Introduced in 2013, the Bachelor in Economics (BECO) is one of the most competitive undergraduate programs offered by Kathmandu University, School of Arts. Over the four years, students are offered a wide range of courses in economics exploring topics in money, banking and financial economics to issues in development, labor, environmental and energy economics while also equipping them with topics in political economy, public economics and policy. While the degree is rich in quantitative courses in mathematics and econometrics, it also offers courses in economic history and history of economic thought as well as courses that are designed to help students hone their narrative skills. The program engages students with game theoretic tools to help them analyze strategic situations, an approach that finds applications in most real world contexts. Economic reasoning, quantitative and data analysis skills combined with an exposure to programming languages such as STATA and R, lends our BECO graduates comparative advantage in today’s job markets – both private and public – as well as for higher studies in top universities around the world.

Economics at Kathmandu University

Bachelor in Economics (B-ECON) at Kathmandu University is a four-year degree course, designed for students intending to become qualified economists. The program is made for those students who want to make their careers in business, finance, international development, health, human resource management, marketing, management and research. It is also for those students who aim to work in financial markets, commodity markets, education sector, government institutions, banking sector, manufacturing sector, and insurance companies.

B-ECON prepares students to understand individual and group decision making, the structure of markets and economies, and the relationship between regions within the global economy. Our teaching program emphasizes the value of working in teams and developing skills in communication, both oral and written.

Studying B-ECON at Kathmandu University will:

• provide an understanding of microeconomics, macroeconomics as well as econometrics and a range of other topics related to computer, mathematics and sociology,
• equip students with employability skills such as leadership, teamwork, critical thinking, communication and problem solving,
• provide students with an opportunity for learning, gaining exposure and networking through its internship program,
• provide students with an opportunity to make an in-depth study in the area of their choice.

The Goals

The goals of the program are to

• provide students with a solid grounding in economic theory and history
• develop a habit of critical and creative thinking in students
• develop analytical and problem-solving abilities in students
• improve communicative and presentation skills of students
• develop skills in economic modeling, quantitative analysis and logical thought
• make students capable to apply economics in policy issues and real-world problems
• equip students with the latest tools of analysis and expose them to most modern outcomes of economics research
• provide students with confidence to analyze business problems in the workplace
• prepare students for careers in management, government, education, private sector and international organizations

Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of B-ECON, students will have the ability to

• demonstrate understanding and application of economic concepts, tools, techniques and processes in a wide variety of economic issues
• demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills using analytical reasoning
• understand, analyze and use quantitative data for basic empirical estimation techniques to test economic predictions
• understand the social and ethical dimensions in their chosen disciplinary areas
• understand and forecast market trends
• determine pricing policies
• evaluate the impact of the economic environment
• advise and make recommendations to management about key strategic decisions
• collect and analyze data using statistical software

Teaching Methodology

We believe in learning by doing. Our classes are designed in learner centeredness philosophy where the instructor acts as a facilitator. Classes will include group and individual works, discussions, problem solving and other techniques. Assignments, practical classes and consultation hours are the most integral part of the program. The sessions will be interactive and facilitated by the instructor to discuss in depth the subject being dealt. Students are required to actively participate in class. According to the need of the course, there will be guest lectures, group discussions, case analysis and presentations by students. Regular feedback will be provided to students on their progress.

Our learning process is based on

• Lecture based learning
• Group based learning
• Case based learning
• Action based learning
• Project based learning
• Seminar based learning

Eligibility

• Applicants must have a 10+2 or equivalent degree in any discipline from a recognized institution with a minimum aggregate of 45 percent or 2.0 CGPA.
• Applicants who have passed Class XI and are waiting for Class XII results can also apply for provisional admission. However, they will have to produce proof of having passed the exam within 15 days of publication of the result for formal registration.

Course Structure

The Bachelor in Economics program offers rigorous training in using analytic tools of economics to the students, and provides them with the opportunity to apply these in a wide variety of economic issues. The main focus of a curriculum is on analytical and problem solving, critical thinking, improvement in communicating skills and development of high level technical and analytical skills in the field of economics.

The first three years include compulsory courses in Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Language and Sociology so as to provide students with a solid foundation for the fourth year. Depending on the profession they would like to enter, students can then in the fourth year choose specialized courses to further increase their knowledge in the area such as:

• Energy economics
• Health economics
• Environmental economics
• Labor economics
• Mathematical economics

Evaluation Criteria

The performance of students in a course is evaluated in two stages, internally by the instructor and externally by the Office of the Controller of Examinations through end-semester exams. 50 percent weightage is assigned to the external end semester examinations and remaining 50 percent is assigned to the internal assessments. In order to successfully complete a course, students are required to obtain a minimum of 40 percent marks in both the components independently. Students will have to achieve a minimum of 80 percent attendance. Students who do not achieve this will be considered not qualified and will not be allowed to appear in the external end-semester examinations. Any student who fails to secure 50 percent of the total credits offered in a semester will have to drop out from the semester.

Students will be evaluated on four-point scale by the following letter grades:

The combined total marks obtained by the student in in-semester assessment and the end-semester examination will be converted in to letter grades as follows: