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Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title Introduction to Microeconomics
Module Code ECO1001 (ITS: EF113)
Faculty DCU Business School School DCU Business School
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Description

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to microeconomic theory, principles, policy and practice. Economic concepts and models will be assessed and evaluated as explanations of the workings and outcomes of the micro economy including consumers, enterprises and markets. In addition, the conclusions from the above will inform microeconomic policy issues and their evaluation. Delivery is through a combination of lectures, tutorials, home exercises and on-line activities.

Learning Outcomes

1. Define key concepts used in microeconomics
2. Present and evaluate microeconomic theories and models
3. Apply these microeconomic concepts to numerical analysis and actual microeconomic world situations
4. Discuss and assess the form and consequences of Government microeconomic policy and market intervention


WorkloadFull time hours per semester
TypeHoursDescription
Lecture24Formal lectures presenting and discussing key concepts, models and ideas in microeconomics
Tutorial12Fortnightly tutorials based on structured exercises and response to students
Independent Study84Study, exercises, tutorial related work, revision
Total Workload: 120
Section Breakdown
CRN10356Part of TermSemester 1
Coursework0%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale40PASSPass Both ElementsY
Resit CategoryRC1Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorAnn LargeyModule Teacher
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
ParticipationParticipation in workshops and prior completion of online assessments.15%Every Second Week
In Class TestMidterm test20%n/a
In Class TestEnd-of-Semester Final Examination65%Week 12
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.

* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

economic methodology and thinking and introduction to economics
economic determinants of behaviour, other determinants of behaviour, scarcity, opportunity costs, resources, insatible wants, wants and needs, economic systems, areas of economics macro and micro economies

demand and supply theory and applications
demand curves and functions, supply curves and functions, application of supply/demand theory, market price, shifts in curves, maximum and minimum price intervention, tax incidence, critique of s/d model

elasticity of demand and supply
concept of elasticity, price, income and cross elasticities of demand and price elasticity of supply, benefits of elasticity, values of elasticities, determinants of price elasticity, price elasticity and revenue, price elasticity and tax, use of price elasticity in private and public decision-making, issues in the use of elasticity

production and cost
factors of production, production functions, short and long runs, law of diminishing returns, economies and diseconomies of scale, short run cost model, long run cost model, minimum efficient scale, impact of economies of scale on structure of industry, world issues in cost and production

theory of firm and market structure
types of profit and their roles, profit maximising rule of MC=MR, revenue maximising objective, other objectives of firm, characteristics of perfect competition, monopolistic competition and advertising, oligopoly and monopoly, perfect competition model and PC short-run and long-run equilibrium positions, monopoly model and equilibrium, use of models to compare and contrast competition and monopoly, applications

market failure
nature and sources of market failure and market imperfections. policy intervention to deal with market failure

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None
Other Resources

  • 1: website, Central Statistics Office, ESRI ,Revenue Commissioners, 2015, multiple,

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