UNIVERSITY MANITOBA

The
UNIVERSITY of MANITOBA
Department: Economics
Course Number: ECON 2030–A01
Class Location: EITC E2 160
Course Title: Introduction to Mathematical
Economics
Term: Summer 2016
Part of term: May-June Evening
Time: MW: 13:45 – 16:30
Date: May 02 – June 15
Instructor:
Gabriel Drăgan
Contact:
Office: FA 552
Office hours: MW 9:15-10:15 (16:00 on-demand only).
email: [email protected] (must have “ECON 2030” in the subject line)
web-page: http://uw.dragans.net/
Twitter: @gabisclasses
Course Description: This class will cover three major mathematical tools commonly used in
economic models: solving systems of linear equations by using matrix algebra, comparative statics by
using the implicit function(s) theorem, and constrained/unconstrained optimization techniques. Students
are assumed to be (preferably very) proficient at solving linear and quadratic equations, and calculating
single-variable derivatives. Among many other wonders, we will cover (in only one class!!!) most of an
intermediate macro course (well, the IS-LM and the Mundell Fleming model). Also: forays into the
consumer and producer theory.
Topics: Readings:
Equilibrium linear models – Matrix algebra
Ch. 7, 8, 9, 10
Derivatives and Differentiation
Ch. 3, 4, 5, 11
Implicit Function(s) theorem
Ch 14
Optimization – One variable
Ch. 6
Multivariate optimization
Ch. 12
Constrained optimization
Ch. 13
Duality, the envelope theorem, Kuhn-Tucker conditions
Ch. 15
Note: We may not have enough time to cover all of these topics; we may skip over some of them.
REQUIRED TEXT
Mathematics for Economics, Third Edition, 2011, by Michael Hoy, John Livernois, Chris
McKenna, Ray Rees and Thanasis Stengos, MIT Press.
Recommended text
Schaum's Outline of Introduction to Mathematical Economics, 3rd Edition, by Edward
Dowling, McGraw-Hill Education Professional.
METHOD OF EVALUATION
There will be two assignments, one Midterm Exam and one Final Exam. The table below lists the
exams’ dates and their weight in the final grade:
DATE
Monday, May 16
Wednesday, May 18
Wednesday, June 8
June 18, 12:30 (TIER 306)
CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS FINAL GRADE
Assignment 1
10%
Midterm Exam
25%
Assignment 2
15%
Final Exam
50%
100%
Letter grades: A+ (>90%), A [80% , 90%), B+ [75% , 80%), B [65% , 75%), C+ [60% , 65%), C[50% ,
60%), D [45% , 50%), F (<45%). The numerical grade is NOT rounded up to the closest integer percentage!
(for example, a score of 74.99% is a B –- and will NOT be rounded up to 75%).
Please note the following:
0) Students are required to register with the website of the course. All course materials (including
assignments) will be posted there; no paper (except this outline) will be handed out.
If a course features online assignments, the students can check that their assignments were indeed submitted;
excuses of the type ‘I clicked the submit button but I did not realize that my answer did not get recorded’ are
not valid. Since the answers become public knowledge after the deadline has passed, no late submissions are
allowed.
• Students will not be permitted to write make-up tests or hand in assignments late. Students with
documented medical or compassionate reasons will have the weight of a missed test/assignment moved to
the other test/assignments.
1) Policy on Unclaimed Term Work
Any term work that has not been claimed by students will be held for four (4) months from the end of the
final examination period for the term in which the work was assigned. At the conclusion of this time, all
unclaimed term work will be destroyed according to FIPPA guidelines.
2) Student Resources
• The Learning Assistance Centre is located in 201Tier Building. Advisors provide a wide range of
services focused on improvement of academic learning skills. In addition to individual consultations, the
Centre offers workshops on test-taking, note-taking, essay and term paper writing, and listening skills.
• Writing Tutors operate from both the Elizabeth Dafoe Library and the Learning Assistance Centre and can
be accessed either by appointment or on a drop-in basis. Check scheduled hours of availability on-line
through the Learning Assistance Centre site or the Elizabeth Dafoe Library site.
• The Virtual Learning Commons is a unique learning and social networking site at the University of
Manitoba. Students can access Writing Tutors and a variety of Learning Assistance Centre resources on-line
at www.umanitoba.ca/virtuallearningcommons. Of special interest are several links to excellent, brief on-line
tutorials on integrity in academic work (e.g., what is plagiarism? How do you paraphrase? What are
appropriate citation formats?) and an exceptional Assignment Manager wherein entering the due date for a
term paper automatically creates a timetable for completion of each step in its preparation and execution.
3) There are no make-up midterm exams. Students will not be permitted to write a make-up final exam or
hand in assignments late, except for documented medical or compassionate reasons. The weight of a missed
midterm exam will be transferred to the final exam only if you have a valid documented reason for missing a
test.
4) Academic Dishonesty
• Students should acquaint themselves with the University’s policy on plagiarism, cheating, exam
personation, (“Personation at Examinations” (Section 5.2.9) and “Plagiarism and Cheating” (Section 8.1))
and duplicate submission by reading documentation provided at the Arts Student Resources web site at
http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/arts/student/index.html. Ignorance of the regulations and policies
regarding academic integrity is not a valid excuse for violating them.
• The minimum penalty for plagiarism on a written assignment is F on the paper and may result in an F-DISC
(discipline) in the course. This notation appears on the student’s transcript. For repeat violations, this penalty
can also include suspension from the Faculty of Arts for a period of up to 1 year.
• The minimum penalty for academic dishonesty in a test or final examination is F for the test/examination,
and an F-DISC (discipline) in the course plus a suspension from the Faculty of Arts for a period of one year.
The F grade and disciplinary notation appears on the student’s transcript. For repeat violations, the penalty
may include suspension from the Faculty of Arts for a period of up to 5 years. S
5) During the exam students may be asked for identification. During the exams students are allowed to use
simple calculators only and no other electronic devices (i.e. dictionaries, palm pilots; watches are o.k.) are
allowed. Paper dictionary are allowed, but they have to be shown to the invigilator before the exam begins.
6) All final grades are subject to departmental approval.
7) No student will be permitted to submit term work for assessment to the instructor (and term work should
not be returned to students) by any means which allows unrestricted and unauthorized public access to the
term work. For example, term papers, term tests or other written assignments should not be received or
returned from a box outside the instructor’s office door, but a student could provide a self-addressed stamped
envelope for return of the term work.
8) Students appealing any term work whether it be an informal or formal appeal must appeal their term work
within 10 working days of receiving their mark. An "Application for Appealing a Grade Given for Term
Work" form must be submitted to the Department offering the course.
SOME IMPORTANT DATES FOR OUR COURSE
 Tuesday, May 6
Final date to revise May-June Evening courses registration. Full refund.
 Monday, May 16
Assignment 1 due.
 Wednesday. May8
Midterm Exam.
 Tuesday, June 7
Voluntary withdrawal deadline. You are welcome to come and talk to me
before deciding to withdraw. 35% of your final grade will be
marked by this date. No refund.
 Wednesday, June8
Assignment 2 due.
 Wednesday, June 15
Last day of classes.
 June 18, 12:30 (TIER 306) Final Exam.