BEC 3180 Personal and Professional Development (February 2024)

This is a course which provides the students with soft skills that need to be acquired by a professional. The main objective of this course is to develop an individual well-equipped with professional skills and positive attitudes. Also, it aims to develop a balanced personality with higher social and career prospects. Methods of instruction are mainly interactive sessions, guest lectures, discussions, lectures, and workshops covering areas of personal grooming, etiquette, planning self-presentation at different occasions, and effective interpersonal skills. The two-day Outward-Bound Training Programme is one of the main events organised under this course. This course is offered in semester I and semester II for third-year undergraduates of the department.

BEC 3373 International Investment and Finance (February 2024)

This course delivers the theoretical framework, the analytical tools and practical issues that are critical for international investment and financial management. The aim of this course is two-fold: to introduce relevant economic theories, models, and empirical works in areas of International Finance; and to apply theories, models, and practical tools to deliver total return to investors in the international context. This is a compulsory course under International Economics and Business specialisation. The course covers the topics of balance of payments analysis, exchange rates and their determination, financial globalisation, the challenges, and opportunities presented by single currency areas like the Euro area, downsides of financial globalisation, how financial crises are transmitted internationally and how multinational firms use financial instruments to finance their operations and reduce risks. Pre-requisites of this course are Microeconomics and Macroeconomics.

BEC 3372 International Economic Relations (February 2024)

This course is designed to give a comprehensive understanding on the international dimensions of business and economic operations mainly with respect to the global economic factors at play. This is a core course for students specialising in Development Studies. The course covers operations of international economic and monetary organisations and their role in global economy, economic integration among countries and regions, operations of international business in global market and international economic policy of Sri Lanka. By the end of this course, students will be able to apply their knowledge of institutions, policies, and market dynamics in global economy.

BEC 3371 Econometrics (February 2024)

This advanced course provides students with an introduction to the theory and practice of Econometrics, and experience in estimating econometric models with actual data. This is a compulsory course which mainly focuses on techniques for estimating regression models, on problems commonly encountered in estimating such models, and on interpreting the estimates from such models. It covers the basic econometric concepts, simple and multiple regression analysis, basic econometric problems, simultaneous-equation models, panel data regression models, and time series econometrics. is course will be taught through lectures, practical sessions, and tutorials. Software packages will be used in practical sessions. At the end of the course, students will be able to define key concepts in econometrics and analyse different types of data using statistical software and interpret the results. Business Statistics, Mathematical Economics are pre-requisites for this course.

BEC 3370 Managerial Economics (February 2024)

This course is an extended analysis of Microeconomics and Macroeconomics, which aims to provide students with an advanced knowledge on application of economic theory and decision science tools in in-firm managerial decision making. This is a compulsory course with the main subject areas of demand analysis, demand estimation and forecasting, advanced production and cost analysis, market structures, game theory and strategic behaviour, pricing practices and business and government decision making. At the end of the course, students will be able to comprehend the importance of economics in business decision making, explore the dynamic decision environment of a firm and apply quantitative and qualitative economic tools for decision support in order to achieve organisational objectives. Pre-requisites of this course are Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Business Mathematics and Business Statistics.