Academics - Business

Courses

BUS 100 (3 credits)
Introduction to Business
Provides a foundation of business knowledge. Students are exposed to major facets of the business world that affect everyday decision making including: types of organizations, ethics, environmental impact, economics, management, marketing, and financial management. Enrollment is restricted to non-business majors and business majors with no more than six credits in business.

BUS 101 (3 credits)
Financial Accounting
Emphasizes conceptual framework of accounting to enable students to analyze transactions in terms of their effects upon the financial condition of a business. Topics include selection of appropriate journals and ledger accounts, preparation of financial statements, and the impact of accounting methods upon operations of a business.

BUS 110 (3 credits)
Current Economic Issues
Intended to provide a foundation in economics including an analysis of contemporary issues relevant to the U.S. economy in particular and the world in general. The basic tools of micro and macro economics are developed in the context of issues selected. Enrollment is restricted to non-business majors and business majors with no more than six credits in business.

BUS 200 (3 credits)
Managerial Accounting I
The use of accounting data for managerial planning and control. Cost flows, cost-volume-profit analysis, capital budgeting, and pricing strategies are among the major topics included. Not for accounting majors. Prerequisite: BUS 101.

BUS 205 (3 credits)
Fraud Examination
Study of how and why occupational fraud is committed, how fraudulent conduct can be deterred, and how allegations of fraud should be investigated and resolved. In addition to covering their material in the textbook, the instructor or a guest lecturer presents at least one actual fraud case to the class. The sessions are interactive, with students working through the cases, developing investigate strategies, and seeking to prove how the fraud was committed.

BUS 206 (3 credits)
Management Principles
Provides an analysis of the traditional functions of management (i.e., planning, organizing, leading and controlling) with past, present and future application. Topics examined include quality issues, team-based approaches to work, organizational design and re-engineering efforts, motivational techniques, globalization, technology, diversity and ethics.

BUS 207 (3 credits)
Marketing Principles
An introduction to the basic functions of marketing and the marketing concept. Included topics of study are market analysis, consumer behavior, marketing research, the development of the marketing mix, and international and social marketing.

BUS 215 (3 credits)
Forensic Accounting
Provides the professional skills necessary to detect, investigate and prevent fraud and white-collar crime through the financial records of a business. Emphasis placed on gaining a basic understanding of the characteristics of fraud, fraud prevention and detection, investigative techniques, asset recovery and the use of information technology in the forensic accounting context. Prerequisites: BUS 101 and either BUS 200 or 250.

BUS 218 (3 credits)
Personal Money Management
Focuses on managing personal finances and financial planning. Course does not presuppose any formal knowledge of economics, accounting or finance. Major topics discussed include: budgeting, credit, housing and transportation, insurance, basic investing, financial planning and income tax, and retirement/estate planning.

BUS 248 (3 credits)
Macroeconomics
Surveys the performance of the American economic system through National Income Accounting with emphasis on the aggregates of government, consumers and business. The focus is on total employment, total income, total output, general level of prices and the major current problems of unemployment, inflation, and fiscal and monetary policy.

BUS 249 (3 credits)
Microeconomics
Surveys behavior of individual economic units (household and business firms) and the price mechanism interacting in the market structures of American capitalism. Emphasis is on the specific product price and specific amount of production in an efficient and profit-oriented competitive economic system. Prerequisite: BUS 248.

BUS 250 (3 credits)
Accounting Principles
Builds upon and expands fundamental accounting principles covered in BUS 101. Use of corporate asset, debt and equity accounts, preparation and analysis of financial statements, and impact of cash flow are highlighted. Prerequisite: BUS 101.

BUS 252 (3 credits)
Intermediate Accounting I
Utilizes and expands the generally accepted accounting principles learned in BUS 101 and 250. Detailed analysis of accounting problems and related theories are included. Emphasis is placed upon acceptable accounting alternatives and their effects upon the preparation of financial statements. Prerequisite: BUS 250.

BUS 253 (3 credits)
Intermediate Accounting II
Provides further development of student’s ability to apply generally accepted accounting principles to more detailed and complex business situations. Topics relating to asset management, current and contingent debt, long term investments, corporate debt and equity securities, earnings per share, statement of cash flows, and the impact of accounting methods upon statement preparations are emphasized. Prerequisite: BUS 252.

