ATTRACTION OF STUDENTS TOWARDS THE

ELECTIVE COURSES

A Project Work Report

Submitted by:
Sabin Sunar
Roshan Chhetri
Pukar Karki

Submitted to:
Mr. Rabindra Ghimire
The faculty of Management, SOB
Pokhara University
Dhungepatan

BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (BBA)

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS (SOB)

Pokhara
November, 2022
 DECLARATION
I hereby declare that the project work entitled "ATTRACTION OF STUDENTS
TOWARDS THE ELECTIVE COURSES" submitted to the faculty of
Management, Pokhara University, Pokhara, Dhungepatan is an original piece of
work under the supervision of Mr. Rabindra Ghimire.

…………………
Sabin Sunar
…………………
Roshan Chhetri
…………………
Pukar Karki

Date: November, 2022

ii
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I am heartily thankful to all the research participants who provided necessary

information for completing this study. It has been a great pleasure and
experience for us to complete this research work. The report would not have to
come to its present shape without the proper guidance and suggestion that I got
from my teacher and associates.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to respected project work

supervisor Mr. Rabindra Ghimire, PhD, Associate Professor of Finance, Risk
Management, and Insurance, School of Business, Pokhara University, for
proper navigation and suggestion to complete this research study.

Likewise, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all the respondents for
their friendly co-operation that enables me to get necessary information about
the attraction of students towards elective courses.

Similarly, I would like to thanks Pokhara University for providing such an

essential and crucial requirement that is really helpful for implying the
theoretical knowledge to practical experience.

iii
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page Page no.
Declaration ii
Acknowledgements iii
Table of contents iv
List of Tables v
List of figures vi
Abbreviations vii

CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION 1-4

1.1 Profile of the Organization/Place 2
1.2. Objectives of the study 2
1.3. Review of Literature 2
1.4. Research methodology 3
1.4.2. Population and sample 3
1.4.4. Data collection procedure 3
1.5.2. Limitations of the study 4
CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF PREVIOUS STUDIES 5
CHAPTER III: RESULT AND ANALYSIS 6-14
2.1 Data presentation and Analysis 6
2.8. Major Findings 14
CHAPTER IV: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 15-16
3.1 Summary 15
3.2 Conclusion 16
3.3 Suggestions 16
BIBLIOGRAPHY 17
APPENDIX 18

iv
 LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
Table 2.0.1 Socio-demographic characteristics of research participants 7
Table 2.1. The courses students usually choose 7
Table 2.2 Reason for choosing particular course 8
Table 2.3 Factors that students consider while choosing courses 9
Table 2.4 Elective courses for career 11
Table 2.5 Student's perception about the elective courses 12
Table 2.6 Student's responses regarding resources situation in the 13
university
Table 2.7 Student's views towards University's factors for enhancing 13
student's progress

v
 LIST OF FIGURES
Figures Page
Table 2.1. The courses students usually choose 8
Table 2.2 Reason for choosing particular course 9
Table 2.3 Factors that students consider while choosing courses 10
Table 2.4 Elective courses for career 11

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 ABBREVIATIONS
SOB School of Business
BBA Bachelors of Business Administration
B.E Basic econometrics
P.D.C Population Dynamics and Development Challenges
E.C Elective Course

vii
 CHAPTER I
1. INTRODUCTION:

BBA is a four-year, eight-semester, 120 credit hour bachelor level management

program in which students learns different subjects related with business
administration designed to equip students with the competencies, knowledge,
skills, and attitudes needed for success in the management field.

The elective courses are the non-business courses, based on social sciences. A
student may select any two of the listed elective courses. These courses take
place as other regular courses, and are graded in the same way.

The selection of elective courses varies from year to year. The list of elective
courses is distributed to all the students. These offer students greater autonomy
over their curriculum, giving them the opportunity to customize it to reflect
their passions and interests. Universities build electives into each program to
provide students with a well-rounded education and to customize their
experience.

Electives (2 courses of 3.0 credits each)

(Any TWO courses from the following list)
The courses offered in this area are basically of non-business nature. These are
offered to widen the knowledge base of students in social and development
issues.
NBE 391 Society and Politics
NBE 392 Basic Econometrics
NBE 393 Social Ecology and Environment
NBE 394 Media and Public Relations
NBE 395 Energy and Sustainable Development
NBE 396 Management of Technology
NBE 397 Population Dynamics and Development Challenges
NBE 398 Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

1
1.1 Profile of the Organization/Place
The present research study is entitled "Attraction of students towards elective
courses" on Pokhara University, Central College, Dhungepatan,, School of
Business (SOB), BBA faculty. Pokhara University (PU or PoU) was established
in 1997 (2054 B.S.) and is Nepal's fifth university. Its central office is located
in Pokhara, Kaski District, Gandaki Province. Along with Purbanchal
University, PU was formed as part of a government initiative to improve access
to higher education. The Prime Minister of Nepal is the university chancellor
and the Minister of Education is the pro-chancellor. The vice chancellor is the
principal administrator of the university. The university uses a semester system.
All bachelor's degrees are four years (delivered over eight semesters)
and master's degrees are an additional two years (delivered over an additional
four semesters). The Philosophy degree requires one and a half years (three
semesters) of study. All programs are carried out in English.

