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ECO711

Advanced Microeconomic Theory

This course on Advanced Microeconomic Theory provides postgraduate students with an in-depth understanding of microeconomic principles. It covers fundamental quantitative relationships, consumer behavior, equilibrium analysis, production functions, and market structures. Students will explore theories of wage determination, rent, interest, and profit, as well as economic efficiency and equity. The course also examines externalities, social welfare functions, and linear programming, equipping students with analytical tools for economic decision-making and policy analysis.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
156 hours
Maths
Intermediate
Content
Theoretical, case study, problem solving
Practical work
No
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor marked assessments
  • Final examination

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

ECO711 · UNIT 1: FUNDAMENTAL QUANTITATIVE RELATIONSHIPS

The following is a practical strategy for working through the course. If you run into any trouble, consult your tutor. Remember that your tutor's job is to help you. When you need help, don't hesitate to call and ask your tutor to provide it.

What you should be able to do

  1. Discuss the functional relationship amongst variables
  2. Understand the utility analysis
  3. Define concepts as it relates to utility, production and market structures
  4. Understand consumer behavior and the relationship between total Utility and marginal utility
  5. Understand partial, general dynamic, stable, unstable and neutral equilibrium
  6. Be conversant with types of production function, duopolies, bilateral monopoly and monopsony

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Economist
  • Market Analyst
  • Policy Analyst
  • Financial Analyst
  • Consultant
Where it is applied
  • Government Agencies
  • Financial Institutions
  • Consulting Firms
  • Research Organizations
  • International Organizations

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • MODULE 3: THEORIES OF FIRM, DISTRIBUTION AND COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS

    Unit 3: Cost-Benefit Analysis

    The application of cost-benefit analysis in real-world scenarios requires careful consideration of both tangible and intangible factors, as well as potential biases in data collection and valuation.

  • MODULE 4: WELFARE ECONOMICS AND LINEAR PROGRAMMING

    Unit 4: Linear Programming

    The mathematical formulations and optimization techniques in linear programming require a strong foundation in algebra and calculus, which can be challenging for students with limited mathematical backgrounds.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 26 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1MODULE 1: QUANTITATIVE RELATIONSHIPS, CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR AND EQUILIBRIUM ANALYSIS
    • Unit 1: Fundamental Quantitative Relationships · 2 hours

      Review the definition of quantitative relationships.. Study the relationship between quantities and distances.. Practice plotting data on coordinate graphs..

  2. Week 2MODULE 1: QUANTITATIVE RELATIONSHIPS, CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR AND EQUILIBRIUM ANALYSIS
    • Unit 2: Theory of Consumer Behaviour · 2 hours

      Understand the concepts of total, average, and marginal utility.. Analyze the relationship between total utility and marginal utility.. Solve numerical problems related to utility maximization..

  3. Week 3MODULE 1: QUANTITATIVE RELATIONSHIPS, CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR AND EQUILIBRIUM ANALYSIS
    • Unit 3: Equilibrium Analysis · 2 hours

      Differentiate between partial, general, and dynamic equilibrium.. Understand the conditions for equilibrium in different market scenarios.. Analyze the Walrasian system and its algebraic approach..

  4. Week 4MODULE 2: PRODUCTION FUNCTIONS, MARKET STRUCTURES, DETERMINATION OF WAGES, RENT, INTEREST AND PROFIT
    • Unit 1: Production Function, Duopoly and Oligopoly · 2 hours

      Study the different types of production functions.. Understand the concepts of duopoly and oligopoly.. Analyze the Cournot model and its implications..

  5. Week 5MODULE 2: PRODUCTION FUNCTIONS, MARKET STRUCTURES, DETERMINATION OF WAGES, RENT, INTEREST AND PROFIT
    • Unit 2: Bilateral Monopoly and Monopsony · 2 hours

      Define bilateral monopoly and monopsony.. Analyze the effects of these market structures on resource allocation.. Discuss real-world examples of bilateral monopoly and monopsony..

