Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - ECON 103 D100

Principles of Microeconomics (4)

Class Number: 1045

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Wed, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 7, 2025
    Sun, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The principal elements of theory concerning utility and value, price and costs, factor analysis, productivity, labor organization, competition and monopoly, and the theory of the firm. Quantitative/Breadth-Soc.

COURSE DETAILS:

No prerequisites. Students with credit for ECON 200 cannot take ECON 103 for further credit.
Quantitative/Breadth-Soc.

This course is designed with two main goals in mind. The primary purpose of the course is to provide a sufficient understanding of the fundamental principles of economics. This includes propositions about individual behavior, output of firms, market structure, and the organization of economic activity. However, I also want to convince you that economics is an interesting field of study, and I intend to do this with a wide variety of examples. Throughout this course we will constantly apply economics to every aspect of your life. I hope to surprise you, perhaps offend you, and ultimately whet your intellectual appetite towards economics. 

Topics:     Maximization, Preferences, Demand, Exchange, Cost, Production, Price Taking, Interest, Labor, Price Searching

Grading

  • Assignments 10%
  • Tutorial Participation 10%
  • Midterm Exams 35%
  • Final Exam 45%

NOTES:

Information regarding assignments will be discussed in the first class.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Douglas Allen: “Making Sense: An Alternative Approach to Economic Principles” 2025.

This book is available only at: https://www.sfu.ca/~allen/MCPPage20213.html


Voltaire, Candide, 1947, Penguin Classics. Freely available online.


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

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


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.