Syllabus - Econ 306 Intermediate Microeconomic Theory...

Econ 306 Charles R. Hulten
Intermediate Microeconomic Theory University of Maryland
Spring 2012 Morrill Hall, Room 1106C
PRELIMINARY COURSE SYLLABUS
Textbook : Robert S. Pindyck and Daniel L. Rubenfeld, Microeconomics, Seventh Edition
Course Content : This course is designed to familiarize students with the main body of microeconomic
theory at the intermediate undergraduate level. Topics covered include supply and demand analysis, the
Invisible Hand principle of Adam Smith, utility maximization, the theory of the profit maximizing firm,
competitive and non-competitive industry models, general equilibrium and welfare economics. The
material presented is highly abstract and analytical in nature. It is designed as an exposition of the
theoretical structure of economics, and formulae, symbols, and graphical analysis will be used, as will
calculus. The course will meet twice a week for lectures, with review sessions at the end of some
lectures Prerequisites: (ECON200 or AREC250), ECON201, and (MATH220 or MATH140).
Exams and Grades : Your course grade will be based on problem sets, two midterm exams and a final
exam. The exams will be "objective", i.e., have a multiple choice format. The two midterms will each
account for 25 percent of the grade, and the final exam for 40 percent. The final exam will be cumulative.
The chapters covered on each exam will be announced in advance of the exam. In addition to the