Class Fundamentals of Economics and Management

This course introduces the fundamentals of Economics and Management applied to Civil Engineering, preparing students for techno-economic decision-making in site and organisational contexts. Its scope covers cost–benefit analysis; reading and interpretation of accounting and financial information; and project appraisal. Core topics include scarcity, rationality and market structures; basic accounting and financial analysis (balance sheet, income statement, ratios); and investment decisions (time value of money, cash flows, NPV/IRR). Areas of intervention include budgeting, planning, procurement and the economic control of projects. Its relevance within the degree lies in complementing technical competencies with economic-financial literacy essential for roles in design, supervision, site management and entrepreneurship.

Not applicable

I – Foundations of Economics: Basic concepts of Business Economics 1.    Scarcity and choice 2.    Economic rationality 3.    Cost–benefit criterion in decision-making 4.    Market structures – perfect competition; monopoly; oligopoly. II – Foundations of Management 1.    Management and its evolution 2.    The firm and its environment 3.    Basic accounting notions 3.1. The balance sheet elements (assets, liabilities and equity) 3.2. Accounting events/transactions 3.3. The fundamental accounting equation 4.    Core instruments of financial analysis 4.1. Balance sheet 4.2. Income statement 4.3. From accounting statements to financial statements for analysis 4.4. Ratio analysis 5.    Investment project management  

In the teaching-learning process, methodologies will be used that include: expository classes, with presentation by the teacher of the theoretical frameworks of reference; participatory classes (Problem-Based Learning (PBL), Cooperative Learning, Concept and Mind Maps, …), where students are encouraged to participate in the discussion of various topics and are privileged with practical examples applied to the job market, in addition to solving exercises; active classes with individual and group assignments.    

Mankiw, N. Gregory. (2024). Principles of Economics (10th Edition)). Cengage Learning. Mankiw, N. Gregory. (2019). Introdução à Economia (Tradução da 8ª Edição Norte-americana). Cengage Pinto, C., Rodrigues, J., Santos, A., Melo, L., Moreira, M., & Rodrigues, R. (2012). Fundamentos da gestão (4.ª ed.). Editorial Presença. Teixeira, S. (2013). Gestão das organizações. Escolar Editora.