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Lasallian Education

 

SMU Home < Twin Cities Campus < Undergraduate, Graduate and Professional Programs < Bachelor’s Completion Programs < B.S. Business Print  |  Email
Course Descriptions

Required Business & Management Courses

 

BU300
Accounting Principles (3 cr.)
This course is designed to give students the foundations of financial accounting and reporting practices used by decision makers in today’s business environments.  Financial accounting methods, the accounting cycle, internal controls, and accounting practices for different types of business entities are examined.  Also examined are accounting for international operations, and the preparation of both domestic and international-based financial statements.

BU400
Business Law (3 cr.)
This introductory course examines the legal context for business, including the legal and regulatory system, the law of contracts, property laws and torts, and forms of business organization, including partnerships and corporations.  The course also introduces areas of law and regulation which affect business activities, including employment law, securities, antitrust, bankruptcy, consumer protections, and environmental laws.

BU403
Applied Statistics (3 cr.)
This course presents the theory and procedures of data analysis.  It focuses on measures of central tendency and dispersion, simple probability, data analysis, and an overview of statistical inference.

BU407
Financial Management (3 cr.)
This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of financial management of organizations. Topics covered include the assessment of types of business entities and capital acquisition sources, basic financial statement analysis, the assessment of how income taxes impact the financial decision making process, the evaluation of capital projects using the time value of money concepts, management of an entity’s current assets and current liabilities, and the maximization of shareholder wealth.

MK300
Marketing Principles (3 cr.)
This course addresses the role of marketing in organizations.  It examines the fundamental marketing mix elements of product, price, placement, and promotion that comprise organizational marketing strategies. It further explores how the marketing mix elements are strategically implemented to create and deliver products, services, or ideas to consumers.

MG305
Managerial Ethics (3 cr.)
This course introduces students to the important moral issues that arise in various organizational contexts.  It examines the social, political, and economic environments within which moral issues occur.  The ethical concepts and reasoning skills relevant for resolving moral dilemmas are presented.

MG311
Economics for Mangers (3 cr.)
This course provides an overview of the macro and microeconomics theories used by individuals in various management and business professions.  The economic decisions made by households and organizations in various markets are examined.  Also examined are the laws of supply and demand, the macroeconomic indicators of the economy, business cycle analysis, the forces of production and consumption, labor market theory, and consumer choice.  The impact of government economic policies on organizations is also examined.  

MG401
Principles of Management (3 cr.)
This course explores the concepts and theories of management and their application in today's managerial environment.  It examines the essential functions of management: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. MG307 may be taken instead of this course.

MG307
Principles of Leadership (3 cr.)
This course presents a broad survey of theory and research on leadership. It examines classical and scientific management perspectives and considers contemporary theories and practices of organizational leadership. MG401 may be taken instead of this course.

Required Capstone Course

MG490
Bachelor of Science Capstone (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: Final semester of program
This course integrates knowledge and skills developed in previous courses and provides an opportunity to apply them to a selected topic.  Each student selects an issue currently confronting the field of study or profession, clearly defines the issue using appropriate references and resources, and creates a paper and presentation which addresses the issue.  The topic must be suitable for formal presentation to a business or professional organization and the student will present the completed work to classmates.

Required Communications Courses

CM309
Professional Writing (3 cr.)
This writing course provides strategies for developing a clear, concise writing style. Students organize, write, and edit a variety of material pertinent to professional situations. CM409 may be taken instead of this course.

CM310
Oral Communications (3 cr.)
Communication skills pertinent to organizational settings form the foundation of this course. Students practice a methodology for speech design and delivery, interpersonal communication skills, networking skills, and effective meeting strategies.

CM409
Technical Writing (3 cr.)
This course deals with expository writing for a select audience. Students learn documenting techniques and will analyze and interpret scientific data for written briefs, reports, proposals and other technical communication pieces. CM309 may be taken instead of this course.

Elective Courses

MG300
Spanish Language and Culture (3 cr.)
This course introduces basic Spanish oral communication skills that are used in the business setting.  The culture of Spanish-speaking countries is explored.

