Based upon the experience of first several batches of students admitted in the MEcon in Development Economics programme with relatively diverse background, despite a story of notable success, it has been assessed that students with solid background in economics at the undergraduate level would better suit the main objective and vision of the programme. Therefore, the initiative has been undertaken to introduce the undergraduate programme in development economics.

The four-year long (eight semesters) Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Development Economics degree programme will entail a total of 138 credits. The programme comprises courses in language (both Bangla and English) and core areas of economic theory, quantitative economics, social sciences, and development related areas, e.g. environment, population, gender, poverty, rural development, etc. Furthermore, a number of courses that are multidisciplinary in nature, but nevertheless important for the discipline are also included. Successful culmination of the degree will require completion of all 138 credits for students.

It is expected that upon completion of this programme, students will have a solid background preparation in theoretical and methodological knowledge in areas related to economic development, which will enable them to move into the practical world with certain degree of confidence. Some of them, hopefully, will acquire enough interest and expertise to go for advanced degrees in economics.

Core Elements of the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Development Economics Programme

The Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Development Economics programme of Dhaka School of Economics has the following features:

• The duration of the programme is 4 (four) years, comprising of two semesters per year – each lasting for 06 months.
• Total of 138 credits with a minimum of 16 credits per semester. In addition, there will be a viva-voce examination during the second semester of each year in the programme. However, viva-voce during the first two years will entail 1.0 credit (only at the end of second and fourth semester), and during third and fourth years it will entail 2.0 credits (at the end of sixth and eighth semesters).
• English is the medium of instruction at DScE.

Admission into the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Development Economics Programme of DScE

To enroll in the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Development Economics programme for the Session 2019-20, students will be required to fulfill the following criteria:

• Candidates must have completed SSC/Dakhil/O level or equivalent examinations of 2014 to 2017 and HSC/Alim/A level or equivalent examinations of 2018 and 2019 from a recognized Board of Education in Bangladesh or acquired an equivalent certificate from abroad securing a combined score of 7.5 (including 4th subject) or its equivalent score in the group of Science, Humanities, Commerce or Business Studies in 2018 or 2019. Candidates having taken O and A level examinations must have passed at least 5 subjects at the O level and 2 subjects at the A level examinations. These candidates, out of the 7 subjects, must have obtained at least a ‘B’ grade in 4 and a ‘C’ in 3 subjects . Preference will be given to those who earlier had studied mathematics or economics in HSC/Alim/A level or equivalent examinations.
• The admission test is held once every year following the publication of HSC/equivalent results.
• Instead of an admission test, the School may choose to select its students on the basis of cumulative grade point average (CGPA) obtained by students in SSC & HSC or equivalent examinations. However, DScE reserves the right to choose or change its admission criterion.

Method(s) of Selection

Method(s) may include both written and/or oral test(s) of the qualifying candidates. The written test may include MCQs, short answers, focus writing and problem solving type of questions. Any decision made by DScE shall be final.

Evaluation and Grading System

Evaluation and grading of all taught courses shall be carried out as per the rules of the University of Dhaka . These include:

• Semester final examination
• Term papers and assignments
• Class attendance and
• Active participation in class /tutorial /group discussion and class tests, etc.

The Distribution of Marks for Evaluation for the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Development Economics Programme is as follows :

Evaluation Criterion % of Marks

For each course, marks obtained in the semester final examination and the sessional marks awarded by the course teacher(s) for class attendance; term paper(s) and assignments; and class performance based on active participation in classroom discussions, tutorial classes and class tests shall be summed up and converted into equivalent letter grades following a 4-point grading scale as shown below:

Grading Structure for the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Development Economics Programme of DScE:

Mark Range (in %) Letter Grade Explanation Grade Point:

•  An ‘F’ grade is indicative of an unacceptable ‘failing’ performance overall by a student, i.e. fail to earn any credit. If a student, in certain exceptional cases, fails to appear a course-final examination (maximum two courses in a single semester) and if the Examination Committee recommends her/his case to the University of Dhaka, then the case will be considered as ‘F’ grade. In such a case, a student shall be required to appear the semester final examination for the course(s) s/he fails with the next batch without fine for every course s/he appears (up to two courses maximum in a single semester). However, regular examination fee(s) do apply.
• ‘I’ grade is indicative of a situation where a student, for any non-academic reason beyond his/her control, is unable to complete the full requirements of the course by not being able to sit for the semester final examination. With the submission of valid and authenticated evidence of such reason(s), and the recommendation of the course teacher (to be reported to the Chairman of Examination Committee via the Programme Coordinator), that particular student may be allowed to complete the semester final examination with the next batch. Meanwhile, the student concerned will be promoted to the next semester if s/he meets the minimum passing grade requirement. If an ‘incomplete’ grade (Grade ‘I’) is not cleared with the next batch, the ‘I’ grade shall automatically be changed into an ‘F’ (failing) grade. A maximum of two ‘I’ grades may be allowed to a student in one semester. In such a case, a student shall be required to pay the regular fee without fine for every course s/he appears (up to two courses maximum in a single semester).
• A ‘W’(withdrawal) grade shall be awarded when a student is permitted to withdraw/ drop a course/semester without fine. Withdrawals without fine are not permitted after two months of any semester started. A student may sign up for re-admission in the semester concerned with the next batch by paying the full fees for that semester.

