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Microeconomics

Code: 102119
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Accounting and Finances FB 2
Business and Information Technology OB 2

Contact lecturer

Name :
Amedeo Piolatto
Email :
amedeo.piolatto@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Javier Fernandez Blanco

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

It is recommended to have passed the subjects: 
Introduction to Economics 
Mathematics I 
Mathematics II

Objectives

The objective of the subject is to understand the basic concepts and tools of microeconomic analysis and become able to apply them to real world cases, such as the introduction of taxes, 
the consequences of the lack of competition between companies, the effects of price regulation, or the effects of redistributing the initial endowments.
The following topics are discussed, among others: 
Consumer Theory 
Preferences and Utility 
Consumption and Demand 
Theory of Production 
Markets (competitive and monopolistic) 
Equilibrium with and without government intervention 
Welfare analysis

Learning outcomes

Accounting and Finances
  • CM15 (Identify the social, economic, technological and environmental implications of academic-professional activities in the field of knowledge.) Identify the social, economic, technological and environmental implications of academic-professional activities in the field of knowledge.
  • KM08 (Describe earnings from trade and exchange.) Describe earnings from trade and exchange.
  • KM09 (Identify the forces that govern demand and supply.) Identify the forces that govern demand and supply.
  • KM10 (Differentiate between equilibrium effects in different competition regimes (markets).) Differentiate between equilibrium effects in different competition regimes (markets).
  • KM11 (Identify the elements comprising technology and costs.) Identify the elements comprising technology and costs.
  • KM12 (Detail the main economic indicators and their components, justifying their calculation and use.) Detail the main economic indicators and their components, justifying their calculation and use.
  • KM13 (Identify the aspects that affect economic growth.) Identify the aspects that affect economic growth.
  • KM14 (Relate the effects of disruptions of demand and supply in closed and open economies.) Relate the effects of disruptions of demand and supply in closed and open economies.
  • KM15 (Describe the relationship between unemployment and inflation.) Describe the relationship between unemployment and inflation.
  • SM08 (Identify the dynamic aspects of economic activity, taking as a reference the main phases of contemporary economic growth and the main conditioning factors.) Identify the dynamic aspects of economic activity, taking as a reference the main phases of contemporary economic growth and the main conditioning factors.
Business and Information Technology
  • CM01 (Identify the social, economic, technological and environmental implications of academic-professional activities in the field of knowledge.) Identify the social, economic, technological and environmental implications of academic-professional activities in the field of knowledge.
  • CM02 (Evaluate the main inequalities and discrimination based on sex/gender present in society.) Evaluate the main inequalities and discrimination based on sex/gender present in society.
  • KM01 (Describe earnings from trade and exchange.) Describe earnings from trade and exchange.
  • KM02 (Identify the forces that govern demand and supply.) Identify the forces that govern demand and supply.
  • KM03 (Differentiate between equilibrium effects in different competition regimes (markets).) Differentiate between equilibrium effects in different competition regimes (markets).
  • KM04 (Identify the elements comprising technology and costs.) Identify the elements comprising technology and costs.
  • KM05 (Detail the main economic indicators and their components, justifying their calculation and use.) Detail the main economic indicators and their components, justifying their calculation and use.
  • KM06 (Identify the aspects that affect economic growth.) Identify the aspects that affect economic growth.
  • KM07 (Relate the effects of disruptions of demand and supply in closed and open economies.) Relate the effects of disruptions of demand and supply in closed and open economies.
  • KM08 (Describe the relationship between unemployment and inflation.) Describe the relationship between unemployment and inflation.
  • KM09 (Describe the most remarkable technological, organisational and spatial aspects of revolutions in the field of production, emphasising organisational changes in business.) Describe the most remarkable technological, organisational and spatial aspects of revolutions in the field of production, emphasising organisational changes in business.
  • SM01 (Identify the dynamic aspects of economic activity, taking as a reference the main phases of contemporary economic growth and the main conditioning factors.) Identify the dynamic aspects of economic activity, taking as a reference the main phases of contemporary economic growth and the main conditioning factors.
  • SM02 (Analyse the explanatory capacity of different theoretical models of economics, in relation to their initial assumptions, taking as reference different historical cases.) Analyse the explanatory capacity of different theoretical models of economics, in relation to their initial assumptions, taking as reference different historical cases.

