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Applied Behavioural Economics for Business and Policy unit (BEA203)

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Unit year 2026

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Location: Hobart, Online

Introduction

Sustainable development constitutes the most urgent policy challenge we face today: How can we enable individuals to make choices and behave in ways that benefit both themselves and future generations? This unit equips students with the practical tools of behavioural economics to tackle this pressing issue. By integrating behavioural science with economic analysis, we can design, implement, and evaluate policies that drive sustainable decision-making. The unit has two parts: First, we explore how behavioural insights can be collected using experiments and similar methods to inform the design and testing of policy. We then apply these methods to real-world sustainability challenges through case studies.

Summary

Unit name Applied Behavioural Economics for Business and Policy
Unit code BEA203
Credit points 12.5
College/School Tasmanian School of Business and Economics
Discipline Economics
Coordinator Professor Swee-Hoon Chuah
Available as an elective? Yes
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Intermediate

Sustainable Development Goals

The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Hobart Semester 2 This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Online Semester 2 This unit is available through off-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
  • Key:
  • This unit is available through on-campus delivery On-campus
  • This unit is available through off-campus delivery Off-Campus
  • Available to International Students International students
  • Available to Domestic Students Domestic students
Note

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Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
Semester 2 5/7/2026 27/7/2026 30/8/2026 24/10/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  • Describe experimental economics and explain its role and scope in economics in general and behavioural economics in particular.
  • Analyse and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the experimental method, and its appropriateness to study different economic issues.
  • Test and evaluate behavioural economics interventions aimed at addressing industry and policy challenges.

Fee Information

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
091901 $2,174.00 $1,703.00 not applicable $2,862.00
  • Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
  • HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility3
  • FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility4

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Teaching

AssessmentTest (20%)|Reflection (30%)|Assignment (50%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

There is no one prescribed textbook for this unit. Your unit coordinator will collate readings from various sources for you. Each topic in the unit will have its own reading list which can be found on MyLO. Required articles and chapters can be downloaded electronically via the UTAS library or found on Google Scholar. The reading list for each topic will consist of essential and optional readings. At the very least, students are expected to read the essential readings (around 3-5 pieces per topic).
Recommended

Journals such as Journal of Economic Psychology, Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Experimental Economics, Journal of the Economic Science Association and Journal of Behavioral & Experimental Economics are recommended to delve further into experimental methods.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.