Course coordinator
Associate Professor Jeffrey Kline
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Economics School
This course delivers the fundamental building blocks of microeconomic theory essential for conducting research in the various fields of economics. The course covers individual decision-making including consumption and production decisions as well as market interaction. It explores competitive and non-competitive markets and the basic foundation for information economics.
Course requirements
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
ECON6010
Restrictions
Enrolment restricted to students in the BEcon(Hons), BAdvFinEcon(Hons), BA(Hons - Economics)
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 Course Coordinator/Lecturer.
Course staff
Lecturer
Associate Professor Jeffrey Kline
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Lectures and tutorials commence in Week 1
Please see the Learning Activities section of this Course Profile for the timetabling implications of public holidays.
Important Dates:
· Public Holidays: Fri 18 April (Good Friday), Mon 5 May (Labour Day).
· Mid-Semester Break: 21ﾠApril - 25ﾠApril. Semester 1 classes recommence on Mon 28 April.
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 aims to equip students with a solid understanding of microeconomic theory and how it fits into the broader picture of economics and quality research. Students who complete this course should have a foundational understanding of the key components of microeconomic theory and the basic techniques for microeconomic modelling and analysis.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Apply the preference model of economic behavior to various situations including consumer and producer behavior in market economies.
LO2.
Model various market situations and derive analytic results from a set of assumptions.
LO3.
Apply and derive standard results based on the competitive and general equilibrium models of economic interaction.
LO4.
Conduct welfare analyses and prescribe potential improvements when welfare is determined to be sub-optimal.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation |
Tutorial Presentations
|
10% |
Week 2 - 7/03/2025 1:00 pm Week 3 - 14/03/2025 1:00 pm Week 4 - 21/03/2025 1:00 pm Week 5 - 28/03/2025 1:00 pm Week 7 - 11/04/2025 1:00 pm Week 8 - Day and Time TBA 14/04/2025 Week 9 - 2/05/2025 1:00 pm Week 11 - 16/05/2025 1:00 pm Week 12 - 23/05/2025 1:00 pm Week 13 - 30/05/2025 1:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Review of Research Article | 15% |
21/03/2025 1:15 pm |
| Examination |
In-Semester Exam
|
30% |
31/03/2025 12:00 pm |
| Examination | Final Exam | 45% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
Assessment details
Tutorial Presentations
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
Week 2 - 7/03/2025 1:00 pm
Week 3 - 14/03/2025 1:00 pm
Week 4 - 21/03/2025 1:00 pm
Week 5 - 28/03/2025 1:00 pm
Week 7 - 11/04/2025 1:00 pm
Week 8 - Day and Time TBA 14/04/2025
Week 9 - 2/05/2025 1:00 pm
Week 11 - 16/05/2025 1:00 pm
Week 12 - 23/05/2025 1:00 pm
Week 13 - 30/05/2025 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Students will present a solution to a tutorial question in the tutorial from week 2 to the end of the semester. Dates and times determined in the first week.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
No submission
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Maximum of 7 calendar days
Review of Research Article
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
21/03/2025 1:15 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03, L04
Task description
Students will choose a research article of interest and write a one page review of the article including 3 main parts:
i) the research topic of the article and how it fits into the literature
ii) the main contribution of the article
ii) suggestions on potential further research arising from the reader's thoughts after reading the article
Equal weight is given in marking to each section.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit to blackboard turnitin site
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.
Late submission
A penalty of 1 grade for each 24 hour period from time submission is due will apply for up to 7 days. After 7 days you will receive a mark of 0.
In-Semester Exam
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
31/03/2025 12:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
- The In-Semester Exam will be held in the lecture room and is a closed-book examination. a
- The date is 31 March 2025 from 12 noon to 2pm (60minutes)
- The exam format is short answer and problem solving questions.
- The exam is 60 minutes with 5 minutes reading time.
- This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 5 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 60 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.
Final Exam
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 45%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
The final exam will be held during the examination period. Important reminders and notices will be posted on Blackboard.
The exam will be organized centrally.
It will cover all material from the course.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and 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) | 95 - 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.
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.
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 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Lecture |
Lecture 1: Consumer Theory Intro Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 1 Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Lecture |
Lecture 2: Preferences and Utility Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 2 Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Lecture |
Lecture 3: Quasi-concavity and Utility max Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 3 Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Lecture |
Lecture 4: Demand and Consumer Welfare Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 4 Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Lecture |
Lecture 5: Uncertainty Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 5 Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Lecture |
Mid-semester Exam Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Lecture |
Lecture 6: Producer Theory Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 6 Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
Lecture |
Lecture 7: Competitive Firms Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 7 Friday 18 April is Good Friday public holiday. The Friday tutorial will be rescheduled for this week only. The new date and time will be posted on Blackboard. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Lecture |
Lecture 8: Perfect Competition and Monopoly Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 8 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 10 (05 May - 11 May) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
NO LECTURE and TUTORIAL Monday 5 May is Labour Day Public holiday therefore the Monday lecture and the Friday tutorial will not run. |
Week 11 (12 May - 18 May) |
Lecture |
Lecture 9: Oligopoly Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 9 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Lecture |
Lecture 10: General Equilibrium Theory Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 10 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
Lecture |
Lecture 11: Welfare and Revision Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 11 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Additional learning activity information
Tutorials commence in Week 1
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
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.