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Economics I

Code: 40095
Credits: 15
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Economic Analysis OB 1

Contact lecturer

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

Teaching staff

Xavier Vila Carnicero
Javier Fernandez Blanco

Group languages

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

Prerequisites

No specific prerequisits

Objectives

This  module  introduces,  in  a  formal  and  analytical  way,  the  basic  principles  of  microeconomics and macroeconomics.  The  student  learns  how  to  analyze  economic  problems  and  derive  their  implications  using  techniques  and  tools  that  are  typical  of  mathematical  sciences.  Microeconomics  focuses  both  on  consumer  and  production  decision  theory.  Macroeconomics  focuses  on  advanced  analytical  tools  that  are  necessary  for  the  analysis  of  dynamic  problems.   

Learning outcomes

  • CA03 (Develop economic policy recommendations based on the comparison of models.) Develop economic policy recommendations based on the comparison of models.
  • CA04 (Use data technologies to compile reproducible macroeconomic bases.) Use data technologies to compile reproducible macroeconomic bases.
  • CA05 (Judge economic arguments with quantitative evidence before specialised audiences.) Judge economic arguments with quantitative evidence before specialised audiences.
  • KA05 (List the steps to derive individual and market demand.) List the steps to derive individual and market demand.
  • KA06 (Explain the conditions that generate competitive supply and market equilibrium.) Explain the conditions that generate competitive supply and market equilibrium.
  • KA07 (Find the impact of economic assumptions on general equilibrium.) Find the impact of economic assumptions on general equilibrium.
  • KA08 (Recognise the structure of a dynamic general equilibrium model.) Recognise the structure of a dynamic general equilibrium model.
  • KA09 (Summarise the neoclassical model of growth in discrete time.) Summarise the neoclassical model of growth in discrete time.
  • KA10 (Identify the sources of aggregate uncertainty present in macroeconomics.) Identify the sources of aggregate uncertainty present in macroeconomics.
  • KA11 (Indicate the features of models with overlapping generations.) Indicate the features of models with overlapping generations.
  • SA05 (Implement derivations to connect preference axioms with demand functions.) Implement derivations to connect preference axioms with demand functions.
  • SA06 (Organise a real economic problem within an advanced analytical framework using specialised software.) Organise a real economic problem within an advanced analytical framework using specialised software.

Contents

I. Microeconomics


1.     Consumer theory


2.     Choice under uncertainty


3.     Theory of the firm


 


II. Macroeconomics


1.      Deterministic neoclassical growth model


2.      Dynamic programming


3.      Stochastic models


4.      Overlapping generation models


For a detailed description of the content of this module go to https://sites.google.com/view/idea-program/master-program .


 

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Personal study, study groups, textbook readings, article readings 187.5 7.5
Problems sets, tutorials 75 3
Theory classes 112.5 4.5

The course will consist of sessions where the instructor presents the material, and sessions specifically dedicated to problem solving. Students are encouraged to form study groups to discuss assignments and readings.

The proposed methodology may undergo some modifications according to the restrictions imposed by the health authorities on on-campus courses.

 

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
Exam Part II 40% 0 0 CA03, CA04, CA05, KA05, KA06, KA07, KA08, KA09, KA10, KA11, SA05, SA06
Exam Part I 40% 0 0 CA03, CA04, CA05, KA05, KA06, KA07, KA08, KA09, KA10, KA11, SA05, SA06
Class Attendance and Problem sets and assignments 20% 0 0 CA03, CA04, CA05, KA05, KA06, KA07, KA08, KA09, KA10, KA11, SA05, SA06

 

 

This modul does not contemplate an evaluation from a single comprehensive exam

  Exam Part I

40%  

 Exam Part II

40%  

Problem  sets,   assignments  & Class  attendance    and    active    participation

20%  

The proposed evaluation activities may undergo some changes according to the restrictions imposed by the health authorities on on-campus courses. 

In this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is not permitted in any of its phases. Any work that includes fragments generated with AI will be considered a breach of academic honesty and may result in a partial or total penalty to the activity's grade, or more severe sanctions in serious cases.

Bibliography

Microeconomics:

Mas-Colell, A., M. Whinston and J. Green, Microeconomic Theory, Oxford University Press

Jehle, G.A., P. J. Reny, Advanced Microeconomic Theory (Third Edition). Prentice hall

 

Macroeconomics:

Krueger, D., Macroeconomic Theory, teaching manuscript

Ljungqvist, L. and T. Sargent, Recursive Macroeconomic Theory, MIT Press

Stokey, N. L. and R. E. Lucas, Jr., Recursive Methods in Economic Dynamics, Harvard University Press.(CP) Cooley, T. F. and E. C. Prescott, Economic Growth and Busines Cycles, in Cooley, T.F. (ed.) Frontiers of Business Cycle Research, Princeton University Press

King, R. G., C. I. Plosser, and S. T. Rebelo, Production Growth and Business Cycles. I. The Basic Neoclassical Growth Model, Journal of Monetary Economics, 21, pp. 195-232

Krusell, P., L. E. Ohanian, J.-V. Ríos-Russ, and G. L. Violante, Capital-Skill Complementarity and Inequality: A Macroeconomic Analysis, Econometrica, 68 (5), pp. 1029-1053

 

Additional references will be provided during the course.

Software

  • Matlab
  • R
  • Phyton
  • Stata

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
(TEm) Theory (master) 30 English first semester morning-mixed
(PLABm) Practical laboratories (master) 30 English first semester morning-mixed