Graduate Catalog 2004-2006
UDM Academic PoliciesCourse DescriptionsList of All ProgramsFaculty


MBA 510 Legal Environment
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours


This course reviews the immediate legal problems confronting business organizations in the contemporary world. Topics include: the formation of contracts, execution and defenses to contract claims, contract remedies and contract damages. Also considered are sales contracts that emphasize international sales. Special attention will be devoted to the employment contract with emphasis on early termination problems, sexual discrimination and harassment problems as these emerge via new interpretations of the law.
1.500

MBA 512 Statistical Analysis for Decision Making
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours


This course addresses the ever-increasing availability and use of quantitative data in decision making. The central concept of uncertainty and risk and the relationship between business decisions and games of chance are treated. Sample data analysis is followed by probability theory and models and functions of random variables, culminating in inferences from data.
300

MBA 514 Foundations of Management
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours


This course addresses concepts of organizational design and organizational behavior within the context of contingency theory. Organizational design focuses on the basic types of structures of the formal organization, as well as the key processes required for those structures to function. Organizational behavior focuses on activities of the manager, behaviors traceable to the informal organization, and to motivational needs of the organization's membership.
1.500

MBA 516 Foundations of Marketing
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours


The course examines the marketing functions in consumer, business-to-business, government and non-profit markets with an emphasis on the role of marketing in the organization. Areas to be investigated include marketing and customer information, market segmentation, global and ethical issues, as well as, product planning, channels of distribution, pricing and promotion analysis.
200

MBA 518 Foundations of Financial Management
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
ACC 510
ECN 510


The essential elements of corporate financial management are explored in this course. Topics include: ratio analysis, time value of money, risk versus return, leverage and all aspects of long term corporate capital budgeting and financing. The course develops the student's ability to evaluate business decisions.
200

MBA 519 Foundations of Production and Operations Management
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
MBA 512


Operations Management is responsible for planning and coordinating the use of the organization's resources to produce goods and provide services (convert inputs into outputs). Operations decisions involve design decisions and operating decisions. Design decisions relate to capacity planning, product design, process design, layout of facilities and selecting locations for facilities. Operating decisions relate to quality assurance, scheduling, inventory management and project management
200

MBA 520 Decision Analysis
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
MBA 512


This course familiarizes the student with frequently used models in decision science and management science. Such models include regression and correlation, forecasting and time series; decision analysis; risk simulation; optimization techniques, e.g., linear programming, modeling, operations research and management science methods.
300

MBA 521 Personal Development and Social Responsibility: Management Perspectives
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours


This course serves as a gateway into the University's MBA program. Three major threads are introduced. Personal development (e.g., personal values and life goals) team building, and issues of social responsibility (e.g., implementation of corporate social policy). These threads relate to three levels of the human system - person, group, and society. Exercises are also utilized to assess key skills required for managerial effectiveness
300

MBA 522 Corporate Finance
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
MBA 518


A practitioner-oriented study approach to the problems facing the corporate financial manager. Application of modern finance theory and tools to problem-solving in the areas of capital budgeting, working capital management, long-term financing and dividend policy and mergers and restructuring decisions.
300

MBA 524 Marketing Management and Planning
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
MBA 516


This course analyzes and assesses marketing opportunities and threats, assesses competitive advantages and disadvantages, and develops business plans that are consistent with these assessments. Specific topics include methods of market analysis and decision making in multi-markets and global strategic businesses. The course may include case analysis, a group project or a simulation that examines the strategic marketing position of the firm.
300

MBA 525 Leadership
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
MBA 514



This course addresses the characteristics of contemporary work organizations (flat in structure, team-based in decision making, networked for information sharing and communication, diversified in membership, and global in orientation) and the leadership function. It concentrates on the essential leadership skills of critical thinking, problem solving, written presentation, oral presentation, and behavioral flexibility. For each skill area, individual feedback is given to participants as the basis for personal and career development.
300

MBA 526 Information Systems and Technology
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours


A comprehensive study of management information systems and technology, theory and practice. The course presents concepts encompassing strategic impact, technology integration, managing rapidly evolving technologies, IT sourcing policies, application development process and partnerships and constituencies. The course aims to prepare leaders in managing the use of information, systems and technology to harness the power of new technologies to make better decisions and more effectively manage organizations, thereby enabling them to compete more effectively. This course uses case studies in a team format
300

MBA 527 Organizational Processes
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
MBA 514



This course examines the analytic framework and tools needed to analyze, manage, and lead the organization of the future. Features of the “new organization” are: flat, networked, flexible, diverse, and global. This form of organization is contrasted with it’s traditional predecessor, and forces are identified that help or hinder movement from the old form to the new. Certain skills that the manager will need for the new organization are investigated and practiced (e.g., the ability to work in teams or the ability to negotiate in instances of conflict).
300

MBA 531 Applied Decision Analysis
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
MBA 512


The management skill of modeling in support of decision making. Assessing uncertainties, risk preference and selecting the best course of action in a management decision making situation. Decision making with prior probability, decision analysis with sampling, incorporating decision preference into models. Single and multi-attribute utility models and risk analysis.
300

MBA 533 Operations Research
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
MBA 512


Deterministic and stochastic models and their application in business decision making and research.
300

MBA 535 Systems Simulation
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
MBA 512


Investigation of computer-based simulation techniques as a tool for analyzing various business, industrial and service organizations.
300

MBA 537 Systems and Project Management
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
MBA 519
and approval of instructor.


