Course Descriptions — Foundation Courses

MBA 501 Modules - Decision-making Concepts and Tools

MBA 501A — Statistics Module — 1 credit

This course module is intended to develop the statistical concepts and techniques that are needed to make business decisions. Topics to be covered include detailed coverage of Descriptive Statistics, probability theory (including Bayes’ Theorem), and discrete and continuous probability distributions with an emphasis on business applications. A survey of modern statistical methods covering sampling distributions, interval estimation, hypothesis testing, and regression and correlation analysis will be discussed.

MBA 501B — Management Science Module — 1 credit

An introduction to the quantitative approaches used in today's businesses to solve decision problems. Topics will include overviews of linear programming, spreadsheet modeling, project scheduling, waiting line systems, and simulation.

MBA 501C — Information Management Module — 1 credit

An introduction to computers and how they can be applied to the operations and management of business firms. Topics include data-processing concepts, overview of computer hardware and software, modern data and information processing systems, and applications of computers in business.

MBA 502 Modules - Accounting Analysis and Business Law

MBA 502A — Financial Accounting Module — 1 credit

An introduction to the basic principles and techniques of financial accounting. Emphasizes the accounting process and the interpretation and use of basic financial statements.

MBA 502B — Managerial Accounting Module — 1 credit

Continuation of MBA 502A. Emphasis is placed on ways to use, analyze and interpret accounting data in planning and controlling organizational activities. Selected techniques required for analysis and managerial decision-making are introduced.

MBA 502C — Business Law Module — 1 credit

This course module provides the fundamental legal concepts including a basic knowledge of domestic and global legal environments; legal forms of business organization; essential concepts of tort, contract and property law; specific federal regulatory agencies controlling Environmental Protection, Anti-Trust and Consumer Protection; and aspects of employment law.

MBA 503 Modules - Economics and Finance

MBA 503A — Microeconomics Module — 1 credit

Intended to provide a foundation in microeconomics for MBA students, this is an intensive course that stresses functioning of the market system. It introduces students to applications of microeconomics in business decisions.

MBA 503B — Macroeconomics Module — 1 credit

Intended to provide a foundation in macroeconomics for MBA students, this is an intensive course that introduces the student to macroeconomic theory and applications as they pertain to the business decisions. Topics include measurement of GDP, inflation, monetary and fiscal policy, fluctuations, and growth.

MBA 503C — Finance Module — 1 credit

(Prerequisites, MBA 501A, MBA 502A, MBA 503A and MBA 503B) Intended to provide a foundation in finance for MBA students, this is an intensive course that introduces students to financial decision making process and to the tools and techniques of financial analysis.

MBA 504 Modules - Management and Marketing

MBA 504A — Management Module — 1 credit

This module will examine major functions of management from an applied perspective. Emphasis will also be placed on understanding organizational structure and processes. Extensive use will be made of class discussion and case analysis. Modules will also address skills manages must develop in working with others.

MBA 504B — Marketing Module — 1 credit

The MBA module in marketing is designed to introduce students to the basic techniques of analyzing customers and formulating integrated product development, pricing, distribution, and communication programs.

MBA 504C — Operations Management Module — 1 credit

A functional review of how to manage the activities involved in the process of converting or transforming resources into products or services. Topics include an overview of strategic decisions, forecasting, basic inventory models, aggregate planning and master scheduling, materials requirements planning, and scheduling operations.

Course Descriptions — Core Courses

ACC 502 — Accounting for Management — 3 credits

(Prerequisites, MBA 502A & B) The student develops a deeper understanding of accounting as the “language of business” and the ways in which it can be employed to help managers perform within their organizations. Emphasis is placed on ways to use, analyze, and interpret accounting data in planning and controlling organizational activities. Selected techniques required for analysis and managerial decision making are introduced.

OM 503 — Operations Management — 3 credits

(Prerequisites, MBA 501A & B, and MBA 504C) This course is designed to emphasize the strategic importance of operations management to the overall performance of the enterprise. Topics include: product and process planning and design, forecasting, facility location and layout, production staffing, job design and work measurement, capacity planning, aggregate planning, inventory management, requirements planning, operations scheduling, Just-in-time, and quality assurance.

