Course Descriptions
Pathways Business Course Descriptions:
BUS 4100 Information Technology for Managers (3 units)
This course will introduce students to an overall understanding of information technology (IT) including customer databases, financial systems, and communication networks. Topics covered include how information technology supports managerial decision-making and the development of an information technology system from needs assessment through to implementation.
BUS 4110 Statistics and Research for Decision Making (3 units)
This course introduces managers to the statistical techniques and research methodology most applicable in making management decisions. Topics include interpreting descriptive statistics and organizing data from market research, probability and forecasting and understanding the research methodology available in both qualitative and quantitative design. This course should be completed early in the program. Prerequisite: ‘C’ (2.0) or better in MATH 2000, or appropriate placement test score, or equivalent transfer course.
BUS 4115 Economics for Managers (3 units)
An accelerated course in macro and micro economics, explains the international and domestic factors which affect the performance of national economics, including fiscal and monetary policy, balance of payments, and inflation. The behavior of specific industries, firms, and consumers is analyzed in economic terms of supply and demand, profit maximization, and imperfect competition. This theoretical foundation course should be completed early in the program. Prerequisite: Math 2000 or equivalent.
BUS 4120 Financial Accounting for Managers (3 units)
This course will build an understanding of how accounting rules for reporting activity in the accounts receivable, accounts payable, purchasing, and order entry functions relate to and build an organization’s general ledger. Students will identify the links between the general ledger and standard financial reports (such as income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow projections) and teach analysis tools for diagnosing and comparing the financial performance of current or proposed businesses. This financial foundation course should be completed early in the program. Prerequisite: Math 2000 or equivalent.
BUS 4130 Managerial Accounting for Managers (3 units)
The course broadens students’ understanding of complex financial decision-making skills including budgeting, project evaluation, acquisition valuation, break-even analysis, and return on investment. The use of net present value, real options theory, and payback period will be practiced within the context of real life and academic case studies. Prerequisite: BUS 4120.
BUS 4135 Financial Management and Analysis (3 units)
Introduction to capital markets, understanding the sources, costs, and ramifications of short-term and long-term funding. Topics also include capital budgeting, cost of capital, debt and equity financing and overall financial structure. Prerequisite: BUS 4115 and BUS 4120.
BUS 4140 Organizational Behavior and Structures (3 units)
A review of the classic literature on organizational behavior and structures, and the new tasks, roles, and structures that have been enabled by communication and office automation technology. Topics include the challenges of managing people in a geographically dispersed or virtual organization and designing organization structures to support rapidly evolving e-commerce business models.
BUS 4155 Business Communication: A Cross-Cultural Perspective (3 units)
Today’s global economy requires communication and negotiation across cultures on a global scale to conduct international business. The course examines ethnic, racial, cultural, socio-economic, and sexual diversity as they influence and determine effective and appropriate communication strategies in management practices. Emphasis on utilization of presentation software and presentation of ideas in informative and persuasive discourse.
BUS 4165 Leadership and Change Management (3 units)
Participants examine leadership and change management theories and applications for achieving clarity of vision and aligning organizational capacity for competitive advantage. Topics include leadership traits and management strategies, inspiring and motivating individuals and teams in planning and implementation, resolving conflict for decision making and promoting collaboration to achieve innovative organizational change.
BUS 4180 Marketing Management (3 units)
Integrates marketing theory with everyday examples of marketing at work. Understanding buyers and markets is a critical part of this setting. Understanding how to target marketing opportunities, and satisfying them thereafter in a decisive way, is an essential component of marketing theory.
BUS 4195 Strategic Planning: Capstone Project (3 units)
This course teaches the principles of strategic planning, including how to develop a business plan to attract venture capital. Additional topics include leadership issues, the influence of internal and external stakeholders, defining the talent and funding that will be needed to support business models and responding to sudden political, technological or social change. This course is open to senior students only.
Electives in Business (1 – 3 units)
BUS 4150 Managing Human Resources (3 units)
The course will examine organizations whose superior market performance is HR-based. Key features of high-performance employee development systems will be examined, including recruitment, selection, evaluation, and continuous learning/training. Current topics include using the Internet for recruiting, creating knowledge management and performance support systems, and achieving employee loyalty through non-compensation-based strategies.
BUS 4190 Current Management Challenges: Special Topics Seminar (3 units)
This course will be used to address current challenges facing managers with topics such as: Emerging Trends in Global Economics, Sustainable Economic Development, International Business, and Implementing Social Accountability and Ethical Trade in Today’s Competitive Global Marketplace.
For Business Senior Project, Business Senior Thesis, Business Internship and 1 unit Business elective course descriptions, see Business Course Descriptions in the Undergraduate Programs (Day) and Courses section of this Catalog.
