Course descriptions for Business

Students develop problem solving, critical thinking, and research skills using business-computing tools. Topics covered: research, analysis, and communication using campus software and hardware tools and the Internet. Uses software for searching Internet and library resources (ethical use of materials), image manipulation, file transfer, archiving and storage, word processing, spreadsheet analysis, and presentation development. Includes in-depth work with spreadsheets, employing simple algebraic equations and what-if analysis. (Offered every semester.)

Introduction to economics; analysis and theory of national income; money and banking; public finance and taxation; and international trade. Primary concentration on market-based systems and the United States economy. Students reflect upon how global and national monetary policy impacts business and society. (Offered every semester.)

Theory of prices and markets; industrial organization; public policy; income distribution; and contemporary problems of labor and business, including issues of equity, diversity, and ethics from a stakeholder perspective. (Offered every semester.)

Theory of prices and markets; industrial organization; public policy; income distribution; and contemporary problems of labor and business. (Offered every semester.)

Accounting principles and concepts essential to an understanding of the role of accounting in the collection, interpretation, use, and reporting of business data. While attention is given to the uses of accounting data by investors, emphasis is on the needs of management and the limitations and usefulness of accounting data for purposes of planning and controlling business activities. Students reflect on the ethical and compliance requirements for financial reporting.(Offered every semester.)

Provides an overview of the basic mathematics skills and elementary statistical procedures used in business applications and applied research settings. Places special preparatory emphasis on the quantitative reasoning skills for entry to BUS 300 Major ProSeminar. Develops proficiency in the use of data in tables, graphs, and elementary descriptive statistical applications; linear correlation and regression models; probability theory and probability distributions; hypothesis testing and statistical inference; and computer techniques using software packages. (Course currently being redesigned.)

Explores the uses of accounting data. Covers budgeting and profit planning, cost-volume-product relationships, principles and purpose of accounting information systems, designing and using internal cost control systems, identifying and tracking product costs, cost standards and variance analysis, and management reporting and decision making. Develops an understanding of both the creation and impact of accounting information systems on business decisions, ethics and strategy. (Offered every semester.)

A survey of multiple legal subjects that examines the principles of law as they apply to everyday business, commercial and social situations including ethical-social responsibility. Legal topics include forms of business entities, including corporations, and legal issues pertaining to corporate governance, shareholders, board of directors and officers, mergers and acquisitions, issuance of securities and taxation. Other legal subjects include constitutional law, torts/Cybertorts, criminal law, agency/employment law, employment discrimination, contracts and E-commerce. (Offered every semester.)

Simulates a business environment. Develops empathetic and critical thinking, listening, speaking, reading, and writing abilities through analysis of current business issues including ethics, and practice in business and organizational writing and speaking. Introduces fundamental business and civic concepts and business practices such as such as taking minutes, interviewing, and applying for employment. Written assignments include letters, emails, memos, summaries, reports, and research. (Offered every semester.)

Develops academic and business writing skills as well as presentation skills. Builds language competencies through multiple draft written assignments involving critical analysis, reasoning and research. Builds oral proficiency through self-critique and extensive instructor feedback. Includes formal debates, mini-case study analyses, interviewing/shadowing a professional in the community, news reporting, and class discussions of current business issues. Heavily integrates business ethics and etiquette. (Offered every semester.)

For students who have completed the TECH/INFO ULR by taking a course other than BUS 200 (Introduction to Business Computing) to assess that they have the Excel spreadsheet skills needed for upper-division BUS courses. (Offered every semester.)

Students develop an Individualized Learning Plan that will guide their learning experiences at CSUMB and their continuing professional development. (Offered every semester.)

Students explore concepts of culture and cultural identity, differential power relationships among cultural groups, and ways to achieve greater equity and social justice. Students explore ethical dilemmas which occur when business and personal perspectives differ from that of community stakeholders. They do so in the context of community development in the Monterey region. As an integral aspect of learning, students work with a community nonprofit organization and reflect on that experience. (Offered every semester.)

Enables upper division students to acquire and demonstrate effective critical thinking and business writing skills. Students learn, hone, and demonstrate empathetic and articulate written communication skills, problem-recognition strategies, and analytical skills applicable to real world business issues and events, including ethically and socially responsible behavior. Introduces business case study analysis in content and skill-building activities. (Offered every semester.)

