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This is the course website for Vanderbilt Economics 8100. This is the first course of the PhD microeconomics core sequence. The course will cover the fundamentals of consumer theory, theory of the firm, and simple markets in partial equilibrium. This page will be continuously updated throughout the semester. Please check it on a regular basis.
Notes
These notes serve as the official textbook for the course. They will also be updated throughout the semester with new content.
Notes (Last Updated: 9/27/2023)
Supplementary Textbooks
Here are some textbooks I like.
Advanced Microeconomic Theory, Geoffrey Jehle and Philip Reny.
Microeconomic Theory, Andreu Mas-Colell, Michael D. Whinston, Jerry R. Green.
Problem Sets
There will be an assignment roughly each week. Problems will be added to the schedule about two weeks before the assignment is due. You must type your homework. This is the perfect time for you to learn to type in LaTeX. There are many online resources for learning LaTeX. One particularly easy way to get started with LaTeX is through the very user-friendly editor called Lyx. There will be a learning curve at first. Embrace it. This is an investment.
Exercises from Chapter 2 of Notes. (Due 9/19)
Exercises from Chapter 3 of Notes. (Not Due)
Exercises from Chapter 4 of Notes. (Due 9/21)
Exercises from Chapter 5 of Notes. (Due 10/3)
Exercises from Chapter 6 of Notes.
Exercises from Chapter 7 of Notes.
Exercises from Chapter 8 of Notes.
Exercises from Chapter 9,10 of Notes.
Class
T/Th 9:30-10:45 in Calhoun 209.
Exams and Grading
There will be one midterms and a final exam. They are tentatively placed in the schedule below. Grading will be based 30% on midterm exam, 50% on the final exam, and 20% on homework.
Office Hours / Teaching Assistant
My office hours: Thursday 11-12pm in Calhoun 404.
TA: Steve Hamilton. Steve's Office Hours: Friday from 11:30-1:30 PM in Calhoun 408.
Rendered Raw Lecture Notes
8/24, 8/29, 9/05, 9/07, 9/12, 9/14, 9/19 9/26 9/28
Important Dates
Oct 19: Fall Break-- No Class
Oct 17: Midterm Exam
Covers Chapters 1-7 of Class Notes
December 13 (9am-11am): Final Exam
Other Resources
Workout Problems for Practice
Lecture Notes on Separable Preferences Ted Bergstrom
Old Exams
Midterm 1- 2019
Midterm 2- 2019
Midterm 2- 2019 (Solutions)
Final Exam- 2019
Final Exam- 2019 (Solutions)
Midterm- 2020
Midterm- 2020 (Solutions)
Prelim- 2020
Final Exam- 2020
Final Exam- 2020 (Solutions)
Prelim- 2021
Midterm- 2021
Final Exam- 2021
Final Exam- 2021 (Solutions)
Midterm Exam- 2022
Midterm Exam- 2022 (Solutions)
Prelim- 2023
Prelim- 2023 (Solutions)
Helpful Tips
Helpful Tips
I wrote these with my classmate Zach Bethune when I was a student. They have come in handy for me many times. If you find an error, or have a suggestion about something to add, let me know.