MG335
Critical Thinking for Managers (3 cr.)
The course examines the practical and dynamic relevance of critical thinking for managers, emphasizing the decisional aspects of management.  Topics focus on eliciting new managerial insights, improving managerial problem solving and decision-making skills, and on strengthening the student's ability to articulate reasoned solutions to managerial problems and opportunities.  

MG405
Organizational Culture and Change (3 cr.)
This course focuses on the ability of leaders to understand and manage organizational change.  It addresses a broad-based understanding of the nature, function, and complexities of organizations.  Ways of dealing with change are developed from sometimes disparate views of organizations.

MG408
Project Management (3 cr.)
This course emphasizes leadership concepts related to directing and coordinating human and material resources for relatively short-term projects that have been established to complete specific goals and objectives.  The skills and procedures needed to take a project from definition through completion are presented.
 
MG415
Total Quality and Team Development (3 cr.)
The focus of this course is the development of total quality or continuous improvement in organizations.  It reviews the phenomenon of quality, key theories and theorists, statistical process control, and quality programs.  Effective team management is emphasized as one of the key components of quality.

MG418
Strategic Management (3 cr.)
This course emphasizes short- and long-term planning that is vital to a healthy, changing organization. Topics include the strategic management process, the strategic management model, company mission analysis, environmental impacts, ethical and social responsibilities, and strategy and implementation control.

MG420
The Future of Organizations (3 cr.)
This course addresses various unpredictable and ambiguous situations encountered by modern organizations.  It emphasizes sensitivity to changing socio-economic conditions and challenges to existing patterns and beliefs.  Methods to recognize the ways in which organizations change, and develop skills to guide these organizations in the future are studied.

MG445
Entrepreneurship (3 cr.)
This course examines what it takes to start, nurture and grow a business.  Topics include resource gathering, business plan preparation, utilizing innovation and creativity in growing a business, risk evaluation, and leadership skills.

MG450
Product Operations Management (3 cr.)
This course provides an analytical systems viewpoint for management decision-making and problem solving in a production operations setting.  Included is an introduction to quality, process design, facility planning and location, scheduling, and materials planning.  This course also reviews problem-solving methodologies that apply a systematic approach to problem identification and resolution within a system.

MG465
Occupational Safety and Loss Control (3 cr.)
This course presents an overview of occupational accident prevention programs such as risk management, loss control, techniques of measurement, cost of accidents, location effects, identification of accident sources, and problems of selective corrective action. Also presented is an introduction to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 on operations, systematic self-inspection, and compliance procedures. The societal responsibility toward a safe work place is stressed.

HR340
Human Resource Management (3 cr.)
This overview course examines the variety of human resource functions performed in organizations. It includes planning, job analysis and design, job description, recruiting and hiring, training, performance management, regulation, evaluation, benefits, and labor law.

HR350
Compensation (3 cr.)
This course presents an overview and analysis of compensation and reward systems.  Compensation models are examined along with legislation impacting compensation practices, equity and market factors, pay delivery systems, job analysis methods, and job evaluation techniques.  Incentive plan design and pay-for-performance are examined in relation to their impact on productivity, morale, and profits.

HR360
Employee Benefits (3 cr.)
This course provides a detailed overview and analysis of contemporary benefit programs and practices, including the philosophical, theoretical, legal, and financial impact of benefit planning, design, and plan implementation.  Attention is given to the areas of benefit cost containment, control, and future trends.

HR440
Employee and Labor Relations (3 cr.)
This course provides an introduction to the practical aspects of employer and employee relationships from both union and non-union perspectives. It includes an overview of the basics of labor law and bargaining agreements, the role of the National Labor Relations Board and how each impacts performance among management, supervisors and employees in private, government and public organizations.

HR455
Performance Improvement Through Training (3 cr.)
This course explores performance improvement strategies used by business and industry focusing most particularly on training and organizational development. It examines how organizations educate and train employees to achieve organizational goals and objectives.

IT301
Introduction to Information Technology (3 cr.)
This course provides an overview of the basic components of information systems.  It examines the essential hardware and software building blocks that comprise an information infrastructure.  Various organizational structures and management processes that support information technology will be examined.  Ethical issues, implications of technical diversity, and career opportunities in the Information Technology field are explored.

