PD:Macroeconomia III

Teaching plan for the course unit

Català

English

General information

Course unit name: Macroeconomics III

Course unit code: 366726

Academic year: 2025-2026

Coordinator: Gemma Abio Roig

Department: Department of Economics

Credits: 6

Single program: N

Estimated learning time

Total number of hours 150

Face-to-face and/or online activities

- Lecture with practical component	Face-to-face	30
- Problem-solving class	Face-to-face	26
- IT-based class	Face-to-face	4

Supervised project

Independent learning

Competences / Learning outcomes to be gained during study

-	Learning skills for independent further study of mathematics or other related scientific disciplines.
-	Ability to work in a team (capacity to collaborate with others and contribute to a common project, capacity to work in cross-disciplinary and multicultural teams).

-	Capacity to construct mathematical models of simple, real-life situations.
-	Ability to produce critical analyses of economic theories and models.
-	Understanding of the applications of mathematics in other branches of science and technology.
-	Knowledge and understanding of the nature, sources and uses of economic information and of the appropriate software for processing and analysing economic data.

Learning objectives

Referring to knowledge

Acquire an in-depth knowledge of the aggregate economy in the medium and long run.
Develop an understanding of the importance of taking a dynamic approach to economic problems.
Acquire a deeper understanding of the main models that explain economic growth.
Learn to use and interpret medium- and long-run macroeconomic models.
Learn how to relate the models studied to the economic reality and understand their strengths and limitations.

Referring to abilities, skills

Find, analyse and interpret economic data; search for, use and assimilate information.
Manipulate the models through the application of mathematics and apply variations to make them suitable for explaining other branches of economics.
Choose the most appropriate tool/model with which to understand a certain economic problem and interpret the results.
Understand the economic environment in which we live, and those of other countries or economic regions, exploring the differences between different cases.
Acquire accurate knowledge of specialized terminology in Catalan, Spanish and English.
Develop a capacity for accurate spoken and written communication in Catalan and Spanish, with full command of the specialized terminology of the discipline.
Acquire a capacity for analysis, comprehension, global visions and the application of knowledge to practice.

Referring to attitudes, values and norms

Develop a thoughtful, analytical and critical attitude towards socioeconomic phenomena.

Teaching blocks

1. Growth models with constant savings rates

1.1. Solow–Swan neoclassical growth model

1.2. Endogenous growth models and other extensions of the Solow–Swan model

2. Neoclassical infinite-horizon models of optimization

2.1. Ramsey–Cass–Koopmans model

2.2. Applications of infinite horizon models

3. Overlapping generations models

3.1. Diamond model

3.2. Application of ovelapping generations models

Teaching methods and general organization

This subject is taught through three types of activities:

Face-to-face theory sessions with a practical component, in which the lecturer explains the key concepts of each topic and describes the theoretical tools with which to analyse them. Students also complete different continuous assessment tasks, problem-solving activities, etc.
Directed work outside class hours consists mainly of research from the course reading list and the completion of practical activities and assignments set by the lecturer.
Students’ independent learning includes going through class notes, studying the contents of the course, consulting the recommended bibliography, and preparing for the continuous assessment exams and the final examination.

Student work for this subject is divided in roughly equal parts for each type of activity, corresponding to a dedication of 3–4 hours per week for each of the three activities.

The EUS group follows a different methodology, described in detail in the subject’s programme published on the Virtual Campus at the beginning of the course.

Official assessment of learning outcomes

The mark awarded for continuous assessment is based on the following activities: a) continuous assessment exercises; b) a mid-term exam; and c) a final exam.

a) Continuous assessment exercises (CAE): at the beginning of the course, the characteristics of the continuous assessment exercises for each group are explained. These activities are worth between 30 and 40% of the final grade. A minimum of 80% of these periodical practical exercises must be submitted and a minimum average mark of 3.5 out of 10 is required to be entitled to continuous assessment.

b) Continuous assessment mid-term exam (MTE): the date of this exam is announced at the beginning of the course together with the characteristics of the questions included, which may be multiple-choice questions, problem-solving exercises or theoretical questions. It is worth 30% of the final grade. A minimum mark of 3.5 out of 10 is required for the continuous assessment marks to be added to the final grade.

c) Final examination (FE): the final exam is carried out on the date set by the Academic Council and is worth between 30 and 40% of the final grade. It consists of theoretical questions and/or multiple-choice questions, and analytical and/or numerical problem-solving exercises. A minimum score of 3.5 out of 10 must be achieved to be eligible for continuous assessment.

Students who do not participate in the first continuous assessment assignment automatically waive their right to continuous assessment.

Repeat assessment for students who do not pass the subject takes place on the date set by the Academic Committee and consists of an examination with the same characteristics as the standard single assessment option. Consequently, the mark for continuous assessment is not carried over to repeat assessment.

The EUS group follows a different continuous assessment procedure described in the course programme published at the beginning of the semester.

Examination-based assessment

The final examination for single assessment corresponds to 100% of the final grade and consists of multiple-choice questions, theoretical questions and analytical or numerical problems.

Students who do not pass the course can sit a repeat assessment on the date established by the Academic Council. This consists of an examination with the same characteristics.

Reading and study resources

Check availability in Cercabib

Book

SALA i MARTÍN, Xavier. (2000): Apuntes de crecimiento económico. A Bosch, 2ª ed. Barcelona.

Catàleg UB

ROMER, David. (2006): Macroeconomia Avanzada, McGraw-Hill, 3ª ed. Madrid

Catàleg UB

GARCÍA de PASO, José. I.; I. VALERO; R. PÉREZ; GARCÍA, Begoña (2016): Crecimiento económico: modelos teóricos y ejercicios resueltos. Pearson Educación.

Catàleg UB

JONES, Charles.; Vollrath, Dietrich (2013): Introduction to Economic Growth. International Student Edition. W. W.Norton & Company. 3rd ed.

Catàleg UB

JONES, Charles.(2000): Introducción al crecimiento económico, México. Pearson Educación de México

Catàleg UB

WICKENS, MICHAEL (2008): Macroeconomic Theory. A dynamic General Equilibrium Approach. Princeton ed.

Versió en línia (2a ed., 2011)

ACEMOGLU, Daron. (2009): Introduction to Modern Economic Growth, Princeton U.P.

Catàleg UB

BARRO, Robert J. i SALA i MARTIN, Xavier: 2004. 2ª ed.: Economic Growth. Cambridge (Mass.), MIT Press.

Catàleg UB