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Course profile

Mathematical Economics (ECON2050)

Study period
Sem 2 2024
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
Study level
Undergraduate
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Economics School

This course begins extending elementary calculus concepts from ECON1050 to the analysis of functions of several variables. Then it covers convex multivariate optimisation. This is followed by further analysis on constrained optimisation. Finally, it provides essential elements of dynamic optimisation in discrete time. Applications include consumer problems, cost minimisation, and dynamic programming for dynamic economies.

This course is a first course in nonlinear optimization in economics, and introduces students to the corresponding mathematical results. It starts with classical optimization notions from calculus and proceeds to a study of convex functions. It deals with unconstrained and constrained optimization using Kuhn-Tucker conditions. Geometric intuition is developed.ᅠ

Course requirements

Assumed background

Students are expected to have successfully completed ECON1050 or approved equivalent.

Before attempting this course, you are advised that it is important to complete the appropriate prerequisite course(s) listed on the front of this course profile. No responsibility will be accepted by UQ School of Economics, the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law or The University of Queensland for poor student performance occurring in courses where the appropriate prerequisite(s) has/have not been completed, for any reason whatsoever.

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

ECON1050 or MATH1051 or MATH1071

Course contact

School enquiries

Student Enquiries, School of Economics

All enquiries regarding student and academic administration (i.e. non-course content information, e.g., class allocation, timetables, extension to assessment due date, etc.) should be directed to enquiries@economics.uq.edu.au.

Enquiries relating specifically to course content should be directed to the econ2050@uq.edu.au.

Course staff

Lecturer

Professor Claudio Mezzetti

Tutor

Mr Ramazan Bora
Mr Harley Blackwood

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Tutorial Preferencing: Please refer to My Timetable (available via your my.UQ dashboard) for more information on the tutorial preferencing and allocation process. Tutorials will begin in Week 2 and students should attend one tutorial each week.ᅠ

Please note that during In-Semester Break (23-29 September 2024) we have no lectures of tutorials. The same applies for the Ekka holiday, week starting on Monday 12th of August.

The timetable is published through the UQ Public Timetable found in the APPs section of myUQ. Students should refer to the timetable prior to the commencement of classes to ensure that they have the most up to date information, as from time to time late room changes may occur.

Public Holidays: Wed 14 August (Royal Queensland Show), Mon 7 October (King's Birthday).

In-Semester Break: 23 - 29 September. Semester 2 classes recommence Mon 30 September. ᅠ

Aims and outcomes

This course aims to introduce students to nonlinear optimisation in several variables in economics; starting with classical notions from calculus and proceeding to a study of convex functions. It covers unconstrained optimisation problems, and constrained optimisation problems using the Kuhn-Tucker conditions. It concludes with a brief introduction to dynamic programming in discrete time. The course aspires to be rigorous (at the level of the prescribed textbook)ᅠ and to emphasizeᅠ the development of geometric intuition.ᅠ

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Demonstrate a clear understanding of basic topological concepts in Euclidean spaces.

LO2.

Apply key concepts from the calculus of several variables such as directional and total derivatives.

LO3.

Identify solutions of some unconstrained optimization problems.

LO4.

Identify solutions of some problems of constrained optimization with equality and with inequality contraints.

LO5.

Apply constrained and unconstrained optimization techniques to various economic questions.

LO6.

Apply dynamic programming in discrete time settings.

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Tutorial/ Problem Set Assignment 1 16%

30/08/2024 5:00 pm

Tutorial/ Problem Set Assignment 2 16%

20/09/2024 5:00 pm

Tutorial/ Problem Set Assignment 3 16%

25/10/2024 5:00 pm

Examination Final exam
  • In-person
52%

End of Semester Exam Period

2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024

Assessment details

Assignment 1

Mode
Written
Category
Tutorial/ Problem Set
Weight
16%
Due date

30/08/2024 5:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02

Task description

Assignment 1 comprises take-home problems on the content discussed in Lectures and Tutorials 1 - 4.

Incomplete answers may be awarded partial credit, provided that a substantial part of the problem is solved. This is decided by the course coordinator.

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

The assignment must be submitted electronically. Instuctions will be provided.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Extensions are limited to 7 calendar days to ensure timely feedback to other students.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Assignment 2

Mode
Written
Category
Tutorial/ Problem Set
Weight
16%
Due date

20/09/2024 5:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Assignment 2 comprises take-home problems on the content discussed in Lectures and Tutorials 5 - 7.

Incomplete answers may be awarded partial credit, provided that a substantial part of the problem is solved. This is decided by the course coordinator.

