69213 - Mathematics for Social Sciences

Learning outcomes

Learning Outcomes: At the end of the course the student learns the basic and multivariate calculus ropes. These mathematical tools allow the student to set up and solve models arising in social sciences, as tourism, that are connected to unconstrained optimization for functions of one and several variables and to linear constrained optimization. Some up to date applications inherent in tourism sector are analysed in the laboratory.

Course contents

The fundamental aspects of the course include the mathematical notions that are unavoidable when studying models for social sciences as economics. They can be described as follows:

- Elementary functions and their properties.

- Graphical representation of functions.

- Non constrained optimization: existence of maxima and minima. Concavity and convexity.

- Some aspects of constrained optimization.

- Some examples of mathematical models for tourism.

Readings/Bibliography

Some lectures notes will be distributed during the course, however all the topics can be found in the books:

K. Sydsaeter, P. Hammond, A. Strom "Essential Mathematics for Economic Analysis", Pearson

K. Sydsaeter, P. Hammond, A. Seierstad, A. S. "Further Mathematics for Economic Analysis", Prentice Hall

 

Teaching methods

Due to the different levels of mathematical skills, a crash course is organized before the lectures beginning. The attendance is strongly recommended.

During lectures students will be involved in some examples through a clicker system, a cellular phone can be useful.

Assessment methods

The written final test is based on the solution of ten exercises (3 points for each correct exercise). The oral part is optional.

The mark is out of 30 points, and the minimum required to pass the exam is 18/30.

The exam has to be completed in the same date. It is possible to bring books, personal notes or electronic devices in the exam. Registration for the exam is compulsory, and students have to register through AlmaEsami according to the general rules of the School of Economics, Management and Statistics.

Before the written exam, it is possibile to present a dissertation about one paper developing relevant topics in tourism research.

 

Teaching tools

Each lecture is organized with an initial part based on the solution of exercises assigned in the previous lecture, an explanation of the new argument and finally some examples about  its application.

Office hours

See the website of Maria Letizia Guerra