Contents

Topic I: Consumer Theory


I.1 Preferences, Indifference curves and utility functions


I.2 The budget constraint


1.3 Optimal Choice


1.4 Typology of goods: response to changes in income and prices


1.5 Income and Substitution Effects


Topic II: Production Theory


II.1 Technology and production factors


II.2 Profit maximisation


II.3 Cost minimisation


Topic III: Competitive Markets


III.1 Aggregate demand and supply


III.2 Consumer and producer surplus


III.3 Market equilibrium


III.4 The efficiency of competitive markets


III.5 Comparative statics: the burden of taxes


Topic IV: Non-Competitive Markets


IV.1 Profit maximization


IV.2 Causes, efficiency and regulation of monopolies


IV.3 Price discrimination


IV.4 Oligopoly: equilibrium notions


Topic V. The Pure Exchange General Equilibrium Model


V.1 The Edgeworth Box


V.2 Efficient assignments in the Pareto sense


V.3 Walrasian equilibrium


V.4 The fundamental theorems of welfare economics

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Office hours advising 15 0.6 CM01, CM02, CM15, KM01, KM02, KM03, KM04, KM05, KM06, KM07, KM08, KM09, KM10, KM11, KM12, KM13, KM14, KM15, SM01, SM02, SM08
General lectures 32.5 1.3 CM01, CM02, CM15, KM01, KM02, KM03, KM04, KM05, KM06, KM07, KM08, KM09, KM10, KM11, KM12, KM13, KM14, KM15, SM01, SM02, SM08
Exercises and group discussion 17 0.68 CM01, CM02, CM15, KM01, KM02, KM03, KM04, KM05, KM06, KM07, KM08, KM09, KM10, KM11, KM12, KM13, KM14, KM15, SM01, SM02, SM08
Reading of texts and materials 15.5 0.62 CM01, CM02, CM15, KM01, KM02, KM03, KM04, KM05, KM06, KM07, KM08, KM09, KM10, KM11, KM12, KM13, KM14, KM15, SM01, SM02, SM08
Studying, preparation and discussion of cases and exercises 65 2.6 CM01, CM02, CM15, KM01, KM02, KM03, KM04, KM05, KM06, KM07, KM08, KM09, KM10, KM11, KM12, KM13, KM14, KM15, SM01, SM02, SM08

 

 

 

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Midterm 30% 1.5 0.06 CM01, CM02, CM15, KM01, KM02, KM03, KM04, KM05, KM06, KM07, KM08, KM09, KM10, KM11, KM12, KM13, KM14, KM15, SM01, SM02, SM08
Final examination 50% 2 0.08 CM01, CM02, CM15, KM01, KM02, KM03, KM04, KM05, KM06, KM07, KM08, KM09, KM10, KM11, KM12, KM13, KM14, KM15, SM01, SM02, SM08
Evaluation along the course 20% 1.5 0.06 CM01, CM02, CM15, KM01, KM02, KM03, KM04, KM05, KM06, KM07, KM08, KM09, KM10, KM11, KM12, KM13, KM14, KM15, SM01, SM02, SM08

This subject/module does not offer the option for comprehensive evaluation.

Evaluation process

The evaluation process will consist of a final examination with a weight of 50% and, at least, two additional evaluation activities. At least part of any of the three (or more) evaluation activities must be of the written-exam type and at least part of any of the three (or more) evaluation activities must be multiple-choice type. A student that takes part in any of the evaluation activities and turns in the activity for grading cannot be considered for a \"Non Evaluable\" status.

Schedule of evaluation activities

The dates of the different evaluation activities will be announced well in advance during the semester. The date of the final exam is scheduled in the examination calendar of the Faculty. \"The dates of evaluation activities cannot be modified unless there is an exceptional and duly justified reason why an evaluation activity cannot be carried out. In this case, the degree coordinator will contact both the teaching staff and the affected student, and a new date will be scheduled within the same academic period to make up for the missed evaluation activity.\" Section 1 of Article 115. Calendar of evaluation activities (Academic Regulations UAB). Students of the Faculty of Economics and Business, who in accordance with the previous paragraph need to change an evaluation activity date must process the request by filling out an Application for exams' reschedule https://eformularis.uab.cat/group/deganat_feie/application-for-exams-reschedule

The teaching faculty will select the type of evaluation activity most suitable and efficient for the individual reprogrammed evaluation activity, including oral examinations.

Grade revision process

After all grading activities have ended, students will be informed of the date and way in which the course grades will be published. Students will be also informed of the procedure, place, date and time of grade revision following University regulations.

Retake Process

\"To be eligible to participate in the retake process, it is required for students to have been previously evaluated for at least two-thirds of the total evaluation activities of the subject.\" Section 3 of Article 112 ter. The recovery (UAB Academic Regulations).

Additionally, for a student to participate in the retake process, it is required that he or she have achieved an average grade in the subject between 3.5 and 4.8. The date of the retake exam will be posted in the calendar of evaluation activities of the Faculty. Students who take this exam and pass will get a grade of 5 for the subject. If the student does not pass the retake, the grade will remain unchanged, and hence, the student will fail the course. The grading of the retake examination will be qualitative, with two possible results: \"pass\" or \"no pass\". If the grade is \"pass\", the grade will be equal to 5. If the grade is \"no pass\", the student will not pass the subject and his final grade will be the existing grade prior to the retake examination.

Irregularities in evaluation activities

Any irregularity committed during any test, exam, or assignment—which includes having access to prohibited materials (documents, electronic devices, etc.) even if they have not been used—will immediately lead to a failing grade for that specific assessment. Furthermore, being found with any electronic device during a test or exam, regardless of whether there was any attempt to use it, will result in immediately failing the entire course, not just that specific assessment.

The completion of assessment activities is subject to the provisions set out in this course guide and in the "Policy of the School of Economics and Business on the Detection of Irregularities during Assessment Activities", which regulates the conditions under which assessment tasks are conducted and the procedures applicable in cases where indications of irregularities are detected. Students are encouraged to consult the policy.

Standards of behaviour

Aside from any other disciplinary measures that may be considered adequate, and in line with the current academic rules, the professor may reduce the average grade obtained in the \"additional evaluation activities\" by up to 2 points out of 10 for any student who repeatedly does not follow the rules of behaviour in class. The professor will announce these rules at the beginning of the course.

The use of AI and similar is prohibited.

Bibliography

Varian, H.: Microeconomía Intermedia: Un enfoque actual.  Antoni Bosch, Barcelona. (Or the original english version)

Software

There is no need for any special software.

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 10 Catalan/Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 20 Catalan/Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 50 Catalan/Spanish first semester afternoon
(PAUL) Classroom practices 101 Catalan/Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 201 Catalan/Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 501 Catalan/Spanish first semester afternoon