The Master of Science in Applied Economics (MSAE) has been mainly designed with the aim of creating highly competent economics professionals to serve in the private and public sectors of Bangladesh. A key feature of the programme is the importance it attaches to the application of tools in practical settings. Thus, it aims to strike a balance between theory and practise.
On completion of the MSAE programme, graduates can expect to pursue careers in banks, financial organisations, non-government organisations and international agencies. Furthermore, completion of the core component of the programme (details below) should provide a satisfactory grounding in the requisite theory that will enable graduates to carry on to the Doctoral level if they be so inclined.
Requirements for the Programme
Applicants should ideally possess at least a Bachelor’s degree in economics from a recognised university. However, a person with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in any other discipline can apply provided certain quantitative skills are met. Such candidates may be required to take some or all of the non-credit foundation courses which are mentioned below.
List of Courses
Foundation Courses (3 courses, non-credit)
Students from a non-economics background may be required to take all or some of the following non-credit undergraduate courses before the MSAE programme is commenced.
- ECO203 Intermediate Microeconomics
- ECO204 Intermediate Macroeconomics
- ECO303 Introduction to Econometrics
Core Courses (15 credits)
The following courses form the core requirement of the MSAE programme with the aim of providing an in depth theoretical and practical knowledge of the core fields in economics.
- ECO511 Principles of Quantitative Analysis (3 Credits)
- ECO512 Microeconomic Theory and Applications I (3 Credits)
- ECO513 Macroeconomic Theory and Applications (3 Credits)
- ECO514 Microeconomic Theory and Applications II (3 Credits)
- ECO515 Advanced Econometrics (3 Credits)
Primary Concentration Courses (9 credits)
Along with core courses in economics, the students may choose one of three concentration fields for a thorough understanding of that particular area of economics. A student needs to complete 9 credits, in consultation with the academic advisor, from one of three fields below to complete the requirements of a primary concentration. An interested student can complete more than one area of concentration.
Free Electives / Secondary Concentration (6 credits)
Each student is also required to complete 6 more credits of elective courses from any of the fields below. By taking these 6 credits from one particular area in consultation with his/her advisor, a student can acquire a secondary concentration in that particular field.
Thesis (6 credits)
Successful completion of the programme also requires the student to prepare and defend a thesis (ECO 690) of acceptable academic standard.
Transfer of Credits
Prospective students who wish to transfer credits to the MSAE programme should bring it to the attention of the Department. The final decision to transfer credits resides with the Departmental authorities.
Fields of Concentration
1. Econometrics
a. ECO611 Time Series Analysis and Forecasting (3 Credits)
b. ECO612 Models of Qualitative Choice (3 Credits)
c. ECO613 Econometric Analysis of Panel Data (3 credits)
d. ECO614 Topics in Econometric Analysis (3 Credits)
2. Financial Economics
a. ECO621 Corporate Finance and Economic Analysis (3 Credits)
b. ECO622 Capital Markets and Investment Strategy (3 Credits)
c. ECO623 Asset Pricing and Financial Derivatives (3 credits)
d. ECO624 Risks, Uncertainty and Insurance (3 credits)
e. ECO625 Managerial Economics (3 credits)
f. ECO626 Topics in Financial Economics (3 credits)
3. Public Policy
a. ECO631 Public Economics (3 Credits)
b. ECO632 Project Appraisal and Management (3 Credits)
c. ECO633 Resource and Environmental Economics (3 Credits)
d. ECO634 Trade Policies and Development (3 Credits)
e. ECO635 Economic Development Policies in Bangladesh (3 Credits)
f. ECO636 Topics in Economic Policy Issues (3 Credits)
Transfer of Credits
Prospective students who wish to transfer credits to the MSAE programme should bring it to the attention of the Department. The final decision to transfer credits resides with the Departmental authorities.