1.2. Objectives of the study

The general objective of the study is to understand student's reason of interest
towards elective courses. However, the specific objectives are as follows:
1. To analyze students view about the elective courses and compare them in
terms of selection reason and course factors.
2. To understand graduates experiences and career benefits.
3. To conclude major findings regarding the topic.

1.3. Review of Literature

The researcher studies different educational materials i.e, journals, magazines,
newspapers, books, websites etc., after selecting the topic of the researcher as
known as review of literature. During this research, the researcher has done
literature review.

1.3.1 Conceptual review

University is high-level educational institution in which students study for
degrees and academic research is done. There may be number of courses in the
university that the students give priority. To keep first priority students make
effort in different way. The major components such as reason, interest, outcome,
academic reputation. This major factors are influencing student's interest in
choosing a particular course.

2
1.4. Research methodology
Research methodology is a scientific technique or art of inquiry in order to
collect necessary data or information.
1.4.1 Research Gap
Many research works have been done previously. But, research on attraction on
elective courses in Pokhara University, BBA will be a new attempt in field of
electives.
1.4.1.1 Research design
This research was based on survey design in nature. The main aim of this study
is to find out the attraction of students towards the elective courses in Pokhara
University, BBA faculty. For the study, the survey research design adopted to
collect raw data and survey type of descriptive research has been followed to
evaluate and analyze the study.

1.4.2. Population and sample

The population of the study are included students, continuing and graduates of
Pokhara University, Central College, SOB, BBA. As the above mentioned
population, it is impossible to include the total population of the study. So, out
of total population, 20 students and graduates were surveyed randomly based on
random sampling method.

1.4.3. Nature and sources of data

Most of the data in this study are primary in nature. Some secondary data are
used for the purpose of the study. All the primary data were collected from
students and graduates and some information are taken from authorized writers.

1.4.4. Data collection procedure

The questionnaire was developed in structure form for different aspect
according to objectives of the study. Different set of questions in questionnaires
were prepared for the students. The questionnaire was distributed through
personal contact one by one and requested respondent to fill it and researcher
also filled the questionnaire by personal interview with respondents.

3
1.5. Instruments
To complete any type of study, an instrument is required. For, this study, a set
of questionnaire is the instruments of data collection.

1.5.1. Techniques of analysis

All the questionnaire was distributed and collected by the researcher so there
was no any delay in collection of questionnaires, distributed among the
respondents. Every questionnaire were thoroughly checked after the collection
and was found correct in style of fillings the same response of the collected
questionnaires were put into one place under the respective headings and the
total responses were counted. The total response was presented in one master
table with the help of the data master table.

1.5.2. Limitations of the study

The limitations of the study are as follows:
a. This study is based on Pokhara University, Kaski, which means this study
does not cover the whole universities of the Country.
b. Convenient sampling technique is used to select the respondents for the
purpose of questionnaire and interview.

4
 CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF PREVIOUS STUDIES

There has been no research on the attraction of students towards elective

courses in Nepal. So, related some topic of elective courses have been revised
below.
C.Bogta (2014) carried out a research entitled "Response of students towards
elective courses" to find out student's behavior and attitudes towards system of
selecting elective courses in Universities. He found out many of the students
were satisfied and positive with the idea of elective courses. Students were
equally interested in the options available. The students even viewed that they
were provided with quality education and the teaching methods was good. The
students well appreciated the management for the quality education. The
students were highly impressed by the skills and knowledge achieved through
the elective courses.
Rusporya (2016) has conducted a research on "Career benefits through elective
courses". The objective of research was to analyze the career development that a
student can achieve by selecting course of their interest. The major findings of
the study were: those courses were designed to equip students with the
competencies, knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for success in the
management field. Most students were interested towards management of
technology with an intention to achieve knowledge that helps to tackle and
handle the upcoming challenges in modern technologies. Secondly, graduates
found Critical thinking and Problem solving beneficial as it provides skills to
develop and enhance behavioral attitudes.
K.Dhobal (2018) has conducted a research on "A Study of elective courses on
Universities over years". The objective of the study was to get knowledge
about how elective courses in the universities has progressed over years and
how the institution has provided quality education and advantage of better
future to the students through elective courses. Further, the study shows how
students have grown interests towards a particular elective course and how
successful the universities are in providing additional and knowledgeable
courses that widens the knowledge base of students in social and development
issues.

