This course provides an introduction to micro-economic analysis, which focuses on individual economic decision-makers and markets. Topics include scarcity and allocation of resources, market equilibrium, price ceilings/floors, elasticity, consumer theory, cost/production analysis, market structures, factor markets, income distribution, market failures and government policy, international trade and finance, and the role of public policy in the economy. The primary objective of this course is to develop a foundation for more advanced study in business and economics, but it also provides information that is basic to inquiry in many other disciplines.

After completing Economics 3, Principles of Microeconomics, students will be able to:

1. Explain fundamental economic concepts of choice and production.

2. Describe the institutional structure of a modem capitalist economy, including the public and private sectors, and the criteria used by economists to evaluate economic outcomes.

3. Analyze how markets function and what happens in the presence of market failures.

4. Calculate and interpret measures of elasticity.

5. Analyze production and costs of firms under a variety of market structures.

6. Analyze factor markets and how they are affected by product market structures.

Requisites/Advisories
PREREQ: Elementary algebra or higher

Transferability
UC/CSU

Grading Options
Letter, Pass/No Pass

Important Dates for Regular Classes

Start and End Dates

January 13, 2026 - May 20, 2026

Important Dates:

Last day to add: January 30, 2026

Last day for refund: January 23, 2026

Last day to drop without W: January 30, 2026

Last day to drop with W: April 16, 2026

Last day to elect pass/no pass: 16-APR-26

Important Dates for City Online Classes

Start and End Dates

January 26, 2026 - May 20, 2026

Important Dates:

Last day to add: February 12, 2026

Last day for refund: February 4, 2026

Last day to drop without W: February 12, 2026

Last day to drop with W: April 23, 2026

Last day to elect pass/no pass: 23-APR-26

Adds/Drops

If you would like to add this course, please put your name on the wait list. Please submit add authorization request on the first day of class. You may add the class if your request approved. 

Students, who show no activity by the census date will be dropped from the class. In order to avoid being dropped during the census period, complete your Module 1 assignments by their due dates. 

In order to withdraw from a course, it is not sufficient to stop posting assignments or contributing to discussion. In accord with university policy, students wishing to withdraw from a course must do so formally through the Registrar’s office. It is the student’s responsibility to complete all forms. If this is not done, the instructor must assign a grade of FW at the end of the semester.

Course Syllabus

City Online Course Syllabus