Business Administration
Business Courses
Business Administration
BA 100. Introduction to Business Perspectives and Practices
Introduction to fundamental concepts of business and the linkages between different business disciplines. Includes a computer simulation package dealing with a variety of business issues providing students with a hands-on experience in business decision making.
BA 202. Information Technology
Introduction to personal computers and associated hardware and software in the business setting. This includes the MS Office suite, WebMail and the Internet.
BA 221. Principles of Accounting
An introduction to the fundamental concepts of financial accounting. Prerequisite: BA 100.
BA 222. Principles of Accounting II
A continuation of Principles of Accounting, with deeper exploration of managerial accounting. Prerequisite: BA 221
BA 240. Personal Financial Planning
Introduction to personal financial planning for non?majors. The course covers essential concepts in building wealth, including the time value of money; sources and uses of credit; life and health insurance; investing fundamentals; and vehicles.
BA 261. Internship
An initial outside the classroom experience enabling students to explore new areas or to supplement regular courses. Departmental approval required. Graded on a S/U basis.
BA 300. New Venture Startup
This course examines the critical factors involved in the conception, initiation and development of new ventures and the importance of entrepreneurial thinking in professional employment. Topics include identification of characteristics of prospective entrepreneurs, innovation, market potential analysis, financial preparation, and organization and operation of a new independent venture or one within an existing business or non-profit.
BA 301. Introduction to Leadership
Leadership as a process which is an option for everyone. Topics include: leadership theories and models; followership, power and influence, ethical leadership, leading teams, ways women lead, critical thinking and decision-making, leadership development.
BA 320. Conflict Management: Theory and Skills
A theory and skill oriented exploration of effective responses to interpersonal and structural conflicts that surface within organizationss and with customers and vendors. This course will help students become skilled listeners and communicators, skilled negotiators and mediators, creative designers of conflict resolution systems within organizations, and proactive agents of effective working relationships within and between organizations.
BA 327. Special Topics
Courses offered by the department to explore topics or issues not covered in regular courses.
BA 331. Intermediate Accounting I
Modern statement forms, their preparation and interpretation, supplementary reports, terminology and contemporary accounting problems. Prerequisite: BA 222
BA 332. Intermediate Accounting II
A continuation of Intermediate Accounting I. Prerequisite: BA 331
BA 333. Budgeting and Cost Accounting
Principles of strategic and operational decision-making through analyzing the cost of activities, functions, segments, quality, products or services. Emphasis on principles of budgeting, and integration of strategy into performance measurement and scorecards. Prerequisite: BA 222
BA 335. Business Communications
The nature and problems of individual, interpersonal, and organizational communications in business; extensive applications of the principles of oral and written communications using computer technology. Prerequisite: BA 202.
BA 336. Principles of Management
An introduction to management competencies, organizational structures, and current issues in management. This course is designed to build conceptual development within students as future managers and work team leaders and members. Prerequisite: BA 100 or permission of instructor.
BA 341. Human Resource Management
Application of principles of management to the acquisition, use, and development of an organization’s human resources. Prerequisite: BA 336.
BA 343. Introduction to Individual Income Taxation
An introduction to the federal income tax system and its application to individual taxpayers. Topics covered include filing status, personal deductions, business deductions, capital gains and losses, tax credits, and the computation of personal tax liability. Prerequisite: BA 221.
BA 346. Principles of Finance
Principles of the elements of finance and financial management, including financial analysis and control, capital budgeting and structure, and debt and equity instruments. Prerequisite: ECO 220, BA 221.
BA 351. Principles of Marketing
Introduction to the processes by which organizations identify markets and manage product development, pricing, promotion and distribution in order to satisfy market demand. Prerequisite: BA 100.
BA 355. Marketing Research and Management
An overview of the management of the marketing process, with special emphasis on the identification of customer needs, wants and demands through effective research and information management.
Prerequisite: BA 351.
BA 366. Retailing and Sales Management
An introduction to merchandising principles, terminology, basic planning and controls, used in the operation of a retail business with a strong emphasis on the management and performance skills of hourly and commissioned salespersons.
