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MA-ECONOMICS in Economics at Dev Samaj College for Women
Chandigarh, Chandigarh
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About the Specialization
What is Economics at Dev Samaj College for Women Chandigarh?
This MA Economics program at Dev Samaj College for Women, Chandigarh focuses on advanced economic theory, quantitative methods, and policy analysis. It aims to equip students with rigorous analytical skills crucial for understanding and addressing complex economic issues in the Indian and global contexts. The program emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical applications, preparing graduates for diverse roles in a rapidly evolving economy.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for fresh graduates with a Bachelor''''s degree in Economics or a related field, seeking a strong foundation for research, policy formulation, or academic careers. It also caters to working professionals in government, NGOs, or the private sector who wish to enhance their analytical capabilities and advance their understanding of economic principles relevant to India''''s developmental challenges.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to pursue rewarding careers in economic research, public policy, banking, finance, and academia within India. Potential roles include economists, data analysts, policy advisors, and researchers. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 4-7 lakhs per annum, with significant growth potential up to INR 15-25 lakhs or more for experienced professionals in leading Indian organizations and multinational corporations operating in India.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Build a Strong Theoretical Core- (Semester 1-2)
Focus intensively on mastering foundational micro and macro economic theories. Regularly attend lectures, engage in critical discussions, and solve problem sets to solidify understanding. Form study groups to dissect complex models and concepts.
Tools & Resources
Standard textbooks by Mankiw, Samuelson, Koutsoyiannis, Online resources like Khan Academy for concepts, NPTEL for deeper dives
Career Connection
A robust theoretical foundation is essential for advanced studies, economic analysis roles, and competitive exams for public sector jobs in India.
Excel in Quantitative & Statistical Methods- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicate significant time to elementary and applied quantitative methods and statistics. Practice mathematical economics and statistical problems consistently. Begin familiarizing with statistical software for basic data handling.
Tools & Resources
Excel, R (for basic statistical analysis), Textbooks on mathematical economics and econometrics, Online tutorials
Career Connection
Strong quantitative and statistical skills are highly valued in data analysis, research, and financial roles in India''''s growing analytics and financial services sectors.
Cultivate Economic Awareness- (Semester 1-2)
Develop a habit of regularly reading national economic newspapers (e.g., The Economic Times, Business Standard), economic magazines, and government reports (RBI Bulletin, Economic Survey). Relate classroom theories to real-world Indian economic events and policies.
Tools & Resources
The Economic Times, Livemint, Business Standard, RBI publications, NITI Aayog documents, Government economic survey
Career Connection
Understanding contemporary economic issues is crucial for policy-oriented careers, journalism, and excelling in interviews for roles in government and think tanks.
Intermediate Stage
Specialize and Deepen Elective Knowledge- (Semester 3)
Carefully choose elective papers in Semester 3 that align with your emerging career interests, such as Agricultural Economics or Demography. Engage deeply with the specific literature and real-world issues of your chosen specialization, perhaps by writing an extended essay.
Tools & Resources
Specialized textbooks, Academic journals specific to the chosen elective, Case studies on Indian industries/sectors
Career Connection
Specialization helps in targeting specific industry roles and demonstrating deeper expertise to potential employers in India''''s diverse economic sectors, particularly for roles requiring sectoral knowledge.
Master Econometric Applications- (Semester 3)
Actively learn and apply econometric techniques using specialized software for data analysis. Work on mini-projects involving real or simulated economic data, focusing on practical implementation of concepts like OLS, multicollinearity, and heteroscedasticity.
Tools & Resources
Stata, EViews, R, Python (Pandas, StatsModels, Scikit-learn basics), Datasets from sources like NSSO, CMIE, Online tutorials
Career Connection
Proficiency in econometric software is a critical skill for economists, researchers, and data scientists across government, academia, and the private sector in India.
Initiate Research and Network Building- (Semester 3)
Start exploring potential research topics for dissertations (if applicable) or advanced projects. Attend academic seminars, workshops, and guest lectures hosted by the college or Panjab University to connect with faculty and professionals, discussing research ideas and career paths.
Tools & Resources
University research databases, LinkedIn for professional networking, Departmental seminar schedules
Career Connection
Early research exposure and networking can open doors to research assistant positions, guide dissertation choices, and provide mentorship for future career steps in India.
Advanced Stage
Conduct Independent Research/Project- (Semester 4)
Undertake a comprehensive research project or dissertation in your chosen area of specialization, applying advanced econometric techniques and rigorous theoretical understanding. Focus on contributing original insights or thorough policy analysis relevant to India.
Tools & Resources
Research methodology textbooks, Academic databases (JSTOR, Google Scholar), Statistical software for analysis
Career Connection
A strong research project showcases analytical ability, problem-solving skills, and deep subject knowledge, highly valued by research institutions, think tanks, and academic roles.
Prepare for Professional Opportunities- (Semester 4)
Identify your target career path (e.g., banking, civil services, research, teaching) and tailor your final semester studies and preparation accordingly. For civil services, start reviewing relevant current affairs and economic concepts. For corporate roles, practice aptitude tests and interview skills.
Tools & Resources
Career counseling services, Online job portals (Naukri, LinkedIn), UPSC/RBI previous year papers, Interview preparation platforms
Career Connection
Focused preparation is crucial for successfully transitioning from academia to the professional world, securing placements in desired roles across India.
