The B.S. program offered by the Department of Economic Sciences is structured to primarily train the students in economics with strong emphasis on econometric and mathematical techniques which are essential for economic analysis and modeling. The economics students also learn about sciences, technology and engineering through the common courses designed for all IITK students, irrespective of their department. In addition to a set of compulsory courses teaching fundamentals of economics, a wide range of elective courses available within the department (e.g., econometrics, finance) allows students to stretch their intellectual horizon in various directions of their choice. The program also provides opportunities to write term papers and do research projects, thus enabling them to apply and implement their knowledge to solve real economic problems. Students have reported that such experiences are often helpful in finding and during their internships, available through the campus internship placement program. The students also participate in a host of extra-curricular activities, which ensures overall personality development.
Course structure:
During the four years of study, students are required to take the core courses in economics and complete certain number of open electives, department electives, humanities courses, and engineering science electives. Below is a brief overview of the curriculum that you may expect in the Department of Economic Sciences at IIT Kanpur.
In the first year, the courses taught are the same for students of all branches. These are introductory courses to all departments at IIT Kanpur, so students learn linear algebra & calculus in Mathematics, mechanics and electromagnetism in Physics, life sciences & genetics in Biology, Engineering Graphics, Organic & Physical Chemistry, introductory C programming, one course from Humanities & Social Sciences (either from Literature, Sociology, Psychology, Art, or Philosophy) as well as an introductory course to Economics.
In the second year, students have four compulsory economics courses- Level 1 Microeconomics, Level 1 Macroeconomics, Introduction to Mathematical Economics, and Applied Probability & Statistics. Besides, there are common compulsory courses that all second year UG students are required to take such as the Introduction to Electronics and Manufacturing Processes. There is also the option of taking open electives (courses from any other department that a student finds interesting) and department electives starting this year.
In third and fourth year, students complete the core courses of Econometrics, Level 2 of Microeconomics and Macroeconomics, Development Economics, Industrial Economics, International Trade & Finance, and Indian Economic Problems. Beside these courses, the students can opt for electives from several courses such as Applied Game Theory, Bayesian Econometrics, Economic Growth: Theory & Practice, Economic Analysis of Law, Efficiency & Productivity Analysis, Environmental Economics, Financial Economics, Introduction to Derivative Pricing, Monetary Economics and Environmental Economics.
It is also during the last 2 years (i.e. third and fourth years) that students are trained in several statistical software such as MATLAB, R and Stata via lab courses and assignments based on simulated and real life datasets. Some students who opt for a research project under a professor as an alternative to an elective course, gains additional experience in fitting econometric models and use of softwares.