MIS 504 — Management Information Systems — 3 credits

The course is designed to educate students to the importance of information systems in managing profit as well as not-for-profit organizations such as: manufacturing, banking and health care. The course emphasizes the role of information systems to increase productivity, to improve the quality of products and services, and to insure overall effectiveness of organizational operations. The course introduces the student to information and communication technologies; information system evaluation and development processes; information technology applications for problem solving and management decision making; and use of information technologies to transaction processes and customer service. Appropriate application software will be used to get hands-on experience, to analyze cases, and to complete the class project. The student is expected to have basic knowledge of computing skills.

MGT 505 — Organizational Behavior — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, MBA 504A) A primary goal of an organization is the improved performance of individuals and work groups within the organization. Organizational behavior is the field of study that investigates and explains those concepts or theories which are vital in current management practices dealing with job performance.

MKT 506 — Marketing Management — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, MBA504B) Analysis of the conceptual and tactical mechanisms of marketing management with emphasis on how today's firms and institutions mobilize their resources to achieve market penetration, sales volume, and satisfactory profits. Marketing planning with control and implementation of strategies as major aspects of decision making. Also, exploring market opportunities and formulation of marketing policies (marketing mix) exemplified through case studies.

ECO 507 — Managerial Economics — 3 credits

(Prerequisites, MBA 503A & B) An intensive study of the problems of value and costs, including demand theory, empirical demand analysis, production theory, cost theory linear programming applications in resource allocation and cost analysis, empirical cost analysis, market structure and pricing theory, pricing practice and the role of government in the private economy.

FIN 508 — Financial Management — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, MBA 503C) Principles of policy formation in the modern corporation; the institutions, instruments and customary procedures that influence the determination of corporate policy; and the reasons for choices in seeking solutions to specific financial problems. A case approach will be utilized to cover problems of working capital management, capital budgeting, and capital structure. Computerized approaches to financial problems will be emphasized.

Course Descriptions — Capstone Course

MGT 509 — Business Policy — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, all other core courses) This course introduces the student to methodologies for examining strategic policy issues of organizations, primarily business organizations. In providing the student with opportunities to devise policy solutions, the course draws on all of the functional areas in the MBA curriculum. The course provides a capstone experience in which students will develop, present and defend their own policy solutions for a real company.

Course Descriptions — Accounting Electives

ACC 512 — Survey of Federal Taxes — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, ACC 502 or equivalent) This course is directed at graduate students who desire exposure to tax law, but have had no prior tax course. The course will survey the general and basic rules which govern individuals, corporations, partnerships, and S corporations. The primary focus of this course will be directed toward compliance issues.

ACC 521 — Auditing — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, Acc 502) Regulatory, legal, ethical, and technical issues related to the independent audit services. Intended for the general business student; not available to any student who has received credit for ACC 364 or its equivalent.

ACC 522 — Federal Taxation — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, ACC 502) Corporation Income Taxes, with special emphasis on current Internal Revenue Service regulations. Partnerships included. This course is not open to those students who have received credit for ACC 365 or its equivalent.

ACC 525 — International Accounting — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, ACC 502 or ACC 252 or ACC 254 or equivalent) Accounting for international business; accounting control for the multinational enterprise, global accounting theory and practice, social accounting concepts, tax aspects of foreign transactions, and international financial reporting to investors. This course is not open to those students who have received credit for ACC 475 or its equivalent.

ACC 526 — Managerial Accounting — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, ACC 502) Decision models including pricing factor and product combinations. Examination of the problem of control in organizations, including transfer pricing and performance evaluation. This course is not open to students who have received credit for ACC 461 or its equivalent.

ACC 527 — Financial Accounting — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, ACC 502) A critical study of the major accounting pronouncements on general purpose financial statements. Specific topics include accounting for inventories, investments, property, plant and equipment, liabilities, income tax allocation, pensions, and leases. This course is not open to those students who have received credit for ACC 362 or its equivalent.

ACC 529 — Special Topics in Accounting — 3 credits

Course Descriptions — Advanced Accounting Electives

Each student in the Combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Business Administration Degree program must take at least three upper-level graduate elective accounting courses. Depending upon the student’s prior accounting background, acceptable elective courses could include the following: ACC 522, 525, 529, and any elective accounting course that is numbered 530 or greater.

ACC 531 — Advanced Auditing — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, ACC 364 or equivalent, or ACC 521) Internal control and auditing issues relating to EDP systems, including the organization, equipment, and applications controls; statistical sampling issues; and audit issues relating to certain operating cycles.

ACC 532 — Advanced Taxation — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, ACC 365 or equivalent, or ACC 522) This course is directed at graduate students having an accounting and tax background. The course will examine tax regulations applicable to partnerships, limited-liability companies/partnerships, corporations, S corporations, and estates and trusts. The emphasis will be on tax planning.