BUS 301 (3 credits)
Advanced Accounting
Expands upon concepts learned in lower level accounting courses and presents major new areas for students to consider. Emphasis is placed upon business combinations, consolidated financial statements, and accounting for not-for-profit enterprises. Prerequisite: BUS 253.

BUS 304 (3 credits)
Federal Taxation
Covers basic theory and concepts of income taxation with emphasis on the application of the Internal Revenue Code to business and non-business activities of the individual. Prerequisite: BUS 250.

BUS 305 (3 credits)
Accounting Information Systems
Discussion of the design, implementation, and improvement of accounting systems while emphasizing the role technology plays in each phase. A systems approach to the gathering, processing, summarizing, and reporting of financial information is key. The implementation of internal controls will also be stressed. General ledger, financial reporting, receivables, payables, inventory, and payroll are among the specific areas of application students will experience through an automated accounting package. Prerequisite: BUS 250.

BUS 308 (3 credits)
Sales and Sales Management
Places equal emphasis on the sales process and the sales management process. Study of the sales process includes the importance of customer knowledge and service, sales presentation and closure skills, and culminates in a sales presentation. The sales management process encompasses planning, organizing, staffing, and supervising the sales effort. Prerequisite: BUS 207.

BUS 309 (3 credits)
Advertising and Promotion
In-depth study of factors that go into promotion and advertising campaigns. Students critically examine elements involved in planning, research, budgeting, public relations, media selection, creative concepts, message appeal, cost effectiveness, and legal constraints. Emphasis is placed on important role of promotion and advertising within the marketing context. Prerequisite: BUS 207 or permission of instructor.

BUS 310 (3 credits)
Human Resources Management
Study of human resources in the management of the organization. Emphasis placed in understanding human resource planning, selection, placement, development, compensation and the human resource practitioner as strategic partner. Impact of HRIS, legislative issues, work design techniques discussed as well as other human relations issues, including: EAP’s discipline and discharge practices. Prerequisite: BUS 206.

BUS 311 (3 credits)
Principles of Management Information Systems
Examines the hardware and software components of information systems and the strategic uses of information. Topics include DSS (decision support systems), Executive Information Systems, AI (artificial intelligence), Expert Systems, and information ethics. The focus is on the Internet as an information tool and on E-Commerce. Prerequisites: BUS 101, BUS 206, and evidence of computer information literacy.

BUS 312 (3 credits)
International Business I
Examines the nature of international business within domestic, international and foreign environments. Financial, economic, socioeconomic, physical, political, sociocultural, legal, labor, competitive and distributive forces that have an impact on businesses will be explored. Current trends shaping corporate strategies will be analyzed. This course fulfills the human diversity graduation requirement.

BUS 314 (3 credits)
Retail Management
Focuses on successful merchandise management as it relates to the constraints of time, place, quantity and price. The managerial issues emphasized are retailing structure, financial standing, credit and collections, account and expense control, layout and location, display, customer service and community relations. Prerequisite: BUS 207.

BUS 320 (3 credits)
Labor Relations
Provides analysis of labor relations process; history, development and structure of unions; impasse resolution; union security; and the role of business and government in wage determination. Student participation in a collective bargaining exercise is required. Prerequisites: BUS 206, 310.

BUS 322 (3 credits)
Current Issues in Human Resource Management
Presents current changes and events in the human resource profession. Topics such as workplace violence and safety, workers compensation, human resource information systems, current legislation, and ergonomics are discussed. Prerequisites: BUS 207, 310, 320.

BUS 332 (3 credits)
Operations Management
Fundamental concepts, issues and techniques used to plan, analyze and control systems of production. Investigate operational problems in producing goods and services. Case analysis to include topics in making quality happen, logistics of planning production, managing inventories, dealing with capacity change, opportunities for vertical integration and operations strategy. Prerequisites: BUS 206; and MAT 208 or 209.

BUS 342 (3 credits)
Business Law
Deals with the meaning and functions of business law as applied to negotiable contracts, sales, agency employment, real property, insurance, labor, anti-trust law, consumer protection, and other legal issues such as international, environmental, privacy, tort and criminal law.

