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Course 2020-2021 a.y.

20136 - ADVANCED MATHEMATICS FOR ECONOMICS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

DES-ESS
Department of Decision Sciences

Course taught in English

Go to class group/s: 20 - 21

DES-ESS (8 credits - I sem. - OB  |  SECS-S/06)
Course Director:
SIMONE CERREIA VIOGLIO

Classes: 20 (I sem.) - 21 (I sem.)
Instructors:
Class 20: SIMONE CERREIA VIOGLIO, Class 21: MASSIMO MARINACCI


Class-group lessons delivered  on campus

Mission & Content Summary
MISSION

Mathematics is the language in which most of modern economics is written. The course aims to provide the basic mathematical tools that students need to complete their Economics studies. Moreover, the course develops the analytical thinking skills that students need later on in their academic career.

CONTENT SUMMARY
  • Linear algebra.
  • Metric Spaces.
  • Normed Vector Spaces.
  • Contractions and Fixed Points.
  • Convex Analysis.
  • Dynamic Programming.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
At the end of the course student will be able to...
  • Carry out a formal mathematical proof.
  • Recognize the abstract mathematical structures that underlie modern economic theories.
  • Master vector spaces techniques.
  • Solve complex dynamic optimization problems.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
At the end of the course student will be able to...
  • Apply to economics and to the social sciences the techniques of contemporary mathematics.
  • Work out both the quantitative and the qualitative perspectives.
  • Solve dynamic optimization problems which are key in Macroeconomics.
  • Master topological arguments which are important in Game Theory and Microeconomics.

Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face lectures
  • Exercises (exercises, database, software etc.)
DETAILS

Every one/two weeks there is a problem session where mathematical problems concerning the topics taught in class is discussed and solved.


Assessment methods
  Continuous assessment Partial exams General exam
  • Written individual exam (traditional/online)
  •   x x
    ATTENDING AND NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS

    The students' assessment is based on a written exam that consists of open questions which aim to measure the learning outcomes of the students.

    • In particular, some questions are more theoretical, requiring statements, and/or proofs of theorems or (very) short essays, while other questions are more "practical", like open exercises or problems. All these questions test students' understanding of the mathematical ideas and techniques presented in the course as the language of economic modelling.
    • The written exam could be taken as a general exam at the end of the course or splitted in two partial exams. Each of them has the structure described above. In the two partial exams the final grade is the average of the two marks; it is necessary to get a grade greater or equal than 12 in both the partial exam and the average has to be larger or equal than 18. Also, the general exam is passed with a grade greater or equal than 18. 

    Teaching materials
    ATTENDING AND NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS

    Lecture notes.

    Last change 21/09/2020 18:07