EC511-7-AU-CO:
Mathematical Methods

The details
2023/24
Economics
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
20
24 October 2023

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

MSC LN1412 Financial Economics and Accounting,
MSC L11012 Applied Economics and Data Analysis,
MSC L11024 Applied Economics and Data Analysis,
MSC L110EB Applied Economics and Data Analysis,
MSC L110UH Applied Economics and Data Analysis,
MRESL10012 Economics,
MRESL100EB Economics,
MSC L10012 Economics,
MSC L100EB Economics,
MSC L100UH Economics,
MSC L10312 Financial and Business Economics,
MSC L11112 Financial Economics,
MSC L111EB Financial Economics,
MSC L16012 International Economics,
MSC L160EB International Economics,
MSC L10412 Management Economics,
MSC L104EB Management Economics,
MSC L104JS Management Economics,
MRESL20624 Political Economy,
MPHDL10048 Economics,
PHD L10048 Economics,
MECNL130 Economics,
MECNLA30 Economics (Including Placement Year),
MECNLA31 Economics (Including Year Abroad),
MECNL131 Financial Economics,
MECNLB31 Financial Economics (Including Placement Year),
MECNLB32 Financial Economics (Including Year Abroad),
MECNL132 International Economics,
MECNLC32 International Economics (Including Placement Year),
MECNLC33 International Economics (Including Year Abroad),
MECNL133 Management Economics,
MECNL134 Management Economics (Including Placement Year),
MECNL135 Management Economics (Including Year Abroad)

Module description

This module explains a number of mathematical concepts and techniques which are fundamental to an understanding of modern economic theory.


The topics covered include differential calculus, optimisation theory, convexity, sufficiency Theorems for optimality, differential equations and phase diagrams, optimal control theory and an introduction to dynamic programming.

Module aims

The aims of this module are:



  • To provide students with the essential mathematical skills appropriate for Masters level modules in Economics.

  • To improve a student's problem solving skills, many applied economic examples are considered, both within lectures and in problem sets.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:



  1. Have a good understanding of optimisation theory.

  2. Understand how economic arguments work and the role of equilibrium.

  3. Demonstrate their problem solving skills to solve real economic problems.


Skills for your Professional Life (Transferable Skills)


By the end of this module, students will be expected to have developed employability skills including:



  1. Improved numeracy and analytic talents.

Module information

Feedback for this module will occur through class meetings where we will go over the answers to problem sets and where you will be able to ask questions about your own method of solution; answers that will be posted on the website for the module that will give you written guidance on the appropriate method to approach the problems, assignments, and tests; and office hours where any additional questions can be addressed. You should be sure that you use these methods to understand how to improve your own performance.

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

  • One 2-hour lecture per week.
  • One 1-hour class per week.

Bibliography

This module does not appear to have any essential texts. To see non - essential items, please refer to the module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Mid-Term Test    100% 
Coursework   Winter Reassessment Coursework     
Exam  Main exam: In-Person, Open Book, 120 minutes during January 
Exam  Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Open Book, 120 minutes during Summer (Main Period) 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
50% 50%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
0% 100%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Melvyn Coles, email: mcole@essex.ac.uk.
Lectures: Prof Melvyn Coles. Classes: Dr Rejoice Frimpong
For further information, send an email message to pgteco@essex.ac.uk.

 

Availability
Yes
No
Yes

External examiner

Dr Domenico Moro
university of Birmingham
Lecturer
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 75 hours, 73 (97.3%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
2 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information
Economics

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