MK302
Marketing Ethics (3 cr.)
This course introduces students to the moral and social issues that arise in the marketing profession.  It examines implications of how marketing efforts impact consumers and society.  It also examines the legal and regulatory forces that impact how marketers conduct business.  Ethical concepts and frameworks used to resolve moral dilemmas are presented.

MK305
Consumer Behavior (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: MK300
This course explores both individual and business consumer buying behavior and the impact of these behaviors on organizational marketing initiatives.  The contributions of the social sciences in understanding the social and psychological elements that influence buying behaviors are examined. Also examined is the use of consumer behavior research data for planning and executing marketing efforts.

MK310
Promotion & Communication (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: MK300
This course examines the tools of promotion and communication used in organizational marketing efforts. Topics include advertising, direct marketing, sales promotions, public relations, and personal selling. Message development and communication approaches for various types of promotions are discussed.  Legal and ethical issues related to marketing promotions and communications are also considered.

MK315
Principles of Selling (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: MK300
This course covers the theory and practice of selling products and services. Approaches to professional selling are reviewed, with the application of selling and customer relationship skills emphasized. Topics covered include the theories and practices of customer prospecting and approach, determining customer wants and needs, sales presentation, overcoming objections, closing the sale, and sales territory management. Also reviewed are communication skills and techniques needed for developing relationships and negotiating sales transactions. Finally, the legal and ethical issues pertaining to contemporary selling are covered.

MK400
Market Research (3 cr.)
Prerequisites: BU403, MK300
This course covers the theory and design fundamentals of marketing research and the analysis and use of research results in making marketing decisions.  A variety of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and approaches that are used to research consumer and business markets are considered.  Applications of market research for various sizes and types of companies are also considered.

MK405
International Marketing (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: MK300
This course addresses the development of marketing strategies based on differing economic, social, geographic, and cultural environments.  Emphasis is placed on problems and practices of managing international marketing activities.  Topics include alternative ways of marketing internationally, approaches for conducting international marketing research, product adaptations, distribution channels between and within foreign markets, and international promotions.

MK410
Electronic Marketing (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: MK300
This course covers the fundamentals of electronic commerce as a method for marketing goods and services. It examines how electronic mediums such as the Internet are used for managing the marketing mix elements of product, price, placement, and promotion. The use of electronic mediums for facilitating marketing communications and relationship management is also reviewed.

MK420
Advertising (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: MK300
This course examines the role of advertising in influencing target markets. Topics include planning an advertising campaign, media planning and selection, measuring advertising effectiveness, determining advertising budgets, and uses of advertising for different markets.

MK430
Product Management (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: MK300
This course focuses on managing products and services throughout their life cycles.  Topics include product and service opportunity identification, new product and service innovation, development, design, and idea testing; and development team management. Product and service launching strategies, pricing approaches, and promotional techniques are explored. Also discussed are branding concepts and brand management strategies.

MK440
Business Sales (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: MK300
This course covers the theory and practice of selling products and services to businesses. It considers its similarities to and differences from consumer sales in terms of mix, buyer behavior and the buyer-seller relationship. It addresses the social, ethical, and legal elements of business-to-business sales.

MK442
Sales Management (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: MK300
This course examines the process of managing sales representatives, accounts, and resources in the context of the legal, ethical and global business environment. It covers the sales force recruiting and hiring process; approaches to sales force training, compensation, and motivation; techniques used in sales forecasting; and approaches to establishing and managing sales territories. Strategies for managing resources and measuring sales goals are also explored.

MK444
Customer Service & Communications (3 cr.)
This course addresses the importance of customer service and customer-centered communications for ensuring the success of organizational marketing efforts.  It explores the concepts of designing systems that meet the service and communications needs of customers and of building and maintaining lasting customer relationships.  Strategies for assessing whether systems promote or hinder an organization’s ability to deliver excellent customer service are examined. Also examined are techniques for designing effective communications and the use of technology to support customer service activities.

TE300
Technology Opportunities in Organizations (3 cr.)
This course presents technology as a discipline and as a social force.  The universals of technology are presented including characteristics, structure, systems, extensions of the human potential, research and development, design, process, “know-how,” the “driver of change,” transfer, futures, assessment and impact.  The ethical implications of technology are stressed.  Creating proposals using professional standards are addressed.





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