NCEA Level 3 Economics
Course Description
Teacher in Charge: Mr M. Terry.
13ECO - Economics
The Level 3 course enables students to attain economic literacy and to develop a continuing interest in contemporary economic issues. The skill of reasoning clearly using analytical techniques allows students to present and interpret economic data in a clear, coherent manner. The course is divided into three sections: Whenever possible, specific examples are drawn from the New Zealand economy.
Microeconomics.
This is an analytical study of how consumers behave and how producers decide to use resources and sell their output. The ‘theory of the firm’ goes into detail of costs and output decisions in a range of market situations, ranging from perfect competition to monopoly. Microeconomics also looks at individual markets in relation to trade, taxes and government regulation.
Resource allocation modifications.
The free market does not always provide effective or equitable outcomes, and this section examines the case for government intervention. Areas of study include public goods, externalities, natural monopolies and equity issues.
Macroeconomics.
Macroeconomics looks at broad strands across the economy, and topics include national income, money and prices, trade and foreign exchange. These form part of the Aggregate Supply and Demand Model which is used to show the effect of government monetary and fiscal policy.
Careers
Economics can be studied right through university towards a bachelor degree, masters degree and doctorate. There are several areas to specialise in in later study. Macroeconomics which is relevant to careers with the Reserve Bank, Treasury, various economic institutes, domestic and international banking and finance companies. Econometrics leads to opportunities in Statistics NZ, actuary firms, insurance and polling firms. Microeconomics and Management science are branches of economics of interest to industry, health, airlines and freight logistics firms.
Course Overview
Term 1
Economic terms
Marginal Utility / Demand/ Shifts
Elasticity of demand - price
Elasticity of demand – cross, income
Diminishing returns, supply and elasticity
Role of prices in resource allocation
Markets and Allocative Efficiency
Applications of Supply & Demand
Term 2
Applications of Supply & Demand continued
Market failure and externalities
Externalities
Income distribution - equity & efficiency
Perfectly competitive firm - cost curves / profit max
Monopoly firms and output decisions
Term 3
Natural monopoly
Economic indicators (Growth inflation etc)
Monetary policy
Money and the NZ Financial System
Foreign exchange NZD market
International trade and the balance of payments
Aggregate Demand / Supply model
Term 4
Aggregate Demand / Supply model continued
Revision
NCEA examination
Recommended Prior Learning
12 credits in Year 12 Economics or Mathematics or English or by HoD approval.
Pathway
Economics can be studied right through university towards a bachelor degree, masters degree and doctorate. There are several areas to specialise in in later study. Macroeconomics which is relevant to careers with the Reserve Bank, Treasury, various economic institutes, domestic and international banking and finance companies. Econometrics leads to opportunities in Statistics NZ, actuary firms, insurance and polling firms. Microeconomics and Management science are branches of economics of interest to industry, health, airlines and freight logistics firms.
Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
External
NZQA Info
Economics 3.1 - Demonstrate understanding of the efficiency of market equilibrium
NZQA Info
Economics 3.2 - Demonstrate understanding of the efficiency of different market structures using marginal analysis
NZQA Info
Economics 3.3 - Demonstrate understanding of micro-economic concepts
NZQA Info
Economics 3.4 - Demonstrate understanding of government interventions where the market fails to deliver efficient or equitable outcomes
NZQA Info
Economics 3.5 - Demonstrate understanding of macro-economic influences on the New Zealand economy
Approved subject for University Entrance
Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 24
Only students engaged in learning and achievement derived from Te Marautanga o Aotearoa are eligible to be awarded these subjects as part of the requirement for 14 credits in each of three subjects.
Pathway Tags
Mining Engineer, Accountant, Auditor, Actuary, Finance Manager, Advertising Specialist, Anaesthetic Technician, Retail Manager, Statistician, Baker, Hotel/Motel Manager, Cafe Worker, Property Manager, Butcher, Cafe/Restaurant Manager, Urban/Regional Planner, Kitchenhand, Chef, Elected Government Representative, Event Manager, Quantity Surveyor, Demonstrator, Dietitian, Foreign Policy Officer, Workplace Relations Adviser, Sports Coach/Official, Early Childhood Teacher, Environmental Scientist, Economist, Human Resources Adviser, Energy/Carbon Auditor, Financial Adviser, Health Promoter, Health Services Manager, Mortgage Broker, Nanny/Child Carer, Policy Analyst, Tertiary Lecturer, Real Estate Agent, Secondary School Teacher, Valuer,