Explore UCD

UCD Home >

ECON20010

Academic Year 2026/2027

Intermediate Microeconomics I (ECON20010)

Subject:
Economics
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Economics
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Stefanie Haller
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This is the first module in a two semester intermediate microeconomics sequence. Intermediate Microeconomics II completes the sequence. Relative to first-year modules in microeconomics, this module provides a more formal approach. All concepts will be discussed intuitively, graphically, and mathematically. The module will focus on supply and demand, consumer theory, applications of consumer theory; it will also explore topics on uncertainty, asymmetric information, contracts and moral hazard. The required textbook for this module is Microeconomics by Jeffrey Perloff. This module is a core requirement for all students taking economics as a major or minor subject in Stage 2. This includes (a) economics as a single subject major (b) economics as major in a joint major programme (c) economics in a major/minor combination, and (d) the sustainability degree.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Microeconomics provides a set of tools for understanding, predicting, and evaluating individual choices and collective resource allocation. By achieving the following learning outcomes, you will be able to make better decisions with the resources you control, be better equipped to explore policy issues, be prepared for further study in economics, and discover how the study of economics can enhance your intellectual exploration of the world. By the end of the course, you should be able to:

LO 1. Explain how economists use the scientific process to expand understanding of individual decision-making, market outcomes, and government policies, and apply the process by practicing curiosity and hypothesis testing;

LO 2. Choose and use appropriate concepts and models to analyze and evaluate choices, outcomes, and policies in diverse settings;

LO 3. Develop quantitative reasoning skills by working with equations and graphs and by explaining the need for empirical methods that distinguish causation from correlation;

LO 4. Identify the assumptions underlying models, and connect the assumptions to particular theoretical results and/or observed conditions;

LO 5. Discuss economic issues in ways that promote mutual understanding and inquiry, demonstrate fluency in basic economic terminology and tools, and explain economic reasoning to and incorporate insights from non-economists.

Indicative Module Content:

Supply and Demand
Consumer Theory
Uncertainty
Asymmetric Information
Contracts and Moral Hazard

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Novice

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Advanced Beginner

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Competent

Strategic

 The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Not addressed

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Advanced Beginner

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Novice

Normative

 The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Advanced Beginner

Anticipatory

 The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Novice

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Not addressed

AI Literacy & Agency

 The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Not addressed

Wellbeing

 Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Novice

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

End poverty in all its forms everywhere 2

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture 2

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages 1

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 2

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 1

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 1

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all 2

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all 2

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation 1

Reduce inequality within and among countries 1

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 1

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 2

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 2

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development 1

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss 1

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels 2

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development 1
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

68
Lectures

22
Tutorial

10
Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The material is presented in two one-hour lectures per week. In addition, tutorials will be available to apply the material in small-group problem based learning. AI tools may be used by students to assist their independent learning. All assessments will be closed-book (with no access to AI) in exam centres/classrooms.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 10010) and
Introductory quantitative economics (ECON 10030) - or equivalent
e.g Maths for Business 1 (MATH 10010) or
Introduction to Analysis (MATH 10130)


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
ECON10720 - Microeconomics for Business, ECON20200 - Int Microeconomics (ECON&FIN), ECON42450 - Microeconomic Theory


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Pop quizzes in class Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
20
 No
Exam (In-person): Final exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
80
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

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

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Grades for assessments will be made available to students post-assessment. Detailed assessment solutions will also be made available to students.

"Microeconomics" by Jeffrey Perloff. Global Edition

Name Role
Dr Eoghan O'Neill Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Gavin Cassells Tutor
Ms Megan Skinnader Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Fri 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 3 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Wed 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 7 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 13 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Wed 15:00 - 15:50
Print this page
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.