ACC 536 — Advanced Managerial Accounting — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, ACC 461 or ACC 526, or equivalent) Advanced study of the use of accounting information in the decision making necessary for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling a firm’s operations, including budgeting, performance evaluation, statistical analysis, and transfer pricing. The behavioral implications of the processes discussed will be addressed throughout the course. This course is not open to those students who have received credit for ACC 462 or ACC 523.

ACC 537 — Advanced Financial Accounting — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, ACC 362 or ACC 527, or equivalent) An in-depth study of selected advanced financial-reporting issues. Topics include consolidated financial statements, foreign currency transactions and foreign investments, and governmental and nonprofit accounting. This course is not open to those students who have received credit for ACC 524.

Course Descriptions — Operations Management Electives

OM 540 — Supply Chain Management — 3 credits

The design, operation and control of all activities involved in fulfilling customer requests. Topics include, but are not limited to: supply chain drivers, planning and managing inventories and transportation in supply chains, information and coordination, ebusiness and supply chains, customer service, order processing, strategic supply chain management.

OM 541 — Advanced Production and Operations Management — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, OM 503) The modeling of production inventory systems. Topics include: facility design, aggregate and hierarchical planning, inventory control, and operations scheduling. Appropriate software will be used to design, analyze, and evaluate manufacturing operations.

OM 542 — Applied Operations Research — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, OM 503) A study of how operations research models may be used to solve practical decision problems in the business sector. Techniques studied will be chosen from: linear programming, goal programming, integer programming, dynamic programming, network theory, Markov processes, queuing theory and decision analysis. The course will emphasize problem formulation, model management and interpretation; both exact and heuristic algorithms will be considered.

OM 543 — Project Management — 3 credits

This course will examine advanced project management concepts covering all phases of the project lifecycle (from requirement specification through post-project assessment). Special emphasis will be placed on understanding projects within the context of complex organizational settings, the need for implementing change, and in particular, managing the strategic change process. The Project Management Institute’s standard (PMBOK Guide, 2000) outlining the current articulated body of knowledge will be heavily utilized.

OM 544 — Business Forecasting Models — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, OM 503 or consent of instructor) This course deals with the study of quantitative forecasting techniques which include exponential smoothing, classical decomposition, regression analysis and Box- Jenkins (ARIMA) methodology, as well as qualitative (judgmental) methods. The emphasis is on their practical application in various business forecasting situations. Issues important in the selection of appropriate forecasting methodology such as data requirements, forecast accuracy, time horizon and cost are discussed.

OM 545 — Total Quality Management — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, OM 503 or consent of instructor) Total Quality Management (TQM) provides the means for the organization to define its culture and to support the constant attainment of customer satisfaction through an integrated system of tools, techniques, and training. Topic coverage focuses on applying various continuous improvement techniques such as statistical process charts and assessment frameworks (e.g., Deming’s philosophy, Baldrige Criteria, ISO 9000) in order to achieve world class quality.

MIS 548 — Business Decision Support Systems — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, OM 503 and MIS 504) This course introduces the student to the conceptual foundations, technological components, and organizational processes involved in building interaction computer-based systems to help decision makers solve relatively unstructured problems. Topics include: Decision Support Systems (DSS) and Expert Systems (ES) Architecture, Tools for Building DSS and ES, Development of Decision Support and Expert Systems, and Applications using DSS Generators and ES Shells.

OM 549 — Special Topics in Operations Management — 3 credits

Course Descriptions — Management Electives

MGT 553 — Organizational Theory — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, MGT 505) Study of the forces both within and outside the organization that determine the structure and processes of an organization. Topics to be covered will include technology and size influences, conflict, boundary roles, matrix structure, political factors, and sociotechnical systems.

MGT 554 — Group Dynamics — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, MGT 505) Designing individual and group behavior systems, contemporary topics on designing organizational systems for better utilization of human resources.

MGT 555 — Organization Power & Politics — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, MGT 505) This course examines power and politics in organizations from theoretical, applied, and research perspectives.

MGT 556 — International Management — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, Mgt 505) A basic graduate course in international management, this course focuses on the set of strategy decisions facing the multinational corporation. It will also focus on the external and internal variables that influence the choice and outcome of strategies. The specific strategies covered are entry/ownership, sourcing, control, marketing, financial, human resources, and public affairs. Other topics include the division of labor and resource allocation on a worldwide basis, cultural issues, and issues of nationalism.