Promotion / Improvement/ Readmission/ Drop-out Policies

Promotion

• For promotion from the first to second semester, a student shall have to earn a minimum SGPA of 2.00.
• For promotion from the second through the final semester, a student shall have to earn a minimum CGPA of 2.25, taking into consideration all the grade points earned in total number of courses of first through the final semester and improvement grade, if there is any.
• A student failing to clear up the annual University of Dhaka and DScE dues of the year of the study shall not be promoted to the next semester, as prescribed.

Improvement/Repeat

• A student earning ‘F’ grade in any course may be allowed to improve the grade with the next batch without fine.
• If a student obtains a grade lower than ‘B-’ (minus) in a course, s/he may be allowed to repeat the semester final examination only once with the next immediate batch for the purpose of grade improvement by forgoing her/his earlier term final marks. In such a case, sessional marks earned by the student in earlier semester would remain valid and only the semester final grade can be improved.
• If a student obtains ‘B-’ (minus) or better grade in any course, s/he shall not be allowed to repeat the course for grade improvement.
• If a student likes to improve the grade point earned in a course of the 8th semester [in the event s/he scores less than a B-(minus)], s/he must apply for such improvement examination before the certificate is issued. In such a situation, a student may be allowed to appear the grade improvement examination within the next 45 days following publication of the final result. In such a case, a student shall be required to inform DScE in writing about her/his intent to improve the grade within 7 days of the publication of her/his final results.
• Improvement shall not be allowed once the certificate is issued.
• A student carrying ‘F’ grade in any course shall not be awarded the degree unless s/he improves it by appearing at the semester final examination with the next batch.
• If a student gets ‘F’ grade in the improvement examination, s/he shall automatically be dropped out from the semester and the student shall have to seek re-admission with the next batch, provided the student concerned is eligible for re-admission.
• For improvement of grade in a course, the student shall apply to the chairman of the concerned examination committee at least 4 (four) weeks before the start of semester final examination.
• A student may be allowed to improve the grade of a particular course only once.
• No student shall be allowed to improve the grade of any term paper/assignment, active participation in the class discussion/tutorial class/ group discussion/class test marks and the grade earned in the written or oral (if any) comprehensive examination, i.e. no improvement shall be allowed for sessional marks/grades once awarded to a student for any course in a semester, but only semester final examination can be improved, should a student intends so.

Re-admission

• A student failing to obtain the necessary grade points for promotion from one semester to the next may seek re-admission with the next batch.
• For re-admission, a student shall have to apply within one month of the announcement of results of the concerned semester.
• Upon re-admission, grades earned in the course(s) in earlier semester by a student shall cease to exist and the student has to retake all the course works and examinations.
• A student shall not be allowed re-admission in more than two semesters during the total time span (48 months) of the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Development Economics programme. In any case, a student must complete BSS degree within 6 (six) years.

Drop Out

• A student failing to earn the GPA for promotion from one semester to the next after taking re-admission in any semester shall be dropped out from the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Development Economics programme.
• A student obtaining a ‘F’ grade in any course after taking re-admission or improvement examination(s) in any semester shall be considered dropped out from that semester.

Scholarship and Tuition Fee Waiver

1. Waiver at the time of new admission

General Tuition fee waiver

• 1. Applies to all new students (On admission and throughout the programme) 15%

Additional waiver based on previous result(s)

1. 1. Students obtained GPA 5.00 in both SSC and HSC examinations- 20%
   2. Students obtained GPA 5.0 in HSC examination- 15%
   3. Students obtained an average GPA of 4.50 in SSC and HSC- 10%
2. Merit waiver in future semesters (based on semester results)
   1. Students obtained GPA 5.00 in both SSC and HSC examinations- 20%
   2. Students obtained GPA 5.0 in HSC examination- 15%
   3. Students obtained an average GPA of 4.50 in SSC and HSC- 10%

Semester-wise Course Structure and Syllabi