Concepts of management including managerial roles, organizational and team dynamics, leadership and motivation, decision making, ethical and legal issues, and communication. Individually and in teams, students explore how organizations do or do not function effectively in international and multicultural contexts. Students also develop management plans as part of multi-course business planning process. (Offered every semester.)

Market opportunity identification, market and competitive analysis, consumer behavior measurement and analysis, usage of marketing tools, strategic market planning and program development, organization and management of marketing and the distribution value chain, product management, ethical and legal aspects of marketing in conjunction with corporate social responsibility, and applications of Internet marketing are studied. (Offered every semester.)

Emphasizes the entrepreneur/manager raising funds at minimal cost and risk, and the allocation of those funds to increase shareholders' wealth and company value. Encompasses financial statements, time value of money, bond/stock valuation, cost of capital, and related subjects. Reviews international aspects of financial management. Develops both the skills and ability to understand the impact of financial decisionmaking to business and its stakeholders. Stresses ethical financial reporting. (Offered every semester.)

Provides the foundation for designing information systems used in business for problem solving and decision making, using advanced tools in spreadsheet software such as nested IFs, macros and solver, list and database management, basic Visual Basic for Applications procedures; implementing a relatively complex spreadsheet information system for a business situation; designing basic functional websites using HTML programming; and understanding ethical issues involved. Students apply these concepts to real-world business problems individually and in teams. (Offered every semester.)

Concepts and techniques used in today's business operations. Emphasizes the continuous interrelationships between operations, marketing, and finance. Major topics covered include decision making, strategy in a global environment, product/service design, forecasting and budgeting, capacity planning and production, Juran and Deming quality concepts (including impacts on stakeholders), statistical process control (SPC), human resources, J I T, inventory control, and MRP. Students organize into teams to write and present a semester case study on a contemporary topic. (Offered every semester.)

Focuses on the entrepreneurial process, opportunity recognition, entry strategies, market opportunities and marketing, creation of a successful business plan, financial projections, venture capital, debt and other forms of financing, external assistance for startups and small businesses, legal, tax, and ethical issues, intellectual property, franchising, and entrepreneurship economics. Internet and eCommerce examples are provided. (Offered every semester.)

Focuses on hospitality operations management in restaurants, hotels, and clubs, as well as travel and tourism-related organizations; how they are organized and how they are designed to deliver their particular products and services. Emphasizes delivery of quality customer service. Addresses and studies operational problems and issues. Students engage in observational data collection in restaurants, lodging establishments, and travel/tourism related businesses. Students also choose one specific hospitality operation for an in-depth analysis. Replaces BUS 309 for the hospitality concentration. (Offered in Fall, as interest warrants.)

Provides a structured work experience in a resort hotel (for the hotel/resort emphasis) or in any type of hospitality-related organization (for the hospitality emphasis) that includes a minimum of 400 work hours. Students may transfer in a maximum of 200 hours of previously verified work experience. Provides an opportunity to learn directly on the job, complete a critical analysis and evaluation of the work, and participate in a management-related project. (Offered every semester.)

As businesses invest in web commercialization, firms are beginning to experience dramatic shifts in standard business practices caused by the emergence of a global electronic marketplace. What sorts of business and marketing models are firms applying in this new environment in a socially responsible and ethical manner? Focuses on the marketing issues surrounding commercialization of computer-mediated environments (CMEs) like the World Wide Web and other emerging electronic media. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

Focuses on the creation and development of innovative products that solve the problems of society in a leagal and ethical manner. Also, the necessary characteristics of businesses and markets associated with the success of such products. Develops effective personal skills and effective management and marketing competence. Investigates attributes of product success by scrutinizing the entire process of product creation, development, and launch. (Offered as interest warrants.)

Focuses on the application of marketing principles as they relate to service businesses. Topics include how marketing a service differs from marketing a manufactured product; marketing (planning, pricing, research, segmentation); building customer loyalty; distribution channels; and advertising. Students identify a specific service industry, develop a strategic marketing plan including situational analyses, SWOT analysis, mission statement, position statement, and marketing action plans that include objectives, tactics, and success measures from a legal and ethical perspective. (Offered in Spring, as interest warrants.)

Examines human resource management challenges confronting decision making in a rapidly challenging global environment. Focuses on motivation, cross-cultural communication, ethics, recruitment, selection, compensation, benefits, health and safety in the workplace, legal requirements and limitations, affirmative action, and career development. (Offered in Fall, as interest warrants.)

