George Mason University – Graduate Council
Graduate Course Approval Form
All courses numbered 500 or above must be submitted to the Graduate Council for final approval after approval by the
sponsoring College, School or Institute.
Graduate Council requires submission of this form for a new course or any change to existing courses. For a new course,
please attach a copy of the syllabus and catalog description (with catalog credit format, e.g. 3:2:1). The designated
representative of the College, School or Institute should forward the form along with the syllabus and catalog description,
if required, as an email attachment (in one file) to the secretary of the Graduate Council. A printed copy of the form with
signatures and the attachments should be brought to the Graduate Council meeting. Please complete the Graduate Course
Coordinator Form if the proposed changes will affect other units.
Note: Colleges, Schools or Institutes are responsible for submitting new or modified catalog descriptions (35 words or
less, using catalog format) to Creative Services by deadlines outlined in the yearly Catalog production calendar.
Please indicate: New____X___
Modify_______
Department/Unit: School of Management
Submitted by: Roy Hinton
Delete_______
Course Subject/Number: GSOM 660
Ext: 1662 Email: rhinton1@gmu.edu
Course Title: Managerial Economics and Decisions of the Firm
Effective Term (New/Modified Courses only): Fall 2008
Credit Hours: (Fixed) __3___
(Var.) ______ to ______
Final Term (deleted courses only):____________
Grade Type (check one):
___X__ Regular graduate (A, B,
C, etc.)
_____
_____
Satisfactory/No Credit only
Special graduate (A, B, C, etc. + IP)
Repeat Status*(check one): __X_ NR-Not repeatable ____ RD-Repeatable within degree ____ RT-Repeatable within term
*Note: Used only for special topics, independent study, or internships courses
Total Number of Hours Allowed: _______
Schedule Type Code(s): 1. LEC LEC=Lecture SEM=Seminar STU=Studio INT=Internship IND=Independent Study
2.____ LAB=Lab RCT=Recitation (second code used only for courses with Lab or Rct component)
Prereq __X_ Coreq ___ (Check one):
Admission to a SOM graduate certificate program, admission to a graduate program in the School of Management, or written
permission of the instructor.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Note: Modified courses - review prereq or coreq for necessary changes; Deleted courses - review other courses to correct prereqs that list the deleted course.
Description of Modification (for modified courses):____________________________________________________________________
Special Instructions (major/college/class code restrictions, if needed):__________________________________________
Department/Unit Approval Signature:_________________________________________ Date: _____________
College/School Committee Approval Signature:__________________________________ Date:_____________
Graduate Council Approval Date:____________ Provost Office Signature:_________________________________
George Mason University
Graduate Course Coordination Form
Approval from other units:
Please list those units outside of your own who may be affected by this new, modified, or deleted course. Each of these units must
approve this change prior to its being submitted to the Graduate Council for approval.
Unit:
Head of Unit’s Signature:
Date:
Unit:
Head of Unit’s Signature:
Date:
Unit:
Head of Unit’s Signature:
Date:
Unit:
Head of Unit’s Signature:
Date:
Unit:
Head of Units Signature:
Date:
Graduate Council approval: ______________________________________________ Date: ____________
Graduate Council representative: __________________________________________
Date: ____________
Provost Office representative: ____________________________________________
Date: ____________
Catalog Description
Provides a fundamental understanding of how microeconomics concepts are usefully applied to managerial decision
making. Principles of microeconomic theory are explored fully, including market supply and demand, production and
cost functions, industry structure, and product and resource pricing.
Master Syllabus
GSOM 660: Managerial Economics and Decisions of the Firm
Prerequisite: For certificate programs, admission to a specific SOM graduate certificate program or written permission of
instructor
Course Description:
Provides a fundamental understanding of how microeconomics concepts are usefully applied to managerial decision
making. Principles of microeconomic theory are explored fully, including market supply and demand, production and
cost functions, industry structure, and product and resource pricing.
Learning Objectives:
 Introduce microeconomic theory as a tool useful to managers in making decisions.
 Explore insights offered by microeconomic theory into choices made by individuals.
 Equip students with a better understanding of the operation of markets and the importance of market forces in
influencing firm performance.
Course Website: (See individual instructor syllabi for specific section addresses)
Representative Text(s) and Required Materials:

Baye, Michael R. Managerial Economics and Business Strategy, fourth edition, McGraw-Hill Irwin, 2003.

Pindyck, Robert S. and Rubinfeld, Daniel. Microeconomics, sixth edition, Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005.

Thomas, Christopher and Maurice, S. Charles. Managerial Economics, eighth edition, McGraw-Hill Irwin, 2005.

Mansfield, Edwin, Allen, W. Bruce, Doherty, Neil A., and Weigelt, Keith A. Managerial Economics, fifth edition,
Norton, 2002.

Cases and/or supplementary readings as assigned.
Student Responsibilities:
Class meetings will be conducted using a combination of lecture, discussion, and problem analysis. Each member
of the class is expected to prepare thoroughly for each session and to participate in class discussions.
Methods of Student Evaluation:
Grading is based on the following:

Examinations

Case and/or problem assignments

Projects

Class participation
The relative weight of each of these varies by professor.
Topics Covered:
1. Overview of supply and demand
2. Demand analysis
3. Production and costs
4. Competition and competitive markets
5. Monopoly and pricing with monopoly power
6. Oligopoly and game theory
7. Economics of information
8. Government policies toward firms and markets
Other topics may be added at the instructor’s discretion
Honor Code:
The faculty expects students to follow the University’s honor code as presented in the University’s publications.
ODS Statement:
If you are a student with a disability and you need academic accommodations, please see instructor and contact the Office
of Disability Services (ODS) at 993-2474. All academic accommodations must be arranged through the ODS.