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BERGEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Division of Business & Social Sciences
Department of Social Sciences
Departmental Policy Syllabus
ECO-202 Intermediate Microeconomics
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to deepen student’s understanding and knowledge of theoretical and empirical
microeconomic theory. Topics covered in the course include consumer utility and choice; production
functions and cost; pricing of output and inputs under various market structures such as perfect
competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition and oligopoly, as well as externalities and public
goods.
Credits: 3
Hours: 3
Prerequisites: ECO-102
Co-requisites: None
General Education Course: No
Diversity Course: No
STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The main goal of this course is to present a rigorous analysis of the demand theory and consumer
behavior, the theory of production and costs, the equilibrium of the firm, the theory of income
distribution and factor prices and the nature of economic models. These concepts will be presented
both graphically and mathematically. As a result of meeting the requirements of this course, students
will be able to:
➢ Explain how consumers maximize utility given their incomes, preferences, and the relative
prices of goods in the market
➢ Use the tools of demand and supply to explain changes in equilibrium prices and quantities
across different markets in the U.S. and to predict effects of government policies such as
taxes, tariffs and quotas, price floors and price ceilings
➢ Describe how producers maximize profits given the available technology, the relative prices
of inputs and the prices of goods in the market
➢ Compare and contrast the outcome of different types of market structures in the U.S.
economy
➢ Identify two general types of externalities and distinguish between market and government-
based solutions to such market failures
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MEANS OF ASSESSMENT
In order to meet the Student Learning Objectives above, various assessment types will be utilized. The
major assessment types used in this course are graded class discussions, homework assignments, tests
and quizzes.
COURSE TEXTBOOK
Suggested textbooks: Nicholson, W. & Snyder, C. (2021). Intermediate Microeconomics and Its
Application, 13th Edition. Boston, MA: South-Western College Publication.
GRADING POLICY
A student’s final grade should be based primarily on his/her performance on the homework
assignments and the mastery of the material covered in the course through quizzes and multiple-
choice tests. Class participation will also be part of the final grade.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
BCC Attendance Policy: All students are expected to attend punctually every scheduled meeting of
each course in which they are registered. Attendance and lateness policies and sanctions are to be
determined by the instructor for each section of each course. These will be established in writing on
the individual course outline. Attendance will be kept by the instructor for administrative and
counseling purposes.
OTHER COLLEGE, DIVISIONAL, AND/OR DEPARTMENTAL POLICY STATEMENTS
Academic Dishonesty: The College has a zero-tolerance policy regarding academic dishonesty.
Instances of alleged academic dishonesty such as plagiarism or cheating will be reported to the
Departmental Chair and the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Should such allegation be proven, the
student will face failure for the work where the cheating occurred, and possibly be removed from the
class and suspended from the college with a permanent record of the offense established.
Communication: Only communications made through Bergen e-mail account will be accepted. No
personal e-mail accounts will be used. Each and every one of you has a Bergen e-mail account and you
must use that account when communicating with faculty members.
Withdrawals: Students who decide to withdraw from the class can do so without penalty (with the
exception of losing tuition money) as long as they meet the official deadline for withdrawal which is
posted in the Academic Calendar of the college. Please check that Calendar for the exact date.
Remember, do not just walk away from the course without officially withdrawing as it will result in a
3-credit zero averaged into your GPA. If you are failing the course, withdraw officially while you can
without penalty.
Class Cancellation: Please view class cancellations online by selecting Class Cancellations under
Current Students>Student Support Services on the College’s home page at www.bergen.edu.
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Students with Disabilities: Students with documented disabilities who require accommodations by
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can request support services from the Office of Specialized
Services of Bergen Community College located in room L-116 of the Pitkin Learning Center.
http://www.bergen.edu/oss
INCLUDE A COURSE OUTLINE AND CALENDAR
Week(s) Topic Reading/Activity/Assignments
1 Two Basic Economic Models Chapter 1/Homework/Quiz
2 Some Useful Math Chapter 2/Homework/Quiz
3 Utility & Choice Chapter 3/Homework/Quiz
4 Demand Curves Chapter 4/Homework/Quiz
5 Review Exam 1
6 Production Chapter 7/Homework/Quiz
7 Costs Chapter 8/Homework/Quiz
8 Profit Maximization & Supply Chapter 9/Homework/Quiz
9 Perfect Competition in a Single Market Chapter 10/Homework/Quiz
10 Review Exam 2
11 Monopoly Chapter 12/Homework/Quiz
12 Imperfect Competition Chapter 13/Homework/Quiz
13 Pricing in Input Markets Chapter 14/Homework/Quiz
14 Externalities & Public Goods Chapter 17/Homework/Quiz
15 Review Final Exam
Note to Students: This Course Outline and Calendar is tentative and subject to change, depending upon
the progress of the class.