Business Courses (BUS)
BUS-100 Introduction to Business 3 credits
An introduction to the private enterprise system and the component areas of business including: marketing, management finance, production, business and government relations, organized labor, and the ethical and social responsibilities of business organizations. This course is designed for non-majors.
BUS-150 Business Computer Applications 3 credits
An introduction to research, analysis and communication skills using information technology. This course is designed to offer life skills that all students can utilize through proper understanding and application of information technology. Current software programs will be taught to support problem-solving skills. All students, regardless of major, are encouraged to enroll.
BUS-199T.01 Special Topics: Foundations of Philanthropy 1 credit
This course will present the different reasons, mechanisms, and principles being used to encourage philanthropy. Philanthropy will be discussed from two perspectives: those of non-profits seeking contributions, and those of foundations, companies and individuals giving to the non-profits. Students will be required to develop and present a "request for funding" as the final graded portion of the course. This course is intended for students in all majors.
BUS-200 Small Business Management 3 credits
Students develop their enterprising ability as a foundation for ongoing personal and professional growth. They also develop their understanding of the small business environment and entrepreneurship. During the semester, students create a business plan for a new venture as a way to integrate and apply the abilities and knowledge in marketing, finance, management and organization.
BUS-230 Personal Finance 2 credits
First and second six weeks. Survival skills necessary to insure financial life after graduation. Students will discuss and develop a personal philosophy of spending, saving, and investing. Topics of consumption expenditures will include housing, insurance, investments, personal expenditures and the use of credit. Students will use computer programs to develop personal financial plans for the present and projections for the future.
BUS-294 Independent Study 1 - 3 credits
Prerequisites: Permission
Research in various areas of business for qualified students. May be repeated. See independent study guidelines.
BUS-330 Principles of Finance 3 credits
Prerequisites: ACC-222, ECO-272, MAT-112, and MAT-123 or MAT-151. MAT-151 is preferred.
An introduction to finance with emphasis on the theories and problems of resource allocation, the cost of capital, capital budgeting, asset valuation, capital structures, financial control.
BUS-332 Financial Institutions 3 credits
Prerequisites: ECO-271, ECO-272, MAT-112 and MAT-123.1 or MAT-151. MAT-151 is preferred. Or permission.
Analysis of financial markets and intermediaries including theory and practice in financial intermediation, the nature and function of money, interest rate theory, money and capital market instruments, monetary theory and policy, and government regulation.
BUS-340 International Business 3 credits
Prerequisites: ACC-221 and ECO-271. Or permission.
An analysis of international business from the viewpoint of entering into multinational business activities, examining cultural, social, economic, and political factors related to transnational operations.
BUS-350 Management Science 3 credits
Prerequisites: ACC-221, BUS-150 and MAT-123.1 or MAT-151. MAT-151 is preferred. Or permission.
A study of managerial decision making and how analytic frameworks are used to support decisions. Topics include decision modeling, forecasting, linear programming, and statistical quality control. Extensive use of computers.
BUS-357 Organizational Behavior 3 credits
Prerequisites: ECO-271 or permission.
The application of behavioral science theory and methods to better understand and management individual and group behavior in organizations.
BUS-360 Principles of Marketing 3 credits
Prerequisites: ECO-271
A foundation course in marketing which addresses the process of planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion, and distribution of goods, services, and ideas to create exchanges that satisfy individual and organizational goals with consideration of the social, ethical, economic, and international environments. This foundation course is a prerequisite to all other marketing courses.
BUS-366 Marketing Communication 3 credits
Prerequisites: BUS-360
An analysis of the field of advertising, sales promotion, public relations, and personal selling management from an integrated marketing communications perspective. The course will focus on an examination of the marketing process, consumer behavior, communications theory, and the role of research to effectively plan, implement, and evaluate advertising and promotional programs.
BUS-381 Electronic Commerce: Business Uses of the Internet 3 credits
Prerequisites: BUS-150
Students with Junior or Senior standing will have better background for this course. Familiarity with the use of the internet is assumed. business opportunities, challenges, and strategies for use of the information superhighway will be explored, as will strategies and vision on how to leverage the emerging national and global information infrastructure. Includes review of the tools and technologies necessary for electronic commerce and the impact of the emerging electronic market and commerce re-engineering in today's corporations.
BUS-385.1 Management Information Systems 3 credits
Prerequisites: BUS-150 and Junior or Senior standing
A course which surveys the use of computer-based information systems in business. Uses a socio-technical approach to examine the organization, management, infrastructure and support for information technology in businesses preparing to become digital entities. Introduces topics covered in more depth in BUS 381, 482, 483, and 485.
BUS-391 Legal Environment 3 credits
Prerequisites: FYS-101 and Junior or Senior standing
An introduction to the fundamental principles of law affecting business. Topics will include contract law, UCC, property rights, partnerships and corporations, rights of creditors, business regulation, rights of shareholders, and other legal concerns of both profit and non-profit organizations. This is a writing intensive course and writing skills are part of the grading process.
BUS-430 Advanced Financial Management 3 credits
Prerequisites: BUS-330
Contemporary issues in finance. Topics can include liquidity management, asset valuation, capital budgeting, capital structure, and financial strategy.
