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Course Information
Course Number/Section ECO 5321 Section 501
Course Title Microeconomics Theory for Applications
Term Fall `08
Days & Times TR 5:30-6:45 P.M., GR 3.402
Course Description
This course is a graduate course in microeconomic theory with emphasis on the application of theory to
empirical modeling. It extends and adds to topics covered in a standard intermediate microeconomics course.
It will increase the student’s sophistication in terms of microeconomic theory. The student will be exposed to
formal proofs of theorems because economists with masters’ degrees are typically expected to be able to read
and interpret the academic literature. The student will develop an understanding of how microeconomic
theory guides empirical economic analysis in the various fields of economics. There will be in-depth
consideration of the theories of the household and the firm, utility maximization, profit maximization in
different market structures through classical/neoclassical and game theoretic approaches (which necessitates
an introduction to game theory), and development of formal relationships among various economic
relationships that are important in empirical modeling.
Listed below is a schedule for topics and readings to be covered in class. A date for the mid-term exam is also
noted. This schedule is tentative; we may slow down when necessary or speed up when possible. For this
reason, you need to attend class to know exactly where we are. The date for the mid-term exam is subject to
change; the mid-term exam will be given after we have completed the material indicated in the schedule as
being covered prior to the midterm. If we cover the material sooner, the midterm will be given sooner, and if
we complete the material later, the midterm will be given later. In contrast, and as noted elsewhere, the date
for the final exam is fixed.
Note: Chapters 1 and 2 of Nicholson & Snyder has a discussion of economics models and a review of
optimization techniques. You may want to refer to these chapters from time to time.
1
The date of the midterm is not exact; see the first paragraph of this section. The exam will last one hour and
fifteen minutes.
Grading Policy
The Midterm Exam and Final Exam carry equal weight.
Course Policies
Make-up exams
The student is expected to take the exams in class at the same time as his or her classmates. If the student
does not take an exam with the rest of the class then he or she will be given a different exam from the rest of
the class. The questions are likely to be more difficult, especially when the student has had more time to
study than did his or her classmates.
Extra Credit
There is no extra credit. If you want to make a higher exam then study more diligently than you otherwise
would and attend classes.
Late Work
Late work will not be accepted. See the next subsection below.
Special Assignments
Homework will be assigned in class occasionally, and will be collected at the next class meeting, when I
will hand out answer sheets. Late homework will not be accepted. If you can’t make it to class, give your
homework to someone who will attend. The homework is designed to give you insight and practice. I
strongly encourage and expect you to form study groups to discuss approaches to the problems and to
compare your answers with other students. You will learn a lot by doing so. Because the homework is
intended to be a group effort, homework grades are "acceptable" (10 points), "unacceptable" (5 points), or
"not turned in on time" (0 points). The homework will be "acceptable" if you turn in a good effort in your
own handwriting (for example, don't photocopy your classmate's answer and don't assign a classmate to
write up everyone's answer to one particular question). Because the homework is a group effort,
everyone should be able to earn an "acceptable" if everyone contributes to the effort.
2
The date of the Final Exam is fixed according to University scheduling. Note that, although the
University allows me to use the classroom for two hours, our Final Exam is designed for, and will be
allocated, one hour and fifteen minutes.
The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of recognized and
established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and Regulations, Board of
Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI, Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student
Services and Activities of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and
regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are
available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391).
A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship. He or she
is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules, university regulations, and
administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such
conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such
conduct.
Academic Integrity
The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty. Because the
value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the student for that
degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her
scholastic work.
Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related to applications for
enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work or material that is not one’s
own. As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism,
collusion and/or falsifying academic records. Students suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to
disciplinary proceedings.
Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any other source is
unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on plagiarism (see general catalog for
details). This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible plagiarism
and is over 90% effective.
In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments of
academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to resolve the matter
with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom the grievance originates (hereafter
called “the respondent”). Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and
evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the
respondent with a copy of the respondent’s School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written
response provided by the respondent, the student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the
grievance is not resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a written appeal to the Dean
of Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an Academic Appeals
Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic appeals process
will be distributed to all involved parties.
Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where
staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations.
Disability Services
The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities equal to
those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the Student Union. Office
hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.;
and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an accommodation.
Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty members to verify that the student
has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact
the professor after class or during office hours.
The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible regarding the
absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused, will be allowed to take the
exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the length of
the absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student who notifies the instructor and completes any missed
exam or assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A student who fails to complete the exam or
assignment within the prescribed period may receive a failing grade for that exam or assignment.
If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose of observing a
religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has been given a
reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor
may request a ruling from the chief executive officer of the institution, or his or her designee. The chief
executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student
and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief executive officer or designee.
These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.