Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This is an advanced unit focusing on the economics of consumer behaviour and the specification and estimation of demand systems for agricultural commodities. The unit provides students with analytical skills valued by employers of agricultural economists and natural resource managers such as government departments, private sector organisations and research institutions. The focus of the unit is on understanding consumer theory—constrained utility maximisation, derivation of demand functions, properties of demand functions, and duality in the theory of consumer choice. Also covered is the development and estimation of both single equation and demand system models and the assessment and interpretation of empirical results. The unit equips students with the knowledge and skills required to undertake advanced economic analysis of consumer demand problems. At the end of the unit, students have a thorough understanding of the underlying theory of consumer behaviour and can formulate, estimate and test complete systems of consumer demand equations.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2025 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) understand the economic theory that underpins consumer analysis, and think about economic and research problems in logical and systematic ways and (2) appreciate data and statistical issues related to consumer theory.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) quizzes; (2) assignments; and (3) take-home examinations. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr. Amin Mugera
- Unit rules
- Contact hours
- lectures/tutorials: 3 hours per week for 10 weeks
- Texts
Deaton, A. and Muellbauer, J. Economics and Consumer Behavior: Cambridge University Press 1980
Okrent, A. M. and Alston, J. M. Demand for Food in the United States: a Review of Literature, Evaluation of Previous Estimates and Presentation of New Estimates of Demand', Giannini Foundation Monograph Series, No. 48: Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics 2011
Debertin, D. L. Agricultural Production Economics, 2nd edn: privately published 2012. Available online at: https://www.uky.edu/~deberti/prod/AgprodCD2007/
Coelli, T., Rao, D. S . P., O’Donnell, C. J. and Battese, G. E. An Introduction to Efficiency and Productivity Analysis: Springer 2005
Chambers, R. Applied Production Analysis: a Dual Approach: Cambridge University Press 1988
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.