Business and Strategy
Asignaturas:
Financial Accounting
Catalog Description
Introduces students to basic accounting concepts and principles used in today's business world. Emphasis is placed on the preparation of financial statements and the maintenance of accounting records throughout the accounting cycle. Other topics within the framework of this course include the valuation of inventory, basic principles of internal control, and accounting for the acquisition, depreciation, and disposal of fixed assets, as well as current liabilities.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Understand and apply the generally accepted basic accounting procedures, concepts, principles, formats, terms and philosophies to financial statements, accounting records, working papers and supporting documents.
- Establish and maintain accounting records and prepare working papers and financial statements manually in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
- Perform accounting functions such as analyzing accounts, journalizing, adjusting, and closing entries.
- Record accounting transactions relevant to cash, receivables, inventories, the acquisition, depreciation and disposal of fixed assets, current liabilities, long-term debt and stockholders' equity.
- Stimulate their problem solving abilities and critical thinking skills.
Managerial Accounting
Catalog Description
Continues to develop a foundation for a thorough understanding of basic accounting principles. Emphasis is placed on accounting issues relevant to the corporate form of business organization, including but not limited to long-term liabilities, investments, dividends, and retained earnings. Other topics within the framework of this course include cash flow statements and an introduction to cost accounting concepts and systems, including budgetary planning.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Explain the flow of costs through manufacturing cycles and the determination of product (or service) costs.
- Explain or give examples of the issues and procedures for the allocation of overhead costs, including activity-based costing, job order costing and process costing.
- Explain or give examples of cost-volume-profit (CVP) analysis and break-even point (BEP) analysis.
- Employ techniques used for preparing components of master budget.
- Explain or give examples of commonly used tools for performance evaluation such as ROI, residual income, Manufacturing Cycle Efficiency and a balanced scorecard.
- Prepare a flexible budget and compute variance analysis.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the flow of cash as relating to operating, investing and financing activities, prepare a statement of cash flows and compute free cash flow.
- Compute and interpret various financial ratios used by managers to assess company's performance.
Business Computers I
Catalog Description
This course provides an introduction to computer software currently used in global business environments. Implications of information technology in business are explored and evaluated. Problem-solving skills are developed using standardized business computer software, including word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database software.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Operate Windows operating system and key applications including word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and database software.
- Manage and organize information on local and shared environments.
- Analyze situations of information technology use in business and everyday lives to identify issues, consequences, and viewpoints.
- Research, describe, and demonstrate shared applications useful for personal, school, and/or work purposes.
- Interact with peers in an interactive, digital learning environment.
Solving Business Problems with Technology
Catalog Description
This introductory course will prepare students with foundational skills for theoretical courses within the School of Business as well as real-world applications. Related to the tools necessary for computer competency in specific organizational domains, students will explore current platforms utilized in standard business operations. Additionally, this course will prepare students with critical mathematical applications in business to begin exploration in accountancy, finance, and management.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Apply Windows and Microsoft Office to business applications.
- Compare and contrast basic financial statements and overviews.
- Calculate basic financial applications: breakeven analysis; compound interest; present/future value; discounts; and COGS (cost of goods sold).
- Identify the correct technology used to address issues in commerce.
- Explain the impacts of accuracy, transparency and truthful reporting.
Foundations of Business
Catalog Description
This introductory course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of essential business concepts. Through various modules, students will explore the fundamentals of business environments, economic systems, organizational management, human resources, marketing strategies, and financial principles. The course includes interactive activities, case studies, and a team project, preparing students for success in both academic and real-world business settings.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate the application of core business concepts foundational to operating a business.
- Analyze economic and market environments.
- Apply management and operational principles.
- Evaluate HR and ethical practices.
- Develop marketing strategies.
- Interpret financial information.
- Demonstrate the role of financial systems within the securities markets.
- Develop team project skills.