Engage in Policy Dialogue & Economic Discourse- (Semester 4)
Participate in discussions, debates, and policy analyses related to current Indian economic issues. Present your research findings at college or university conferences. Contribute articles or analyses to college magazines or online economic forums.
Tools & Resources
Economic policy documents, Think tank reports, Online forums for economic discussions, College event calendars
Career Connection
This practice develops critical thinking, public speaking, and persuasive communication skills, making graduates highly effective in roles requiring policy advocacy, economic journalism, or advisory positions.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- B.A. with 45% marks in aggregate or with 45% marks in the subject concerned, or any other examination recognized by Panjab University as equivalent thereto.
Duration: 2 years / 4 semesters
Credits: 80 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 30%, External: 70%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAEC 701S | Micro Economics-I | Core | 4 | Consumer behavior, Production theory, Cost analysis, Market structures, Pricing under perfect competition |
| MAEC 702S | Macro Economics-I | Core | 4 | National income accounting, Classical theory, Keynesian theory, Consumption & Investment, Multiplier-Accelerator interaction |
| MAEC 703S | Elementary Quantitative Methods | Core | 4 | Set theory, Functions, Differentiation, Integration, Matrix algebra |
| MAEC 704S | Economics of Growth & Development | Core | 4 | Growth models (Harrod-Domar, Solow), Theories of underdevelopment, Poverty, Income inequality, Population and development |
| MAEC 705S | Public Economics-I | Core | 4 | Public goods, Externalities, Merit goods, Public choice, Market failures |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAEC 706S | Micro Economics-II | Core | 4 | Welfare economics, General equilibrium, Input-output analysis, Game theory, Asymmetric information |
| MAEC 707S | Macro Economics-II | Core | 4 | IS-LM framework, Monetary and fiscal policy, Inflation, Unemployment, Business cycles |
| MAEC 708S | Applied Quantitative Methods | Core | 4 | Probability theory, Random variables, Statistical distributions, Sampling distributions, Hypothesis testing |
| MAEC 709S | International Economics-I | Core | 4 | Theories of international trade, Terms of trade, Trade policy (tariffs, quotas), Economic integration, Balance of payments |
| MAEC 710S | Public Economics-II | Core | 4 | Public expenditure, Public debt, Fiscal federalism, Taxation principles, Tax reforms |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAEC 801S | Economics of Social Sector and Environment | Core | 4 | Health economics, Education economics, Environmental pollution, Natural resource economics, Sustainable development |
| MAEC 802S | Econometrics-I | Core | 4 | Classical Linear Regression Model, OLS estimation, Hypothesis testing, Multicollinearity, Heteroscedasticity, Autocorrelation |
| MAEC 803S | Indian Economic Policy-I | Core | 4 | Planning in India, Agricultural policy, Industrial policy, Fiscal federalism, Poverty and inequality |
| MAEC 804S | Money, Banking and Finance | Core | 4 | Theories of money demand, Money supply, Commercial banking, Central banking, Financial markets |
| MAEC 805AS | Agricultural Economics | Elective | 4 | Agricultural production, Farm management, Agricultural marketing, Food security, Rural development |
| MAEC 805BS | Industrial Economics | Elective | 4 | Industrial structure, Market concentration, Industrial policies, Public sector, Small scale industries |
| MAEC 805CS | Demography | Elective | 4 | Population theories, Fertility, Mortality, Migration, Population policy |
| MAEC 805DS | Computer Applications in Economics | Elective | 4 | Spreadsheet modeling, Statistical software (SPSS/Stata/R basics), Data visualization, Database concepts, Internet for economic research |
| MAEC 805ES | Economics of Human Resource | Elective | 4 | Human capital theory, Labour force participation, Wage determination, Employment policies, Health and education outcomes |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAEC 806S | Economics of Services | Core | 4 | Role of services sector, Trade in services, Services productivity, Digital economy services, Regulation of services |
| MAEC 807S | Econometrics-II | Core | 4 | Dummy variables, Distributed lag models, Time series econometrics (ARIMA), Panel data, Simultaneous equation models |
| MAEC 808S | Indian Economic Policy-II | Core | 4 | Foreign trade policy, Balance of payments, Foreign direct investment, Economic reforms, Privatization |
| MAEC 809S | International Economics-II | Core | 4 | Foreign exchange markets, Exchange rate regimes, International financial institutions, International capital flows, Global economic crises |
| MAEC 810AS | Labour Economics | Elective | 4 | Labour supply and demand, Wage theories, Trade unions, Labour market imperfections, Social security |
| MAEC 810BS | Research Methodology | Elective | 4 | Research problem formulation, Data collection methods, Sampling techniques, Statistical inference, Report writing |
| MAEC 810CS | History of Economic Thought | Elective | 4 | Classical economics, Neoclassical economics, Marxian economics, Keynesian revolution, Indian economic thought |
| MAEC 810DS | Financial Institutions and Markets | Elective | 4 | Indian financial system, Money market instruments, Capital market operations, Financial sector reforms, Regulatory bodies (RBI, SEBI) |
| MAEC 810ES | Operations Research | Elective | 4 | Linear programming, Simplex method, Transportation and assignment problems, Game theory, Queuing theory |
