ECON 306: Intermediate Microeconomic Theory

Spring 2005. Section 1101

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Course Objective:

Econ 306 is the intermediate level course in Micro Economics. It is designed to provide the students a more rigorous and advanced exposition to the concepts introduced in Econ 200: Principles of Micro-Economics. 

Emphasis of the course is on understanding and developing conceptual models to explain economic behavior.  These economic models of behavior rely on fundamental economic principles.  Students are expected to prove mastery of these principles by developing an ability to apply them to solve a wide range of economic problems.  Problem solving techniques rely heavily on algebraic and graphical methods.

Pre-requisite:

The pre-requisites for Econ 306 are Econ 200, Econ 201 and Math 220.

References:

·        Required Textbook:

M. L. Katz and H. S. Rosen, Microeconomics, (3rd Ed.), Irwin-McGraw Hill, 1997

Course Outline

Lectures and Discussions:

MW                 10:00am-10:50am                    TYD 1118

F                        9:00am- 9:50am                     TYD 0101 Dis

Lectures will be given twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays. Discussion sections will be held on Fridays. Discussion sections are an important part of the course. We will review   problem sets and discuss any other questions that you may have related to materials covered during the lectures. In addition to the problem sets, practice problem sets and sample questions for the exams and past exams will be reviewed.

Problem Sets (PS):

I will assign eight problem sets during the semester. Your problem set grade will be based on your 7 best problem set grades. The lowest problem set will be dropped from your final grade. Each PS will be worth 10 points. Problem sets will be due on Fridays, the next week they have been announced. Problem sets should be turned in at the beginning of the discussion section. Late problem sets will not be graded. It is your responsibility to ensure that problem sets turned in outside the class reach me.

Problem sets will be graded for fair attempt. You will be not responsible for turning in the practice problem sets and sample questions. However, it is strongly recommended that you solve these questions.

Exams:

Exam questions in this course require an ability to apply the course material to solve problems using graphical and mathematical analysis.  Exam questions are not multiple choice. Final exam will be cumulative.

There will be two mid-term exams and a final exam. Each student is expected to take all the three exams. The exams will be based on:

(1) Assigned material in the Textbook and the Problem Sets 

(2) Material covered in the lectures and during discussion sections

 Exam Schedule:

First Midterm             Wednesday, March 2 during the class

Second Midterm        Wednesday, April 13 during the class

Final Exam                 TBA

Rules for exam

There will be NO Make-up for the Mid Term Exams. In case a student is unable to take the Mid Term Exam due to legitimate reasons for absence (as detailed in the Undergraduate Catalog) and provides documentary evidence in proof of the same, the weight that would have been given to that exam will be added to that used for that student’s Final Exam. Please note that failure to furnish documentary proof for absence in the Mid term Exams will result in the student getting a zero for the missed exam and there would be no transfer of weights to the final exam.

In case a student is unable to take the Final Exam, a Make-up for this exam will be given only if the reason for absence fulfils the criteria of a legitimate reason of absence (as detailed in the Undergraduate Catalog) and documentary proof is submitted in support of it, prior to the scheduled date and time for the Make-up Exam.

 Grading:

Your grade for the course is an arithmetic average of problem sets, two mid-term exams, and a final exam.  The weights for each component are:

  I will post grades on the problem sets and exams at the course webpage from time to time. If you believe that you have not received credit for a problem set you should talk to me immediately. I can not consider claims that you did not received credit for a problem set more than two weeks after grades are posted.

Course Attendance:

You are expected to attend classes regularly.  Attendance will not be checked every class period, however, you have a much better chance of understanding the material if you are in class.  If you are absent when an exam is given or homework is due it will reflect negatively on your grade.

Use of calculators:

Calculators are only recommended, and not required, for this course. In case you do wish to use calculators on exam only simple calculators, like Sharp EL-233GB, are allowed. NO scientific and graphic calculators will be allowed on exam.

Finally…

Please realize that all the rules and stipulations of the University and of the Department of Economics are also applicable to you. This syllabus is not meant to be exhaustive. It is just a set of guidelines to give you an idea of how we would like the course to proceed, and also address some commonly asked questions. Any changes in this syllabus, if made, will be announced in class reasonably in advance.