Course

Mathematical method for economists (BØK108)

The main part of the course will focus on training and extending students’ skills in math by introducing basic mathematical principles and methods at the heart of modern economics.

Also, students will have a first introduction to science. How did we (mankind) learn what we today know about the structure, functioning, and developing of business and economics? How do we know what type of markets, institutions and policies create benefits for us - customers and producers? How is knowledge generated, the knowledge managers need to make informed and smart decisions? Where does the content of students’ textbooks come from? These and similar questions are at the center of the research methods part of the course, which seeks to give students some first insights into how research on businesses and economics is done in a proper way. Simultaneously, students will get an overview of the diversity of economic and business study fields and research streams at The Business School, as well as get to know the people that make the School what it is - a great place to study business and economics.


Course description for study year 2020-2021. Please note that changes may occur.

See course description and exam/assesment information for this semester (2024-2025)

Semesters

Facts

Course code

BØK108

Credits (ECTS)

10

Semester tution start

Autumn

Language of instruction

Norwegian

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Autumn

Time table

View course schedule

Content

Typical subject areas covered are:
  • The most central mathematical methods the students will need throughout the study programme
  • How to find, access and read contemporary research articles?
  • How to identify hypotheses and research questions?
  • How are empirical studies structured?
  • What steps are involved in empirical research?
  • What are typical steps of empirical research in business studies and economics?
  • What general research approaches exist?
  • What research streams exist in business studies and economics?

Learning outcome

Knowledge

On completion of the course, students will gain knowledge of:

  • Know relevant mathematics needed to solve economic questions
  • Have basic skills within algebra, differentials, and equations
  • Know a spectrum of functions (e.g., linear, logarithmic, exponential)
  • Understand marginal values
  • Understand derivatives and tangent
  • Know how to work with annuities and calculate present values
  • Scientific terminology and processes
  • Structures and elements of empirical research in economics and business studies
  • Approaches to empirical research
  • Actual research projects at the UiS Business School

Skills

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Solve basic mathematical problems in the field of economics and business studies (e.g., find local/global maximum and minimum of functions, calculate elasticities)
  • Identify, access and efficiently read contemporary research in economics and business studies
  • Differentiate between research approaches and research fields in economics business studies
  • Asses and evaluate assumptions, hypotheses & research questions

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Exam

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid Exam system Withdrawal deadline Exam date
Home exam 1/1 4 Hours Passed / Not Passed — 30.11.2020 —


The assignment of the first part of the course (Research Methods 1) is writing a short group-based review of a scientific paper. A written individual exam will evaluate the second part of the course (Mathematics).

Coursework requirements

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Course teacher(s)

Study Program Director:

Tarjei Mandt Larsen

Course teacher:

William Gilje Gjedrem

Course coordinator:

William Gilje Gjedrem

Method of work

In this course, you will learn through the mixture of traditional lectures, exercises, seminars, and independent studying. In the mathematics part, students will primarily learn from lectures and in-class/take-home exercises. In the research methods part, based on instructions or guidance of experienced researchers, students will learn in groups how researchers identify interesting research gaps, how they work with the existing literature, and how they conduct empirical analyses.

Overlapping courses

Course Reduction (SP)
Mathematical method for economists (BØK108_1) , Mathematical analysis for economy and social science (BØK135_3) 10
Mathematical method for economists (BØK108_1) , Mathematical analysis for economists (BØK135_2) 10
Mathematical method for economists (BØK108_1) , Mathematical analysis for economists (BØK135_1) 10
Mathematical method for economists (BØK108_1) , Mathematical analysis for economists (BØK135_2) , Mathematical analysis for economy and social science (BØK135_3) 20

Open for

Business Administration - Bachelor's Degree Programme

Literature

Obligatorisk

Bjørnestad, S. (2018). Matematikk for økonomi og samfunnsfag (9. utg.). Cappelen Damm akademisk.

Støttelitteratur

Harald Bjørnestad (1941-) (forfatter). (2018). Matematikk for økonomi og samfunnsfag : løsningsforslag til 9. utgave (S. Grønneberg, N. Foldnes, & H. Bjørnestad, Red.; 9. utg.). Cappelen Damm akademisk.

Dovland, O. G. (2019). Matematikk for økonomistudenter (P. Pettersen, Red.; 3. utgave). Fagbokforlaget.

Eriksen, E. (2016). Matematikk for økonomi og finans. Cappelen Damm Akademisk.

Eriksen, E. (2017). Matematikk for økonomi og finans : oppgaver og løsningsforslag. Cappelen Damm akademisk.

Sommervoll, D. E. (2012). Matematikk for økonomifag (2. utg.). Gyldendal akademisk.

Forskningsmetode

Fordypning

Wisniewski, M. (2013). Mathematics for economics : an integrated approach (3rd ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.

Sydsæter, K. (2000). Matematisk analyse B. 1: Bd. B. 1 (A. Seierstad & A. Strøm, Red.; 7. utg.). Gyldendal akademisk. http://urn.nb.no/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2009031804070

Contact

Study Program Director:

Tarjei Mandt Larsen

Course teacher:

William Gilje Gjedrem

Course coordinator:

William Gilje Gjedrem

Offered by

UiS Business School

UiS School of Business and Law

The course description is retrieved from FS (Felles studentsystem). Version 1