Course Listing by Semester

Advanced Departmental Elective Courses

These advanced elective courses are designed to deepen students' understanding of specialized areas within economics and prepare them for research or professional roles in these domains.

1. Economic Development

This course provides an in-depth analysis of economic development theories, models, and empirical evidence. Students will explore the causes of poverty, inequality, and underdevelopment, and examine policy interventions aimed at promoting growth and social welfare.

The learning objectives include understanding the historical evolution of development economics, analyzing the role of institutions and governance in development outcomes, and evaluating the effectiveness of various development strategies such as structural transformation, human capital investment, and international aid programs.

Relevance: This course is essential for students interested in working with government agencies, NGOs, or international organizations focused on poverty reduction, sustainable development, and social policy.

2. Labor Economics

This course explores labor market dynamics, wage determination, employment policies, and the economics of human capital. Students will examine topics such as labor supply and demand, unemployment, discrimination, minimum wage legislation, and occupational mobility.

The learning objectives include analyzing labor market outcomes using economic models, understanding the impact of government policies on labor markets, and evaluating empirical studies on labor-related issues.

Relevance: This course is particularly relevant for students pursuing careers in HR analytics, labor policy analysis, or working with labor unions and employment agencies.

3. Public Finance

This course covers the principles of public finance, including taxation, government spending, fiscal policy, and public sector economics. Students will learn how governments raise revenue, allocate resources, and evaluate the efficiency of public programs.

The learning objectives include understanding the economic rationale for government intervention in markets, analyzing the effects of tax policies on behavior, and evaluating the effectiveness of public spending initiatives.

Relevance: This course prepares students for roles in government finance departments, central banks, or consulting firms specializing in public policy analysis.

4. International Trade

This course introduces students to theories of international trade, comparative advantage, and global economic integration. It examines the impact of trade policies on domestic economies and explores issues such as trade wars, tariffs, and free trade agreements.

The learning objectives include understanding trade theory models, analyzing the effects of globalization on income distribution, and evaluating the role of multilateral trade organizations in shaping global commerce.

Relevance: This course is ideal for students aiming to work in multinational corporations, trade policy analysis, or international development agencies.

5. Econometrics II

This advanced course builds upon foundational econometrics concepts and introduces students to time series analysis, panel data modeling, and advanced regression techniques. Students will learn how to apply these methods to real-world economic problems using statistical software packages like Stata or R.

The learning objectives include mastering advanced econometric models, interpreting empirical results accurately, and designing robust research studies that can be applied to complex economic questions.

Relevance: This course is crucial for students planning to pursue graduate studies in economics or work in research roles at think tanks or financial institutions.

6. Environmental Economics

This course explores the intersection of environmental policy and economic analysis. Students will study pollution control, resource management, climate change economics, and sustainability policies.

The learning objectives include understanding market failures related to environmental issues, analyzing policy instruments such as carbon taxes and cap-and-trade systems, and evaluating the cost-benefit analysis of environmental regulations.

Relevance: This course is valuable for students interested in working with environmental agencies, green technology companies, or non-profit organizations focused on sustainability.

7. Health Economics

This course examines the economics of healthcare systems, including health insurance markets, medical technology evaluation, and public health policy. Students will analyze healthcare financing mechanisms and assess the impact of health interventions on population outcomes.

The learning objectives include understanding healthcare delivery models, evaluating health program effectiveness, and applying economic principles to address health disparities.

Relevance: This course prepares students for careers in health policy, pharmaceutical companies, or global health organizations focused on improving access to care and reducing disease burden.

8. Behavioral Economics

This course combines insights from psychology and economics to understand decision-making processes that deviate from rational behavior. Students will study cognitive biases, heuristics, and behavioral interventions used in policy design.

The learning objectives include recognizing common cognitive biases, applying behavioral economics principles to public policy, and designing interventions that improve outcomes through subtle changes in choice architecture.

Relevance: This course is highly relevant for students interested in working with regulatory bodies, consulting firms, or social impact organizations that focus on influencing behavior through policy.

9. Financial Markets

This course provides an overview of financial markets, including securities analysis, risk management, and portfolio theory. Students will learn how to analyze financial instruments and assess investment opportunities in various market conditions.

The learning objectives include understanding financial asset pricing models, evaluating risk-return tradeoffs, and applying financial tools to real-world scenarios in banking or investment firms.

Relevance: This course is essential for students aiming to work in finance, investment management, or corporate financial planning roles.

10. Data Analytics for Economics

This course teaches students how to use big data tools and techniques to analyze economic phenomena. It covers topics such as machine learning algorithms, predictive modeling, and data visualization methods relevant to economic research and policy analysis.

The learning objectives include mastering data cleaning and preprocessing techniques, applying statistical models to large datasets, and communicating findings effectively through visual dashboards and reports.

Relevance: This course is particularly valuable for students entering the field of data science or working in consulting firms that specialize in economic analytics.

Project-Based Learning Philosophy

The Economics program at Asbm University Bhubaneswar emphasizes project-based learning as a core component of student development. This approach encourages active engagement with real-world problems and fosters critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills.

Mini projects are assigned throughout the curriculum to reinforce theoretical concepts and allow students to apply their knowledge in practical contexts. These projects typically involve data collection, analysis, and presentation of findings to peers and faculty members.

The final-year capstone project is a significant undertaking that allows students to conduct independent research on an economics-related topic under the guidance of a faculty mentor. This project integrates all learned skills and provides a platform for students to demonstrate their expertise in a specialized area.

Students select projects based on personal interest, career goals, or emerging trends in the field. The selection process involves consultations with faculty mentors who provide guidance on feasibility, scope, and relevance of proposed topics.

The evaluation criteria for these projects include methodology, data quality, clarity of presentation, contribution to existing literature, and overall impact of findings. Faculty members assess each project based on predefined rubrics that ensure consistent grading standards across all submissions.