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MATH-S400

Mathematics and economic modelling

academic year
2024-2025
2025-2026

Course teacher(s)

Thomas DEMUYNCK (Coordinator), Bram DE ROCK and Luca Paolo MERLINO

ECTS credits

5

Language(s) of instruction

english

Course content

The course covers some important theoretical results/concepts in Economics:

  • Arrows impossibility theorem
  •  Gibbard Satterthwaite theorem
  • Theorem of the alternative (and applications)
  • Bargaining solutions
  • NTU Matching
  • TU Matching
  • House allocation

Objectives (and/or specific learning outcomes)

The main goal of this course are:

  • Provide the student with some necessary mathematical skills and tools to pursue more advanced courses in economics.
  • Show how mathematical modelling can be used to analyze economic questions 
  • Make sure students are able to understand, verify and construct proofs. 

Prerequisites and Corequisites

Required and Corequired knowledge and skills

The course is self containt but has sometimes a rapid pace. It is adviced that students have some prior knowledge in terms of mathematics.

Teaching methods and learning activities

  • Lectures
  • Group work.

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

  1. Chiang, A.C. and K. Wainwright, "Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics", Economic series, McGraw-Hill.
  2. MasCollel, A., M. Whinston and J. Green, "Microeconomic theory", Oxford university press. (Appendix)
  3. Simon, C.P. and L. Blume, "Mathematics for economists", Norton.
  4. Vohra, R., "Advanced Mathematical Economics" Routledge advanced texts in economics and finance.

Course notes

  • Syllabus
  • Université virtuelle

Contribution to the teaching profile

Mastering the theoretical tools used in economics such that the student can use them for his/her own research. Knowledge of the essential mathematical tools used in contemporary economic research. Select and apply the theoretical tools of economics to specific problems in order to provide relevant solutions. Be able to understand and follow a proof.
The learning objectives relevant for the MATH-S400 course are:

  • LO1.2: Identify and apply the relevant analytical tools and scientific knowledge to analyse an economic problem in depth
  • LO2.1: Adopt a scientific approach to data collection, research and analysis and communicate results with clear, structured and sophisticated arguments

Other information

Contacts

Thomas Demuynck (thomas.demuynck@ulb.be)

Campus

Solbosch

Evaluation

Method(s) of evaluation

  • written examination
  • Oral presentation
  • Group work
  • Other

written examination

Oral presentation

Group work

Other

Grading consists of 2 parts:

  • 60% of the grade is based on a written exam (open book).
  • 40% of the grade is based on a group work (find an interesting economic result. Present concepts/model + proof in class)

Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)

60% (written exam); 40% group work (in class presentation) (provisionary)

Language(s) of evaluation

  • english

Programmes