"BEc" redirects here. For other uses, see Bec and BEC.
The Bachelor of Economics (BEc or BEcon),[1][2]
or the Bachelor of Applied Economics, is a bachelor's degree awarded by many universities and colleges for completion of an undergraduate program in economics, econometrics, or applied economics;
these are often paired with business, finance, or mathematics.[3][4][5][6][7][8]
Specialized economics degrees are also offered as a "tagged" BA (Econ), BS (Econ) / BSc (Econ), BCom (Econ), and BSocSc (Econ)
(or variants such as the "Bachelor of Economic Science"[9]).
The curriculum is (substantially) more theoretical and mathematical than the major in economics available generally (BBA, general BCom or BA).
Structure[]
The BEcon and the specialized degrees [10][11][12] each have their own structure, differing by university.
Generally, though, the curriculum is built around a core of theory, to which is added courses in the various branches, and areas of application; [13] see next section.
In the US, a structured "program"
is often offered within the College of Arts and Sciences.
[14][15][13][16][17]
In the Commonwealth, specialized BCom-Economics degrees are often offered through the commerce faculty.
[18][19][20][21][22][23]
The program is often available as a social science degree.
[24][25]
Several universities offer a separate 1 year Honours degree, [26] and the program then comprises "3 years plus 1"; often Honours (or Honors in the US) is included in the four year structure. [16] An Honours research-thesis will be required.
Under both specialized and general programs, economics is often combined with a second major in finance or management,
[2][27][28][11][23][8]
or with other social sciences;
[24][25]
in the US, economics is often combined with a quantitative subject such as math or computer science.[29]
The interdisciplinary "PPE" integrates philosophy and politics with economics.
Some business schools offer a joint program with the economics department;
[30][31]
similarly, joint-majors are commonly offered with the mathematics department.
[32][33][34][35]
Some universities allow that the degree as a whole may be further specialized;
either in one of the applied areas,
or, more common, in one of the major branches, often development economics,[36]
econometrics / mathematical economics,
[37][38][39]
political economy,[40]
or agricultural economics.[41]
Others allow this specialization at the Honours degree level.
Some universities offer a "Bachelor of Applied Economics"
[42]
or similar,
[43]
which will be career-focused.
Degrees in Financial Economics,
[44][45][10][46]
integrate finance into the economics program, as opposed to via a second major.
Co-requisite courses from outside of economics are invariably a program requirement.
Common to all business programs are introductory or business statistics, and "quantitative techniques", comprising basic calculus, interest calculations, and sometimes matrix operations;
the social science programs often include these, and may also require sociology and psychology.
Some knowledge of accountancy or management may be assumed in the "applied courses"; crs in these are usually inherent in the business degree.
Most specialized programs require further "Mathematics for Economists",
[53]
essentially a (detailed) survey of the topics mentioned above re US students;
[54]
see Business mathematics § Undergraduate.
Statistics is similarly extended,[55][20] often within the math course, as underpin to the econometrics coursework.
The specialized BSc programs are often more math intensive than the BA programs.[12]
Similarly, the Honors track will have additional math requirements.[16]