Syllabus academic year 2007/2008
ECONOMICS FOR ENGINEERSGEMA35

Higher education credits: 4,5. Grading scale: UG. Level: G1 (First level). Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish. GEMA35 overlap following cours/es: TEK116, TNX035, EXTA40, TEK115, TEK116 och TNX035. Optional for: A3, B2, BI3, C4, D4, E4, F3, ID2, K2, M2, MD3, N2, RH4, V4, W3. Course coordinator: Krister Hjalte, krister.hjalte@nek.lu.se, Nationalekonomiska inst. The course might be cancelled if the numer of applicants is less than 15. The number of participants is limited to 30 Assessment: The course is assessed by a written examination at the end of the course and a home assignment during the course. Home page: http://www.nek.lu.se/nekkhj.

Aim
The aim of the course is to give an overview of economics and how a knowledge of economics can ba applied to various issues in society.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

acquire knowledge and an understanding of the basic mechanisms of the economy. After the course, the student shall be able to understand news articles and radio and TV programmes covering economic issues. In addition, the student shall acquire a basic understanding of how the economy works and how the economy can be influenced by government intervention.

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

After the course, the student shall be able to conduct a simple analysis of a set of economic problems and in a constructive manner participate in debates and discussions on economic issues.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

After the course, the student shall have acquired a balanced view of an economic approach to analysing social issues and be able to assess the standpoints of participants in economic debates.

Contents
The course starts with a presentation of basic economic theory and economic concepts. Then, the role of markets and the way markets work and how economic policy can influence the resource allocation in society is presented. The course analyses business fluctuations and stabilization policy as well as the international aspects on a country's economy. In the course, the Swedish economy and its development during recent years is covered as well.

The content of the course is presented in a series of lectures. Participation in the lectures is not compulsory, but since the lectures complement the course literature, the students are expected to keep themselves informed about what is covered in the lectures.

Literature
Eklund, K: Vår ekonomi. 3rd edition. Tiden 1992.
Konjunkturrådets rapport 1994. SNS, 1994.
Supplementary material.