5
 CHAPTER III
RESULT AND ANALYSIS

2.1 Data presentation and Analysis

2.1.1. Current Elective courses and scenario
Due to increasing number of students in the university, the demand for new
elective courses are increasing in upcoming years. At the same time, student's
comprehension about effective courses in career has also increased. Thus,
university has to provide courses that are knowledgeable and skillful in the
student career. Now, there are many optional courses available for students that
they can choose based on their interest and senior experiences. Basic
Econometrics, Management of Technology, Population Dynamics and
Development Challenges are well chosen courses in the University.

2.1.1.2 Course selection behavior of students

Student's course selection habit is a significant determinants to determine
selection situation. To explore the hidden matter, researcher kindly asked to
respondents with multiple course names of electives of BBA through his
structured questionnaire that they usually choose as well as about considerable
factors while selecting. The following details obtained from the respondents as:

a. Elective Course
Electives are courses one can choose, allowing to study topics that interest
them. It gives students a chance to pursue interests and curiosities that fall
outside their major. Universities build electives into each program to provide
students with a well-rounded education and to customize their experience.

6
Table 2.0.1
Socio-demographic characteristics of research participants
Variables Categories Respondents Percentage
Gender Male 13 65%
Female 7 35%
Education Level Graduates 11 55%
Undergraduates 9 45%
Age 20-25 17 85%
26-29 3 15%
Religion Hindu 18 90%
Christian 2 10%
Among respondents, around 65% were males and remaining 35% were females.
Similarly, as the study mainly focused graduates, 55% respondents were
graduates and other 9% were undergraduates. Around 85% respondents were of
age group 25-27 and remaining 15% others were of 28-29. Regarding religion
90% were Hindus and other 10% were Christians.

Table 2.1.
The courses students usually choose
Course code Course name Respondents Percentage
NBE 392 Basic econometrics 6 30%
NBE 396 Management of 4 20%
Technology
NBE 397 Population Dynamics and 5 25%
Development Challenges

NBE B.E and P.D.C 2 10%

392/397 (Both)
Others 3 15%
Total 20 100%

7
Source: Field Survey, 2022
35
30
30
25
25
20
20
15
Percentage

15
10
10

0
Basic econometrics Management of Population B.E / P.D.C Others
Technology Dynamics and
Development
Challenges

Courses

Figure 2.1. The courses students usually choose

Above mentioned responses on the table 3.1 and figure 3.1 show that Basic
econometrics, Management of Technology, Population Dynamics and
Development Challenges have 30, 20 and 25 percent of selection respectively.
Where, B.E and P.D.C both have 10 percent and selection of other courses are
15 percent. Most of the students choose Basic econometrics according to the
response mentioned above.

Table 2.2
Reason for choosing particular course
Reason Respondents Percentage
Potential Career 6 30%
Self-interest 3 15%
Knowledge 4 20%
Intrinsic aspect 7 35%
Total 20 100%
Source: Field Survey, 2022

8
 40

35

30

25
Percentage

20
35
15 30

10 20
15
5

0
Potential Career Self-interest Knowledge Intristic aspect
Reasons

Figure 2.2. Reason for choosing particular course

Above table and figure try to show that 30 percent respondents choose
particular course for potential career and 15 percent use for self-interest, 20
percent choose for knowledge and 35 choose because of intrinsic aspect.

Table 2.3
Factors that students consider while choosing courses
Considerable factors Respondents Percentage
Course content/modules 5 25%
Academic reputation 4 20%
Quality of academic facilities 2 10%
Pathway opportunities 6 30%
Graduate outcomes 3 15%
Total 20 100%
Source: Field Survey, 2022

9
 35

30

25
Percentage

20

15 30
25
10 20
15
5 10

0
Course Academic Quality of Academic Pathway Graduate
content/modules reputation facilities oppurtunities outcomes

Factors

Figure 2.3. Factors that students consider while choosing courses

Presentations of the above responses show that 25 percent students directly

mentioned to make decision based on course contents where as 30 percent are
following pathway opportunities. Others factors like Academic reputation,
quality of academic facilities and graduate outcomes are also some influencing
factors but its presence is low.

b. Career
Deciding on a career path is a process of learning about oneself. Elective
courses can help discover things an individual is good at, or which interests
them, or never knew existed. And that can change the course of life.
a. Electives can help to create a niche for students. When an individual is
better able to focus on his skills, it makes more competitive in the job
search.
b. Electives helps to expose to subjects students might not otherwise
encounter.
c. These electives offer a look into the professional world and are a great
way for students to gain technical experience that wouldn't be offered by
the core subjects.

