University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 20

ECTS credits : 10

Level : SCQF level 9

Semester: 1

Availability restrictions: Permission of the Economics Honours Advisor

Planned timetable: 9.00 am - 11.00 am Mon.

Game Theory focuses on the decisions and behaviour of economic agents in interactive situations. This module will teach the basics of strategic thinking, aiming to guide students' understanding of the common roots of many social and economic dilemmas. Beginning with the discussion of simple games, analytic tools will be introduced progressively leading the discussion of numerous applications like bargaining, production and market entry choices, financing decisions, voting, and more.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Permission of the economics honours adviser

Anti-requisite(s): null

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 20 hours of lectures over 11 weeks, 1-hour tutorial (x 5 weeks) plus 1 office hour (x 12 weeks).

Scheduled learning hours: 25

Guided independent study hours: 175

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework (Quizzes) = 10%, Class Test = 30%, 2-hour Written Examination = 60%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 80%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 20%

Re-assessment: 2-hour Written Examination = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr M Negri
Module teaching staff: M Negri

Intended learning outcomes

• Understand the foundations of the formal approach to strategic thinking
• Learn basic analytic tools of Game Theory, such as dominant strategies and Nash equilibrium
• Be familiar with advanced tools of Game Theory, such as evolutionary stability and perfect Bayesian equilibrium
• Apply game theoretic tools to analyse simple strategic interactions