BUS 350 (3 credits)
Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Explores application of psychological principles and results of empirical research to the behavior of individuals in the workplace. Topics include organizational issues (e.g., work motivation, job attitudes, leadership, and organizational stress) and industrial issues (e.g., employee attraction, selection, placement, performance appraisal and feedback, and ergonomics). Intrinsic connection between science and practice is emphasized throughout the course. Prerequisite: PSY 101.

BUS 400 (3 credits)
Cost Accounting
Focuses on the collection and allocation of costs of materials, labor, and overhead. Emphasizes application and interpretation of cost data, analyses of job, process, activity-based, and operations systems, the implementation of budgets and standards, the analysis of variances, and capital budgeting techniques. Prerequisite: BUS 253.

BUS 402 (3 credits)
Auditing
Incorporates the principles of accounting and applies them to auditing procedures and standards. The use of working papers will simulate the actual auditing process. The auditor’s legal liability and responsibilities according to the Code of Professional Ethics established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants will be reviewed. Prerequisite: BUS 301.

BUS 410 (3 credits)
Financial Analysis
Provides in-depth analysis of role our financial system and financial intermediaries have on a nation’s economy. Emphasis is placed on how businesses acquire capital in our institutional and market environment. Financial statement analysis, including ratio analysis, is shown as a means of analyzing a firm’s strengths and weaknesses. By exposing students to institutions, markets and management, they understand how these three areas interrelate. Prerequisites: BUS 101, 248, 249.

BUS 411 (3 credits)
Corporate Finance
The role of the financial manager in the modern business organization is stressed. Topics include time value of money, financial analysis, risk analysis, financial forecasting, cost of capital, stock and bond valuation models, capital budgeting, investment decisions under conditions of uncertainty, long term financial alternatives, and dividend policy. Prerequisites: BUS 200, 410.

BUS 412 (3 credits)
International Business II
Focuses on how management deals with environmental forces in the global economy. Market assessment and analysis, export and import practices and procedures, global strategic planning, and technologically-driven changes will be analyzed. Emphasis is placed on diversified case studies. This course fulfills the human diversity graduation requirement. Prerequisite: BUS 312.

BUS 414 (3 credits)
International Marketing
Explore fundamental principles, theories and concepts of rapidly changing international markets. Strategic issues dealing with market entry, trade barriers, foreign trade imbalance, environmental and legal differences, foreign competition, currency fluctuation, and their effects upon marketing decisions are analyzed. Prerequisites: BUS 207, 248 or 249.

BUS 420 (3 credits)
Employment Law
Approaches the study of labor and employment law through text case studies, leading court decisions and current events. Insight into the workplace legal environment is presented through interactive analysis. Multicultural and global legal employment trends are presented. Prerequisites: BUS 206, 310, 320.

BUS 426 (3 credits)
Strategic Management
Study of development and implementation of strategic plans conceived by executive level management. Students integrate previously studied topics in the business core curriculum along with new information dealing specifically with strategic management. Utilization of in-depth case studies allows students to sharpen their skills of analysis and to develop coherent and comprehensive strategic plans. Prerequisites: BUS 200, 206, 410; senior-level standing.

BUS 427 (3 credits)
International Human Resource Management
Explores the implications that the process of internationalization has on the activities and policies of human resource management. Prerequisites: BUS 206, 310, 320.

BUS 431 (3 credits)
Entrepreneurship
Explores the challenges and opportunities experienced in starting and managing a small business. Emphasis is placed on the planning, financing, accounting, marketing, and management skills required to build a successful business enterprise. The importance of business innovation and specific management techniques will be explored. Prerequisites: BUS 200 or BUS 250; BUS 206.

BUS 438 (3 credits)
Business Seminar
Emphasizes career goals and objectives while developing professional skills and self-presentation. Research into current developments in the business field, corporate culture, team building, networking, and business etiquette will be explored. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing. Students must have successfully completed 30 credits at Alvernia.

BUS 441 (6 credits)
Cooperative Education in Business I
Supervised learning experience that integrates theoretical course work, career goals and objectives, and on-the-job work experience in the business field. Academic assignments supplement actual work experience. Maximum Cooperative credits for BUS 441 and BUS 442 are 12. Prerequisites: senior standing and 2.75 GPA. Special consideration may be given to outstanding juniors. Students must have successfully completed 30 credits at Alvernia, 15 must be in the business department. Cross-listed with SM 441.

