Course coordinator
Dr Elcin Tuzel
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2026 (23/02/2026 - 20/06/2026)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Economics School
Life, healthy living, longevity, ageing, death:
why health economics is important - this course will provide descriptive and theoretical aspects and help you to look at health and health care issues through the distinctive lens of an economist, changing forever the way you think about these concepts. The central concern is the behaviour of economic agents (that includes you!) when confronted with scarcity. Choice and opportunity cost are central. This course will focus on demand for and supply of healthcare, health insurance, equity and need, health and labour market, lifestyle behaviours, measurement of health outcomes, health economics ageing and longevity, welfarist and non-welfarist foundations of economic evaluation.
The course “Health Economics” provides the student with an introductory overview to health economics. In this course, students will build on what they have learned in Econ 1010 and will apply this knowledge to address questions in the field of Health Economics.ﾠ
This course covers the application of microeconomic theory/principles to health and the health care market.
Course requirements
Assumed background
The mathematical requirements of this course are modest. Basic arithmetic and an ability to learn, to understand, and manipulate simple graphs are required.
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:
ECON2010
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
ECON7460
Course contact
School enquiries
School 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 toﾠenquiries@economics.uq.edu.au.ﾠ
Enquiries relating specifically to course content should be directed to the Course Coordinator/Lecturer.
Course staff
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Lectures commence in 1.
Tutorials commence in 2.
Please see the Learning Activities section of this Course Profile for the timetabling implications of public holidays.
Important Dates:
· Public Holidays: Fri 3 April (Good Friday), Monday 6 April (Easter Monday), Mon 5 ﾠMay (Labour Day).
· Mid-Semester Break: 6 April- 10ﾠApril. Semester 1 classes recommence on Mon 13 ﾠApril.
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.
Aims and outcomes
This course will enable you to think like a health economist, using microeconomics applied to health and health care, changing forever the way you think about these concepts.ﾠ
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Identify appropriate economic theory related to health and health care across the lifespan.
LO2.
Apply economic theory and microeconomic concepts to analyse health and health care decisions.
LO3.
Evaluate health and health care decisions using economic theory.
LO4.
Communicate analyses of health and health care in non-technical, plain language.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
Online quizzes: Weekly MCQs/Short Questions
|
30% |
Due on Mondays at 11.30 am of the week following the week on which the topic and book chapter were covered. |
| Presentation |
In-Class Presentation
|
30% |
18/05/2026 4:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Essay/ Critique |
Report/Essay on Selected Topics
|
40% |
29/05/2026 4:00 pm |
Assessment details
Online quizzes: Weekly MCQs/Short Questions
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
Due on Mondays at 11.30 am of the week following the week on which the topic and book chapter were covered.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
10 quizzes that are due on Mondays at 11.30 am of the week following the week on which the topic and book chapter were covered.
10 quizzes will cover the following lectures: Lecture 1 - Lecture 8, Lecture 10, Lecture 12
There will not be a quiz on "Economics of bad (Lecture 9)" as following week is a public holiday.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submission of quizzes will be via Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Late submission is not allowed since solutions will be discussed in tutorials.
In-Class Presentation
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
18/05/2026 4:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
In-class group presentations on selected papers in health economics.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Presentations will be recorded and retained for the purpose of marking as per the UQ Assessment Procedure.
Submission guidelines
Instructions and paper lists will be disclosed later.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Report/Essay on Selected Topics
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
29/05/2026 4:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
The precise topics and a detailed marking rubric will be discussed and provided on Blackboard.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use 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 marking of the final assessment.
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.
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
Using AI at UQ
Visit the AI Student Hub for essential information on understanding and using Artificial Intelligence in your studies responsibly.
Plagiarism
The School of Economics is committed to reducing the incidence of plagiarism. You are encouraged to read the UQ Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy available in the Policies and Procedures section of this course profile.
The Academic Integrity Module (AIM) outlines your obligations and responsibilities as a UQ student. It is compulsory for all new to UQ students to complete the AIM.
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
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Other Learning Resources & Information will be provided as topics for Article reviews under assessments. Further details will be given at lectures and tutorials, and will be asterisked on Blackboard.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (23 Feb - 01 Mar) |
Lecture |
Lecture 1 What is health economics? Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 2 (02 Mar - 08 Mar) |
Lecture |
Lecture 2 The demand for health care Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 3 (09 Mar - 15 Mar) |
Lecture |
Lecture 3 The supply of health care Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 4 (16 Mar - 22 Mar) |
Lecture |
Lecture 4 Market failure in health care Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 5 (23 Mar - 29 Mar) |
Lecture |
Lecture 5 Health Insurance and health care financing Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 6 (30 Mar - 05 Apr) |
Lecture |
Lecture 6 Equity in health care Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Mid-sem break (06 Apr - 12 Apr) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
No classes this week |
Week 7 (13 Apr - 19 Apr) |
Lecture |
Lecture 7 Measurement of health outcomes. Guest lecturer. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 8 (20 Apr - 26 Apr) |
Lecture |
Lecture 8 Industrial organization of health care Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 9 (27 Apr - 03 May) |
Lecture |
Lecture 9 Economics of bads Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 10 (04 May - 10 May) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
No classes this week Public holiday-Labor Day. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 11 (11 May - 17 May) |
Lecture |
Lecture 10 Health care labor markets |
Week 12 (18 May - 24 May) |
Lecture |
Lecture 11 In-class presentation Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 13 (25 May - 31 May) |
Lecture |
Lecture 12 Economics of mental health Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
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:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
- AI for Assessment Guide
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.