As technological integration and product complexity increase, so do new-product introduction lead times. To stay competitive, companies have sought to shorten the development times of new products by managing product development efforts as discrete projects using project management tools. This course provides students with up-to-date project management methods and tools to effectively plan, organize, and control product development processes.
300

MBA 538 Advanced Topics in Industrial and Operations Management
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
Approval of instructor.


Analysis of current problem facing industrial managers: JIT, flexible manufacturing and DSS.
300

MBA 539 System Dynamics: Managing Complexity
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
MBA 514
and approval of instructor


This course introduces students to system dynamics modeling for the analysis of policy and strategy in social systems. Students learn to visualize an organization in terms of the structures and policies that create dynamics and regulate performance.
300

MBA 540 Capital Expenditures
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
Core Finance


A study of those principles essential to an understanding of international investment and financing problems. Topics include current theories and practice and the global financial environment, foreign exchange, financial derivatives, financing international transactions, and global asset management.
300

MBA 542 Investments
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
MBA 522


This course introduces investment analysis. Topics covered include: securities markets, participating in these markets, valuation of stocks and bonds, risk and return, options, futures, theory and evidence of market efficiency, concepts concerning diversification, and an introduction to both portfolio theory and the capital asset pricing model, and its impact on finance.
300

MBA 543 Advanced Investment
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
MBA 542


The emphasis in this course is portfolio construction, assessment and risk control. Additional topics include: the development of modern portfolio theory, portfolio construction, risk assessment, the use of derivatives and their impact on concepts related to risk and return, and asset allocation decisions relative to market conditions. Much of this is done in the context of mutual funds.
300

MBA 545 Global Financial Management
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
MBA 518


A study of those principles essential to an understanding of international investment and financing problems. Current theories and practice on global financial environment, foreign exchange, financial derivatives, financing international transactions, and global asset management.
300

MBA 547 Real Estate
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
MBA 518


Course considers selection, financing and taxation of investment in real property. Types of real estate investments, concepts regarding risk/return relationships, sources of investment capital and the criteria for selection of real estate investment and financing sources are also considered.
300

MBA 550 New Product Management
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
MBA 516


This course studies the entire process of new product development from ideation, concept testing, prototypes, product design, packaging labeling, test marketing, national launch, and customer feedback. More recent themes in new product development such as total quality management (TQM) and ISO9000 compliance, innovation and improvisation, pioneer versus late mover advantage, market versus competitor orientation, and standardization versus customization are investigated. Case analysis of major new product/services successes and failures in the industrial and consumer goods sectors are undertaken.
300

MBA 551 Marketing Communications
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
MBA 516


A theoretical and applied study of communication strategies in marketing, especially media advertising, corporate advertising and promotional campaigns. The effectiveness of advertising and promotional mix strategies on influencing buyer attitudes and behavior are examined.
300

MBA 552 Marketing Research
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
MBA 512
MBA 524


as well as statistical techniques A study of marketing research as a process, including preliminary steps and research design, questionnaires, secondary and primary data sampling, processing and interpreting data, evaluation and effective presentation of findings. Behavioral science aspects of research are investigated.
300

MBA 553 Consumer Behavior
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
MBA 516


Current theories and research on the behavior of consumers is examined from the viewpoint of marketing management decisions, planning and research. The behavioral science concepts underlying the study of consumer behavior are investigated.
300

MBA 558 Global Marketing Management
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
MBA 516


This course studies the recent phenomenon and theories of global markets and opportunities, globalization drivers, global brands and services, global consumer cultures, global marketing strategies and tactics, and global market shares. Case analysis of major global companies in the industrial and consumer goods sectors are undertaken. Specific global marketing strategies addressed include: global strategic alliances; globalization versus localization; standardization versus customization of products and services.
300

MBA 562 Entrepreneurship
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours


This course covers the entrepreneurial process from conception to birth to adolescence of a new venture. It concentrates on attributes of entrepreneurs/intrapreneurs searching for opportunities, and gathering resources to convert opportunities into businesses. Students learn to evaluate new ventures and develop a business plan to pursue those ventures. It is stressed throughout that new venture development can happen both within and outside an existing organization.
300

MBA 564 Business Turnaround Management
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours


This class will explore the concepts, theories, patterns and recent cases of the four stages of corporate sickness: decline, distress, insolvency and bankruptcy. It will examine contemporary product, production, accounting, financial, marketing, alliance and joint-venture-based turnaround strategies to combat organizational sickness.
300

MBA 568 Diversity in Management and Marketing
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
Completion of Core requirements.