  6. Week 6MODULE 2: PRODUCTION FUNCTIONS, MARKET STRUCTURES, DETERMINATION OF WAGES, RENT, INTEREST AND PROFIT
    • Unit 3: Theories of Determination of Wages, Rent, Interest and Profit · 2 hours

      Explore the theories of wage determination.. Understand the factors influencing rent, interest, and profit.. Discuss the role of supply and demand in factor pricing..

  7. Week 7MODULE 3: THEORIES OF FIRM, DISTRIBUTION AND COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
    • Unit 1: Theory of The Firm · 2 hours

      Study the different theories of the firm.. Understand the concept of profit maximization.. Analyze the criticisms of marginalist theory..

  8. Week 8MODULE 3: THEORIES OF FIRM, DISTRIBUTION AND COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
    • Unit 2: Theory of Distribution · 2 hours

      Explore the theories of distribution.. Understand the concepts of personal and functional distribution.. Analyze the marginal productivity theory of distribution..

  9. Week 9MODULE 3: THEORIES OF FIRM, DISTRIBUTION AND COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
    • Unit 3: Cost-Benefit Analysis · 2 hours

      Define cost-benefit analysis and its applications.. Understand the steps involved in cost-benefit analysis.. Analyze the costs and benefits of pollution control..

  10. Week 10MODULE 4: WELFARE ECONOMICS AND LINEAR PROGRAMMING
    • Unit 1: Social Welfare · 2 hours

      Define social welfare and its criteria.. Understand the concept of social welfare maximization.. Analyze individualistic social welfare functions..

  11. Week 11MODULE 4: WELFARE ECONOMICS AND LINEAR PROGRAMMING
    • Unit 2: Externalities · 2 hours

      Define externalities and their types.. Understand the effects of externalities on allocative efficiency.. Explore solutions to the externality problem..

  12. Week 12MODULE 4: WELFARE ECONOMICS AND LINEAR PROGRAMMING
    • Unit 3: Economic Efficiency and Equity; Social and Private Costs · 2 hours

      Differentiate between economic efficiency and equity.. Understand the concepts of social and private costs.. Analyze the relationship between externalities and social welfare..

  13. Week 13MODULE 4: WELFARE ECONOMICS AND LINEAR PROGRAMMING
    • Unit 4: Linear Programming · 2 hours

      Define linear programming and its applications.. Understand the assumptions of linear programming.. Solve linear programming problems using graphical and simplex methods..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Review all key definitions and concepts from each unit.
  • Practice solving numerical problems related to utility, production, and equilibrium.
  • Create diagrams and graphs to illustrate economic theories and models.
  • Focus on understanding the assumptions and limitations of each theory.
  • Work through the tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and self-assessment exercises.
  • Allocate sufficient time for revision and practice before the final examination.

Questions students ask about this course

What is ECO711 about?

This course on Advanced Microeconomic Theory provides postgraduate students with an in-depth understanding of microeconomic principles. It covers fundamental quantitative relationships, consumer behavior, equilibrium analysis, production functions, and market structures. Students will explore theories of wage determination, rent, interest, and profit, as well as economic efficiency and equity. The course also examines externalities, social welfare functions, and linear programming, equipping students with analytical tools for economic decision-making and policy analysis.

How many units does ECO711 have?

ECO711, Advanced Microeconomic Theory, has 13 units across 4 modules, over 183 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is ECO711?

ECO711 carries 3 credit units, at 700 level in Social Sciences.

Is ECO711 hard?

ECO711 is rated intermediate level, with intermediate mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, case study and problem solving work.

How long does ECO711 take to study?

About 156 hours of study, spread across its 13 units.

How is ECO711 assessed?

ECO711 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.

What can I do with ECO711?

Economist, Market Analyst, Policy Analyst, Financial Analyst and Consultant.

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