This course considers a range of topics in microeconomic theory and applied microeconomics. Topics include cost and production functions, the theory of the firm, profit maximization, duality, consumer choice and demand, market structure, basic game theory and intertemporal choice. The course also emphasizes a series of research tools and applications in applied microeconomics, including stochastic cost and production frontiers, natural resource and common property problems, productivity and efficiency measures, international trade, incentives and total factor productivity, intertemporal choice and economic growth.

The course is designed for students at the Master Degree level and a general knowledge of economics at the postgraduate level is assumed. The course also assumes particular knowledge of graduate diploma level microeconomics and basic econometrics. Lectures in optimal control theory and stochastic frontiers will be provided in class.

There will be two one-hour lectures per week and a one-hour tutorial. An additional review lecture (repeating and elaborating on difficult concepts form regular lectures) will also be held one-hour per week. Every week tutorial questions will be distributed, forming the basis of tutorial sessions and providing sample exam questions.