ECOS3016: Semester 2, 2026

Units ECOS3016 Semester 2 2026 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

ECOS3016: Experimental and Behavioural Economics

Semester 2, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Experimental economics uses experimental methods to evaluate the performance of economic models, institutions and policies. Behavioural economics combines experimental and field evidence with insights from neighbouring disciplines such as psychology, to develop richer economic models of decision-making. This unit will develop the key research methods and major findings of each of these fields, and explore both theoretical and practical implications. Students will read a number of seminal research papers in both experimental and behavioural economics, and will have opportunities to participate in classroom experiments.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Economics
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	ECOS2001 or ECOS2901
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Stephen Cheung, stephen.cheung@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam	Final exam Closed-book, paper-based exam	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Online Survey Online survey	5%	Week 02 Due date: 16 Aug 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 16 Aug 2026	500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	Tutorial Quiz 1 In-class written quiz	10%	Week 06 Due date: 10 Sep 2026 at 18:00 Closing date: 10 Sep 2026	500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written test	In-semester test Closed-book, paper-based test	25%	Week 08 Due date: 23 Sep 2026 at 13:30	1 hour	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	Tutorial Quiz 2 In-class written quiz	10%	Week 11 Due date: 22 Oct 2026 at 18:00 Closing date: 22 Oct 2026	500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment will be provided through Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction; Standard Economic Theory and Behavioural Economics	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Crash Course in Choice Theory; Methodology of Experimental Economics	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Reading: "Money on the Table"	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Complexity, Coding, and Evolution; Heuristics and Biases	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Reading: "When Choices are Mistakes"	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Prospect Theory I: Reference Dependence and Loss Aversion	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Reading: "Behavioural Attenuation"	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Prospect Theory II: Diminishing Sensitivity and Probability Weighting	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Reading: "Looming Large or Seeming Small?"	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Subjective Probability and Belief Updating	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Tutorial Quiz 1	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Stochastic Choice; Context Effects	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Reading: "Decisions under Complexity"	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	In Semester Test	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Feedback on Quiz 1	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Choice over Time I	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Reading: "Optimal Utility"	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Choice over Time II	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Reading: "Quasi-Exponential Discounting"	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Behavioural Policy and "Nudging"	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Tutorial Quiz 2	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Dark Nudge and Sludge; Attention Economy	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Reading: "The i-Frame and the s-Frame"	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Feedback on Quiz 2	Tutorial (1 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Recommended text: Lionel Page (2022) Optimally Irrational: The Good Reasons We Behave the Way We Do, Cambridge University Press. (Full-text PDF access is available through the University Library.)

All other readings for this unit will be made accessible through hyperlinks from the lecture slides and/or the Reading List link on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Understand how experimental and behavioural economics relate to other methods and bodies of thought, and in particular to ‘standard’ economic theory
LO2. Demonstrate familiarity with the main areas to which experimental and behavioural economics have been applied, and some key findings that have been observed in each of these areas
LO3. Recognise the major departures from rationality that are identified in experimental and behavioural economics
LO4. Understand how economic theories are being revised in light of experimental and behavioural economics findings
LO5. Appreciate how experimental and behavioural economics methods contribute to explaining field phenomena, and the design of policy
LO6. Critically review and evaluate original research in experimental and behavioural economics

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit is being offered for the first time since 2021. Lecture topics and tutorial readings have been substantially updated.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links