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Table 2.4
Elective courses for career
Response Respondents Percentage
Highly Beneficial 8 40%
Beneficial 5 25%
Neutral 2 10%
Average 4 20%
Not beneficial 1 5%
Total 20 100%

Source: Field Survey, 2022

Not Beneficial
5%

Average
20%
Highly Beneficial
40%

Neutral Highly Beneficial

10% Beneficial
Neutral
Average
Not Beneficial
Beneficial
25%

Figure 2.4. Elective courses for career

Among the responses most of respondent find elective courses highly beneficial
i.e. 40 percent respondents. Where, 20 percent respondent find elective courses
as averagely beneficial.

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Table 2.5. Student's perception about the elective courses
Characteristics of Response Respondents Percentage
EC Category
Strongly agree 5 25%
EC developed Agree 12 60%
personal skills and
qualities Undecided 2 10%
Disagree 1 5%
Strongly agree 13 65%
EC broadens Agree 4 20%
education and
knowledge Undecided 2 10%
Disagree 1 5%
Strongly agree 6 30%
Agree 7 35%
EC provided Undecided 4 20%
career benefits
Disagree 3 15%
Strongly agree 4 20%
Agree 9 45%
EC explores new Undecided 5 25%
interests
Disagree 2 10%
Source: Field Survey, 2022
Study on student's perception about the elective courses, 60% respondents
agreed on EC developing personal skills and qualities which was followed by
25% strongly agree, 10% undecided and 5% disagree. Similarly, regarding
questions about EC broadening education and knowledge 65% respondents
strongly agree followed 20% agree, 10% undecided and 5% disagree. Likewise,
perception of respondents to EC providing career benefits, 35% agreed followed
by 30% strongly agree, 20% undecided and 15% disagree. Further, on EC
exploring new interests 45% agreed, followed by 20% strongly agreed, 25%
undecided and 10% disagree.

12
Table 2.6. Student's responses regarding resources situation in the university
Variables Respondents Percentage
Library facilities Poor 7 35%
Better 13 65%
Class Notes Poor 5 25%
Better 15 75%
Internet Poor 17 85%
Better 3 15%
Lecturer's and student's Poor 8 40%
interaction
Better 12 60%
Source: Field Survey, 2022
A study regarding resources situation according to the respondents responses, in
the university depicts that the library fatalities are 65% better, class notes are
75%better, Internet facilities is 85% poor and Lecturer's and student's
interaction is 60% better.

Table 2.7. University's factors for enhancing Student's progress

Variables Respondents Percentage
Elaborative Yes 2 10%
interrogation
No 18 90%
Doubt sessions Yes 4 20%
No 16 80%
Experimental Yes 15 75%
Learning
No 5 25%
Online Learning Yes 11 55%
No 9 45%
PDFs Yes 17 85%
No 3 15%
Source: Field Survey, 2022

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The study shows that the views of students towards university's factors for
enhancing students' progress shows lack in Elaborative interrogation which is
10% and Doubt sessions 20% where positive response in Experimental
Learning is 75%, Online Learning 55% and PDFs 15%.

2.8. Major Findings

On the basis of presentation and analysis of the field Survey and subsequent
analysis, the study has following outcomes.
 Among the responses, most of the respondents (i.e. 35%) usually choose
elective courses because of intrinsic aspect and for potential career (i.e.
30%).
 It is found out that respondents choose elective course according to the
course modules/contents (i.e.25%) and pathway opportunities (i.e. 30%).
 Basic econometrics (i.e.30%) has higher selection followed by population
dynamics and development challenges (i.e.25%).
 In respondent's point of view, elective courses help in exploring interests,
developing personal skills and help in career benefits.
 Comparatively number of male respondents (13) are more than females
(7).
 Most of the sample taken were from the age group (25-29).
 Respondents find elective courses effective and beneficial (i.e.25%) and
highly beneficial (i.e.40%) for career.

