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Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Principles of Microeconomics

Massachusetts Institute of Technology via MIT OpenCourseWare

Overview

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This introductory undergraduate course covers the fundamentals of microeconomics. Topics include supply and demand, market equilibrium, consumer theory, production and the behavior of firms, monopoly, oligopoly, welfare economics, public goods, and externalities.  **Chalk Radio Podcast** Prof. Jonathan Gruber was featured in an episode of OpenCourseWare's podcast, [Chalk Radio](https://chalk-radio.simplecast.com/). In the episode "Thinking Like an Economist," Prof. Gruber talks about how he engages students in 14.01 with accessible real world examples. Listen to the episode on [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chalk-radio/id1497545103). **MITx Online Version** This course is part of the Micromaster’s Program in Data, Economics, and Design of Policy through MITx Online. The course is entirely free to audit, though learners have the option to pay a fee, which is based on the learner's ability to pay, to take the proctored exam, and earn a course certificate. To access the course, create an MITx Online account and enroll in the course [14.100x Microeconomics](https://mitxonline.mit.edu/courses/course-v1:MITxT+14.100x/?utm_medium=ocw-website&utm_source=ocw-website&utm_campaign=dedp&utm_content=ocw-page-microeconomics).

Syllabus

1. Introduction and Supply & Demand.
2. Preferences and Utility Functions.
3. Budget Constraints and Constrained Choice.
4. Demand Curves and Income/Substitution Effects.
5. Production Theory.
6. Costs.
7. Competition I.
8. Competition II.
9. Supply and Demand & Consumer/Producer Surplus.
10. Welfare Economics.
11. Monopoly I.
12. Monopoly II.
13. Oligopoly.
14. Oligopoly II.
15. Input Markets I—Labor Market.
16. Input Markets II—Labor and Capital.
17. Making Choices Over Time.
18. Increasing Savings & Introduction to Trade.
19. International Trade: Welfare and Policy.
20. Uncertainty.
21. Efficiency and Equity.
22. Government Redistribution and Taxation.
23. Market Failures I: Externalities.
23. Market Failures I: Externalities.
24. Market Failures II: Informational Asymmetry.
25. Health Economics.

Taught by

Prof. Jonathan Gruber

Reviews

4.9 rating, based on 16 Class Central reviews

Start your review of Principles of Microeconomics

  • Thank you for the free course, I really love how he explain things and make it looks easy for me who have zero knowledge in economics, I can easily grasp the lesson, because it is been simplified no jargons.
  • Anonymous
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  • Profile image for Leonardo Aboud Iwamoto
    Leonardo Aboud Iwamoto
    The Principles of Microeconomics course from MIT OpenCourseWare is clear, engaging, and easy to follow. It breaks down fundamental economic concepts such as supply and demand, market structures, and consumer behavior — into simple explanations supported by real-world examples.

    The strength of the course is how it connects theory to everyday economic decisions, making the material practical rather than purely academic. It provides a solid foundation for anyone who wants to understand how markets work and how individual choices influence the economy.
  • Profile image for Hritik Gupta
    Hritik Gupta
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology via MIT OpenCourseWareMassachusetts Institute of Technology via MIT OpenCourseWareMassachusetts Institute of Technology via MIT OpenCourseWarevMassachusetts Institute of Technology via MIT OpenCourseWareMassachusetts Institute of Technology via MIT OpenCourseWareMassachusetts Institute of Technology via MIT OpenCourseWareMassachusetts Institute of Technology via MIT OpenCourseWare
  • Completing the "Principles of Microeconomics (Fall 2018)" course was a highly informative and engaging experience. The course material was well-organized, and the instructor's teaching style made complex economic concepts easy to comprehend. It deepened my understanding of microeconomics and its practical applications. I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in the subject.
  • Vaidehi S Kanthan
    The microeconomics class was an enriching and eye-opening learning experience. It provided a strong foundation for understanding how individuals, households, and firms make decisions under conditions of scarcity. The topics covered—such as demand and supply, elasticity, consumer behavior, production costs, and market structures—were explained in a clear and systematic manner.
  • Profile image for VIGNESH V NAIR
    VIGNESH V NAIR
    This classes are very informative as a student with limited knowledge to economics was able to capture a lot from this..
  • Profile image for თამილა თურმანიძე
    თამილა თურმანიძე
    it was very interesting, understanding and clear. the topic was really suit for me, and the lecture gives us ver big information
  • Profile image for S.Nandhini S
    S.Nandhini S
    This course is useful and improve my knowledge. I have learned principles of micro economics in deeply. I like this course and explain also . Thank you for this course
  • Khaled Lachheb
    I had the privilege of taking this course because it allowed me to understand the fundamental aspects of microeconomics. I would advise anyone wishing to learn about microeconomics to take this course.
  • Profile image for Daksh Khandelwal
    Daksh Khandelwal
    Are you curious about how markets work? Do you want to understand the forces that shape prices and influence consumer decisions? If so, then the MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW) "Principles of Microeconomics" (Fall 2018) course might be the perfect place to…
  • Jeeva
    I found the course material helpful and the workload manageable Overall, I would recommend this course to others
  • Profile image for Shlok Jain
    Shlok Jain
    I would recommend this course to everyone because it really helps you understand the Microeconomics deeply. This course has given me a lot of knowledge about how the markets work and how our government plays a very important role in supporting the economy of a country. This course is good for students who want to pursue economics or learn about how a country's economy works.
  • Profile image for Muhammad Saad Khan
    Muhammad Saad Khan
    A study guide to help make sure you don’t miss any important concepts when you start your review of microeconomics. Although there are a lot fewer mathematical calculations required for the Advanced Placement Microeconomics exam, a few are guarante…
  • Profile image for Muhammad Ahmad Mazher
    Muhammad Ahmad Mazher
    From basic to higher level of economic course.. its really wonderful course and I had learned a lot from this course. More a need to introduce the econometrics basic to master level course for economic researchers and analysts.
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