Teaching code

4S00181

Teacher

Letizia Pellegrini

Coordinatore

Letizia Pellegrini

Credits

9

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

SECS-S/06 - MATHEMATICAL METHODS OF ECONOMICS, FINANCE AND ACTUARIAL SCIENCES

Period

Primo semestre (lauree) dal Sep 19, 2022 al Jan 13, 2023.

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars

Learning objectives

The course provides students with a rigorous scientific language based on a logical-mathematical deductive reasoning; moreover, it aims to furnish some analytical tools and basic mathematical models to deal quantitatively with the treatment of economic and business problems. In particular, the course yields the classical arguments from Mathematical Analysis (differential and integral calculus, optimization) and Linear Algebra, which constitute an effective tool for analyzing economic and business phenomena. At the end of the lessons, the student will have to demonstrate that he has acquired the ability to critically review the concepts encountered in the course and to apply methods, tools and mathematical models.

Prerequisites and basic notions

The prerequisites are the basic mathematical notions acquired in secondary school: algebraic expressions and rules for their transformation (square and cube of a binomial, difference of squares), polynomials, powers and their properties, equations and inequalities of first and second degree, some element of analytic geometry, in particular the Cartesian coordinates in the plane, the lines and their representation with first degree equations.

These topics are however taken up again at the beginning of the course, in terms of a quick review and some in-depth analysis.

Program

1. Basic mathematical notions
2. One variable functions
3. Limits
4. Differential calculus
5. Integration theory
6. Vector spaces and matrices
7. Systems of linear equations
8. Functions of several variables

The detailed program and further educational material are available in the course web page.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

The course includes 48 hours of lectures (equivalent to 6 credits) and 36 hours of exercise lectures (equivalent to 36 credits).
Beside lectures on theoretical topics, the course includes exercise lectures to complete the knowledge with an adequate calculus ability.

Learning assessment procedures

Written and oral final exam.

A minimum score of 16/30 is required at the written test to be admitted to the oral exam. Students who have achieved a grade lower than or equal to 16/30 do not pass the exam.

The oral exam focuses on the entire program of the course. It consists at first in discussing the possible mistakes of the written test; then, in investigating the student's preparation on the theoretical part of the course; therefore, definitions, simple propositions, statements of the main theorems may be required. The duration of the oral exam will be about 15-20 minutes.

All students, even those who do not have to or do not intend to take the oral exam, must be present for the vision and discussion of the assignment and for recording the grade. Those who refuse the vote must also communicate their decision, possibly via e-mail.

Intermediate test with "partial grade"

Halfway through the course, there is an intermediate written test on the topics already covered in the course. The intermediate test is introduced with the aim of attracting the students, from the first day of attendance, to a regular and systematic study of the subject,and allow them to divide the exam program in two parts, subjected to a separate assessment of learning (mid-term test and final supplementary test).
- The intermediate test is optional; the student's participation in the test does not affect his / her right to refuse the grade reported so as to take the entire exam at the end of the semester.
- This intermediate test has the same characteristics as the final exam and has as its object the topics of the teaching program covered up to the moment of the intermediate test. These topics will be specified in a specific notice on the e-learning page of the course well in advance of the test date. The topics covered by the mid-term exam are excluded from the written completion test at the end of the semester.
- Useful appeals to complete the exam: the outcome of the test is valid on the final passing of the exam exclusively in the appeals of the exam session immediately following the end of the course.
- The grade obtained weighs half of the final grade, which is achieved by passing a similar second written test. To pass the exam, both partial tests must be passed, possibly with the need to take the supplementary oral exam.
The intermediate test is introduced with the aim of attracting the student, from the first day of attendance, to a regular and systematic study of the subject, with the possibility of putting this commitment to good use in advance, essentially passing a part of the exam. It also ascertains the quality of the study carried out up to that point and the knowledge acquired. Furthermore, in the event of failure, it can provide the student with important information on the criticalities of the preparation in good time.

Evaluation criteria

The exam consists of a written test and an oral test.
The written test is a test consisting of 20 multiple choice questions. For each question 4 answers are proposed, of which one and only one is correct.

The quiz is structured according to the following rules:
• a score of 1.5 is assigned to each correct answer
• a score of 0 is assigned to each missing or incorrect answer
• the maximum time available to take the quiz is 60 minutes
• the use of the calculator is not allowed.

The maximum score obtainable in the written test is 30/30. A minimum score of 16.5 / 30 in the written test is required to be admitted to the oral test. Students who have achieved a grade lower than 16.5 / 30 do not pass the exam.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The oral exam is compulsory for students who have achieved the grade of 16.5. For students who have obtained a score greater than or equal to 18/30 and up to 26/30, a short interview is foreseen for the vision, discussion of the written test and the eventual confirmation of the grade. Those who have obtained a score greater than or equal to 27/30 and, after viewing and discussing the task, do not intend to take the oral exam, will be awarded the final grade of 26/30.

Exam language

Italiano