Graduate Bulletin A-Z Index Dates to RememberUndergraduate & Graduate*Fall Term 2008 August 22-24 Wolfpack Welcome January 9 New Student Orientation *College of Law dates on Law Bulletin |
Master of Business Administration
Accounting
ACCT B601 Financial Accounting 3 cr. hrs.
This course introduces the accounting cycle from recording financial transactions to the preparation and analysis of financial statements. The course emphasizes the uses of the income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows.
ACCT B830 Personal Financial Planning for the Professional Planner 3 cr. hrs.
This course is the study of personal financial planning including goal setting, cash budgeting, planning for insurance needs, retirement planning, tax planning, investment, and estate planning. The course requires an integration of the various types of planning with client goals. The course makes use of forecasts, computer models, and macroeconomic data. The emphasis is on planning for the professional planner who has a diversified clientele.
Prerequisites: a working knowledge of present value concepts is assumed. This should not be the first M.B.A. course taken, and a background in any of the following will be helpful: Accounting, Tax, Insurance, Investments.
ACCT B893 Special Topics in Accounting 3 cr. hrs.
Current issues and problems will be researched and discussed.
ACCT B897 Accounting Internship 1 – 3 cr. hrs.
See description in College of Business section.
ACCT B899 Independent Study in Accounting 3 cr. hrs.
See description in College of Business section.
Business Administration
BA B705 Business Ethics 3 cr. hrs.
The purpose of this course is to explore the meaning of business ethics and discuss the relevance of ethics to management decision making. Ethical theories and concepts such as justice, rights, equality, and responsibility will be examined at the beginning of the course, then specific ethical problems facing the business organization and its relationship to employees, consumers, and society will be discussed.
BA B710 Individual and Corporate Entrepreneurship 3 cr. hrs.
The purpose of this course is to relate and integrate the student’s academic and professional experience through the analysis of an independent/corporate new venture start-up. The course will take a systems approach to problems which are confronted in developing a new business over time, intuition and creative problems solving techniques.
Prerequisite: Fin B601
BA B715 Management Control and Decision Making 3 cr. hrs.
This course discusses control and decision making from the information provided by management control and information systems. Course topics include discussion of a comprehensive management information system (MIS) and its supporting integration of the MIS with organizational strategy, and utilization of such systems to generate information to serve managerial needs.
Prerequisites: Mgt B601, Mgt B611, Fin B601.
BA B795 Community Service 0 cr. hrs.
This involves 30 hours of volunteer work (without compensation) that must be completed in a not-for-profit setting located in the greater metropolitan New Orleans community. The organization must be approved by the M.B.A. director.
BA B850 Global Strategy 3 cr. hrs.
BA B893 Special Topics in Business 3 cr. hrs.
Current issues and problems will be researched and discussed in a seminar.
BA B897 Internship in Business Administration 1 – 3 cr. hrs.
See description in College of Business section.
BA B899 Independent Study in Business Administration
See description in College of Business section.
Decision Science
DECS B601 Statistics 2 cr. hrs.
This course introduces the statistical methods which have found wide application in business. Topics covered include descriptive statistics, probability concepts and distributions, estimation, hypothesis tests, contingency tables, analysis of variance, simple and multiple regression analysis, and decision theory. Business applications and extensive use of microcomputer statistical software, including spread sheets, are an integral part of the course.
DECS B899 Independent Study in Decision Science 3 cr. hrs.
See description in College of Business section.
Economics
ECON B601 Microeconomics 2 cr. hrs.
The purpose of this course is to develop an understanding of the microeconomic analysis of the coordination of human actions through markets, organizations, and governments. Topics include opportunity costs, demand, supply, prices, transaction costs, taxes, and trade policy.
ECON B602 Macroeconomics 2 cr. hrs.
The purpose of this course is to develop an understanding of the macroeconomic consequences of the systematic discoordination of humans’ actions, and the nature and causes of business cycles. Topics include Classical, Keynesian, Monetarist, Real Business Cycle, and Austrian theories and international business cycles.
Prerequisite: ECON B601.
ECON B810 International Economics 3 cr. hrs.
This course considers exchange rate systems; adjustments in international disequilibrium situations; relationships among rates exchange, inflation, interest, and unemployment; and domestic and international economic policies. It also considers various theories of competitive advantages in international trade, the nature and effects of commercial policies, and international economic integration.
ECON B893 Special Topics in Economics 3 cr. hrs.
Current issues and problems will be researched and discussed.
ECON B897 Internship in Economics 1 – 3 cr. hrs.