BUS-432 Investment Theory & Practice 3 credits
Prerequisites: BUS-330 or permission
A study of the nature of investment, classification and analysis of bonds, stocks, etc., risk and return analysis, the Efficient Markets Hypothesis, CAPM, Modern Portfolio Theory, and the selection and management of financial portfolios.
BUS-438 Financial Problems 3 credits
Prerequisites: BUS-330
Research and reports on selected problems or topics in finance.
BUS-444 International Finance 3 credits
Prerequisites: BUS-330
Provides a framework for understanding financial management issues from a global perspective. Includes an introduction to the international financial system, the balance of payments, exchange rate determination, the management of multi-national corporations, and hedging currency and capital risks.
BUS-453 Principles of Production & Operations Management 3 credits
Prerequisites: BUS-350 or permission.
Studies the development of operational planning consistent with the organization's business strategies. Topics include capacity planning, facility location and layout, allocating resources, inventories, scheduling, and projects. Extensive use of computers.
BUS-461 Marketing Research 3 credits
Prerequisites: BUS-350 and BUS-360 or permission
A study of the concepts and techniques necessary to design, conduct, and manage market research projects from the inception to completion. The course is centered on the market research process, including problem definition, research design, data collection methods, statistical analysis, as well as the interpretation, presentation, and application of results.
BUS-466 Consumer Behavior 3 credits
Prerequisites: BUS-360
A study of how consumer psychological processes interact with both social and situational influences to shape consumer perceptions, decision-making processes, and purchase behavior. The social identity of distinctive groups of consumers who express ethnic, age-related, or lifestyle values through market and media choices will also be examined.
BUS-469 Marketing Strategy 3 credits
Prerequisites: BUS-360
Capstone course in marketing focuses on the major issues faced by marketing managers, synthesizing the concepts, definitions, and models students have studied in prior marketing course into a broad understanding of marketing and its strategic application. Case studies and a marketplace simulation will address problems and decisions found in profit and nonprofit, small, medium, and large firms operating in domestic, foreign, and multinational environments.
BUS-482 Database Management 3 credits
Prerequisites: BUS-385.1 or permission
Introduction to database management systems, including: relational models; normalization; security, integrity and recovery issues; query interfaces; data analysis, design, implementation and basic application development using Microsoft Access.
BUS-483 Project Management 3 credits
Prerequisites: BUS-150 or permission. Students with Junior or Senior standing will have better background for this course.
Examination of how projects can be managed from start to finish, including specific emphasis on planning and controlling to avoid common pitfalls. Includes software applications and configuration management. Topics include identifying needs, defining requirements, project costing, scheduling, resource allocation, and project politics. All students, regardless of major, are encouraged to enroll.
BUS-485 Information Systems Analysis & Design 3 credits
Prerequisites: BUS-385.1 or permission.
Examination of analysis and logical design of business processes and management information systems focusing on the systems development life cycle; techniques for gathering and analyzing information systems requirements; and use of various techniques for logical system design. Topics include concepts, methods, and tools for the development of information systems management. This is a useful supplement to programming classes in the Mathematics department.
BUS-491 Business & Accounting Capstone 4 credits
Prerequisites: BUS-360 and BUS-391; or permission.
The Business Capstone course will provide opportunity for each student to integrate and apply all of what he/she has learned while at C of I. As a true liberal arts capstone, students will need to draw on their knowledge of areas such as politics, culture, history, math and business, to analyze organizational situations and recommend effective solutions. The first semester of the course will teach and practice organizational management models that will allow the student to develop their own models for how all the pieces fit together and can used. Students will then integrate and apply their study by analyzing strategy, ethics and integrity, leadership, principles of management, human resource management, organizational behavior and international business. In both semesters, students will develop written analyzes and practical solutions for current organizational issues. Throughout the capstone experience, students will utilize simulations, case studies, individual research papers and team projects to learn how to be successful in twenty first century organizations.
BUS-492 Business & Accounting Capstone 4 credits
Prerequisites: BUS-360, BUS-391, and BUS-491; or permission
The Business Capstone course will provide opportunity for each student to integrate and apply all of what he/she has learned while at C of I. As a true liberal arts capstone, students will need to draw on their knowledge of areas such as politics, culture, history, math and business, to analyze organizational situations and recommend effective solutions. The first semester of the course will teach and practice organizational management models that will allow the student to develop their own models for how all the pieces fit together and can used. Students will then integrate and apply their study by analyzing strategy, ethics and integrity, leadership, principles of management, human resource management, organizational behavior and international business. In both semesters, students will develop written analyzes and practical solutions for current organizational issues. Throughout the capstone experience, students will utilize simulations, case studies, individual research papers and team projects to learn how to be successful in twenty first century organizations.
BUS-494 Independent Study 1 - 3 credits
Prerequisites: Permission
Research in the field of concentration for qualified students. See independent study guidelines.
BUS-497 Internship 1 - 3 credits
Prerequisites: Permission
Individually arranged and supervised internships with sponsors such as business organizations designed to provide practical experience in the field of concentration. Periodic reports and papers may be required. See internship guidelines.
BUS-498 Executive Seminar 3 credits
Prerequisites: Permission
Seminars conducted by executives in residence or visiting executives on their industry or specific business. With the help of their advisers, participating students complete a research project related to their career interest and the topic of the seminar.
BUS-499T Special Topics in Business 1 - 3 credits
Topics vary.