Marketing
Catalog Description
An introductory overview of marketing in the modern business world. Techniques for the application of key marketing frameworks and tools for analyzing customers, competition, and marketing strengths and weaknesses are examined. Emphasis is placed on methods for the selection of target markets. Strategies that integrate product, price, promotion, place, and people to meet the needs of a target market are studied. Ethical considerations in marketing are explored.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Describe the importance of value-based marketing
- Demonstrate the strategic marketing planning process including SWOT analysis
- Describe proven growth strategies including market penetration, global expansion, and product development
- Recognize how competition and macro-environmental factors influence the marketing process
- Perform Segmentation, Targeting and Positioning (STP) Analysis
- Describe the importance of product, branding, and packaging
- Illustrate how the product life cycle affects the development of new products and the management of existing products
- Describe the process and analysis firms use to develop new products
- Describe the importance of pricing and various pricing policies and practices used within the channels of distribution
- Complete a break-even analysis
- Explain the role of promotion in the marketing mix
- Recognize examples of ethical and unethical advertising
Finance
Catalog Description
An introduction to finance, including organization, taxes, capital markets, the commercial banking system, interest rates, financial analysis, financial forecasting, working capital management, marketable securities, accounts receivable, inventories, and short-term credit markets. Students will use financial computers and/or software applications to apply concepts.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Apply discounted cash flow analysis to solve practical real-world problems.
- Price bonds and understand how to determine risk premiums.
- Understand the derivation and importance of “beta” for individual stocks and portfolios. Identify the key drivers of stock valuation and use the “dividend discount model.”
- Perform simple project feasibility analysis using “net present value” techniques.
- Use financial analysis in business decision making.
Introduction to Business Analytics
Catalog Description
This course examines how data analytics (big data) informs business decisions and processes. Students acquire an understanding of the terminology, concepts, and potential tools and solutions of data analytics. Regression methods, including linear, non-linear, and Bayesian, will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on the retrieval, cleaning, and manipulation of data, and the process for identifying the relevant data elements for a given audience.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a broad understanding of business analytics and its applicability to various industries.
- Define and apply “Big Data” and other terminology that is used in the marketplace today.
- Execute Data Mining techniques.
- Utilize quantitative reasoning skills such as inductive vs deductive reasoning.
- Work with basic tools for descriptive analytics, e.g., Excel, as well as advanced tools visualization techniques.
Communicating in Business
Catalog Description
Develops critical oral and written managerial communication skills required of professionals. Students learn the characteristics of effective business communication, including the need to identify audiences and their preferred communication styles. Written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills are built through a variety of exercises that include crafting email, letters, memos, executive summaries, and visual aids. Students learn how to incorporate evidence and effectively structure communications to deliver negative and positive business news, how to contend with ethical considerations, and how to communicate persuasively. Focus on the use of tables, figures, and graphs to tighten and enhance all forms of communication is included.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an ability to identify the appropriate audience, tone, format and medium when presenting business related material/information.
- Write effective emails, letters, executive summaries, and memos with compelling content that demonstrates an understanding of the purpose of the communication, the impact on the audience and on stakeholders.
- Appropriately identify and incorporate relevant source evidence to support ideas in a manner that avoids plagiarisms in a variety of business communications.
- Apply ethical frameworks in the resolution of dilemmas and communicate controversial messages in an organized manner.
- Demonstrate an ability to develop, analyze and utilize high-quality tables, figures, and graphs of relevant data points in support of oral and written communications.
- Demonstrate an ability to deliver purposeful, organized oral presentation using thoughtful language and supporting materials both individually and in a group setting.
International Business
Catalog Description
An overview of the environment in which international businesses compete. This course introduces the student to the impact of culture and political economy on business decision-making, the economics and politics of international trade and investment, the nature of the international monetary system, the strategies and structures that characterize successful international enterprises, and the special role that each business function plays within a firm operating globally.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Understand the forces that influence companies and their operations in a global marketplace.
- Explore the essential characteristics of a successful global organization.
- Develop an understanding of major global business problems, with particular emphasis on issues of economic and political risk facing corporations in the management of their international operations.
- Be familiar with ethical issues that occur when conducting international business.
- Assess global business opportunities and competitive challenges from a variety of perspectives. Understand how regional and local events may present important challenges and opportunities to multinational corporations.
- Understand the global integration/local responsiveness paradox and be able to make insightful business decisions within that context.