BUS 442 (6 credits)
Cooperative Education in Business II
Extension of BUS 441 where the student continues on-the-job work experience in the business field through job expansion and job enrichment. Academic assignments, supplement the actual work experience. Maximum Cooperative credits for BUS 441 and BUS 442 are 12. Prerequisites: BUS 441, senior standing and 2.75 GPA. Students must have successfully completed 30 credits at Alvernia, 15 credits must be in the business department.

BUS 443 (3 credits)
Compensation and Benefit Management
Applied examination of direct and indirect reward systems in organizations. Topics include job evaluation, wage surveys, incentives, pay equity, compensation and benefits strategy, benefit offerings, mandated benefits, benefit cost analysis and flexible benefit programs. Prerequisites: BUS 206, 310, 320.

BUS 444 (3 credits)
Marketing Research Seminar
Emphasizes principles of scientific methodology for marketing research. Topics include problem formulation, cost and research design, questionnaire construction, report preparation, data interpretation and reliability measurements. Findings are used to formulate marketing strategies directed toward specific market segmentation. Prerequisites: Statistics course, BUS 207, 414; senior-level standing.

BUS 445 (3 credits)
Leadership Seminar
This course combines classroom instruction with practical experience via membership in one of our professional nationally affiliated organizations. Students will be expected to be active in one or more of these organizations and will be graded on specific projects/activities completed. This is an elective course for business and sport management majors only.

BUS 446 (3 credits)
Management Research Seminar
Capstone course in the management curriculum focusing on current problems and issues. Course takes an applied research approach through a thorough exploration of theoretical research issues and real-world business research. Required research paper is a major component of the course. Prerequisite: Senior status or permission of instructor.

BUS 450 (3 credits)
Organizational Leadership, Governance and Accountability
Analyzes organizations in terms of structure, authority, culture, managerial philosophy and ethical scrutiny. Students learn theories of human perception, communication, motivation, organization culture and change. Students apply these theories to practice through research, experiential exercises and case studies. Prerequisite: BUS 206

Masters in Business Administration Courses

MBA 500: Strategic Management (3 credits)
This course explores management theories, principles and practices. Analysis of the particular leadership, motivational, financial and functional attributes of institutions will be emphasized. Prerequisite: Five years of professional experience or a course in Principles of Management.

MBA 510: Managerial Accounting (3 credits)
This course emphasizes the application of accounting systems to managerial decision-making and problem solving. Analysis and interpretation of financial statements, analysis of cash flow, cash budgeting, cost-volume-profit analysis and responsibility accounting are among the major topics explored. Prerequisite: Completion of two semesters of Accounting.

MBA 515: Critical Issues/White Collar Crime (3 credits)
Critical Issues/White Collar Crime discusses and analyzes various theories, ranging from classical Sutherland approach to the modernistic governmental crime model. The characteristic of this form of crime will be examined. Trust, nonviolence, deceit, confidence, power and authority are reviewed as observed perpetrator traits. Corporate crime, occupational crime, corruption, fraud and financial crime will be viewed as examples of the problem. The costs both in terms of financial loss and human resources will be assessed. A complete survey of the appropriate laws and the enforcement and regulatory agencies targeted toward this specialized crime problem will be made.

MBA 520: Marketing Services (3 credits)
This course is designed to provide students with a broad approach to the concepts of various marketing functions including consumer behavior and new product development. Emphasis will be placed on international issues and their impact on the development of strategies for consumer and industrial-based products or services entering the global market. Prerequisite: Five years of professional experience or a course in Principles of Marketing.

MBA 525: Workplace/School Violence (3 credits)
Workplace/School Violence addresses the concerns associated with violence occurring in the workplace or educational environment. Indicators of potential conflict will be evaluated and procedures to avoid violence will be discussed and reviewed. A demonstrated course of action in the event of an occurrence is developed.

MBA 530: Corporate Finance (3 credits)
This course familiarizes the student with the role of the financial manager in a modern business organization. Topics include: time value of money, financial analysis, risk analysis, financial forecasting, cost of capital, stock and bond valuation modes, capital budgeting and investment decisions under conditions of uncertainty.

MBA 535: Crisis Management (3 credits)
Crisis Management evaluates methods and procedures utilized in times of crisis. Practical applications are explored through the use of case studies and guest lecturers. A crisis management plan is developed to demonstrate competency in crisis situations.

