Course Descriptions
MBA Courses
BADM 500. The Successful MBA--Executive Skills. 2 Credits.
Effective leadership requires a diverse set of skills; it requires vision, strategy, planning and inspiration, yet all of these skills are hinged on communication. Executives must communicate across various channels, use multiple modes, and communicate with individuals and teams. This course presents communication as integral to management strategy and as a critical component for success in the workplace. In this course we examine the fundamental skills necessary to succeed as an executive, examine fundamental communication strategies, and then put them into practice. Further, because effective group communication is a necessity in today's workplace we will learn and practice skills in designing presentations. The schedule will reflect eight learning modules that discuss professionalism, managing impressions, crafting arguments, managing conflict, leveraging diversity, working in teams, presenting in groups, and reflecting on skills, motivators and influences. F,S,SS.
FIN 501. Managerial Finance. 3 Credits.
The development of financial decision-making skills, using the case-analysis method, through application of financial theory to topical areas of analysis, planning, control, asset management, financial instruments, markets, capital structure, dividend policy, cost of capital, etc. Prerequisite: Demonstrate equivalent competencies and skills required in intro econ and stats class (eg complete intro finance); secondary preference is successful completion of Ivy Software's "Understanding Corporate Finance" self-paced course. F,S.
MGMT 501. Quantitative Analysis for Management Decisions. 3 Credits.
The topic of quantitative business modeling is relevant to all business professionals. Management in today's turbulent economic times requires a full breadth of management skills and capabilities. This course provides comprehensive coverage of both traditional management skills and new competencies needed in a turbulent environment characterized by economic turmoil and general uncertainty of the future. This course is designed for any manager who is engaged in solving difficult business problems. The key to problem solving is knowing how to select and then use the right tools. The primary goals of this course are to provide a variety of quantitative models that should be useful in solving business problems, explain how they work, and show how the decision maker can apply and interpret them. This course covers various topics, such as Linear Programming, Sensitivity Analysis, Network Models, Integer Programming, Nonlinear Programming, and Forecasting. Spreadsheet-based tools and techniques will be extensively utilized in building various decision models for effective decision making in this course. Because Excel currently offers the best collection of built-in analytical capabilities, it will be used with this course. Prior experience with Excel is certainly helpful, but it is not required. Prerequisite: Admission to MBA or Master of Systems Engineering; ECON 506 required for MBA students; completion of a college statistics course OR successful completion of "Business Math and Statistics" from Ivy Software required for engineering students. S,SS.
ACCT 502. Financial Reporting and Decision Making. 3 Credits.
This course provides an overview of financial accounting terminology and concepts, financial statements, and the financial reporting process. Emphasis is placed on the decision usefulness of financial statement information and the financial reporting process as a means of communicating information about firms. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Ivy Software's "Business Math and Statistics-Graduate" self-paced course or demonstrated equivalent competencies. F,S.
MGMT 505. Organization Leadership and Ethics. 2 Credits.
This course will explore concepts of leadership and ethics in organizations and business. Students will examine major theories of leadership and their application to practice in groups and organizations, models of ethical thinking and behavior, and how managers can effectively lead others in a responsible manner. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. F,S.
ECON 506. Econometrics. 3 Credits.
Econometric analysis of economic and financial data. Topics include simple linear regression, multiple linear regression, and nonlinear regression functions. Techniques for dealing with violations of the regression models assumptions, including multicollinearity, heteroskedasticity, measurement error, endogeneity, and autocorrelation. Additional topics include binary variables, instrumental variable regression, big data, and time-series models. Estimation and testing of economic models will be an important part of the course. Prerequisite: Admission to the MBA or MSAE program, or department consent required. F,S,SS.
ACCT 509. Accounting Information for Decision and Control. 3 Credits.
Management accounting concepts and their application in internal planning, control, and decision-making. Prerequisite: ACCT 502, ACCT 522, ACCT 200, or completion of Ivy Software's "Financial Accounting Cycle with Supplements" online bootcamp course. F,S.
ISBA 510. Business Intelligence. 3 Credits.
A business intelligence (BI) system is an information system that supports decision making process. BI is also about creating strategic value for organizations based on data. This course provides critical thinking and self-learning abilities by discovering the business intelligence and data analytic challenges. The expected outcome of the course will allow each student to have a solid understanding of current and emerging issues and best practices of data visualization and data analytics. Students will also gain a strong business process analysis experience. The course will challenge each student in her/his ability to use big data, predictive data analysis, data gathering techniques, data warehouse, knowledge management, data mart, and data mining systems. These challenges are becoming a prevalent factor in the present turbulent business environment. Prerequisite: Admission to the MBA program or department consent required. F,S.
MRKT 510. Strategic Market Planning. 3 Credits.
This course is designed to facilitate an understanding of strategic market planning, with specific emphasis on decisions relating to marketing management. Students will develop an understanding of marketing as both a corporate function and a strategic/tactical managerial activity. Specifically, students will develop a realistic logic and application for marketing management and how marketing strategy is informed by marketing research. Special attention will be given to the marketing function as it impacts customer metrics and organizational performance. Prerequisite: BADM 500. F,S.
MGMT 515. Advanced Managerial Theory. 3 Credits.
This course will explore the management of people and organizations. Students will examine concepts of the behavior of individuals and groups within organizations, motivation, decision making, conflict, organization design, and human resource management, and explore the application of theories in management practice. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. F,S.
MGMT 545. Strategic Supply Chain Management. 3 Credits.
Contemporary supply chains are complex systems that must be constantly adapted with the changing environment in which they are functioning. This course will explore the management of supply chains including concepts of supply chain networks, supply chain strategies, and some analytic tools for supply chain performance. It is the vital responsibility of supply chain managers to continuously improve their firm's competitive position in the marketplace. Students will examine how supply chains can be organized effectively (strategic) and efficiently (operational) in order to satisfy the market, customer demand, and supply chain trading partners. Prerequisite: Admission to the MBA Program and successful completion of MGMT 501. F,S.
MGMT 585. Advanced Strategic Management. 3 Credits.
An integrating course designed to develop coordinating ability and experience in the decision-making process. Taught from the point of view of the top management and by the case method, the course develops understanding of an overall point of view, through analysis of actual business situations, and an appreciation of the relations of the production department to other departments and to the business as a whole. Concluding cases place emphasis on the responsibilities of business enterprise to the community and to society generally. Prerequisite: ACCT 502, MRKT 510 and six additional credits from MBA courses, or consent of instructor. F,S.