

M-A in Economics at Panchasheela Degree College


Bengaluru, Karnataka
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About the Specialization
What is Economics at Panchasheela Degree College Bengaluru?
This M.A. Economics program at Panchasheela Degree College focuses on providing a rigorous theoretical and applied understanding of economic principles, relevant to India''''s dynamic economic landscape. It delves into microeconomic foundations, macroeconomic policies, quantitative methods, and sector-specific analyses, preparing students for the evolving demands of the Indian job market in research, policy analysis, and financial services.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for economics graduates seeking advanced theoretical and empirical skills for public policy, research, or industry roles. It also suits working professionals, including those from related fields like commerce or statistics, aiming to specialize in economic analysis. Aspiring civil servants or academicians looking for a strong foundation in economic theory and application will also find this program beneficial.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to pursue diverse career paths in India, including economic analysts, researchers, consultants in think tanks, data scientists, or policy advisors for government and NGOs. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 3-6 lakhs annually, with significant growth potential (INR 8-15+ lakhs for experienced professionals) in sectors like banking, finance, and economic consulting.

Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Build Strong Quantitative Foundations- (Semester 1-2)
Focus intensively on Mathematical Methods for Economics and Statistical Methods for Economics. Regularly practice problem-solving, attend extra tutorial sessions, and clarify doubts immediately. Form small study groups for collaborative learning.
Tools & Resources
NCERT Maths books (Class 11 & 12) for revision, Schaum''''s Outlines series (Mathematics for Economists, Statistics), Khan Academy, NPTEL courses on basic mathematics/statistics
Career Connection
A strong quantitative base is crucial for advanced econometrics, data analysis roles, and competitive exams (e.g., UPSC, RBI Grade B) requiring analytical skills.
Engage with Current Indian Economic Issues- (Semester 1-2)
Beyond textbooks, regularly read leading Indian financial newspapers (e.g., The Economic Times, Business Standard, Livemint), economic surveys, and RBI reports. Participate in college debates or discussions on Indian economic policy and current events.
Tools & Resources
Official websites of RBI, Ministry of Finance, NITI Aayog, Reputable economic news portals, Magazines like Yojana and Kurukshetra
Career Connection
Develops an informed perspective vital for roles in policy analysis, economic journalism, and preparing for interviews in the government or corporate sector.
Master Academic Writing and Presentation- (Semester 1-2)
Pay close attention to assignments, essays, and presentations. Seek feedback on structure, clarity, and analytical depth. Attend workshops on academic writing and citation styles.
Tools & Resources
Grammarly, Purdue OWL, University library resources on academic integrity and research methodology
Career Connection
Essential for dissertation writing, research paper publication, and effective communication in any professional role.
Intermediate Stage
Specialize Through Electives and Projects- (Semester 3-4)
Carefully choose Discipline Specific Electives (DSEs) based on your career interests (e.g., Environmental Economics for sustainability roles, Financial Economics for banking). Begin conceptualizing your dissertation/project topic early, linking it to your chosen specialization.
Tools & Resources
Faculty advisors, Research journals (e.g., Economic and Political Weekly, Indian Economic Review), Online research databases (JSTOR, Google Scholar)
Career Connection
Deepens expertise, making you a more attractive candidate for specialized roles and providing a strong portfolio for higher studies or research.
Develop Econometric Software Proficiency- (Semester 3-4)
Learn and apply statistical software relevant to econometrics, such as R, Python (with pandas/statsmodels), or EViews/STATA. Use these tools for practical assignments and your project work.
Tools & Resources
Online tutorials (DataCamp, Coursera), NPTEL courses on econometrics software, University computer lab resources, Open-source documentation
Career Connection
Highly sought-after skill for data analyst, economic consultant, and research assistant positions.