BA 410. E-business Strategies
An overview of the strategies, technologies, and resources used by companies to sell, market, and distribute goods and services over the Internet and private networks. Trends and developments in e-business are explored through online investigation, classroom discussion, team exercises, and case research and analysis. Prerequisite: BA 351.
BA 420. The Collaborative Leader: Process & Skills
A skill oriented exploration of collaborative theory and processes used by managers and leaders to accomplish goals by helping others work together effectively. Students will learn how to use collaborative processes, design participative meetings, practice specific communication skills, and conduct information gathering, problem solving, and collaborative decision making processes in group settings.
BA 425. Decision Making – Theory and Skills
An investigation of how managers and organizational leaders assess decision contexts and make ‘smart’ decisions. Students will become familiar with decision theory, as well as specific processes and skills related to individual and collective decision making.
BA 437. Principles of Business Law
Principles of business law, with an emphasis on the language, elementary principles, and methodology of the U.S. legal system. Prerequisite: BA 100, 202, 221, 336, 346, 351, ECO 220, or instructor permission.
BA 440. Personal Finance and Investment
Introduction to personal financial planning for majors. The course covers essential concepts in building wealth, including the time value of money; sources and uses of credit; life and health insurance; investing fundamentals; and vehicles. Prerequisite: BA 346.
BA 443. Advanced Accounting
Accounting principles applied to advanced problems in both financial and managerial accounting. Prerequisite: BA 332
BA 444. Auditing
Objective examination of financial statements. Prerequisite: BA 332
BA 450. Senior Seminar
This capstone course provides an opportunity to apply theory and further develop skills that are embodied within the Business Program. Students will complete a senior project involving a form of experiential learning that is tailored to each student’s professional aspirations. Reflective learning methods will be applied to assess the quality of individual project engagements. Collaborative learning will be practiced through joint analysis and constructive feedback concerning students’ projects. Prerequisites: Business core + 3 concentration courses.
BA 457, 458. Directed Readings
Independent readings approved and directed by a member of the department.
BA 460. Independent Study
An individual program of reading and research directed by members of the department and approved by the chair of the department.
BA 461. Internship
A field-learning experience that enables the student to apply knowledge and skills and to attain certain specified learning goals in a work-related environment. Requires department approval. Graded on a S/U basis.
Business and Social Science
BSS 210. Group Dynamics, Leadership, and Communication
The study of group and team development, group/team leadership, effective communication, decision making, and collaborative process within business, non-profit agencies and other organizational contexts.
BSS 220. Behavioral Science Statistics
An introduction to statistical analysis, including descriptive statistics, probability distributions, sampling theory, statistical inference, and regression and correlation analysis. Prerequisite: a Social/Behavioral Science connector course or BA 100, plus MTH 107 or MTH 115.
BSS 250. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
An introduction to the theory and practice of spatial information using the technology of geographic information systems (GIS). There is an emphasis on hands-on learning using GIS software, hard copy maps, and data from several disciplines. Laboratory. Prerequisites: MTH 113 or MTH 115, CS 200 or BA 202, or permission of instructor.
BSS 327, 328. Special Topics
Courses offered by the division to explore topics or issues not covered in regular courses.
BSS 330. Organizational Ethics
An exploration of the relationship of businesses and organizations to the larger society, the role of the organization as a community, and ethical issues that arise in organizational life.
Business Management
BUS 321. Decision Theory and Evaluation
Begins with development of tools and procedures for making good decisions, including problem definition and structuring, and dealing with uncertainty. Examines the process of accessing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and the analysis of achieved outcomes.
BUS 400. Applications of Technology
Explores the appropriate use and development of e?business strategies, networking and shared knowledge, and information management.
BUS 401. Organization Development and Change Management
Introduces the theoretical understanding of organizational behavior, with particular attention on the impact of change on individuals and the organization. Explores strategies for promoting development of the organization and capacities for responding to change.
BUS 403. Strategic Planning and Implementation
Begins with the development of tools for analyzing a company’s competitive situation. Covers crafting and implementing a strategy, including managerial keys to successful execution.