ECONOMICS 801 COURSE OUTLINE
PROFESSOR MEYER FALL 1999
ECONOMICS 801: MATHEMATICAL APPLICATIONS IN ECONOMICS. Prerequisites: MTH 124 or 132. Course Description: Applications of mathematical tools in economic analysis. Matrix Algebra, derivatives, partial derivatives, optimization, integration and linear differential equations.
Text: Sydsaeter, Knut and Hammond, P. J., Mathematics for Economic Analysis, 1995, first edition, Prentice Hall Publishers.
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Exams: Two in-class midterm exams and a final exam will be given. These exams will be open book and open notes, and will consist of problems. The problems will be similar to those assigned as homework. Each midterm will contribute 30% (120 points) toward the course grade, and the final 40% (160 points). The dates for the midterm exams are Wednesday, October 6, and Wednesday, November 10. The final exam is scheduled for Tuesday, December 14 from 7:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. The final exam will cover all course material, but will emphasize the material discussed after the second midterm. Usually, a makeup midterm exam will not be given. With an acceptable excuse, the other midterm and the final exam will be used to determine the course grade.
Other: The University has formal policies concerning missing class or exams for reasons of illness, death in the family, religious holidays, other exams, or other reasons. These policies will be followed in determining the required action. Two general principles should be kept in mind. First, when possible, arrangements are to be made in advance. Second, written documentation may be required to substantiate the conflict.
Homework: Homework will be assigned regularly, but will not be collected on a regular basis. Selected problems will be discussed in class, some answers are available in the back of the text and some others will be distributed. You are encouraged to work together on homework problems. In order to perform well on the exams you must do the homework before the answers are presented in class. Last year’s exams will be assigned as homework just prior to exams.
Course Outline: The heart of the material to be covered is contained in chapters 9-18 of the text. Chapters 1-8 are considered review and will not be covered in detail, but main topics will be reviewed during the first week of class. Chapters 20-21 will be covered to the extent that time permits.
The reverse side of this handout lists the various topics and the order in which they will be covered.
Topic List for Economics 801, Fall 1999
Review: Chapters 1-8, with emphasis on chapters 7 and 8.
Single Variable Optimization: Chapter 9.
Integration: Chapters 10-11.
Linear Algebra: Chapters 12-14.
Multivariable Calculus: Chapters 15-16.
Multivariable Optimization: Chapters 17-18.
Difference and Differential Equations: Chapters 20-21.