Lecturer: Margherita Balconi   Roberto Fontana  

Course name: Economics
Course code: 500734
Degree course: Ingegneria Industriale, Ingegneria Informatica, Ingegneria Elettronica e delle Telecomunicazioni
Disciplinary field of science: ING-IND/35
University credits: CFU 6
Course website: http://www-1.unipv.it/webbalco/

Specific course objectives

The course provides students with the basic analytical tools and concepts to understand the determinants of behaviour of economic agents (firms and consumers) within a context of market economy. Basic concepts and models used in economic theory to analyse market forms (perfect competition, monopoly, and oligopoly), to evaluate market efficiency, to understand private and public incentives (in particular through antitrust and regulation) are introduced and explained. Particular attention is devoted to applications and ‘real world’ examples.

Course programme

Topics include the main concepts and models of microeconomics selected among those that are expected to attract particular attention and interest for students of engineering. Some models require knowledge and understanding of derivatives and analytical models.

• Introduction and key concepts
• Consumer choice
• Demand and supply
• Elasticity and applications
• Market efficiency
• Labour market
• Firms’ costs
• Perfect competition
• Monopoly and regulation
• Monopolistic competition
• Introduction to game theory
• Oligopoly and collusion
• Market failures: negative externalities, public goods and commons

Course entry requirements

Basic knowledge of algebra, and derivatives

Course structure and teaching

Lectures (hours/year in lecture theatre): 45
Practical class (hours/year in lecture theatre): 0
Practicals / Workshops (hours/year in lecture theatre): 0

Suggested reading materials

N.G. Mankiw: Principi di Economia. Zanichelli, 2004. Selected Chapters integrated by notes available on line.

Testing and exams

Written exam with open questions on the whole programme at the end of the course. Upon request and only for students who passed the written exam, a verbal examination can be carried out.