics or Bachelor`s Programme in Informatics-Mathematics-Economy but is open to visiting students upon approval of student request.
Teaching and learning methods
The course will consist of 22 lectures of two hours (including breaks). During the lectures, the students will be given time to work on selected exercises.
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

Pass/fail test after the first four mathematical lectures.

Students that do not pass (or do not attend) the test, get a single try at a related compulsory home assignment.

Approved compulsory requirements do not have time limits.

Forms of Assessment

Written exam (4 hours)

The exam will be given in the language in which the course is taught. 
The exam can be submitted in English. It is also possible to submit in Norwegian, Swedish or Danish.

Grading Scale
A-F
Assessment Semester

Assessment in teaching semester.

A resit exam is arranged for students with valid absence according to UiBs study regulations § 5-5.

If a resit exam is arranged, it is available for students with the following results/absences:

  • Medical certificate/valid absence
  • Interrupted exam
  • Fail/Not passed

If you have the right to take a resit exam and a resit exam is arranged for students with valid absence, you can register yourself in StudentWeb after January 15th/August 1st.

Course Evaluation
All courses are evaluated according to UiB's system for quality assurance of education.
Examination Support Material
  • Mathematical Formula Collection of K Sydsæter, A. Strøm and P. Berck or Mathematical Formulas for Economists of B Luderer, V. Nollau and K. Vetters.
  • Simple, non-programmable calculators without graphical display, in accorance with university guidelines.
  • The Department of Economics can conduct a sample of aids in the examination room.