This course explores the relationships of diversity to organizational change and development, effective management practices, and successful marketing methods. Participants develop an understanding of behavioral competence in recognizing the importance of diversity relative to suppliers, fellow professionals, employees, managers, and customers.
300

MBA 570 International Business Law
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours


The internationalization of business throughout the world has introduced to the American business community the fact that American law no longer is the dominant rule. This course introduces the American business-person to the difference in legal systems governing international trades, the different legal rules and restraints imposed by treaty and by the realignment of the world business community, and the various remedies and protections available to the American business community.
300

MBA 571 Environmental Law
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours


An analysis of the impact of Federal and State environmental law on American business. The material covered includes creation of administrative agencies, empowerment, rule making procedures, the power of adjudication, compliance, penalties and dispute resolution. Public Acts considered include Air Quality Control Act, Water Quality Control Act, Toxic Substances Control Acts, Waste Management including underground storage tanks and National Energy Plans. Also considered are the international consequences of these acts and policies.
300

MBA 572 Human Resource Management: Personal Processes
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
MBA 514



Develops student competencies with respect to comprehending and performing HRM tasks required to integrate HRM functions in support of the organization’s strategic planning and implementation processes that depend critically on job analysis, selection and placement, training and development, performance evaluation and management, compensation of organizational members, meeting/exceeding legal and ethical standards of work place safety, fairness and security in the presence and absence of unions.
300

MBA 576 Organization in Society: Critical Issues in Labor
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
MBA 514


Current issues affecting employees as they deal with collective-bargaining processes. A study of past, current and anticipated goals, policies and practices of the U.S. labor movement.
300

MBA 584 Organizational Behavior: Organizational Analysis
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
MBA 514


Structural and functional effectiveness of work organizations and their implications for behavioral consequences. Mechanistic vs. organic systems, adherence to classical principles of organization, technology as a base factor. Organizational climate. Technical vs. social foundations of organization.
300

MBA 585 Organizational Behavior: Organization Development
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
MBA 514


The organization as a complex social system whose outputs are dependent upon human inputs. Issues and technologies associated with the introduction of organizational change, including laboratory training, diagnostic intervention (survey-feedback confrontation), process interventions (team development) and task and environmental interventions.
300

MBA 586 Organizational Behavior: Administrative Strategy
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
MBA 514


Administration as a dynamic process from the perspective of upper level management, with an emphasis on the political processes in the work organization. Power relationships established with internal and external influences. Types and composition of coalitions.
300

MBA 589 Managing the Global Firm
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
All core courses


Managerial decisions facing the manager of a multinational corporation. The case method is used extensively to examine marketing decisions, financial operations, personnel processes and strategies planning.
300

MBA 590 Strategic Management
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
Completion of MBA Core.


Administration as a dynamic process. Leadership strategy and the formulation, analysis and evaluation of organizational strategic policy. Case material and reports require the student to integrate his/her knowledge and skills for purposes of strategic policy decision-making.
300

MBA 592 Emerging Trends in Business
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours


This course is devoted to the investigation of significant, current trends in the area of business. Topics covered in the course vary across a wide spectrum of possible areas. Topics will be announced in advance. The course may be repeated when the topic changes.
1-300

MBA 594 International Studies in Business
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
Completion of all pre-core requirements and approval of program director.


Study in one or more disciplines conducted abroad under supervision of members of the faculty. This course provides students with the opportunity to gain additional perspective on international business, with specific reference to the host country. May be repeated once with permission of program director.
300

MBA 595 Directed Study and Research
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
Approval of instructor and the director of Graduate Business Programs.


Readings and research in a pertinent field of study chosen by the student and supervised by a faculty member. Conferences, oral reports or papers are required by the supervising faculty as evidence of work progress and project completion. May be repeated once with permission of director of Graduate Business Programs.
300

MBA 596 Integrated Field Project
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
Core Courses


To reflect the applied nature of this MBA program, participants are encouraged to directly apply what they are learning to their own job setting and life experiences. This (subject) is usually undertaken by identifying a problem or change affiliated with one?s work organization, describing that problem or change, and projecting a solution to the problem or likely outcome of the change. Participants then submit an approximately ten-page report to a faculty adviser; they will give an oral presentation of the report to their peers.
100

MBA 599 Master's Thesis
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours


(Open to students with approval of instructor and the director of Graduate Business Programs.) Requires the submission of a thesis under the direction of a supervising faculty member. Students should consult the Graduate Business Programs Office for format requirements.
600

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