Economics 3501 Section 002

Spring 2012

Anderson 2

Intermediate Microeconomic Theory

This is Temple University's undergraduate course in intermediate microeconomic theory. It is designed primarily for economics majors and minors; finance majors; students preparing for actuarial exams; and students going to graduate school in economics, business, and public policy areas. The purpose of the course is to make students competent in the use of the language and tools of modern microeconomics.

The prerequisites are threefold. First, students must have taken Economics 1101, Economics 1102, Statistics 1001, and Statistics 1102 (or the equivalents). Second, they must be fluent in basic algebra and comfortable with abstract argument. We will use some very elementary calculus on occasion. Third, they must be ready to attend class regularly and do several hours of homework each week.

The text is Robert Frank, Microeconomics and Behavior (New York: Irwin McGraw-Hill, 2008, 8th Edition).

Markets are composed of consumers and firms that interact via supply and demand. After an overview of supply and demand we will look closely at consumers and how their purchase decisions are formulated. We will then examine cost and production. The theory of cost will be used to analyze how firms choose output and price under different market structures. The circle will be closed by investigating the firm’s choice of the level of employment.

My phone number, e-mail address, and other vital statistics are posted on the web site for this course: http://isc.temple.edu/economics/password_req/classes.htm

Andrew J. Buck

Department of Economics

buck@temple.edu

215-204-1985