Explores individual and organizational behavior in the context of the environment, including structures, processes, and systems. Includes communication, personality, group dynamics, organization change and development, conflict and conflict resolution, multiculturalism, ethics, leadership, decision making, and motivation. Applies communication, decision making, and problem solving skills, teamwork, handling ambiguity, taking initiative, and interpersonal sensitivity, including understanding of cross-cultural differences. (Offered in Spring, as interest warrants.)

Focuses on: 1) theories and models of leadership effectiveness and the business/cultural/ethical contexts influencing leadership styles by examining leader-follower interaction; 2) effective use of power, politics and influence, and what motivates followers; 3) process of mobilization and sustaining organizational vision, mission, core values, and ethical practices; and 4) development of organizational culture and change through effective communication. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

Examines financial management and accounting aspects of doing business in global markets. Applies international financial management techniques to practical problems of trade finance, evaluation of direct foreign investment, international project finance, reduction of political and other risks unique to international investment or lending, foreign exchange management, working capital management, and international tax planning. Also examines international investment and roles of major international financial markets and institutions. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

Explores savings and investment strategies, costs, and other terms of borrowing alternatives, tax planning, self-employment options, and estate planning. (Offered only in Spring, as interest warrants.)

Examines depository institutions and other financial intermediaries, asset management companies, and other financial institutions. Analyzes money and capital markets and the institutions that operate within those markets. Through case studies, exercises, and field research, students face and solve problems faced by mid-level managers of these institutions. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

Explores foundations of ethical reasoning, including cross-cultural and transnational implications. Knowledge areas include corporate social responsibility; impact of technology, economics, law, politics, and culture on ethical behavior; environmental issues; and employee-employer relations. Abilities to apply include development of ethical norms and ways to act consistent with them; positive regard for multiple perspectives; and awareness of one's beliefs and ability to communicate them. Students engage in 30 service hours. Satisfies upper-division service learning requirement. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

Analyzes and simulates a hotel/resort operation's major departments, including general and administration, engineering, rooms, food and beverage, sales and marketing, and sports and activities. Student competencies include written analyses and on-site learning opportunities. Replaces BUS 309 requirement for hotel/resort concentration. (Offered only in Fall, as interest warrants.)

Analyzes and applies the principles of sales, advertising, and public relations to hotel/resort operations. Project-based. Includes problem solving and solution techniques applied to factors that impact the sales, advertising, and public relations of the hotel/resort industry. (Offered in Spring, as interest warrants.)

Principles and applications of accounting for assets, liabilities, and equity. Preparation of balance sheets. Measurement of income. Develops in-depth understanding of accounting and report preparation, and expects students to understand the ethical and business implications of various reporting requirements. Requires use of spreadsheet software. (Offered in Fall, as interest warrants.)

Principles and applications of accounting expenses. Preparation and utilization of income statements and statements of cash flow. Analysis of financial statements and supporting accounting data. Requires use of spreadsheet software. (Offered in Spring, as interest warrants.)

Focuses on the Federal tax laws for individuals and most small businesses. Analyzes Federal tax form 1040 with its supporting schedules and forms. Teaches students how to make tax-planning decisions for themselves, their families, their businesses, and perhaps, their clients. Covers legal requirements and ethical dilemmas encountered through tax reporting options. (Offered in Fall, as interest warrants.)

Studies a particular topic in the major. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

Independent study under the direction of a faculty member. The student must prepare a study proposal approved by the appropriate faculty member and major advisor prior to registration. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

A practical, comprehensive, applied, and managerial approach to both quantitative and qualitative marketing research. Explores a step-by-step framework to defining problems, understanding ethical research considerations, preparing a research design and sampling, information gathering, interpretation, and analysis and report preparation in a domestic and international context. (Offered in Fall, as interest warrants.)

Examines the global marketing imperative, global marketing environment, the differences and similarities in societies and cultures with regard to the legal and ethical implications of marketing strategies, developing global readiness, and global marketing strategies. Each student engages in a specific country's market analysis, developing marketing strategies and marketing of a specific product or service. (Offered in Fall, as interest warrants.)

