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363-1109-00L 3 Credits BSC , DS D-USYS , D-GESS , D-MAVT , D-INFK , D-ITET

Introduction to Microeconomics

Einführung in die Mikroökonomie

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Martin Wörter, Dr. Mathias Beck

GESS (Science in Perspective): This course is only for students enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree programme. Students enrolled in a Master’s degree programme may attend “Principles of Microeconomics” (LE 363-0503-00L) instead. Note for D-MAVT students: If you have already successfully completed “Principles of Microeconomics” (LE 363-0503-00L), then you will not be permitted to attend it again.

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:48:09

Abstract

The course introduces basic principles, problems and approaches of microeconomics. It describes economic decisions of households and firms, and their coordination through perfectly competitive markets.

Objective

Students acquire a deeper understanding of basic microeconomic models. They acquire the ability to apply these models in the interpretation of real world economic contexts. Students acquire a reflective and contextual knowledge on how societies use scarce resources to produce goods and services and distribute them among themselves.

Content

Market, budget constraint, preferences, utility function, utility maximisation, demand, technology, profit function, cost minimisation, cost functions, perfect competition, information and communication technologies

Resources

Lecture Notes

Course material in e-learning environmenthttps://moodle-app2.let.ethz.ch/auth/shibboleth/login.php

Literature

Varian, Hal R. (2014), Intermediate Microeconomics, W.W. Norton

Learning Materials (Links)

Literature
Grundzüge der Mikroökonomik

General Information

Language: German
Levels: BSC , DS
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: session examination
Mode: written 60 minutes
Aids: Nicht programmierbarer Taschenrechner

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture with exercise	Einführung in die Mikroökonomie Zusätzliche (freiwillige) Termine für Übungen zur Vorlesung werden zu Beginn der Vorlesung bekanntgegeben.	Tue 10:15-12:00 (HG E 5)	2 h weekly

Offered In

GESS Science in Perspective (Only the topics listed in this paragraph can be chosen as GESS Science in Perspective. Further below you will find the "type B courses Reflections about subject specific methods and content" as well as the language courses. 6 ECTS need to be acquired during the BA and 2 ECTS during the MA Students who already took a course within their main study program are NOT allowed to take the course again.)
- Type A: Enhancement of Reflection Competence (Suitable for all students. Students who already took a course within their main study program are NOT allowed to take the course again.)
  - Economics
- Type B: Reflection About Subject-Specific Methods and Contents (Subject-specific courses: Recommended for doctoral, master and bachelor students (after first-year examination only). Students who already took a course within their main study program are NOT allowed to take the course again. These course units are also listed under "Type A", which basically means all students can enroll)
  - D-MTEC
Mechanical Engineering Bachelor
- 5. Semester
  - Focus Specialization
    - Management, Technology and Economics (Focus Coordinators: Prof. Stefano Brusoni D-MTEC and Dr. Bastian Bergmann D-MTEC)
Computer Science Bachelor
- Minor Courses
  - 5. Semester
Environmental Sciences Bachelor (Students can choose between one Bachelor thesis of 10KP or two Bachelor theses of 5KP each. In principle, all professors and lecturers involved in the teaching of the Environmental Sciences degree programme are entitled to supervise a Bachelor's thesis (BA). BA in the area of social sciences and humanities can only be supervised by lecturers who teach in this area. The same applies to BA in the field of natural sciences and technology. If the thesis is supervised by a person who does not teach in the Environmental Sciences degree programme or who does not have ETH lecturer status, then the student has to fill in the "Form for supervisors of a Bachelor thesis who do not teach in the Environmental Sciences degree programme" Link)
- Social Sciences and Humanities
  - Electives
    - Module Economics
Agricultural Sciences Bachelor
- Agricultural Sciences Disciplines
  - Agricultural Economics
Electrical Engineering and Information Technology Bachelor
- Electives (This is only a small selection. Other courses from the ETH course catalogue may be chosen. Please consult the "Richtlinien zu Projekten, Praktika, Seminare" (German only), published on our website ( ).)
  - Economics, Law and Management Electives (These subjects are particularly suitable for students planning to apply to the Master's Degree Program in Energy Science and Technology (MSc EST) or Management, Technology and Economics (MSc MTEC).)