Fall 2021 - ECON 798 G100

Introduction to Mathematical Economics (4)

Class Number: 2746

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2021: TBA, TBA
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Bertille Antoine
    baa7@sfu.ca
    1 778 782-4514

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Applications of static optimization techniques, matrix algebra, differential and difference equations in economic models. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course reviews/introduces some important mathematical concepts and techniques commonly used in economic analysis and the core graduate theory courses.

The main purpose is to brush up your math background so that you can focus on the economic intuition in your next classes.

The course will be taught on an intensive everyday basis in a two-week period beginning the last week of August. There will be both lectures emphasizing the theory and tutorials emphasizing problem solving. All incoming M.A. students must enroll.

Topics to be covered include:

  1. Notation, logic, methods of proof, basic set
  2. Elements of analysis
  3. Linear algebra and matrices
  4. Unconstrained and constrained single and multiple variable optimization
  5. Introduction to dynamic programming
  6. Probability theory and basic statistics

Grading

  • A final examination will be given. The course will be graded pass/fail. 100%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

There will be no specific text for the course.


RECOMMENDED READING:

The books listed below cover the majority of the material and could be used as a reference. Since the course will proceed rapidly, and a lot of its contents will hopefully be material you have covered before, you are encouraged to review what you can before the course begins.

Hoy, Livernois, McKenna, Rees & Stengos, Mathematics for Economics – 3rd Edition, MIT Press, 2011. ISBN: 9780262015073

Angel de la Fuente, Mathematical Methods and Models for Economists. Cambridge University Press. 2000. ISBN 978-0521585293

Teresa Bradley, Essential Mathematics for Economics and Business 4th edition, Wiley, 2013.

Corbae, Stinchcombe and Zeman. An Introduction to Mathematical Analysis for Economic Theory and Econometrics. Princeton University Press, 2009. ISBN 978-0- 691-11867-3.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site 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

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2021

Teaching at SFU in fall 2021 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with approximately 70 to 80 per cent of classes in person/on campus, with safety plans in place.  Whether your course will be in-person or through remote methods will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the fall 2021 term.