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Business Administration (BUS)
Associate Professors: Grassmueck (Chair), Sterngold
Assistant Professors: Coyle, Irwin
Sloter Chair of Entrepreneurship: Welch
- Major: Business Administration
- Courses required for major: 12
- Capstone requirement: Assessment Examination and one business course numbered 400 or above
- Minor: Business Administration
This major is designed to educate students about business and management functions in for profit, non-profit, and public organizations. The program provides well-balanced preparation for a wide variety of professions and careers, including banking, financial services, small business management, marketing, sales, advertising, retailing, management, supervision, investments, human resources management, organization development, entrepreneurship, and management information systems. The major is also appropriate for students who plan to attend graduate school in business or related fields, such as law or public administration.
The Department of Business Administration is a member of the Institute for Management Studies. For more information, see the Institute for Management Studies listing.
Major Requirements
All students majoring in Business Administration must complete the core courses: ACCT 110 and either ACCT 130 or 223; BUS 228, 238, 244; ECON 110 and 111; one BUS or ENTR course numbered 400 or higher; and at least four other BUS or ENTR courses numbered 300 or higher.
Capstone Requirement
To earn a degree in business administration, students must pass an outcomes assessment exam during their senior year as determined by the Department. Students who fail must re-take and pass the assessment.
Diversity and Writing Courses
The following courses satisfy the Domestic Cultural Diversity Requirement: BUS 244 and 310. The following course satisfies the Global Cultural Diversity Requirement: BUS 333. The following courses, when scheduled as W courses, count toward the Writing Requirement: BUS 311, 333, 342, 347, 349, 420, 429, and 441.
Minor Requirements:
A minor in Business Administration consists of ACCT 110; BUS 228, 238, 244; and one additional business course above the 200 level.
Internships
Through BUS 439, Business Practicum, the department facilitates a wide variety of internships with businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. In addition, the department is a member of the Institute for Management Studies, which also facilitates internships, including full-time internships during the summer.
200
THE BUSINESS OF ENERGY
Access to affordable energy is essential for sustainable economic development and improvement in living standards. This course examines the issues which affect the success of non-renewable and renewable energy financing programs, focusing on the critical relationship between capital markets and financial institutions. Topics include corporate finance relevant to the oil and gas industry as well as issues of unconventional, renewable, and alternative energy.
228
MARKETING PRINCIPLES
A study of the methods used by business and nonprofit organizations to design, price, promote, and distribute their products and services. Topics include new product development, advertising, retailing, consumer behavior, marketing strategy, ethical issues in marketing, and others.
238
FUNDAMENTALS OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
A study of the fundamental theory, tools, and methods of financial management for a business owner. Topics include the time value of money, analysis of financial statements, capital budgeting, cost of capital, and capital structure. Prerequisites: ACCT 110 and either Math placement of level 4 or one Math course beyond MATH 100.
244
MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR
A study of the complex character of organizational life and the discipline and process of management. Topics include the evolution and scope of organizations and management, planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. Emphasis is placed on the importance of managing in a global environment, understanding the ethical implications of managerial decisions, and appreciating work place diversity. Fulfills Domestic Cultural Diversity Requirement.
306
HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
Presents key issues affecting the administration of today’s healthcare organizations and explores how those issues impact the delivery of care. Issues of accounting, finance, marketing, human resource management, and management information systems are explored. Provides a solid foundation of applying managerial knowledge within the healthcare industry. Introduces students to the practices and theories of health care policy and current issues facing the healthcare industry. Prerequisites: BUS 228, 238, and 244 or consent of instructor.
310
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
A study of the human resources function in organizations. The course introduces the roles and functions of the human resources department and how managers engage in human resource activities at work. Explores the functions of selection, training and development, compensation, retention, performance appraisal, promotion, employment law, and the modern-day importance of strategic human resource management. Prerequisites: BUS 228, 238, and 244 or consent of instructor. Fulfills Domestic Cultural Diversity Requirement.
311
INVESTMENT THEORY
Focuses on financial theory and empirical evidence that are used for investment decisions. A sound investment decision requires in-depth knowledge of the financial markets and empirical knowledge. This class is devoted to understanding investment principles and investors’ attitudes. Students learn how financial thinking has evolved since the turn of the 20th century by studying the great thinkers in the field of finance. The majority of the class is devoted to understanding the past and developing an investment policy based on individual risk preferences based on the knowledge and skills from class.
332
INTEGRATED MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS
Integrated marketing communications combines the promotional tools of advertising, direct marketing, sales incentives, public relations, and personal selling. Focuses on how to plan, develop and execute integrated marketing communications programs for a coordinated strategic program of total communications for an organization. IMC is a concept in use in business, government, and social service sectors. Prerequisites: BUS 228, 238, and 244 or consent of instructor.
333
GLOBAL BUSINESS STRATEGIES
A study of the basic concepts and theories pertaining to today’s global economy, business environment, and markets. Topics include international business environment, foreign political systems, world cultures, global economic integration, operation of the international monetary system, and ethical issues involving global business. Also covers multinational corporations, national trade policies, foreign direct investment, and regional trading areas. Prerequisites: BUS 228, 238, and 244 or consent of instructor. Fulfills Global Cultural Diversity Requirement.
