Students

ECON7012 – Applied Topics in Microeconomics

2021 – Session 1, Special circumstances

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

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Jordi McKenzie
jordi.mckenzie@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit provides an introduction to modern applied microeconomics. The unit reviews some of the most important and interesting models of microeconomic theory and considers their application to the real world. This is achieved by careful analysis of a selection of recent scholarly publications using modern techniques employed by applied researchers. The primary objective of the unit is to connect a number of the foundation theories taught in microeconomics with sound empirical approaches. After completion of the unit, students will have the ability to both perform and evaluate applications of economic theory to a range of business, policy and regulatory situations.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://students.mq.edu.au/important-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Evaluate how a knowledge and understanding of theories and applications of microeconomics are utilised by academic scholars.
  • ULO2: Use critical thinking and problem solving ability to apply microeconomic theory to real life economic problems.
  • ULO3: Apply analytical skills in the synthesis and interpretation of applied research in microeconomics.
  • ULO4: Communicate a knowledge of microeconomic theories and their applications to both academic and non-academic audiences, to an academic standard of written work.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Class tests online 50% No Week 5 and Week 10
Final Report 40% No Tuesday, 8 June
Class participation 10% No Continuous

Class tests online

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 5 and Week 10
Weighting: 50%

 

There will be two 120 minute online class tests, in weeks 5 and 10. The first test will cover the papers studied in weeks 1-4; the second test will cover the papers studied in weeks 6-9. Each class test is worth 25% of the final grade in this unit.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate how a knowledge and understanding of theories and applications of microeconomics are utilised by academic scholars.
  • Use critical thinking and problem solving ability to apply microeconomic theory to real life economic problems.
  • Apply analytical skills in the synthesis and interpretation of applied research in microeconomics.

Final Report

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: Tuesday, 8 June
Weighting: 40%

 

The report will summarise and critique an applied research paper from an academic journal that has been approved as suitable by the Unit Convenor. The report will be no more than 2,500 words and will be submitted electronically via Turnitin. Students should have selected and had the research paper approved by the end of Week 7.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate how a knowledge and understanding of theories and applications of microeconomics are utilised by academic scholars.
  • Use critical thinking and problem solving ability to apply microeconomic theory to real life economic problems.
  • Apply analytical skills in the synthesis and interpretation of applied research in microeconomics.
  • Communicate a knowledge of microeconomic theories and their applications to both academic and non-academic audiences, to an academic standard of written work.

Class participation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Continuous
Weighting: 10%

 

In weeks 1-4 and 6-9, there will be a two-hour Zoom meeting each week to discuss questions dealing with key aspects of the papers covered in the respective week's lecture. This is an extremely important part of the learning process in this unit. Students will have opportunities to demonstrate participation in both small and large group discussions. To be eligible to receive full marks for this assessment, students must demonstrate active participation in at least six of the eight weeks, and also participate in the assessment of student presentations in weeks 12 and 13.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate how a knowledge and understanding of theories and applications of microeconomics are utilised by academic scholars.

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 Learning Skills Unit 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

Each week one or two academic papers will be presented and discussed. All papers are available on iLearn via Leganto. You should read the assigned paper(s) before each class. Lecture recordings and presentation slides will be available on iLearn by 5pm each Friday for the following week's class.  You should review the lecture material prior to the weekly Zoom meeting that will take place from 6-8pm each Tuesday where the discussion will focus on the set of review questions outlined in the lecture slides.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

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 Enquiry Service

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

Equity 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.

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.