MGT 559 — Special Topics in Management — 3 credits

Course Descriptions — Management Information Systems Electives

MIS 546 — Business Database Management Systems — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, MIS 504) This course focuses on the overall structure of database management applications with emphasis on the relational approach. Topics covered include: database design, data dictionaries, query system, methods of storage and access, data definition and manipulation, data security and integrity, recovery and concurrence, distributed database management. Students will learn to design and implement database applications using micro and/or mainframe computers.

MIS 548 — Business Decision Support Systems — 3 credits

(Formerly, OIM 548; prerequisite, OM 503 and MIS 504) This course introduces the student to the conceptual foundations, technological components, and organizational processes involved in building interactive computer-based systems to help decision makers solve relatively unstructured problems. Topics include: Decision Support Systems (DSS) and Expert Systems (ES) architecture, tools for building DSS and ES, development of decision support and expert systems, and applications using DSS generators and ES shells.

MIS 571 — Information Networks and Electronic Commerce — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, MIS 504) The main focus of the course is on the use of data communication networks to support effective and efficient management of information both within the organization and among organizations and individuals. Topics include: basic concepts of communication networks; analysis of existing enterprise data and voice communication networks; network management; electronic commerce and the worldwide web; intranets and collaborative work; and emerging trends and issues in electronic commerce infrastructure. The course will include case studies and a term project related to the applications of information networks.

MIS 573 — Development of Business Applications — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, MIS 504) This course focuses on end-user development of business applications using visual, event-driven development tools. Topics include: problem-solving logic and the application-development process; objects, properties, events, and methods; design of user interfaces, dialogs and menus; macros and modular procedures; object linking and embedding; accessing databases; object-oriented programming concepts; and emerging trends in end-user application-development. Prior programming experience is not required.

MIS 574 — Information Technology and Business Process Reengineering — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, MIS 504) Information technology (IT) makes possible new and radically different ways of performing business functions. This course will address the ways in which information technology can be used by organizations to restructure and redesign business processes. The course contents include: analysis of core business processes and cross-functional integration, identification and evaluation of opportunities to apply IT to business processes, design and development of solutions to reengineer business processes, development of implementation plans, and analysis of the key implications of the plan in terms of costs and organizational changes. Students will analyze and discuss several cases involving the use of IT in reengineering.

MIS 577 — Global Information Systems — 3 credits

(Prerequisite MIS 504) This course examines the role of information systems and telecommunication technologies in managing international organizations. Topics include: impact of information technology at the functional level of multinational corporations; types of international information systems; organizing and managing international information systems; changes in telecommunication regulations; international standard setting organizations; building strategic alliances through information technology; and emerging information technology applications to understand and resolve issues raised by international trade and business. Students will discuss major cases that involve global information systems applications to multinational corporations.

MIS 579 — Special Topics in Management Information Systems — 3 credits

Course Descriptions — Marketing Electives

MKT 561 — Marketing Research — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, MKT 506) Marketing Research is studied as the basis for decision making, for analysis of markets, and for evaluation of marketing strategies through systematic gathering of information and evidence. The foundations and methodology of research, including behavioral sciences and multivariate analysis, are discussed. Research projects are conducted by the class participants and research applications to marketing problems are exemplified.

MKT 562 — Promotion Management: Advertising and Selling — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, MKT 506) A study of the promotion activities of business firms and institutions; analysis of audience behavior and motivation; communication through mass media and person-to-person interaction including advertising, personal selling, sales promotion, and publicity; the development of an integrated promotional strategy to generate sales and profits through informing, persuading, and activating middlemen and consumers.

MKT 563 — International Marketing — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, MKT 506) A study, of the managerial problems in international marketing, covering factors affecting international markets in different cultural areas of the world.

MKT 564 —Consumer Behavior  — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, MKT 506) Study of the basic factors influencing consumer behavior with emphasis on managerial use of consumer decision making models from both economics and the social sciences.

MKT 569 — Special Topics in Marketing — 3 credits

Course Descriptions — Economics and Finance Electives

ECO 581 — Economics of Business Strategy — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, ECO 507) This course provides an economic analysis of business strategies. Focusing on a firm’s decision making, it analyzes vertical integration, economies of scale and scope, market structure and competition, strategic commitment, pricing rivalry, entry and exit, advertising, location, incentives, and the principal- agent problem.