- Assess the usefulness to international companies of different organization and human resource management approaches.
- Assess the issues and concerns that arise from cross-border strategic alliances.
- Understand the perspective of home and host country governments as variables in the operations of the global firm.
- Understand issues of global social responsibility as they apply to the operation of global companies.
- Explain the importance of international trade and foreign direct investment to companies, customers, and societies.
- Explain differences in doing business in global markets versus domestic markets.
- Develop an understanding of the cultural, historical and institutional factors that influence management practices, focusing on key regions.
Human Resource Management
Catalog Description
This course examines employee-employer relationships. Policy areas covered encompass the employee life cycle from the employer and employee perspectives—including workforce planning, interviewing and hiring, onboarding, engagement and retention, career development, performance evaluation, compensation packages, and legal issues. Also highlighted in this course are current economic and social situations that impact the workplace today, including diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and labor/management relations.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Explain how the effective management of human resources contributes to the success of an organization
- Summarize current trends in the workforce and in changing business practices and explain how they impact the management of human resources
- List the major federal and state laws that regulate the management of human resources and explain how they impact the day to day management of employees
- Summarize the steps involved in job design and job description preparation
- Explain how to successfully interview, recruit and select employees.
- Describe how training and development programs impact both individual employee success and organizational performance.
- Discuss the various methods organizations use to evaluate and improve employee performance
- Describe how organizations retain and motivate employees.
- Summarize and explain the basic principles of compensation and benefits administration.
Project Management
Catalog Description
Preparation to meet the variety of communication demands made on the business professional as they are engaged in coordination of disparate and similar functional groups in product or process development. The course draws from the areas of project management, business communication, and rhetoric to develop oral and written communication competencies for a range of contemporary business contexts.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Describe the various forms of project communication necessary for the business world.
- Learn fundamental project management techniques and tools including Clickup and Trello.
- Effectively manage meetings and task forces with diverse groups (human interactions)
- Develop skills in presenting to senior executives.
- Evaluate and present business alternatives for approval.
- Construct proposals for new concepts to understand the diversity in communication styles.
- Develop skills in working in virtual teams and all the issues one will face in dealing with project staff that could be globally based.
Organizational Behavior
Catalog Description
A comprehensive investigation into the dynamics of behavior in organizations. Examines individual and group behavior, motivation, leadership styles, conflict, organizational culture, and the process of change in organizations. Through case studies and group exercise, the course emphasizes an analytical approach.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Define organizational behavior and identify the challenges and opportunities managers have in applying OB concepts.
- Describe how an individual influences the organization within which (s)he works as it pertains to an individual's personality, values, decision making skills, attitudes, and motivations.
- Critically reflect on their own identity and experiences that influence their perspectives and how they interact with others.
- Describe the variations in group behavior that influence an organization and which can make the organization more and/or less effective.
- Access a set of 'tools' that present different approaches to confronting bias and discrimination in personal and professional settings.
- Describe how organizational structure and culture influences its members and its success.
- Explain how issues of privilege, power, discrimination, and bias unfold in organizations and impact individual and organizational outcomes.
- Apply theoretical concepts to contemporary scenarios within the workplace.
Operations Management
Catalog Description
An introduction to operations and production management. This course examines the evolution of the modern operations function, the design of systems and scheduling, the management of materials, and the provision of services in contemporary businesses. All facets of an enterprise, including employees, processes, customers, and suppliers, are looked at as a system.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the key elements of operations management through readings, videos, classroom discussion, written assignments and group collaboration.
- Identify the operational strengths and areas of improvement in familiar (internships and part time jobs) businesses.
- Evaluate and analyze the operations management strengths and weaknesses of a familiar restaurant or store
- Solve operations related problems from service and manufacturing sectors.
- Demonstrate an understanding of current events in operations through research and analysis.
Consumer Behavior
Catalog Description
Study of the consumer as a decision-maker. Social and psychological influences on purchasing decisions are examined, with emphasis on their implications for retail marketing strategy. Topics include external and internal influences on consumer lifestyles, the nature of consumer motivation, the purchase decision process as it relates to the consumption of consumer goods and services, and appropriate marketing responses.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Explain and define the frameworks that contribute to understanding consumer behavior as it influences business activities involving the sale of goods and services.
