Business and Economics

About the Major

Successful businesses deliver a higher standard of living and an abundance of economic opportunities for all. As a business leader you can contribute to the betterment of society by offering ever improving goods and services to your community. Business leaders are needed in all facets of the enterprise. The business major prepares you for leadership , in areas such as production, purchasing, sales, financial, and human resource management, as well as for opportunities in financial, government, and not for profit organizations. We also have graduates with an entrepreneurial spirit that started and succeeded in their own business.

The following are goals for the Business Major:

• To build broad business skills and capabilities in the rigorous liberal arts tradition
• To primarily focus on leadership, analytical decision making, market success, and global sustainability
• Have an understanding of economic and organizational dynamics in order to  adapt business processes to the contingent global market
• Prepare students to effectively compete and excel in a business related career
  

The majors afford flexibility. When you major in Business  you have the option of pursuing a concentration in Management, Management Information Systems, or International Business,.

A minor or certificate in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management provides knowledge and skills for the student who wishes to work in a small business or as an independent entrepreneur.

An internship is required of all business majors. The internship experiences are as diverse as the interests of the business students. Internships have included banking, manufacturing, sports marketing, retail management, not for profit marketing research, human resources,  and financial management.

Students frequently express the desire to pursue a graduate degree in business, government, economics, or law. Faculty advisors will assist you in tailoring academic programs to requirements of graduate programs you wish to pursue.

Business Related Links:
US Department of Labor Occupational Outlook for managers in all categories:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/oco1001.htm#management

Course Requirements

ACC 105: Financial Accounting

Explores the nature of accounting, introduction of basic accounting concepts and procedures, and interpretation of financial statements. The various uses of accounting information in decision-making, accounting issues concerning income and cash flows, economic resources and capital are covered. Prerequisite: MAT 100; BUS 124

ACC 106: Managerial Accounting

Introduces the concepts, methods and procedures for the development and use of accounting information to support and assist management in their internal cost accounting processes and financial decision-making. This course includes theory and concepts of cost accounting, use of financial and accounting information for planning, budgeting and control of operations, and methods and analyses to assist managerial accountants in decision-making activities. Prerequisite: MAT 100; BUS 124

BUS 124: Introduction to Management

Study of management from a general perspective. Major functional areas of internal and external activities of an organization, the decision-making process, and the place of the computer in contemporary management. Emphasis on formulation and implementation of policy in keeping with an organization’s goals.

BUS 328: International Business

Introduction to international business environments and how they affect international enterprises. Topics include international risk, market-entry strategies, ownership policies, functional areas, and organizational planning and control. Prerequisites: 124, ECO 101, 102.

BUS 355: Internship*

Work experience with significant academic content, having an appropriate, complementary role within the student’s academic program. Approval of the academic dean is required.

BUS 499: Senior Thesis/Project

In conjunction with a faculty adviser, the student will design and implement a major research project.

or

BUS 413: Strategic Management

Utilizes the case study method and the systems approach to integrate various perspectives and expertise in managerial problem-solving and decision-making. Knowledge and skills acquired through studies in the major are employed as students collaborate to apply a holistic approach to organizational planning and decision-making. Limited to seniors.

ECO 101: Introduction to Macroeconomics

Institutions and functioning of capitalism; national income and its determination; monetary and fiscal policy; international economics; problems of growth and development. CC Prerequisite MAT 100

ECO 102: Introduction to Microeconomics

The mechanisms by which resources are allocated in a market system and study of modifications to account for imperfections in the system. Topics include demand, production and cost, theories of business behavior and consumer behavior, market performance in the U.S. economy, and comparative economic systems. CC Prerequisite MAT 100

ECO 303: International Economics

International trade; foreign exchange; international capital movements; tariffs and restrictive trade practices; trade agreements; international monetary agencies.

or

ECO 315: Comparative Economic and Political Systems

Study of major international economic and political systems and the role each plays in influencing global economics and politics. Prerequisite: 101 or 102, or PS 110 or 120.

MAT 115: Introductory Statistics

A course in basic statistical concepts and techniques for the non-mathematics major. Topics include descriptive statistics, measures of central tendency and dispersion, probability theory, standardized probability distributions, correlation and regression, inferential statistics, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing and analysis of variance. Prerequisite: 098/100 or Mathematics Placement Exam results.

PHI 226: Business Ethics

Study of ethical issues that arise in business and the professions. Rational methods that can be devised for adjudicating disputes concerning such issues as corporate rights, responsibilities, environmental impact, consumer rights and the moral status of corporations. ETH

or

RLS 207: Private Values and Public Policy

Interplay between private persons, their beliefs and values, and the larger community with its customs and laws. Individualistic vs. community values; the influences of individuals on public policy. Strategies of resistance, nonviolence, civil disobedience and political activism. Ethical and legal issues in regulating variant behavior, high-risk activities and victimless crimes. Privacy, civil rights, civic responsibilities and related issues. Minority protections, church-state relations. Role of personal beliefs in the public arena and schools.

*Students enrolled in the Adult Degree Programs may substitute a 300-level business course in lieu of the internship, as approved by the department.

Student Learning Goals

About Economics

Concentrations

Economics

In addition to the required courses for the Business and Economics Major, the courses listed below are required for a concentration in Economics:

Required Courses:
BUS 240 Corporate Finance Fundamentals
BUS 340 Investments
ECO 201 Intermediate Macroeconomics
ECO 202 Intermediate Microeconomics
ECO 204 Money and Banking
ECO 303 International Economics
ECO 315 Comparative Economic and Political Systems
ECO 399 Senior Thesis

Students are strongly encouraged to take courses in mathematics through calculus, particularly if they are planning to apply to graduate school.

International Business

Be a leader in the business world – the entire world.

Study Business Administration from a Global Perspective:

• Study Abroad

• Dynamic International Markets

• Culture and Languages

• Free Trade and International Relations

• Currency Markets

• Global Market Development
 

In addition to the courses required for the Business and Economics Major, the courses listed below are required for a concentration in International Business.

BUS 240 Corporate Finance Fundamentals
BUS 327 International Finance
BUS 328 International Business
BUS 329 International Marketing
BUS 340 Investments
ECO 303 International Economics

* Advanced foreign language skills are highly recommended.

International Business students are highly encouraged to study abroad one semester through one of our partnership programs.

Management

Be a Leader of People and Business Innovation

Managers take on the challenges of leading organizations
     •  Entrepreneurship
     •  Corporate Leadership
     •  Human Resources
     •  Business Operations
     •  Marketing
     •  Strategic Planning

In addition to the required courses for the Business and Economics Major, the courses listed below are required for a concentration in Management:

BUS 225 Business Law
BUS 240 Corporate Finance Fundamentals
BUS 311 Business Environment and Public Policy
BUS 340 Investments
BUS 322 Organizational Behavior
BUS 326 Human Resource Management
BUS 313 Strategic Management

Management Information Systems

In addition to the required courses for the Business and Economics Major, the courses listed below are required for a concentration in Management Information Systems:

CS 150 Programming & Design I
CS 210 Management of Computer-Based Information Systems
CS 235 Data Structures and File Processing
CS 344 Database Management
CS 349 Systems Analysis and Design

Special Concentration

A special concentration may be designed in consultation with an academic advisor.  No more than two courses may be from any one concentration and at least two must be at the 300 level.