Introduction to Economics Syllabus 1 and 2 Semesters 2010/2011

University of Macau
Faculty of Science and Technology
ECOT001 – Introduction to Economics
Syllabus
1 st and 2 nd Semesters 2010/2011
Part A – Course Outline
Compulsory course in Civil Engineering (CE), and Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EE)
Elective course in Computer Science (CS)
Catalog description:
(3 credits) The course introduces the subject matter of economics and some of the methods used by economists to study their
subject. The emphasis of the course will be on the micro view and it includes basic concepts such as scarcity and choice, supply
and demand, consumer choice, factors of production, pricing, marginal analysis, and market virtues and vices. On the macro
view, the course introduces the main issues: unemployment, inflation, and economic growth.
Prerequisites:
None
Textbook(s) and other required material:
W. J. Baumol & A. S. Blinder, Economics: Principles and Policies – 11 th ed. (ISE), Cengage - 2009. (Required)
Course objectives*:
1. To enhance students knowledge of economics by introducing economic terms and concepts. [h, i, j]
2. To understand the distinction between microeconomics and macroeconomics. [ h, i, j]
3. To raise students understanding of how the interaction and decisions made by different players in the society influence the
way the society functions. [h, i, j]
4. To improve students critical and analytical thinking about current economic issues. [h, i, j]
5. To improve decision making process and problem solving by the application of the course material. [h, i, j]
Topics covered:
1. What is Economics? Myth and Reality.
2. The Fundamental Economic Problem: Scarcity and Choice
3. Supply and Demand: An Important Tool
4. Markets: Virtues and Vices.
5. The Price System, Taxation and Resource Allocation
6. Pricing The Factors of Production
7. An Introduction to Macroeconomics: Economic Growth, Unemployment and Inflation
8. The Goals of Macroeconomic Policy
Class/laboratory schedule:
Two 120-minute lectures per week (14 weeks)
Contribution of course to meet the professional component:
This course prepares students to understand the importance of economic issues in their lives.

Relationship to CE, EE and CS programs objectives and outcomes:
This course primarily contributes to CE, EE and CS programs outcomes that develop student abilities to:
(h) The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic,
environmental, and societal context
(j) A knowledge of contemporary issues
This course secondarily contributes to CE, EE and CS programs outcomes that develop student abilities to:
(i) A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in lifelong learning.
Coordinator:
Miguel Costa, Senior Instructor
Persons who prepared this description:
Miguel Costa, May 24, 2010
_________________________________________________________________________

Part B General Course Information and Policies
1nd and 2 nd Semesters
Instructor: Mr. Miguel Costa Office: N327B
Office Hour: TBA or by appointment Phone: 83974378
Email: mcosta@umac.mo
Time/Venue:
TBA
Assessment:
Final assessment will be determined on the basis of:
In-class exercises 10 % e-Quizzes 20% Mid-term 20% Mid-term II 20%
Final Exam 30%
Grading Distribution:
Grades are awarded according to the following system:
Letter Grades A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D F
Grade Points 4.0 3.7 3.3 3.0 2.7 2.3 2.0 1.7 1.3 1 0
Percentage 93-100 88-92 83-87 78-82 73-77 68-72 63-67 58-62 53-57 50-52 Below 50
Scale 19-20 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 Below 10
The credit is earned by the achievement of a grade from ‘A’ to ‘D’; ‘F’ carries zero credit.
Comment:
The objectives of the lectures are to explain and to supplement the text material. Students are responsible for
the assigned material whether or not it is covered in the lecture. Students who wish to succeed in this course
should read the textbook (chapter related) prior to the lecture, should work all in-class exercises and e-
quizzes (homework) and should made use of the material provided at UMMoodle such as examples and extra
material. You are encouraged to look at other sources (such as other textbooks, websites, etc.) to complement
the lectures and text.
Homework Policy:
The completion and correction of the in-class exercises and e-quizzes are a powerful learning experience.
There will be approximately 6 in-class exercises.
There will be approximately 8 e-quizzes. E-quizzes have a period for completion that must be respected.
No late submission is accepted.
Exams
Two mid-term exams and one final exam will be held during the semester.
Note
The lecture session is an important part of this course and attendance is compulsory. At most 20%
absence without leave is allowed.
Check UMMoodle (ummoodle.umac.mo) regularly for announcements, e-quizzes and lectures. Report
any mistake on your grades within one week after posting.
No make-up exam will be given except for CLEAR justification such as medical proof.
Cheating and plagiarism are absolutely prohibited by the university.