Microeconomics

A.Y. 2023/2024
9
Max ECTS
80
Overall hours
SSD
SECS-P/01
Language
Italian
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.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course will introduce students to the main issues of microeconomic analysis. The first part of the lectures will cover market exchanges, consumer and producer choices as they arise from 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 various forms of oligopoly. Some fundamentals of market failures will be discussed. The final part of the course will include a brief introduction to macroeconomics. A more detailed version of the program, complete with references to specific book chapters, will be accessible through Ariel.
Prerequisites for admission
The course requires a solid understanding of the fundamental mathematical tools covered in the "Mathematics" course from the first year, with a specific focus on the application of derivatives.
Teaching methods
Theoretical lectures: 64 hours. Tutorials: 16 hours. Additional exercises will be covered in the context of the theoretical lessons. Attending classes and tutorials is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
H. R. Varian, Microeconomia, Cafoscarina Editrice (all editions are OK).
Additional material (slides and numerical exercises) will be uploaded on Ariel.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written test lasting 90 minutes and consisting of three exercises. The first exercise is predominantly theoretical, comprising multiple-choice and open-ended questions, while the remaining two exercises are primarily numerical. Each exercise is worth 11 points, resulting in a total of 33 points.
Alternatively, the exam can be approached through two written tests: an intermediate test in mid-November and a final test at the end of January. Each test lasts 60 minutes and consists of two exercises. The first exercise is primarily theoretical, with multiple-choice and open-ended questions, while the second exercise is mainly numerical. Each exercise is worth 11 points, amounting to a total of 44 points that will be converted to 33 points.
The final grade is measured on a 30-point scale. A score of 31 or higher equates to a cum laude grade of 30.
There is no oral examination. The assessment methods are the same for both attending and non-attending students.
SECS-P/01 - ECONOMICS - University credits: 9
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 64 hours
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Via G. Celoria 2, Dep. Environmental Science and Policy (third floor)