Students

ECON8012 – Applied Topics in Microeconomics

2024 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

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
ECON632 or ECON6032 or ECON6049 or ECON6050 or ECON8091
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit refers to the subdisciplines of economics that employ theoretical and/or empirical techniques to understand inherently microeconomic phenomena. The unit examines how applied researchers use their tools to investigate a variety of contemporary economic questions. It focuses primarily on: the development and understanding of the research question(s); the relationship between economic theory and the design of empirical frameworks, and the interpretation of results and the implications for theory and/or policy outcomes, as opposed to technical aspects of the econometric methods involved. The unit is nonetheless suitable for students with limited (or no) prior econometric knowledge.

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: Evaluate how a knowledge and understanding of theories and applications of microeconomics are utilised by academic scholars.
  • ULO2: Use critical thinking and problem-solving abilities 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 a professional standard of written work and presentation skills.

General Assessment Information

Late Assessment Submission Penalty (written assessments) 

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55 pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern. 

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration. 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Class tests 60% No Weeks 4, 8, 12
Class participation 10% No Continuous
Final Report 20% No Week 13
Presentation 10% No Week 13

Class tests

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Weeks 4, 8, 12
Weighting: 60%

 

There will be three 60-minute class tests, in weeks 4, 8 and 12. The first test will cover the papers studied in weeks 1-3; the second test will cover the papers studied in weeks 5-7; and the third test will cover papers studies in weeks 9-11. Each class test is worth 20% 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 abilities to apply microeconomic theory to real-life economic problems.
  • Apply analytical skills in the synthesis and interpretation of applied research in microeconomics.

Class participation

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

 

Each week during the live lecture, the class will be divided into groups to discuss questions dealing with key aspects of the paper(s) presented that week. 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 class participation, students must demonstrate active participation in at least seven of the nine weeks where live lectures are held. Students will also be expected to participate in the assessment of other students' presentations in week 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.

Final Report

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 28 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 20%

 

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 2,000 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 abilities 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 a professional standard of written work and presentation skills.

Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 10%

 

Students will be required to submit a 10 minute presentation in week 13. Presentations will summarise and critique an applied research paper from an academic journal that has been approved as suitable by the Unit Convenor (this will be the same paper as discussed in the Final Report). Students should have selected and had the 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 abilities 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 a professional standard of written work and presentation skills.

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

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://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

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 2024.02 of the Handbook