ECO 582 — The Economics of E-Commerce — 3 credits

An economic analysis of a broad spectrum of issues related to the information technology revolution that has created what is known as the New Economy. Issues related to organization, production, and exchange are examined with a view toward understanding how firm profitability, market efficiency, and economy-wide performance are affected.

ECO 583 — Macroeconomic Analysis: A Global Perspective — 3 credits

It is a comprehensive study of macroeconomics designed to examine how macroeconomic events and policies, both national and global can shape the strategic decisions in a business organization. Emphasis is on the analysis of macroeconomic data and understanding their importance in the managerial decision making process.

ECO 589 — Special Topics in Economics — 3 credits

FIN 581 — Financial Institutions — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, FIN 508) A detailed survey of the more important financial institutions of the United States in order to determine their functions and interrelations in the national economy. Monetary and fiscal policy. Material covered will assist the student to understand better the economic, social and political scene in America.

FIN 582 — Advanced Financial Management — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, FIN 508) A case oriented approach to financial decision making with emphasis on current management, capital budgeting, capital structure, mergers, and bankruptcy.

FIN 583 — Investment Analysis — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, FIN 508) A detailed study of the investment environment and the process of investment management. Topics covered include the study of equity and debt markets, options and futures markets, stock and bond valuation models, portfolio selection theory, bond portfolio management and the use of derivative securities for hedging risk.

FIN 584 — International Finance — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, FIN 508) A detailed survey of the financial decision process in multinational corporations. Topics include the international finance environment, foreign exchange markets, measuring and managing foreign exchange risks, financing the global firm, foreign investment decisions, managing multinational operations, and other advanced issues in multinational finance.

FIN 585 — Derivative Securities — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, FIN 508) The course develops the theory of option pricing based on the Black-Scholes model. It then applies these ideas to the use of options in investment strategies and in portfolio management. The students get hands-on experience with real-time data to assess the feasibility of various investment opportunities in options markets.

FIN 586 — Portfolio Theory — 3 credits

(Prerequisite, FIN 508) The course develops the fundamental concepts of portfolio theory in the risk-return framework. Different analytical tools for risk management; optimization, duration, immunization, and portfolio insurance are considered. The students are required to construct and maintain a simulated portfolio using real data.

FIN 589 — Special Topics in Finance — 3 credits

Course Descriptions — Enterprise Management Technology

MBA 510 — Integrated Enterprise Management Systems — 3 credits

This course overviews business processes across marketing, procurement, production and finance as one integrated customer-oriented value chain to be managed from the perspective of the overall enterprise. It examines the optimization of business processes and their integration through the effective deployment of enterprise systems technology such as SAP R/3.

MBA 519 — Special Topics in Enterprise Management Technology — 3 credits

MIS 548 — Business Decision Support Systems — 3 credits

(Formerly, OIM 548; prerequisite, OM 503 and MIS 504) This course introduces the student to the conceptual foundations, technological components, and organizational processes involved in building interactive computer-based systems to help decision makers solve relatively unstructured problems. Topics include: Decision Support Systems (DSS) and Expert Systems (ES) architecture, tools for building DSS and ES, development of decision support and expert systems, and applications using DSS generators and ES shells.

OM 545 — Total Quality Management — 3 credits

(Formerly OIM 545; prerequisite, OM 503 or consent of instructor) Total Quality Management (TQM) provides the means for the organization to define its culture and to support the constant attainment of customer satisfaction through an integrated system of tools, techniques, and training. Topic coverage focuses on applying various continuous improvement techniques such as statistical process charts and assessment frameworks (e.g., Deming’s philosophy, Baldrige Criteria, ISO 9000) in order to achieve world class quality.

Course Descriptions — MBA Electives

MBA 510 — Integrated Enterprise Management Systems — 3 credits

This course overviews business processes across marketing, procurement, production and finance as one integrated customer-oriented value chain to be managed from the perspective of the overall enterprise. It examines the optimization of business processes and their integration through the effective deployment of enterprise systems technology such as SAP R/3.

MBA 519 — Special Topics in Enterprise Management Technology — 3 credits

MBA 590 — Internship in Business Administration — 

Individualized, supervised experience in a work setting, which relates directly to the student’s MBA concentration. Work assignments are agreed upon by the sponsoring firm, the student and a faculty supervisor. The student must complete an academic paper upon completion of the internship experience. Students may enroll in a maximum of two one-credit internships in the MBA program.