Students
ECON6032 – Intermediate Microeconomics
2021 – Session 1, Fully online/virtual
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Andrea Chareunsy
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MAppEcon
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit will provide the postgraduate student with an analytical and critical understanding of how economic agents (firms, consumers, corporations, governments, families) behave, and how these agents operate in our economy. The unit introduces students to the analysis of the ways in which individuals, businesses and governments behave in contemporary economic settings. Examples of topics covered are consumer behaviour, the behaviour of the firm, its production and cost structure, competition and market structures, monopoly, labour and capital markets, strategic interaction, social outcomes and welfare analysis. These analytical tools are meant to allow students to better understand contemporary global issues. The theory is taught in an applied context. Any basic economic models and accompanying mathematical and other skills required by the unit's material are taught as part of the unit curriculum. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Explain how microeconomic concepts can be applied to a variety of economic problems and issues faced by society.
- ULO2: Critically evaluate the applicability of microeconomic theory to the real world, in order to appreciate the challenges faced by economists.
- ULO3: Select, justify and utilise appropriate microeconomic knowledge to provide solutions to complex economic problems.
- ULO4: Utilise appropriate practices involved in today's essential and contemporary management communication challenges.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Problems | 30% | No | Week 3, 6, and 9 |
| Application | 40% | No | Week 7 and Week 11 |
| Online mid-session test | 30% | No | Week 13 |
Problems
Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 3, 6, and 9
Weighting: 30%
There will be a series of complex problems requiring appropriate solutions that rely on the knowledge and application of theories and concepts.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically evaluate the applicability of microeconomic theory to the real world, in order to appreciate the challenges faced by economists.
- Select, justify and utilise appropriate microeconomic knowledge to provide solutions to complex economic problems.
- Utilise appropriate practices involved in today's essential and contemporary management communication challenges.
Application
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 7 and Week 11
Weighting: 40%
On two occasions throughout the unit, students will be required to produce a written analysis of a real-world issue/phenomenon in which the techniques covered in specified areas of the content are to be applied.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain how microeconomic concepts can be applied to a variety of economic problems and issues faced by society.
- Critically evaluate the applicability of microeconomic theory to the real world, in order to appreciate the challenges faced by economists.
- Select, justify and utilise appropriate microeconomic knowledge to provide solutions to complex economic problems.
- Utilise appropriate practices involved in today's essential and contemporary management communication challenges.
Online mid-session test
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 30%
A written class test that assesses student knowledge of microeconomic concepts and their application for defined areas of the unit content will be held during the session.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain how microeconomic concepts can be applied to a variety of economic problems and issues faced by society.
- Critically evaluate the applicability of microeconomic theory to the real world, in order to appreciate the challenges faced by economists.
- Select, justify and utilise appropriate microeconomic knowledge to provide solutions to complex economic problems.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Delivery
There will be lecture material available on the unit iLearn page prior to each week’s lecture. Students are advised to independently work through the material provided in preparation for the online weekly synchronous class. There will be weekly discussions on applications conducted in class and on the unit discussion Blog. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in class discussions every week to assist in the preparation for the assessment tasks.
Unit iLearn
Material for the unit, including the unit schedule, will be available to students by logging on to the unit web page at http://ilearn.mq.edu.au.
Required Text
Perloff, J (2018), Microeconomics, 8th edition, Global edition, Pearson Education Limited.
Unit Schedule
The Unit Schedule will be available on iLearn in Week 1.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Unit information based on version 2021.04 of the Handbook