Covers the principles and practices of managing a not-for-profit organization. Knowledge areas include strategic planning, human resource management, ethics and social responsibility, volunteer development, and influences of multiple stakeholders. In addition to reflecting on these topics, students examine actual practices of community organizations in education, health care, social services, and the arts. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

Examines the complex policy and regulatory environment within which agribusiness operates. Students survey federal, state, county and local policies and regulations, and analyze their effect on local agribusiness planning and operations. Explores the process by which policies and regulations are made and enforced. Individually and in teams, they address specific ethical and stakeholder issues such as water use, land use, pesticides, food safety, and worker safety. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

Starts from final product sales and works backwards through the distribution system, shipping, processing, growing, and supply of seeds, fertilizers, and other inputs. Addresses issues of domestic and global outsourcing, risk management in an environment where price and quantity risks are being pushed ever further backwards in the value chain, quality assurance, ethical issues, and customer relations. Explores the role of new technologies and new types of service providers. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

Examines venture formation and growth following completion of a business plan. Focuses on ongoing marketing, decision making, accounting and financial management, and human resource management issues. Students examine startup and growth management issues faced by real-life ventures, and meet with entrepreneurs, small business lawyers and accountants, and investors. Students also receive guidance on approaching potential sources of capital. (Offered only in Spring, as interest warrants.)

Analyzes the economics of agribusiness operations, starting with the grower, and identifies all the potential sources of financing. Perform financial analysis of agricultural projects and of the borrowers themselves, using the same methodology as top agricultural leaders in the region. Evaluate various credit and capital market alternatives in terms of their likely financial impacts on borrowers. Interact directly with providers of financing. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

Provides an understanding of emerging business models in electronic commerce. Looks at issues surrounding management of e-businesses, including market communication and customer relationship management (CRM). Explores social and ethical problems surrounding electronic commerce such as security-authentication, privacy-encryption, and safeguarding of intellectual property rights. Develops understanding of current practices in electronic shopping, distribution, and collaboration; and emerging global issues. (Offered in Spring, as interest warrants.)

Provides essentials of developing and managing an electronic commerce initiative, a crucial channel allowing a business to expand markets; offer instant service; and forge close links with customers, partners, and vendors. Students gain hands-on experience using the hardware, software, and applications in establishing and developing an e-commerce site and learn ethical and legal responsibilities for data handling. Focuses on learning various technology and design issues, and building a prototype of an e-commerce site. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

This course provides an introduction to the concepts of planning, analysis, and design of modern information systems. It covers structured analysis and design, rapid prototyping techniques, and project management with emphasis on organizational problem solving. Focus of this course is to understand the complex nature of information systems, the dynamic and iterative nature of the systems development life cycle (SDLC), and the challenges involved in the socio-technical process of developing and implementing successful information systems.

Examines relational database design and implementation using database tools. Discusses data management concepts and terminology currently in practice in the business world, fundamentals of relational database management, data sharing, retrieval, data dictionaries, and queries using SQL. Students apply database software to create and query databases to solve real-world problems, including ethical and privacy issues with respect to data use in business. (Offered in Fall, as interest warrants.) Prerequisite(s): BUS 308 or instructor consent.

Focuses on quality customer service: what it is and how to deliver it, as a service provider and as a manager in any service-providing setting. Integrates various disciplines within business, such as human-resource management, strategic and ethical decision making, policy formation, and marketing. Asks students to utilize conceptual, analytical, data gathering, and decision-making skills, first by observational data collection of service encounters, and second by survey data collection in an actual service-providing organization. (Offered in Spring, as interest warrants.)

Internship in a hospitality-related organization under the direction of a faculty member. Faculty member assists students in clarifying internship learning outcomes, identifying potential hotel/resorts within which to conduct the internship, and structuring and negotiating internship agreements with the host organization. The faculty member also acts as hands-on mentor throughout the internship. The student must prepare an internship application and an approved learning outcomes proposal before registering. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

Roles and responsibilities of independent auditor. Generally accepted auditing practices and standards; professional ethics. Auditing procedures, planning the audit, work paper preparation, report writing, rendering an opinion on financial statements. Requires use of spreadsheet software. (Offered only as interest warrants)

Technical, ethical, and policy aspects of operational auditing. Effectiveness of audits in the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. Issues in operational auditing and case studies of how those issues have been addressed. (Offered only as interest warrants)

Concentrates on the underlying theory and application of business combinations, consolidated financial statements, foreign currency transactions, partnerships, segment and interim reporting, SEC reporting, accounting for non-profit organizations and estates and trusts. Emphasizes the cost method and partial equity method of accounting for acquisitions and investments. Covers current FASB and GASB pronouncements as well as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and ethical and legal issues on account reporting. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

Focuses on differences and similarities between management concepts and practices across the cultures and geographic boundaries; the role and impact of multinational corporations (MNCs) on global economy; cultural influences and impacts on global management practices; comparative leadership studies; global competitive strategies; intercultural communication; political risk analyses; negotiations; human resources development across the cultures; labor relations; and ethics and social responsibility. (Offered in Spring, as interest warrants.)

