Syllabus

Title
2209 Applied Microeconomics
Instructors
Dr. Giovanni Andreottola
Type
VUE
Weekly hours
2
Language of instruction
Englisch
Registration
01/25/23 to 01/26/23
Registration via LPIS
Notes to the course
Subject(s) Bachelor Programs
Dates
Day Date Time Room
Monday 01/30/23 02:00 PM - 04:30 PM TC.5.05
Tuesday 01/31/23 09:00 AM - 11:30 AM TC.5.15
Wednesday 02/01/23 09:00 AM - 11:30 AM TC.5.15
Thursday 02/02/23 09:00 AM - 11:30 AM TC.5.15
Monday 02/06/23 02:00 PM - 04:30 PM TC.5.05
Tuesday 02/07/23 09:00 AM - 11:30 AM TC.5.15
Wednesday 02/08/23 09:00 AM - 11:30 AM TC.5.15
Thursday 02/09/23 09:00 AM - 11:30 AM TC.5.15
Thursday 02/16/23 09:00 AM - 11:30 AM TC.1.01 OeNB
Wednesday 03/01/23 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM TC.5.15
Contents

The course is subdivided into four thematic blocks. The first block aims to revise the mathematical tools. The second block deals with the basics of supply and demand. With regard to supply, the focus is on production costs and profit maximization. Demand is related to consumer behavior and utility maximization. The concept of market equilibrium is studied under the assumption of perfect competition. The third block aims to broaden the students’ understanding of the topic by introducing markets with imperfect competition (monopoly, monopsony, and pricing with market power). The fourth and last block is an introduction to game theory, with a discussion of several key economic applications such as oligopoly, public goods, and auctions.

Learning outcomes

Having graduated this course, the students should be able to:

  • Express their opinions with regard to the main topics addressed by microeconomic theory and apply this theory to practical examples;
  • Differentiate between different market forms (perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition and oligopoly) and derive the optimal price and output decisions depending on the market structure;
  • Analyse strategic behaviour in different market situations and evaluate how firm and social outcomes vary with differing market forms;
  • Recognize situations which give rise to market failure and make suggestions with regard to its aversion.

 

This lecture also requires from the students to develop the following abilities:

  • To apply theoretical concepts to practical examples;
  • To use analytical methods for the solution of diverse problem sets (e.g. finding the optimal decision for a given stakeholder using mathematical derivations);
  • To present and explain complex theoretical concepts.

 

 

Attendance requirements

Students are allowed to miss up to one class without any special reason. 

 

Teaching/learning method(s)

The course aims to achieve the aforementioned outcomes through:

  • Interactive presentations (both from the lecturer and the students themselves);
  • Discussions of the topics covered;
  • Solutions of problem sets with numerical examples.
Assessment

Assessment consists in:

- Problem set 1 (10% of the grade)

- Problem set 2 (10%)

- Problem set 3 (10%)

- Participation (15%)

- Final exam taking place during the last session (55%).

Grading policy is standard, i.e.:

60% to 70% = 4

70% to 80% = 3

80% to 90% = 2

90% to 100% = 1

Prerequisites for participation and waiting lists

If you have a valid registration for the lecture, but will not participate, please deregister during the registration period of LPIS. Your place will be available for other students.

During the registration period, free places are filled according to the “first-come, first-served” principle. After the end of the registration period, the number of places is increased and students on the waiting list will be registered for the lecture based on their progress in their studies.

Attendance in the first session is necessary, absence without valid excuse will lead to deregistration! Any remaining places in the classes will be allocated to students attending the first session according to the waiting list. No places will be allocated by email or by phone.

Registration for the lecture cannot be guaranteed. Any student dropping out of the course who has already submitted a gradable task will receive a negative grade.

Readings

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Recommended previous knowledge and skills
  • STEOP
  • Spezielle notwendige Vorkenntnisse finden sich im Mikroökonomie-Teil des Skriptums Stiassny et al., bzw. in den Kapiteln 1-8 des Buchs Mikroökonomie von Pindyck und Rubinfeld
Last edited: 2023-02-15



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