- Understand the psychological, sociological, anthropological, and economic processes affecting consumer choices.
- Possess a framework, tools, and vocabulary to analyze consumer behavior.
- Understand the impact of purchase involvement on consumer decision-making.
- Identify the various kinds of decision models used by consumers.
- Understand how research and consumer behavior are used in market analysis.
- Understand how culture influences consumer behavior.
- Understand the importance of perception in developing retail strategy, brand names, logos, media strategy, advertising, and package design.
Design Thinking
Catalog Description
Design thinking is the method of applying creativity and process to the concept of innovation to create novel solutions to tough problems. Students will immerse themselves into a problem via observation and empathy, to creatively think around pain points and opportunity areas in order to innovate solutions. This is achieved by focusing on developing the ability to listen, observe, collaborate, prototype, discuss, and experiment with the various ideas that apply to a potential solution.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Acquire a thorough understanding of the process of design thinking.
- Develop the necessary tools to apply the concept of design thinking across the spectrum.
- Understand the value of creative thinking and how to engage in this process.
- Develop the ability to observe, interview, question, and empathize on how to solve “pain points”.
- Understand how these skills apply to innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Leverage his or her leadership skills appropriately in any organization.
Risk Management
Catalog Description
Addresses present and emerging needs in a variety of industries and professional fields. Provides an overview of systematic responses used to manage potential threats to individuals, organizations, and agencies through the use of strategies and procedures engineered to minimize consequences and maximize opportunities. Using a risk management model to identify and assess risk, implement strategies, and evaluate outcomes, students will understand how properly designed risk management processes are used to protect individuals, organizations, or agencies against financial, physical, legal, and other damages, including risk associated with terrorism and natural disaster.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Explain different definitions and concepts of business risk.
- Show an understanding of various types of risk.
- Describe governance issues in the risk management process.
- Demonstrate an understanding of how an organization's ability to manage risk is affected by regulatory, capacity and cost constraints.
- Create a basic risk management process, including action and recovery plans.
Integrated Marketing Communications
Catalog Description
Advanced study of the major marketing communication functions, including advertising, direct marketing, sales promotion, public relations, and personal selling. Application and integration of these functions in developing effective campaign strategies and programs are included.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- A working knowledge of consumer behavior, the communications process, and selected marketing plan elements needed to develop Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) strategies and plans.
- A working knowledge of IMC campaign strategies/plans (IMCP), tactics, and IMCP managerial benefits.
- An understanding of IMCP similarities and differences and their compositional elements among industries, compared to benchmark, competitive companies.
Business Negotiation
Catalog Description
Provides students with techniques for becoming skillful negotiators in a wide range of settings. The framework and fundamental steps of negotiating, including how to develop an effective negotiating action plan, are examined. Students will be introduced to current theory surrounding the negotiation process.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Analyze negotiation situations.
- Describe the importance of information for negotiating efficiently.
- Summarize common negotiating mistakes.
- Develop a strategic plan for effective negotiation
- Gain an intellectual understanding of negotiator behavior.
- Use trust, body language, and psychology for better negotiations.
- Understand the difference between integrative and distributive negotiation.
- Understand and be able to use win/win negotiation strategies.
- Be familiar with negotiation ethics.
- Understand the problems of and best approaches to international negotiation.
Dynamics of Leadership
Catalog Description
An extensive look at the nature of leadership and the dilemmas facing leaders of people at work. In-depth analysis of the forces motivating the behavior of people working in ongoing and temporary groups includes problems of authority and influence, development of roles and norms, initiation of change, and dealing with resistance. Recognition of women's and men's parity in leadership opportunities as a major consideration.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Distinguish the concept of leadership from the concept of management.
- Compare and contrast the major theories of leadership.
- Analyze the influence of leadership styles on individual performance.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of culture, ethics, legal and corporate social responsibility issues on leadership.
- Assess the skills necessary to exert power and influence in a non-authoritative leadership role.
- Define leadership, ethics, and power and illustrate the link among these concepts.