Seek Internships and Networking Opportunities- (Semester 3-4)
Actively search for internships during semester breaks with think tanks, NGOs, market research firms, or data analytics companies. Attend workshops, seminars, and guest lectures to network with professionals and faculty.
Tools & Resources
College placement cell, LinkedIn, Internshala.com, Academic conferences, Alumni network
Career Connection
Gain practical experience, build professional contacts, and improve placement prospects. Internships often lead to pre-placement offers.
Advanced Stage
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Economics or equivalent with 45% marks in aggregate from any recognized University. Relaxable to 40% in case of SC/ST students.
Duration: 4 semesters / 2 years
Credits: 96 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 30%, External: 70%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEC 1.1 | Microeconomics-I | Core | 4 | Consumer Behaviour, Production and Costs, Market Structures-Perfect Competition and Monopoly, Monopolistic Competition and Oligopoly, Alternative Theories of the Firm |
| MEC 1.2 | Macroeconomics-I | Core | 4 | Classical Economics, Keynesian Economics, Post-Keynesian Developments, Neoclassical and New Classical Macroeconomics, Rational Expectations |
| MEC 1.3 | Mathematical Methods for Economics | Core | 4 | Basic Concepts of Algebra, Matrix Algebra, Differential Calculus, Integral Calculus, Optimization Techniques |
| MEC 1.4 | Indian Economy-I | Core | 4 | Structure of Indian Economy, Agricultural Sector, Industrial Sector, Service Sector, Economic Reforms in India |
| MEC 1.5 | Open Elective Course (OEC) / Soft Skill Course (SSC) | Elective (Choice-based) | 4 | |
| MEC 1.6 | Practical / Skill Enhancement Course (SEC) | Skill Enhancement | 2 |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEC 2.1 | Microeconomics-II | Core | 4 | General Equilibrium, Welfare Economics, Economics of Uncertainty, Game Theory, Externalities and Public Goods |
| MEC 2.2 | Macroeconomics-II | Core | 4 | Theories of Money and Interest, Inflation and Unemployment, Business Cycles, Open Economy Macroeconomics, Stabilization Policies |
| MEC 2.3 | Statistical Methods for Economics | Core | 4 | Introduction to Statistics, Probability Theory, Sampling and Estimation, Hypothesis Testing, Correlation and Regression |
| MEC 2.4 | Indian Economy-II | Core | 4 | Population and Human Development, Poverty, Unemployment and Inequality, Infrastructure, Financial Sector Reforms, Fiscal Federalism |
| MEC 2.5 | Open Elective Course (OEC) / Soft Skill Course (SSC) | Elective (Choice-based) | 4 | |
| MEC 2.6 | Practical / Skill Enhancement Course (SEC) | Skill Enhancement | 2 |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEC 3.1 | Development Economics-I | Core | 4 | Concepts and Measurements of Development, Theories of Economic Development, Poverty and Inequality, Population and Human Capital, Agriculture and Development |
| MEC 3.2 | Econometrics-I | Core | 4 | Basic Econometrics, Two Variable Regression Model, Multiple Regression Model, Problems in Regression, Dummy Variables |
| MEC 3.3 | Public Economics-I | Core | 4 | Role of Government in Economy, Public Goods and Externalities, Public Choice, Taxation, Public Expenditure |
| MEC 3.4.1 | Environmental Economics | Elective (Discipline Specific - example) | 4 | Environmental Problems, Environmental Valuation, Environmental Regulation, Sustainable Development, Climate Change Economics |
| MEC 3.5 | Open Elective Course (OEC) / Soft Skill Course (SSC) | Elective (Choice-based) | 4 | |
| MEC 3.6 | Practical / Skill Enhancement Course (SEC) | Skill Enhancement | 2 |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEC 4.1 | Development Economics-II | Core | 4 | International Trade and Development, Foreign Aid and FDI, Globalisation and Development, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Role of Institutions |
| MEC 4.2 | International Economics | Core | 4 | Theories of International Trade, Terms of Trade, Trade Barriers, Balance of Payments, Exchange Rates |
| MEC 4.3 | Public Economics-II | Core | 4 | Fiscal Policy, Budgeting, Public Debt, Fiscal Federalism in India, Local Self-Government Finance |
| MEC 4.4.1 | Agricultural Economics | Elective (Discipline Specific - example) | 4 | Agricultural Development, Production and Marketing, Agricultural Finance, Rural Poverty, Food Security |
| MEC 4.5 | Dissertation / Project | Core | 4 | Research methodology, Data collection and analysis, Report writing, Literature review, Presentation skills |
| MEC 4.6 | Practical / Skill Enhancement Course (SEC) | Skill Enhancement | 2 |




