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ECO 3101 Intermediate Microeconomics Spring 2006 Peter Thompson
Tues, Thurs, 09:30-1045 Room GL 149 |
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Better late than never (almost), here are the answers to some of the review problems. Note that not all answers are correct, which I claim is a clever new teaching strategy. |
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The first problem set is available here. You should do questions 1 and 2 now, to make sure today's material is fixed in your mind. The remaining questions you will be able to do after the next two classes. I will not normally be posting lecture notes because we will be following the text. However the calculus material can be downloaded here. Please note this file now contains all my calculus notes. |
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This course will cover the fundamental concepts of microeconomics. A wide range of topics will be covered with an emphasis on conceptual and fundamental understanding. The ideas that we cover in this course will form the backbone of virtually all the courses in economics you will need to take before you graduate. Thus, this course is hard work, and you may not find it all entertaining. |
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Although intuition will be emphasized, concepts will be presented with the necessary level of mathematical formality. As such, some calculus will be used. Students will be expected to be able to differentiate (this will be covered in class). Further, it will be assumed that students are proficient in algebra and arithmetic. If your algebra skills are weak, you will likely find this course extremely difficult. If you are concerned about your math preparation, please talk to me. |
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Principles of microeconomics is a prerequisite for this class. If you have forgotten what you studied in Principles, take the time now to look over your notes again. |
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Text and Syllabus The required text is Varian, Hal R.: Intermediate Microeconomics. A Modern Approach. New York: W.W. Norton and Company. We will follow the structure of the book quite closely. I will add material, omit certain chapters, and so on. This is why you have to make your mind up about. . . . |
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Attendance I do not have any attendance policy. But if you do not attend class regularly, you will not know what chapters we cover; you will miss examples that are not in the text and that might reappear on the exam; you will not know which problem sets are due when; you will miss some great jokes (not really); and you will generally be treated as a second-class citizen. |
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Office Hours I am usually in my office by 8:00am, and do not leave until after 6pm, Monday through Friday. When I am there, my door is always open and you should feel free to see me any time. One rule: come prepared; I don't have much patience for sitting at my desk while someone is rifling through the book trying to remember what they want to ask. |
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Problem Sets Most week, problems sets will be handed out in class on Thursday. They are due back at the beginning of class the following Tuesday. |
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Exams There will be two mid-terms and one final. The mid term exams will be on Thursday February 16 and Thursday March 16. The final exam will be held in its assigned time during exam week. |
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Grades Grades are derived from (i) problem sets (25%); (ii) midterms (20% each); (iii) final (35%). |