Syllabus

NA0176 Microeconomics II - Business and Society, 15.0 Credits

Subjects

Education cycle

Advanced study in the main field

Grading scale

Language

Prior knowledge

Objectives

The course provides a thorough understanding of microeconomic theory and how the theory can be used to analyse strategic aspects from a firm perspective as well as to analyse markets from a societal perspective.

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Apply microeconomic theory to solve economic problems.

• Formulate and mathematically solve economic optimisation problems.

• Mathematically derive central economic relations and concepts.

• Apply consumption theory to analyse consumer behaviour and demand.

• Apply production and cost theory to formulate and analyse producers’ optimization problems and understand the link between the costs and the supply of firms.

• Analyse investment and financing decisions of the firm.

• Analyse pricing strategies of firms and how these affect the market.

• Apply microeconomic theory and mathematical methods to analyse equilibria and welfare effects in different types of markets.

• Apply microeconomic theory and mathematical methods to analyse how different agents are affected by public policies.

• Apply game theory to analyse the strategic behaviour of firms.

Content

The course provides a thorough knowledge in microeconomic theory and how the theory can be used to analyse strategic aspects of firm behaviour and as well as to analyse markets from a societal perspective. Besides knowledge in economic theory it is during the course emphasised that the student should learn how to derive central economic relations and concepts as well as being able to solve economic problems mathematically.

The course starts with an extended review of consumer behaviour, optimal choice, and market demand. After this, we discuss the optimization problems of firms including optimal production decision and the link between costs and supply. Then we discuss the investment and financing decisions of firms which is followed by a discussion of alternative pricing strategies. Finally, we analyse market equilibria and welfare effects given different market structures and how different agents are affected by public policies. The course content is presented and discussed in a series of scheduled lectures and exercises.

Grading form

Formats and requirements for examination

Examination will be based on written exam and assignments.

Requirements for a passing grade: passed exam and passed assignments.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
• For the examination of a degree project (independent project), the examiner may also allow the student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.