- Develop and apply knowledge of leadership in a variety of real world contexts.
- Determine the role that power plays in leadership.
- Explain the effects of leadership style on the organizational environment and its result on followers' motivations.
- Understand the complexities of leadership and the multi-disciplinary nature of leadership theory.
- Understand the impact of individual differences and different situations on the practice of leadership.
- Critically evaluate leadership and ethical dilemmas.
Business Strategy and Policy
Catalog Description
A culminating course in the business program examines the challenge to top management presented by a new or expanding business. Students learn decision-making for an organization experiencing growth and change. Topics include organization planning and strategy in a competitive environment. The student is asked, from the point of view of the senior manager, to integrate and apply the knowledge learned in accounting, finance, marketing, organizational behavior, etc., to develop a comprehensive strategy for a firm that can lead to competitive advantage and high-performance results.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Understand the forces that influence companies and their operations in a global marketplace.
- Identify and explain the relationship between market structure and power.
- Understand the nature of strategic competitiveness and develop the ability to analyze the competitive environment facing a firm.
- Develop business level strategies by defining the type of advantage sought, scope of operations, and activities required to deliver the chosen strategy.
- Understand how to assess the likely sustainability of firm strategies and competitive positions.
- Consider how the actions of competitors impact the firm's ability to reach its strategic goals.
- Integrate knowledge and apply analytical techniques from various disciplines, including finance, accounting, marketing, operations, organization theory and organizational behavior.
Macroeconomics
Catalog Description
The measurement of the United States economy and the factors that contribute to economic growth and recession are the focus of macroeconomics. The role of government in the economy is closely examined. Particular attention is paid to tax and spending policy as well as the policy of the Federal Reserve. Government policy has a significant impact on the performance of the private economy.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Identify and apply relevant terminology and concepts to economic issues and problems.
- Demonstrate an understanding of how market economies function and identify the roles that the private and public sectors play in modern economies.
- Apply macroeconomic principles to real world situations including but not limited to business cycles, economic rates of growth, inflation, unemployment, and the economic stabilization.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the use of quantitative techniques in economic analysis.
Microeconomics
Catalog Description
Examines the basic concepts of microeconomics, including theories and models that describe how consumers and producers of goods and services make rational economic choices, and the implications of those choices for market prices, quality, and product variety. Looks at demand and supply elasticity, the nature of competitive rivalry, factors of production, income distribution, and the impact of government regulation.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Understand the basics of supply and demand analysis (i.e., comparative static analysis)
- Calculate and apply the concept of elasticity of demand to total revenue.
- Understand the implications of a unit tax on consumer and producer surplus.
- Graph the short-run and long-run cost curves of a firm.
- Understand the implications of various industry structures on allocative and productive efficiency.
Mathematical Problem Solving
Catalog Description
Develops student problem-solving skills by teaching different problem-solving strategies and allowing students the opportunity to develop and reflect on their own problem-solving and critical thinking skills. The students apply these strategies to real-world scenarios.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Use basic mathematics in real life decision-process making.
- Demonstrate understanding of the basic principles of statistics and financial mathematics.
- Explain the fundamental notions of formal logic reasoning.
- Employ basic quantitative skills to model simple, yet fundamental, real-word problems.
Applied Statistics
Catalog Description
Introduces applied statistical methods used in industry and scientific applications. Emphasis will be on application, as students use descriptive and inferential statistics to analyze data and interpret the results. Common topics include confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, and linear regression and correlation.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Know the basic elements of statistical thinking and practice.
- Be familiar with summaries and graphs of collected data in order to analyze data and draw conclusions.
- Summarize numerical data using measures of central tendency, dispersion, and position
- Study linear correlation and regression
- Understand discrete and continuous probabilistic models and apply them in business, economics and the social and physical sciences. The binomial and normal probability distributions in particular.
- Work with sampling distributions: of the mean and of proportion.
- Use the sampling distribution of the mean and proportion to create confidence intervals.
- Use hypothesis tests to make inferences about population means and proportions.
- Study significant differences between two or more population proportions or means using chi-squared tests and ANOVA.