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 CHAPTER IV
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
3.1 Summary
The project work examines the attraction of students towards elective courses in
Pokhara University, Dhungepatan. Pokhara University (PU or PoU) was
established in 1997 (2054 B.S.). The university uses a semester system.
All bachelor's degrees are four years (delivered over eight semesters).
The mission of Pokhara University is to develop as a Centre of Excellence for
Higher Education by excelling teaching and learning; research and publication;
and outreach activities; contributing to the national development process by
producing job market-oriented, responsible, productive, service-oriented and
committed human resources; and linking the university system with the
community services.
This project work is prepared with the objective of analyzing elective courses of
Pokhara University, BBA. Different analysis such as factors, reasons,
motivations and perceptions has been examined to see the overall reason of
students to select a particular elective course.
There are numerous elective courses available in the university such as Society
and Politics, Basic Econometrics, Social Ecology and Environment, Media and
Public Relations, Energy and Sustainable Development, Management of
Technology, Population Dynamics and Development Challenges, Critical
Thinking and Problem Solving.
An elective is mainly pursued with the extra credit and knowledge it imparts to
candidates. In fact, one can even choose an elective that has no rational
connection to original class. Elective courses give students the chance to take
classes outside of a prescribed plan of coursework. This lets students pursue
other interests they may have, giving them a more well-rounded education.
This research was conducted to find out the attraction of students towards
elective courses in Pokhara University, BBA. Graduates and some current
students were the main source of the data for study. The researcher developed
questionnaire and were distributed and collected. All the responses were
analyzed by only percentile method on tabular form and figures.
This research shows that students have positive response towards options of
elective courses in the university. During the survey, it was also felt that the
elective courses somehow has important role in student's career directly or
indirectly.

15
However, it is also found that most of the students choose a particular course
with a reason of uplifting their academic position better. And many choose
because of intrinsic aspect too, which means they tend to choose a particular
course just because it seems easier to them to study.
Thus, it is evident from the study that the students give first priority to any
course regarding its benefits, then after, their interests and finally institution's
capacity to provide quality education to learners. Whereas, every respondents
agree that every university must include elective courses in order to enhance
qualities and knowledge of students.

3.2 Conclusion
 Most of the respondents believe that critical thinking and problem solving
is career effective for any students pursing higher education in BBA.
 Elective courses provide career benefits directly or indirectly.
 However, course modules play an important role for any students to
grow interests towards a particular course.
 Respondents agree that electives broadens education and knowledge.
 Respondents also choose particular elective because of academic
reputation they achieve.
 Electives helps in exploring interests.

3.3 Suggestions
Some steps must be carried out in the university so that it improves the situation
and the condition more.
 University must focus more on library materials providing more aid to
the students to learn.
 Elaborative interrogation and doubt sessions must be carried out in
time intervals regarding student's confusions.
 Online learning and experimental learning must be implied in the
university for easy and practical learning.
 Experiences and benefits of elective courses must be collected from
seniors and shared to juniors to make them better understand about its
importance.
 Information must be spread about scope and fields that elective
courses provide benefits to.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

M Senol (2021). An Analysis of the Content Knowledge Elective Courses

S Kim · (2019). A Study on the Educational Issues of Elective Subjects
C.Bogta (2014) carried out a research entitled "Response of students towards
elective courses". An unpublished report.
Rusporya (2016) has conducted a research on "Career benefits through elective
courses". An unpublished report.
K.Dhobal (2018) has conducted a research on "A Study of elective courses on
Universities over years".An unpublished master's thesis, T.U, Kathmandu.
An Official Site of Pokhara University – Pokhara University
https://pu.edu.np
School of Business | Pokhara University An official website
https://pusob.edu.np

17
 APPENDIX
Questionnaire for students
Name:…………………….. Age:…………………..
Gender: Male/Female Email:…………………
Education:………………. Religion:………………

Questions:
1. Which elective course do you prefer?
a. Basic econometrics
b. Management of Technology
c. Population Dynamics and Development Challenges
d. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
2. What was the reason for choosing a particular course?
a. Potential Career c. Knowledge
b. Self-interest d. Intrinsic aspect
3. What are the factors students consider while choosing a particular elective
course?
a. Course content/modules d. Quality of academic facilities
b. Academic reputation e. Pathway opportunities
c. Graduate outcomes
4. How beneficial do you think elective courses are for career?
a. Highly Beneficial d. Not beneficial
b. Beneficial e. Average
c. Neutral
5. Your perception regarding elective course.
a. EC developed personal skills and qualities
b. EC broadens education and knowledge
c. EC provided career benefits
d. EC explores new interests

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6. Your responses regarding resources situation in the university
……………………(Poor/Better)…… ……………..
a. Library facilities d. Internet
b. Class Notes . e. Lecturer's and student's interaction
7. University's factors for enhancing Student's progress
……….............................(Yes/No)………………………………
a. Elaborative interrogation
b. Doubt sessions
c. Experimental Learning
d. Online Learning
e. PDFs
Thank you!

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