See description in College of Business section.
ECON B899 Independent Study in Economics 3 cr. hrs.
See description in College of Business section.
FINANCE
FIN B601 Financial Management 2 cr. hrs.
This course introduces the principles of financial analysis and management of a business. Students learn how to think in terms of the present values of alternatives so that they can choose the proper course of action to follow. The effects of time and uncertainty on business decisions, especially in the selection of assets and the raising of funds for asset purchases, are studied. Students learn how the unencumbered system of financial markets and firms allocates scarce resources to benefit consumers. Analysis of alternative courses of action in terms of a system of cash flows is covered.
Prerequisite: ACCT B601.
FIN B700 Advanced Financial Management 3 cr. hrs.
This course advances the graduate student’s knowledge and comprehension of financial management by providing a deeper understanding of the theory, practice, and application of the principles of business finance. The course emphasizes the application of financial theory by giving the student a framework analyzing and recommending alternative solutions to business financial problems. Case analysis will be used.
Prerequisite: FIN B601.
FIN B800 Management of Financial Institutions 3 cr. hrs.
This course analyzes management policies of financial institutions, including asset, liability, and capital management. Various risks faced by financial institutions will be studied along with detailed analysis of the tools used to measure and manage these risks in the financial services industry.
FIN B805 Investments 3 cr. hrs.
All investments have the dimensions of risk and expected return. Students study the flow of funds in the economy which leads to the term structure of interest rates underlying investment; they learn how to analyze and forecast interest rates and their effects on the values of securities; they compute anticipated and realized rates of return; and they learn portfolio theory, which explains how the risk borne by the investor affects the rate of return he/she requires on a stock. Fundamental analysis of publicly-traded securities is a major portion of the course, and students forecast the earnings and dividends of firms and study how these fundamental factors affect the stock price. The functioning of financial markets, and their efficiency, is also explored.
FIN B810 International Finance 3 cr. hrs.
This course examines common financial problems faced by business firms engaged in international trade or investment. A significant portion of the course is devoted to a study of the environment within which international financial decisions are made, with particular emphasis on the market for foreign exchange. Topics include the international economic environment, foreign exchange markets, factors influencing exchange rates, measurement and management of foreign exchange risks, financing international trade, foreign financing alternatives, direct foreign investment, and political risk analysis.
FIN B820 Financial Statement Analysis 3 cr. hrs.
Lenders or investors who can determine the truth regarding the recent financial management of the firm and make more accurate predictions regarding its financial future are more successful. This course teaches techniques of analysis to uncover the events which have been hidden by the financial statements. The course focuses on the financial decisions the firm has made and its financial condition, as revealed by the financial statements, and on forecasting pro-forma financial statements which reflect alternative possible courses of action. Students learn to discover funds flows, construct and interpret financial ratios, understand operating and financial leverage, analyze growth and its effects, predict bankruptcy, and prepare pro-forma statements.
FIN B893 Special Topics in Finance 3 cr. hrs.
Current issues and problems will be researched and discussed.
FIN B897 Internship in Finance 1 – 3 cr. hrs.
See description in College of Business section.
FIN B899 Independent Study in Finance 3 cr. hrs.
See description in College of Business section.
LEGAL STUDIES
LGST B893 Special Topics in Legal Studies 3 cr. hrs.
Selected topics are examined.
LGST B899 Independent Study in Legal Studies 3 cr. hrs.
See description in College of Business section.
MANAGEMENT
MGT B601 Management and Organizational Behavior 3 cr. hrs.
This course assists students in becoming effective organizational members and managers. We explore ways of how to understand individual, impersonal, and group behavior within organizations, as well as the interplay of human, technological, and structural factors.
MGT B605 Managerial Communication 3 cr. hrs.
The purpose of this course is to improve the abilities of managers to communicate effectively throughout their organization. The course will improve the participants’ communication skills by requiring them to make effective presentations (individually, in groups, and using the latest software packages), analyze case studies, conduct a communication audit on an existing New Orleans company, and explore contemporary business trends and issues.
MGT B610 Human Resource Management 2 cr. hrs.
Human Resource Management analyzes the management of human resources in organizations. Topics include legal aspects of employment policies, selection, placement, training, compensation, employee appraisal and development, safety and health, benefits and services.
MGT B611 Operations Management 2 cr. hrs.
This course studies the planning, implementing, and monitoring of an operations system for continuous improvement. The course goal is to provide a better understanding of how managers can develop and manage high performance operations. The important issues involved in designing and managing the integrative system that transforms resources into goods and services satisfying customers’ needs are addressed. The participants’ ability to utilize the organization’s technical and human resources effectively and efficiently are developed.
