Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2025 - ECON 201 D100

Microeconomic Theory I: Competitive Behavior (4)

Class Number: 1448

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Tue, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

    May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Thu, 9:30–11:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    ECON 103 with a minimum grade of C- or ECON 113 with a minimum grade of A-; ECON 105 with a minimum grade of C- or ECON 115 with a minimum grade of A-; MATH 150, MATH 151, MATH 154, or MATH 157, with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Aspects of microeconomic theory involving competitive markets. Topics include the behavior of households and firms, partial equilibrium analysis of product and factor markets, and general equilibrium. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

Description: This course provides an understanding of microeconomic theory at the intermediate level. The aim is to equip you with the basic terminology, analytical tools, and intuition to discuss and address economic issues. The topics covered include consumer theory and production theory in perfectly competitive markets, and general equilibrium.

Topics:
1. Economics Models 2. Budgets 3. Preferences 4. Budgets 5. Utility 6. Demand 7. Income and Substitution Effects 8.Consumer Surplus 9. Partial Equilibrium 10. Profit Maximization 11. Cost Minimization 12. Supply 13. Introduction to General Equilibrium

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Course Learning Outcomes: Students learn to apply fundamental microeconomic concepts such as consumer preferences, utility maximization, profit maximization, and equilibrium to both everyday and abstract economic contexts. Students learn to translate an economic situation described in words into a simple theoretical model and describe the incentives and results of a model both mathematically and intuitively.

Grading

  • Quizzes 20%
  • Midterm Exam 30%
  • Final Exam 50%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Required Text:
Varian, Hal R., and Marc J. Melitz. 2023. Intermediate Microeconomics: A Modern Approach, W. W. Norton.(or any older edition of this textbook.)

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Please note that, as per Policy T20.01, the course requirements (and grading scheme) outlined here are subject to change up until the end of the first week of classes.

Final exam schedules will be released during the second month of classes. If your course has a final exam, please ensure that you are available during the entire final exam period until you receive confirmation of your exam dates. 

Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability must contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) at 778-782-3112 or caladmin@sfu.ca.

***NO TUTORIALS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES***

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.