NBS8251 : Microeconomic Theory
NBS8251 : Microeconomic Theory
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Melanie Parravano Baro
- Owning School: Newcastle University Business School
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
N/A
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
None
Aims
To familiarise students with the key concepts of microeconomics.
To develop students' problem solving skills using economic theory.
To enable students to understand better how economic theory can be used to understand problems in finance.
At the end of the module students should understand the principle of utility maximisation; they should be able to solve utility maximising problems in a wide variety of contexts, notably involving saving and risk bearing.
Outline Of Syllabus
1. Preferences and utility: the preference relation, the axioms of consumer preferences, marginal and cardinal utility, the marginal rate of substitution.
2. Choice and demand: the budget constraint, the consumer's utility maximisation problem, the income expansion path, the demand function.
3. General properties of the demand function: invariance with respect to monotonic transformations of the utility function, homogeneity in prices and income, income and substitution effects, the Slutzky equation.
4. Labour supply: the choice between consumption and leisure, endowments and the budget constraint, utility maximisation, the effects of a change in the wage rate, the labour supply curve, overtime payments, income taxation and the supply of labour.
5. Inter-temporal choice, borrowing and lending: the inter-temporal budget constraint, present and future value, the optimal lifetime consumption plan, the effects of a change in the interest rate, providing for pensions.
6. Expected utility analysis: risk versus uncertainty, expected value, expected utility theory, the utility of wealth function, fair prospects, risk preferences, certainty equivalence and the risk premium, the purchase of insurance, risk aversion and the shape of the indifference map.
7. Risk aversion, risk bearing and the optimal insurance decision: the budget constraint with insurance, the effect of a change in the insurance premium, the optimal purchase of insurance, the question of full insurance.
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
To develop an understanding of the major principles and theories of modern microeconomics
To develop an appreciation of why an understanding of microeconomic theory is important in understanding problems in finance
To be able to apply economic reasoning to key problems in finance
Intended Skill Outcomes
To develop analytical and problem solving skills in the fields of economics and finance
To strengthen students' general ability in logical reasoning
To enhance and strengthen students' ability to apply mathematical reasoning to problems in economics and finance
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 7 | 2:00 | 14:00 | PiP. If not possible, use the timetabled slot to release non-sync alternatives to the PiP |
Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 30:00 | 30:00 | N/A |
Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 24:00 | 24:00 | N/A |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | PiP Seminars. If PiP not possible, online synchronous at timetabled slots + non-sync brief |
Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 28:00 | 28:00 | N/A |
Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
• Lectures provide the basic structure of the methods and theories that are introduced and an overview of the current issues.
• Seminars provide an opportunity to enhance understanding of the theoretical aspects of the module.
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written Examination | 90 | 1 | A | 100 | If regular invigilated exam not possible, then 24 hours take-home exam will be implemented. |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
---|---|---|---|
Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | Seminar questions provided |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Written exams test the understanding of microeconomic principles, and the logical thinking that this requires.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NBS8251's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- NBS8251's past Exam Papers
General Notes
N/A
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Disclaimer
The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.
In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.
Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.