Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - ECON 831 G100

Mathematical Economics (4)

Class Number: 1082

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: TBA, TBA
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    ECON 331.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduction to mathematics required for PhD level coursework and research in economics. Topics may include real analysis, analysis on metric spaces, differential calculus, convexity, and optimization. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

COURSE DETAILS:

Prerequisites:  ECON 331 and graduate standing or instructor’s permission.


The goal of this course is to develop the fluency in mathematics required for PhD level coursework and research in economics.

The course content focuses on the basics of real analysis on metric spaces, building up to key theorems in optimization theory that are used in economics.  Course assessments require writing mathematical proofs.

Topics (subject to change):

  1. Logic, proofs, sets and set operations.
  2. Relations, functions, cardinality.
  3. Metric spaces: distance, epsilon balls, Euclidean space.
  4. Basic topology (open and closed sets), sequences, convergence.
  5. Compactness, the Heine-Borel Theorem.
  6. Continuity of functions, the Weierstrass Extreme Value Theorem.
  7. Convex analysis: convexity, the Separating Hyperplane Theorem; Calculus: differentiation, optimization theorems.
  8. Correspondences, Berge’s Maximum Theorem.
  9. Contraction Mapping Theorem, Infinite Horizon Optimization via Dynamic Programming.

Grading

  • Test + Quizzes 20%
  • Final Exam 80%

Materials

RECOMMENDED READING:

  1. Lay, S. 2005. Analysis: With an Introduction to Proof. Pearson. (4th or 5th edition).
  2. Sundaram, R. 1996. A First Course in Optimization Theory.  Cambridge.
  3. Vohra, R. 2005. Advanced Mathematical Economics. Routledge.
  4. de la Fuente, A. 2000. Mathematical Methods and Models for Economists. Cambridge University Press.

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.

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

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.