Microeconomic Theory I: Mathematics of Economic Systems

This is the first of two required courses in microeconomic theory taught in the first year at the Pardee RAND Graduate School.

At its core, microeconomics is the study of how individuals, firms, and organizations make choices in a world in which resources are scarce. How economic agents make such choices is fundamental to the design and evaluation of public policy.

This course introduces students to the assumptions, mechanics, and implications of the neoclassical economic theories of consumer and producer behavior and the interaction of economic agents in competitive markets. Note that the primary difference between this course and Microeconomic Theory I: Policy and Economic Systems is that this course focuses on math and theory, providing a foundation for students desiring to employ microeconomic theory and reasoning in their analysis of the development and effectiveness of public policy.