MBA 540: Employment Law (3 credits)
This course offers a comprehensive review of employment law. Employment Law explores employee-employer relationships, personnel problems and permissible activities in employee dismissal cases. Case law where legal principles have been changed by the courts is reviewed. Finally, the newest labor statutes are addressed.

MBA 550: Labor Relations Management (3 credits)
Labor Relations Management provides a broad and balanced overview of labor relations. The course investigates historical, legal and structural environments. Labor contract negotiations and administration are also researched.

MBA 560: Compensation and Benefit Management (3 credits)
Compensation and Benefit Management is designed to build understanding in compensation and benefit administration utilized in today’s business and government agencies. Emphasis is placed on understanding human resource wage scales, placement development, administrative requirements and remedies and benefit administration. The impact of legislative issues, mandates and discipline practice is identified and reviewed.

MBA 570: Marketing Research Seminar (3 credits)
This course addresses the principles of social scientific methodology for marketing research. Topics covered include scientific method, problem formulation, cost and research design, questionnaire construction, report preparation, data interpretation and reliability measurements. Research results are used to formulate marketing strategies directed toward specific markets.

MBA 591: Accounting for the Workplace (3 credits)
Accounting for the Workplace is designed to introduce students to accounting who have not had accounting courses or accounting experience at the undergraduate level. The course fosters an understanding of the basic concepts of financial accounting, including accounting information systems.

MBA 600: Quantitative Methods (3 credits)
Quantitative Methods is designed to familiarize the student with the use of mathematical and statistical methodology used in managerial decision-making. Topics include linear, integer and dynamic programming, sensitivity analysis and duality, network models, inventory and queuing, and simulation. Prerequisite: Completion of college algebra or its equivalent.

MBA 610: Legal Environment (3 credits)
This course will provide an overview of the effects of legal forces on the objectives and operations of nonprofit organizations, churches, schools and businesses. Policies and decisions based on current case studies will be examined with emphasis placed on vulnerabilities and the appropriate techniques of managing exposure risks. Contemporary issues relating to governmental regulations, employment issues and human resource policies faced by leaders in cross-cultural settings will be explored.

MBA 620: Managerial Economics (3 credits)
Managerial Economics examines the use of economic tools for managerial decision-making. Applicable economic, statistical and computer skills will be studied. Emphasis will be placed on the microeconomic theory of organizations and its application in nonprofit organizations, churches, schools and businesses.

MBA 630: Management Finance (3 credits)
This course presents an overview of financial management and its role within nonprofit organizations, churches, schools and businesses. The focus will be on the prime variables that affect the financial manager within the firm and within the economy. Topics will include financial management and its environment, analysis of the operating budget and its impact on setting priorities, valuation and the cost of capital, capital budgeting, working capital management, analyzing and planning financial performance, and institutional features of long-term planning. Prerequisite: Managerial Economics.

MBA 635: Public Relations (3 credits)
Public Relations provides students with a comprehensive introduction to serious public relations. Coursework provides a conceptual framework for understanding that latest concepts, origins, principles and theories underpinning this emerging practice.

MBA 640: Accounting for Government and Not-for-Profit Organizations (3 credits)
This course explores accounting principles and procedures relative to governmental units and not-for-profit institutions. A comparison with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) used in business is featured.

MBA 650: Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (3 credits)
This course is designed to identify and analyze factors that contribute to the success of new business ventures. Major topics include risk assessment and management, leadership skills, sources of funding and the development of a business plan. Case studies of successful and unsuccessful ventures will be analyzed.

MBA 660: Grantsmanship in Nonprofit Organizations (3 credits)
Applicable coursework develops skills for writing grants to obtain financial resources from foundations and other funding sources. Practical strategies and case studies are examined to increase effectiveness of fund-raising efforts for programs of nonprofit organizations, churches, and schools. Methods for developing partnerships with other organizations are highlighted. Emphasis on grant writing for programs that promote social justice in cross-cultural settings links this course to the Franciscan tradition.

MBA 680: Executive Leadership Seminar (3 credits)
This is a capstone course and is designed to enhance development of the knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviors and values required for one to become an effective, inspirational leader. In addition to case studies, interaction with successful business executives will provide students with realistic models of leadership.