The value of economics is to allow one to see the forest as well as the trees when studying how markets work and how government policies influence economic outcomes. Economics helps one to abstract from details and to concentrate on essentials in explaining how markets and governments work. The basic assumption of economics is to interpret markets and governments as institutions in which individuals or groups of individuals are maximizing their own interests, subject to various constraints. At its best, economics helps explain a good deal of human behavior.

Economics can sometimes become very theoretical, and in some universities economics students graduate with little appreciation of the practical problems in business and government. At CAAS, the economics program is closely integrated with other professional programs, such as agriculture, business and computer science. CAAS expects students to understand the practical aspects of business as well as economic theory. All students are expected to complete a practicum with a suitable organization.

The medium of instruction at IUBAT is English. Since IUBAT places great emphasis on achieving a high level of competence in both written and oral English, the program includes a series of courses on use of the English language. IUBAT also encourages students to become familiar with the use of computers for written and mathematical work.

PROGRAM OF STUDY

To receive a BA in Economics, students must acquire at least 133 credit hours of successfully completed study. The student must satisfactorily complete courses as specified by the following requirements. The requirements are divided into four components:

 * A core of theoretical courses in economics and related subjects. All economics students are   expected to complete successfully this group of courses.

 * A set of elective economics courses. Students must select and complete at least six of these courses. Students may well choose to complete more than the required minimum number.

 * A set of courses in other Arts and Science departments. These courses assure that students obtain a satisfactory mastery of oral and written English, and of mathematics. These courses also expose students to ideas in physical sciences and the humanities.

 * A set of courses in other colleges. These courses assure that economics students appreciate the practical problems associated with agriculture and business. They also allow students to develop an understanding of basic computer technology.

COURSE SEQUENCE AND DURATION OF STUDY

Students will usually take 4 courses per semester. Since most courses have a value of 3 credit hours, a student will normally accumulate 12 credit hours per semester toward his or her degree. To complete the required 133 credit hours for graduation will therefore require 11-12 semesters, unless a student obtains some course waivers. IUBAT operates year round, with 3 semesters per year. It is possible, with full-time study, to complete the program in 3-5 years. Most students require, however, 4 years of study before graduation.

If a student can show satisfactory evidence of having mastered the contents of a course, he or she may be excused from that particular course requirement. Such waivers are subject to general IUBAT academic regulations.

There is no prescribed sequence of courses for students to follow, but students should schedule their courses in consultation with their student adviser. Each course has prerequisites which are specified in the "Course Offerings". In general, students cannot pursue the upper division (300 or 400 level) economics elective courses until successfully completing the lower division (100 and 200 level) core economics courses, as well as the English and Mathematics sequence.
 
 

PRACTICUM

CAAS places great emphasis on the value of practical work experience in all professional degree programs. In the third or fourth year of study, CAAS will place economics students as interns with suitable organizations. This internship is an integral component of the economics program, worth 9 credit hours.
 
 

COURSE OFFERINGS

1. Core courses in economics and related subjects

Students must complete the following courses. ECO 101 Principles of Microeconomics [3]
ECO 102 Principles of Macroeconomics [3]

ECO 201 Intermediate Microeconomic Theory [3]
ECO 202 Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory [3]
ECO 301 Public Policy and Finance [3]
ECO 340 Introductory Econometrics [3]
ECO 490 Practicum [9]

2. Elective courses in economics

Students must complete at least six of the following elective courses in economics.

ECO 203 Economy of Bangladesh [3]
ECO 204 History of Economic Development [3]
ECO 302 Agricultural Economics [3]
ECO 303 International Trade [3]
ECO 304 Demography [3]
ECO 305 Money and Banking [3]
ECO 306 Labour Economics [3]
ECO 307 Industrial Organization [3]
ECO 401 Economic Regulation and Privatization [3]
ECO 402 Economics of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection [3]
ECO 403 Economics of Education [3]
ECO 404 Health Economics [3]
ECO 481 Seminar on Economic Policy [3]
ECO 482 Seminar on Social Policy [3]
ECO 483 Seminar on Economic Theory [3]

3. Courses in other Arts and Science Departments

Students must complete the Arts and Science courses listed below. Students are expected to complete a minimum of three additional courses in Arts and Science. These elective courses should be selected in consultation with the co-ordinator of the Department of Economics or the student adviser.

ENG 101 Basic English Composition [4]
ENG 102 English Comprehension and Speaking [3]
ENG 203 Advanced English Composition [3]

PHI 114 Introduction to Philosophy [3]
PHY 103 General Physics [3]
MAT 101 Mathematics [4]
MAT 160 Applied Calculas [3]
STA 240 Statistics [3]

4. Elective courses in other Colleges

Students must complete a minimum of eight additional courses in colleges other than Arts and Science. At least half of these courses should be upper division, at the 300 or 400 level. Such courses should be selected in consultation with the co-ordinator of the Department of Economics or the student adviser. Three of the required electives are :

MGT 402 Strategic Management [3]
BUS 101 Introduction to Business [3]
CSC 101 Fundamentals of Computation [3]

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION

The comprehensive examination  is conducted for students who have satisfactorily completed all the courses of the program. The objective of the comprehensive examination is to test the student’s capability to comprehend the entire program. It consists of a written test of three hours and an oral examination which is conducted by a board consisting of academics and practitioners. The examination is graded and the students must obtain a passing grade to qualify. The students must take this examination to fulfill the requirement of the program. The examination is a pre-requisite to practicu.

REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION

The BA Econ degree will be conferred only  to the student who has fully complied with the graduation requirements and has applied for it. The requirements are that the student has:

1. completed all the prescribed courses with a minimum of 133 credit hours
2. earned at least `C' grades in each of the required and elective courses in economics as well as in English
3. earned at least passing grade (D) in each of the remaining courses
4. earned a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.5
5. completed the practicum with at least passing grade
6. earned at least a passing grade in the comprehensive examination.
7. satisfactory behavior and discipline
8. library and financial clearance from the college and the university.

 College of Arts and Science
 

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