337
SECURITY VALUATION AND PORTFOLIO THEORY
An introduction to the valuation of securities and quantitative portfolio theory, practice, optimization, and management. It addresses investor choice, market opportunities, and optimal portfolio selection. It examines security covariance and return models, performance analysis, and return attribution. A detailed examination of portfolio management and capital market theory including a review of material on efficient markets, the basic Markowitz portfolio model and the capital asset pricing model. These concepts are addressed in terms of international diversification and the evaluation of portfolio performance. Prerequisite: BUS 228, 238, and 244.
339
FINANCIAL STRATEGY
An intensive study of issues and applications of financial management. Topics include advanced capital budgeting, cash flow estimation and risk analysis, real options, capital structure and leverage, dividend policy, derivatives, international finance, and special topics in financial management. Extensive use of Excel in directed and non-directed cases. Prerequisites: BUS 228, 238, and 244 or consent of instructor.
342
MARKETING RESEARCH
The study of the principles and practices of marketing research. The focus is on the development and application of marketing research methods. Topics covered include selection of a research design, data collection, analysis, and report writing. Both quantitative and qualitative methods are covered. Focuses on an applied project. Prerequisites: BUS 228, 238, and 244 or consent of instructor.
347
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN MARKETING
Examines social controversies involving marketing as portrayed in books, popular writings, political debates, and films (e.g., marketing of junk-foods, prescription drugs, or violent video games). Analyzes specialized marketing practices, such as financial services marketing, nonprofit marketing, internet marketing, or sports and recreational marketing. Prerequisites: BUS 228, 238, and 244 or consent of instructor. May be repeated once for credit with departmental approval when topics are different.
348
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN MANAGEMENT
Examines social controversies involving management as portrayed in books, popular writings, political writings, and films (e.g., the effects of plant closings and global competition on local communities). Analyzes specialized management practices, such as social entrepreneurship, environmentally sustainable business practices, or public administration. Prerequisites: BUS 228, 238, and 244 or consent of instructor. May be repeated once for credit with consent of department when topics are different.
349
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN FINANCE
Examines social controversies involving finance as portrayed in books, popular writings, political debates, and films (e.g., Enron and other corporate financial scandals, the destabilizing effects of hedge funds, and programmed trading). Analyzes specialized financial practices, such as public finance or investment banking. Prerequisites: BUS 228, 238, and 244 or consent of instructor. May be repeated once for credit with consent of department when topics are different.
420
ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT
An overview of the concepts, models, and theories in the field of organization development. Emphasizes the design and management of organizational change through diagnosis, intervention, and institutionalization of change events. Opportunities are provided for students to apply what they have learned by acting as change agents with a local organization. Prerequisites: BUS 228, 238, and 244 or consent of instructor.
429
MARKETING STRATEGY
A study of the methods used by business and nonprofit organizations to analyze and select target markets and then to develop strategies for gaining and maintaining these customers. Topics include competitive strategy, market segmentation, product positioning, promotional design, and marketing-related financial analysis. Addresses case studies and the development of a detailed marketing plan. Prerequisites: BUS 228, 238, and 244 or consent of instructor.
438
QUANTITATIVE FINANCIAL ANALYTICS
Introduces students to mathematical, programming, and statistical tools used in the real-world analysis and modeling of financial data. These tools are applied to model asset returns, measure risk, construct optimized portfolios, value securities and to develop advanced capital budgeting tools using Microsoft Excel and other software if necessary. Students build probability models for asset returns, apply statistical techniques to evaluate if asset returns are normally distributed, use Monte Carlo simulation, construct efficient portfolios, and use other tools to evaluate financial models. Prerequisites: BUS 228, 244, and 337.
439
BUSINESS PRACTICUM
Provides students with practical work experience with local companies and organizations. Students work 10-12 hours per week for their sponsor organizations, in addition to attending a weekly seminar on management topics relevant to their work assignments. Since enrollment is limited by the available number of positions, students must apply directly to the Business Department before preregistration to be eligible for the course. May be repeated once for credit with consent of instructor when topics are different.
441
BUSINESS STRATEGY
An intensive study of the entrepreneurial function of business enterprises designed to build skills in conducting strategic analysis and strategic development in a variety of industries and competitive situations. Students examine industry structure, functional strategies, competitive challenges of a global marketplace, and sources of sustainable competitive advantage. Designed to integrate the knowledge and skills gained from previous coursework in business and related fields. Prerequisites: All core courses or consent of instructor. Seniors only.
470-479
INTERNSHIP
Prerequisites: BUS 228, 238, and 244 or consent of instructor.
N80-N89
INDEPENDENT STUDY
Prerequisites: BUS 228, 238, and 244 or consent of instructor.
490-491
INDEPENDENT STUDY FOR DEPARTMENTAL HONORS
Prerequisites: BUS 228, 238, and 244 or consent of instructor.