Prerequisite: DECS B601.
MGT B725 Leadership Dynamics 3 cr. hrs.
This course is a study of the interactions that exist between people, especially in the context of organizations. In particular, it examines two important processes in organizations: leadership and team-building. Topics include the roles of context and followers in the emergence of leaders, exercise of power, ethical issues faced by leaders, influence, diversity, team influences on beliefs and perceptions, the development of teams and team norms, conformity and deviance in teams, team decision making, and designing teams for effective performance and decision making. Other related issues associated with human behavior in organizations, including coaching, conflict resolution, negotiation, and empowerment, will also be studied.
Prerequisites: MGT B601, MGT B605.
MGT B730 Innovation and Technology Management 3 cr. hrs.
This course is concerned with linking the technological and business worlds through the product development and commercialization process. It is the low cost, high quality, or fast delivery of new products that provides competitive advantage in today’s marketplace. To achieve such competitive advantage, an integrative paradigm is needed. It requires incorporating the research and development of science and technology, the management of technology and innovation commercialization, with the management of people affected by technology. This course is designed as an intensive computer usage course. Prerequisites: MGT B611, FIN B601.
MGT B815 Cross-cultural Management 3 cr. hrs.
This course prepares managers to solve strategic business and work-group problems that arise from cross-cultural differences. Such problems can be seen in discord over task assignments, low levels of productivity in internationally mixed teams, difficulties in transferring management or production practices to overseas units, and unrealistic expectations at the personal, work-group, and business-unit levels. We divide the course into thirds that examine (1) the meaning of culture, (2) the culture’s impact on management practices, and (3) how to manage cultural differences. There is some reading that is more theoretical but many cases emphasize the practical side of dealing with international cultural differences.
MGT B820 Future of the Americas 3 cr. hrs.
This managerial-oriented graduate seminar examines the strategic responses of both Latin American- and United States-based companies to the opportunities and challenges emerging from the profound social, political, and economic changes in Latin America, and to the impact on the region’s relations with North America. Students gain a better understanding of (1) the leading organizations, institutions, coordinating mechanisms, and processes affecting businesses in the Americas; (2) the key differences in managerial practices and strategies of firms operating in Louisiana and in the United States of America; and (3) the limits, validity, and applicability to Louisiana of managerial models developed in the United States of America. Students discuss readings and cases, interact with a number of local and foreign guest speakers from the academic and business worlds, and complete individual projects.
MGT B893 Special Topics in Management 3 cr. hrs.
Current issues and problems will be researched and discussed.
MGT B897 Internship in Management 1 – 3 cr. hrs.
See description in College of Business section.
MGT B899 Independent Study in Management 3 cr. hrs.
See description in College of Business section.
MARKETING
MKT B601 Marketing Management 2 cr. hrs.
This course acquaints the student with the nature and scope of modern marketing management and strategy. It outlines the areas in which decisions are made in developing marketing plans and implementing marketing activities at all levels of production and distribution.
MKT B715 Cases in Marketing Strategy 3 cr. hrs.
This course acquaints the student with the nature and scope of marketing strategy. It outlines how marketing strategies are formed based on detailed market analysis. Students will learn how to approach marketing problems from different perspectives.
MKT B735 New Product Design and Marketing 3 cr. hrs.
This course covers the process of designing a new product or service and the processes of marketing that product or service. Important concepts covered are decreasing cycle time; determining opportunities; determining customer needs; translating needs into requirements; estimating sales potential; and setting price, distribution, and promotion strategies. Applied projects will be an important element of this course.
Prerequisites: FIN B601, MGT B611, MKT B601.
MKT B800 Global Marketing 3 cr. hrs.
Students completing this course will understand why organizations seek to globally market their products’ resources and how global marketing programs are shaped by historical, geographical, infrastructural, cultural, political/legal, economic, and competitive factors. Also, they will be prepared to make decisions with respect to the standardization or adaptation of the strategic elements of the marketing mix, the use of various foreign market entry strategies, and the most appropriate approaches to pursue strategic alliances, among others. These topics are identified and discussed via in-depth case analysis.
MKT B893 Special Topics in Marketing 3 cr. hrs.
Current issues and problems will be researched and discussed.
MKT B897 Internship in Marketing 1 – 3 cr. hrs.
See description in College of Business section.
MKT B899 Independent Study in Marketing 3 cr. hrs.
See description in College of Business section.