EC441      One Unit
Microeconomics for MRes students

This information is for the 2025/26 session.

Course Convenor

Dr Andrew Ellis

Prof Gilat Levy

Availability

This course is compulsory on the MRes in Economics, MRes in Economics and Management and MRes in Finance. This course is not available as an outside option to students on other programmes. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.

For queries contact: econ.mres.phd@lse.ac.uk

Requisites

Additional requisites:

A good undergraduate knowledge of economic theory and calculus is required.

Course content

The aim of the course is to:
i.    introduce the basic analytical tools that are necessary to conduct theoretical research in many fields in economics.
ii.   give the students a full understanding of the classic Microeconomic Theory and of the modern developments of Microeconomic Theory
iii.  enable students to address a microeconomic problem by structuring it as a mathematical model and enhance the understanding of economic issues though the use of mathematical tools.
Topics include:  consumer theory, producer theory, general equilibrium, welfare, choice under uncertainty, game theory, economics of information, agency theory, contracts, topics in mechanism design.

Teaching

60 hours of lectures and 30 hours of classes.

Attendance at classes is compulsory. We may run a lecture/seminar in ST week 1.

Formative assessment

Compulsory exercises are set for each class. A mock exam will take place in early WT.

Formative feedback will be given on one submission of problem set in WT.

 

Indicative reading

The main text is Mas-Collel, Whinston & Green, Microeconomic Theory, OUP.

Other sources include:

D Fudenberg & J Tirole, Game Theory, MIT Press; D M Kreps, Microeconomic Foundations I & II, Princeton Press; A Rubinstein, Lecture Notes in Microeconomic Theory, Princeton Press; H R Varian, Microeconomic Analysis (3rd edn), Norton; M J Osbourne & A Rubinstein, A Course in Game Theory, MIT Press; G A Jehle & P J Reny, Advanced Microeconomic Theory, Longman.

Assessment

Exam (100%), duration: 180 Minutes, reading time: 15 minutes in the Spring exam period


Key facts

Department: Economics

Course Study Period: Autumn, Winter and Spring Term

Unit value: One unit

FHEQ Level: Level 7

CEFR Level: Null

Total students 2024/25: 26

Average class size 2024/25: 13

Controlled access 2024/25: No
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