Studies a particular topic in the major. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

Independent study under the direction of a faculty member. The student must prepare a study proposal approved by the appropriate faculty member and major advisor prior to registration. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

Internship under the direction of a faculty member. Faculty assist students in clarifying internship objectives, identifying candidate organizations within which to conduct an internship, and structuring and negotiating internship agreements. They also act as hands-on mentors throughout the internship. As a matter of school policy, except in highly unusual situations, only paid internships are accepted. The student must prepare an internship proposal approved by the appropriate faculty member prior to registration. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

Capstone course integrating all BUS core courses into design of strategic business plans. Describes the strategic-management process, the nature of strategy formulation, implementation, and evaluation activities. Explores why good ethics is good business. Domestic and international cases. Computer applications. (Offered every semester.)

Contact the academic program office for further information. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

Graduate level independent study under the direction of a faculty member. The student must prepare a study proposal approved by the appropriate faculty member and graduate advisor prior to registration. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

Introduction to e-commerce, information technology for businesses, and research methodology. Cross-listed as CST 600. (Offered Fall semester.)

Explores important issues shaping the IT systems that characterize contemporary organizations in the digital world. Introduces the basic system components found in most IT environments, predominant issues and factors pertaining to technology adoption and use at the enterprise level, and trends in emerging information technologies and their impact on organizations. (Offered Fall semester.)

Follows the Project Management Institute model with a focus on IT-related projects. Covers basic project frameworks such as scope, time, cost, quality, human resources, communications, risk, and procurement. Discusses management skills required to lead a team to successful completion of projects. Applies the business enterprise model to architectural design and to project, program, and product management. Provides hands-on practice with industry-level PM software and covers several case studies. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

(Formerly Leadership, Management & Human Relations)

Analysis of electronic commerce systems and technologies to develop viable business models within the context of the strategic needs of the system. Focuses on analysis and assessment of emerging models and strategies, their potentialities and impact on electronic commerce (includes impact on business strategy and ethics), and the development of methodological tools for assessment of their success. (Offered in Spring, as interest warrants.)

Prepares students from Business Administration or other academic programs to pursue technology-based new venture opportunities. Includes opportunity recognition and evaluation; new venture strategies and formation; marketing; stakeholder management; financial management; entrepreneurial finance; and the process of sustaining organizational vision. Students prepare and defend a business plan, and identify sources of financing. If they have a promising opportunity, students receive assistance in approaching potential sources of capital and other resources. (Offered in Spring, as interest warrants.)

Explores individual and organizational behavior in the context of the knowledge-based company environment, including structures, processes, and systems. Includes communication, group dynamics, organization change and development, conflict and conflict resolution, multicultural diversity, ethics, leadership, and decision making. Abilities to apply include communication skills, decision making, problem solving, and teamwork, including understanding of cross-cultural differences. (Offered in Spring, as interest warrants.)

Provides both the strategic and technical essentials of designing, developing, and managing an e-Commerce initiative. Surveys the landscape of e-Commerce technologies and how businesses employ them to gain competitive advantages. Covers technology and design issues while providing hands-on experience as students step through the process of designing and developing a functional prototype of an e-Commerce site. Explores issues and practices of management related to maintaining the e-Commerce site. (Offered Fall semester.)

Examines database design and implementation using relational database management system tools. Discusses data management concepts and terminology currently in practice in the business world, including data and database administration, fundamentals of database management systems and models (network, hierarchical and relational), data sharing, retrieval, data dictionaries, data proliferation, data integrity, and queries using SQL. (Offered as interest warrants.)

Assesses strategic implications of adopting new technologies and enabling transformational change at the enterprise level in our knowledge-based economy. Covers creating business value through IT, assessing and managing risk, measuring financial value and risk of IT adoption, managing disruptive technologies, managing technology innovation, positioning the CIO in enterprise leadership and strategy management, marketing innovative products in a global economy, and assessing enterprise implications of technology trends. (Offered Spring semester.)

A capstone contributes to the disciplines or the professions by adding to technical/professional knowledge or by providing an original application of technical/professional knowledge in both management and information technology disciplines. Examples include a field study, a project, applied research, or a professional article of publishable quality. Students also master basic principles of strategic planning, including stakeholder management. Cross-listed as CST 699. (Offered Spring semester.)