Intermediate Macroeconomics module (BU32014)

​​Why do living standards differ so dramatically across countries? Economic growth is one of the most fundamental questions in macroeconomics, and this module equips you with the analytical tools to engage with it rigorously. 

​You'll start with the key facts of economic growth, examining how GDP, capital, and technology have evolved across countries and over time. From there, you'll study saving and capital accumulation, building up to the Solow-Swan model, which provides a framework for understanding long-run growth dynamics. 

​Topics include the role of technological progress, steady-state analysis, and the conditions under which economies converge or diverge. You'll also apply growth accounting to separate the contributions of capital, labour, and productivity to economic performance. 

​The module combines conceptual analysis with technical work, drawing on algebraic reasoning, graphical methods, and directed reading. Seminars provide structured opportunities to discuss ideas, test your understanding, and work through problems in depth. 

​What you will learn 

​In this module, you will: 

• ​Understand the key facts and patterns of long-run economic growth 
• ​Examine saving, capital accumulation, and technological progress through the Solow-Swan model 
• ​Analyse economic convergence and divergence across countries 
• ​Apply growth accounting methods to evaluate the sources of economic growth 
• ​Engage with macroeconomic data and models to assess growth performance and policy implications 

​By the end of this module, you will be able to: 

• ​Explain fundamental macroeconomic growth theories, including the Solow-Swan model 
• ​Use algebraic and graphical methods to derive and interpret results within macroeconomic models 
• ​Apply macroeconomic reasoning to evaluate real-world growth outcomes and policy questions 
• ​Decompose and evaluate the sources of economic growth using growth accounting techniques 
• ​Formulate economic questions in a tractable analytical form and critically engage with macroeconomic policy debates​

Assignments / assessments

​​Class test (40%) 

• ​Covers the technical and quantitative elements of the module, including model-based problems 

​Written exam (60%) 

• ​Two-hour exam
• ​Includes essay-based and technical questions covering all learning outcomes​

Teaching methods / timetable

• ​​Lectures (seven two-hour sessions) 
• ​Seminars (five one-hour sessions) with problem-solving and discussion​ 

Lecture notes and course materials are provided through My Dundee, the University’s virtual learning environment. Directed reading is assigned throughout the module to consolidate and extend lecture content.