This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Undergraduate Handbook 2025-2026 (archived)
Module ECON3201: Advanced Microeconomic Theory
Department: Economics
ECON3201: Advanced Microeconomic Theory
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tied | 3 | 20 | Available in 2025/2026 | Durham |
Tied To
- CFG0: Natural Sciences
- CFG1: Natural Sciences with Year Abroad
- CFG2: Natural Sciences with Placement
- FGC0: Natural Sciences
- FGC1: Natural Sciences with Placement
- L100: Economics
- L103: Economics with Management
- L104: Economics with Management with Placement Year
- L105: Economics with Management with Study Abroad
- L106: Economics with Placement Year
- L109: Economics with Study Abroad
- L130: Economics
- L133: Economics with Management
- L134: Economics with Management with Placement Year
- L135: Economics with Management with Study Abroad
- L136: (programme not found)
- L139: (programme not found)
- L1R1: Economics with French
- LL01: Economics and Politics with Study Abroad
- LL02: Economics and Politics with Placement Year
- LL12: Economics and Politics
- VL52: Philosophy, Politics and Economics
- VLL6: Philosophy, Politics and Economics with Placement Year
- VLLA: Philosophy, Politics and Economics with Study Abroad
Pre-requisites
- Microeconomics (ECON2021)
Corequisites
- None.
Excluded Combinations
- None.
Aims
- To develop knowledge and analytical skills in advanced microeconomic theory, by building on the second-year microeconomics module.
- To offer students the opportunity to develop some key skills.
Content
- Topics, reflecting the current state of the field, may include:
- Consumer & Producer Theory
- Decision making under risk and uncertainty
- Incentives theory
- Contest theory
- General equilibrium
- Welfare economics.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- At the end of the module the students should:
- be able to understand research contributions in microeconomics (journal publications).
- have a deep understanding of some advanced theoretical models in microeconomics.
Subject-specific Skills
- be able to solve microeconomic problems at an advanced level.
Key Skills
- Written Communication - through summative assessment.
- Planning, Organisation and Time Management - e.g. by revising relevant material and preparing for examinations.
- Problem Solving and Analysis - e.g. by applying the necessary analytical and quantitative skills, as well as the ability to manipulate concepts in microeconomics, in undertaking assessed work.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Teaching is by lectures and workshops. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in workshops, and private study. Formative assessment to help prepare for the examamination. Summative assessment is an on-person examination.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revision Classes | 2 | 2 in term 3 | 1 hour | 2 | |
| Workshops | 16 | 8 in term 1, 8 in term 2 | 2 hours | 32 | Yes |
| Preparation and Reading | 166 | ||||
| Total | 200 | ||||
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | 100% | On Campus Written Examination | 2 hours | 100% |
Formative Assessment
One written piece of work to prepare students for the summative examination.
Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods
and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative
assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress
procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be
required to leave the University.