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ECON10010

Academic Year 2025/2026

Principles of Microeconomics (ECON10010)

Subject:
Economics
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Economics
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr James O'Mahony
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module is intended for those who have already taken ECON10770 (Introduction to Economics). It expands upon the basic concepts of microeconomics covered in ECON10770 and seeks to introduce more detailed economic models of consumer and producer choice and place them in the context of empirical data about our world.

ECON 10010 uses the CORE (Curriculum Open-access Resources in Economics) curriculum. CORE is a new approach to teaching economics that places greater emphasis on issues of equality, distribution, environmental sustainability and social justice. CORE also places a heavy emphasis of placing teaching within a firm context of evidence from data to support economic theory. The teaching material for ECON 10010 draws heavily on what can be found on the website for CORE, specifically the CORE 2.0 online textbook (https://www.core-econ.org/the-economy/microeconomics/0-3-contents.html). The approach of CORE may be somewhat different from more traditional teaching approaches within economics. Students that have taken leaving certificate economics may not find the approach that familiar.

This module is a prerequisite for all students wishing to take economics at level 2 (second year). This includes: (a) economics as a single subject major (b) economics as one of two subjects in a joint major programme (c) economics as a major in a major/minor combination.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Have a knowledge of market mechanisms and how economists use such mechanisms to analyse choices which have to be made under conditions of scarcity.

2. Develop their analytical skills through the application of microeconomic theory to problems and case studies.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Tutorial

5
Autonomous Student Learning

80
Total

109

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures and tutorials and online material.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is of growing concern in education. UCD is monitoring developments closely but does not yet have a formal policy. The use of AI to support learning in this module is permitted and students are encouraged to learn how such tools can be used.

The main form of examination is a multiple choice exam at the end of term and AI tools have little direct bearing on this. The other form of appraisal on the course is a series of in-class tutorials. The tutorials are conducted under closed book conditions, meaning AI and any other resources are not permitted for use.

Students can use AI to ask answer questions they may have about course material. Student should, however, be mindful of the limits of AI tools in providing useful answers in all circumstances and should be aware of the relevance of framing questions carefully in order to elicit sensible answers. Students should also be aware of the damage that reliance upon AI tools may have for their own critical thinking and learning capabilities.


Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Students are expected to have taken ECON10770 Introduction to Economics prior to taking this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
ECON10720 - Microeconomics for Business, ECON10760 - Macroeconomics for Business


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Five tutorial assignments are to be completed over the term. Students will be presented with in class questions that they must submit for grading. Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
35
 No
Exam (In-person): Standard closed book exam assessing the whole course. MCQ exam with no negative marking. There are no optional sections or questions. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
65
 Yes
Quizzes/Short Exercises: 11 weekly MCQ quizzes of five questions each. These quizzes are ungraded, due to the scope for cheating. Students can use them to understand the type of questions in the final exam. Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
0
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

After the completion of each examination students will receive a grade and the correction

This course uses the CORE 2.0 Textbook, which is available online at:
https://books.core-econ.org/the-economy/microeconomics/0-3-contents.html
Specific chapter references will be given during the course.

Name Role
Mr Gavin Cassells Tutor
Ms Megan Skinnader Tutor
Federico Stronati Tutor
Mengxuan Zhang Tutor
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