Microeconomics
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
The course aims to introduce students to the basics of microeconomics. In its first part the course will present the functioning of the market as the interaction of demand and supply stemming from the optimization choices of rational consumers and producers. The second part of the course will introduce the characterizing features of major market typologies: perfect competition, monopoly, and different form of oligopoly. The basics of market failures will be also discussed.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course students will be endowed with the basic theoretical and applied/quantitative toolkit for the economic analysis of producer, consumer and policy decision maker's choices, the market functioning and its regulation. Furthermore, students will be able to autonomously apply this knowledge to the economic interpretation of many facts characterizing everyday experience such as: price and quantity strategies by firms, taxation, congestion of public transportation. Finally, students will develop the capacity to examine critically economic policy decisions through a more in depth classroom discussion on selected topics such as: efficiency vs equity, market failures, the limits of public intervention.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Teaching activities will be carried out primarily in person. The lessons will be live-streamed and recorded only if the Academic Board decides to renew this provision.
Written exams will be carried out in person. Written exams will be organised remotely only for the students who declare, using the dedicated self-certification form, to be unable to take the exam in person for reasons related to the pandemic.
Written exams will be carried out in person. Written exams will be organised remotely only for the students who declare, using the dedicated self-certification form, to be unable to take the exam in person for reasons related to the pandemic.
Course syllabus
Teachings will introduce students to the main issues of microeconomic analysis. The first part of the lectures will introduce market exchanges, consumers' and producers' choices as originated by rational and maximizing agents. The second part of the lectures will describe the interactions between demand and supply occurring in different market typologies: perfect competition, monopoly and different forms of oligopoly. Some basics on market failures will be mentioned. The last part of the course will entail a brief introduction to macroeconomics.
Prerequisites for admission
None. However, a good knowledge of mathematics is required, in particular the use of derivatives.
Teaching methods
Theoretical lectures: 64 hours. TA: 16 hours. Additional exercises will be discussed during the theoretical lessons.
Teaching Resources
H. R. Varian, Microeconomia, Cafoscarina Editrice (all editions).
R. Dornbusch, S. Fischer, R. Startz, G. Canullo, P. Pettenati - Macroeconomia (12th edition, earlier editions are also fine).
Additional material will be uploaded on Ariel.
R. Dornbusch, S. Fischer, R. Startz, G. Canullo, P. Pettenati - Macroeconomia (12th edition, earlier editions are also fine).
Additional material will be uploaded on Ariel.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written exam composed of three exercises. The first exercise is mainly theoretical, with multiple-choice questions and open-ended questions. The other two exercises are mainly numerical. Each exercise contributes 1/3 of the final mark. Exam duration: 90 minutes.
SECS-P/01 - ECONOMICS - University credits: 9
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 64 hours
Lessons: 64 hours
Professors:
Bosco Davide, De Marchi Elisa, Gobbi Alessandro Pietro
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Via G. Celoria 2, Dep. Environmental Science and Policy (third floor)