Course Descriptions
This section of my portfolio provides you with the official course descriptions for all courses taken as part of my MBA studies.
CIS
Courses - Computer Information Systems
IB Courses - International Business
MBA Courses - MBA Core
MGT Courses - Management
MK Courses - Marketing
CIS
8110. Information Technology Infrastructure. (3) Prerequisite: none.
CSP: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. This course examines computers, software
and communication networks as a complex system of interacting parts called
the infrastructure. After an introduction to the infrastructure components,
these technologies and their interactions are assessed from functional,
enabling, planning, and managerial perspectives.
CIS 8150. Information Technology Project Management. (3) Prerequisite: CIS 8110 or MBA 8473. CSP: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. This course examines the defining characteristics of information technology projects and introduces the student to a variety of project management techniques that can be applied in an information technology project context. Managing scope, time, cost, and quality are explored. The course covers management issues associated with packaged software implementation (e.g., ERP systems), in-house developed systems, and outsourced projects.
CIS 8660. Electronic Commerce Strategy. (3). Prerequisite: CIS 8110. CSP: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. This course is designed to assist students in developing knowledge and skills for managing information systems that support electronic commerce (EC). It begins with the concepts of industry segmentation of EC providers and EC usage. It goes on to focus on concepts and methods associated with developing strategy, outsourcing, planning, designing, implementing, securing, and managing such systems and technologies on various systems platforms including worldwide networks. The course also focuses on obstacles to the adoption of EC and on its future directions from both technological and managerial perspectives.
IB 8710. International Information Technology Issues and Policy. (3) Prerequisite: none. CSP: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6. This course examines the role of technology as an integral and key factor in the delivery and support of information and communication technologies in the global economy for both traditional and electronic businesses, and the related technical and managerial issues. The first half of the course is grounded in business strategy and information technology fit, culture, and national policy theory. The second half examines business in practice in the different world regions. Illustrative case studies coupled with readings of current press, class discussion, and practitioners from the international business community who provide real-world insight are used to bridge concepts and practice. In a major project, students assess the attractiveness of a particular country for a real company.
MBA 8121. Accounting for Financial Decisions. (3) Prerequisite: none. CSP: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7. The objective of this course is for the student to acquire the accounting knowledge needed to become an effective business leader. The course uses a management perspective to introduce the principles, concepts, tools, and limitations of accounting information. Students work individually and in teams to learn how to anticipate the financial effects of business decisions, choose among alternative courses of action, and interpret financial statements, budgets, and other accounting information in both traditional and e-business environments.
MBA 8403. Economics for Managers. (3) Prerequisites: none. This course uses the tools of both microeconomics and macroeconomics to analyze the operation of firms in a private market economy. Both microeconomic issues, including demand, production, cost, and market environment, and macroeconomic issues, such as the level of spending in different sectors of the economy, are analyzed to develop implications for the competitive strategies of various types of firms.
MBA 8412. Organizational Behavior. (3) Prerequisites: none. This course explores how to manage people, which includes motivating people to act, improving group functioning and decision making, recognizing and resolving conflict, diagnosing organizational politics, and leading with vision. Since management is both an art and a science, students are involved in practice of the requisite management skills as well as immersed in the empirical behavioral literature that supports practice.
MBA 8423. Law and Ethics in Business and Employment Environments. (3) Prerequisites: none. This course provides the MBA student with a study of the interrelationship of law, ethics and business. The course covers the American legal system, the role of government in regulating business, ethical responsibilities, the influence of global issues and the web of law and regulation impacting employment decisions. The course equips the student to recognize legal and ethical issues and to manage legal risks in the context of business decision making and the employment environment.
MBA 8452. Systems and Operations Management. (3) Prerequisite: MBA 8011 or Math 1070. This course focuses on the design, management, and improvement of organizational systems and processes. Special emphasis is placed on the operating system, which produces the goods and/or services that the organization provides to its market environment. Operations management topics include operations strategy, process design, capacity planning, facilities location and design, forecasting for operations, production scheduling, inventory control, quality assurance, and project management.
MBA 8473. Information Technology and Decision Making. (3) Prerequisite: None. CSP 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. This course is designed for managers who need to understand the role and potential contribution of information technology within their organizations and be able to use computerized support systems to make decisions. It emphasizes how information technology can help managers search for information, analyze data, and make decisions. The course also emphasizes the strategic role that computer-based information systems play in organizations. Finally, the course explores approaches to developing and acquiring information.
MBA 8622. Corporate Finance. (3) Prerequisites: MBA 8011 or Math 1070; MBA 8121 or Acct 2101-2102 and Fi 3300; Econ 2106. CSP: 1, 2, 6, The course focuses on the practical and conceptual problems associated with the financial management of the non-financial corporation. Topics covered include financial statement analysis, cash flow analysis, financial forecasting, domestic and international financial markets, the relationship between risk and return including the capital asset pricing model, time value of money, valuation of debt and equity, cost of capital, capital budgeting, and project evaluation techniques. For each topic, consideration is given as to how each relates to shareholder value maximization. For purposes of enhancing corporate decision-making skills, students will be exposed to both the theoretical underpinnings of each concept as well as their application to realistic situations facing the firm.
MBA 8642. Marketing Management. (3) Prerequisites: MBA 8011 or Math 1070; MBA 8121 or Acct 2101-2102 and Fi 3300; Econ 2106. A study of the managerial aspects of the marketing function. Emphasis is placed on the criteria, both quantitative and qualitative, used in evaluating marketing alternatives and in choosing among these alternatives. The course includes topics related to the decision-making process such as marketing research, product development, advertising and promotion, sales management, cost and demand analysis, competition, pricing, packaging, and channels of distribution.
MBA 8683. Managerial Accounting and Control. (3) Prerequisites: MBA 8011 or Math 1070; MBA 8121 or Acct 2101-2102 and Fi 3300; MBA 8231; MBA 8412; MBA 8473. CSP: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8. This primarily case-based course covers the accounting systems that provide data for making operating decisions, controlling costs, measuring performance, motivating employees, and managing external relationships. This course prepares students to be better resource allocators by integrating and building upon skills developed in the prerequisite courses and applying them in business situations including e-business and global operations. Attention is also given to the limitations and behavioral implications of using accounting information in decision making.
MBA 8993. Strategic and International Management. (3) Prerequisites: MBA 8011 or Math 1070; MBA 8121 or Acct 2101-2102 and Fi 3300; MBA 8231; MBA 8412; MBA 8622; MBA 8642. This course explores methods of directing an entire organization or a significant division in an internationally competitive environment. The perspective is that of the general manager who must integrate many business functions to successfully lead a multinational organization. Topics include the identification of organizational competence in light of external environmental and international conditions, the development of a business/corporate strategy that addresses the international marketplace, and the internal processes required for successful implementation of that strategy.
MGT 8440. Work Team Design and Development. (3) Prerequisite: MBA 8412. This course provides a structured approach to designing, implementing, and developing work teams in organizations. Topics include: work teams as a vehicle to improving organizational performance, designing a team-based organization, work team implementation issues, training and developing teams, team-building programs, and leadership in a team-based organization.
MK 8700. Electronic Marketing Fundamentals. (3) Prerequisite: MBA 8642. CSP: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7. This course introduces students to marketing applications of developing information and communication technologies and examines the impact of these technologies on marketing practice. Students explore how these technologies are changing selected aspects of the marketing function and examine recent developments in electronic commerce from a marketing perspective. Course topics include online direct marketing, online advertising, online communications, applied data mining, value chain integration, sales force automation, and global issues in electronic marketing.