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Extensions are limited to 7 calendar days to ensure timely feedback to other students.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Assignment 3

Mode
Written
Category
Tutorial/ Problem Set
Weight
16%
Due date

25/10/2024 5:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

Assignment 3 comprises take-home problems on the content discussed in Lectures and Tutorials 8 - 10.

Incomplete answers may be awarded partial credit, provided that a substantial part of the problem is solved. This is decided by the course coordinator.

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

The assignment must be submitted electronically. Instructions will be provided.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Extensions are limited to 7 calendar days to ensure timely feedback to other students.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Final exam

  • In-person
Mode
Written
Category
Examination
Weight
52%
Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

The final exam will:

  • Consist of problem-solving and/or short-answer questions with a style similar to those in the tutorials and problem sets.
  • Be Centrally Timetabled.
  • Have further details about the exam posted on the course Blackboard site during the semester.

This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of Generative AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Exam details

Planning time 10 minutes
Duration 120 minutes
Calculator options

(In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator

Open/closed book Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted
Exam platform Paper based
Invigilation

Invigilated in person

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Grade Cut off Percent Description
1 (Low Fail) 0% - 29%

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

2 (Fail) 30% - 46%

Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

3 (Marginal Fail) 47% - 49%

Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes

4 (Pass) 50% - 64%

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

5 (Credit) 65% - 74%

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.

6 (Distinction) 75% - 84%

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.

7 (High Distinction) 85% - 100%

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Additional course grading information

A student's final overall end of semester percentage mark will be rounded to determine their final grade. For example, 64.5% rounds to 65%, while 64.4% rounds to 64%.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

Plagiarism

The School of Economics is committed to reducing the incidence of plagiarism. Further information on plagiarism and how to avoid an allegation of plagiarism is available in this course profile under Policies & Guidelines. Please refer to the Academic Integrity Module (AIM). It is strongly recommended that you complete the AIMᅠif you have not already done so.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

Additional material such as lecture slides and tutorial exercises will be posted on Blackboard.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

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Learning period Activity type Topic
Week 1

(22 Jul - 28 Jul)

Lecture

Lecture 1: Calculus of Several Variables, Part 1

Learning outcomes: L01

Week 2

(29 Jul - 04 Aug)

Lecture

Lecture 2: Calculus of Several Variables, Part 2

Learning outcomes: L01

Tutorial

Tutorial 1: Calculus of Several Variables, Part 1

Learning outcomes: L01

Week 3

(05 Aug - 11 Aug)

Lecture

Lecture 3: Calculus of Several Variables, Part 3

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Tutorial

Tutorial 2: Calculus of Several Variables, Part 2

Learning outcomes: L01

Week 4

(12 Aug - 18 Aug)

No student involvement (Breaks, information)

Wednesday 14/08/2024 Royal QLD Show Public Holiday

No lectures or tutorials this week.

Week 5

(19 Aug - 25 Aug)

Lecture

Lecture 4: Calculus of Several Variables, Part 4

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Tutorial

Tutorial 3: Calculus of Several Variables, Part 3

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Week 6

(26 Aug - 01 Sep)

Lecture

Lecture 5: Unconstrained optimization, Part 1

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05

Tutorial

Tutorial 4: Calculus of Several Variables, Part 4

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Week 7

(02 Sep - 08 Sep)

Lecture

Lecture 6: Unconstrained optimization, Part 2

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05

Tutorial

Tutorial 5: Unconstrained optimization, Part 1

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05

Week 8

(09 Sep - 15 Sep)

Lecture

Lecture 7: Unconstrained Optimization, Part 3

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Tutorial

Tutorial 6: Unconstrained Optimization, Part 2

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05

Week 9

(16 Sep - 22 Sep)

Lecture

Lecture 8: Constrained Optimization, Part 1

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Tutorial

Tutorial 7:: Unconstrained Optimization, Part 3

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Mid Sem break

(23 Sep - 29 Sep)

No student involvement (Breaks, information)

Mid Sem break

No lectures and no tutorials this week.

Week 10

(30 Sep - 06 Oct)

Lecture

Lecture 9: Constrained Optimization, Part 2

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Tutorial

Tutorial 8: Constrained Optimization, Part 1

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Week 11

(07 Oct - 13 Oct)

Lecture

Lecture 10: Constrained Optimization, Part 3

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Tutorial

Tutorial 9: Constrained Optimization, Part 2

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Week 12

(14 Oct - 20 Oct)

Lecture

Lecture 11: Dynamic Programming

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Tutorial

Tutorial 10: Constrained Optimization, Part 3

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Week 13

(21 Oct - 27 Oct)

Lecture

Lecture 12: Review

Tutorial

Tutorial 11: Dynamic Programming

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.