Business Administration (B.A.) (Undergraduate Program in the College of Arts and Sciences)

Faculty
Description
Major Requirements
Program Policies
Course Descriptions

Faculty

Diana Watts, Assistant Professor of Business Administration (Program Chair)
Cristina Parsons, Associate Professor of Economics
Mary Reintsma, Assistant Professor of Economics

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Description

The Business Administration Program offers students in the College of Arts and Sciences an undergraduate major leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree (B.A.) in Business Administration.

The curriculum immerses students in an intellectually challenging field of study that develops the analytical and interpersonal skills that are essential for success in an increasingly complex and global business environment. Students develop the ability to assess and analyze complex situations, determine the relative importance of internal and external variables affecting organizational objectives, make effective and ethical decisions, and confidently implement ensuing strategies. A variety of teaching methods are employed - including case studies, lectures, class discussions, group projects, and experiential exercises - to assist students in developing a comprehensive, holistic understanding of the issues and challenges involved in organizations and their management. 

The Business Administration Program in the College of Arts and Sciences places strong emphasis on the development of leadership skills and the incorporation of a global perspective during the entire course of study. In addition, it is highly recommended that students complete a period of study abroad during the course of their studies and an internship during their junior year.

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Major Requirements

Required Courses ( 54 credits)

ALL of the following business courses:

BADM 101 Introduction to Business
BADM 205 Legal Aspects of Business
BADM 211 Business Mathematics
BADM 221 Financial Accounting
BADM 223 Managerial Accounting
BADM 231 Theory and Practice of Marketing
BADM 241 Computer Applications in Business
BADM 251 Management and Leadership Development
BADM 325 Business Financial Management
BADM 328 Business, Government, and the World Economy
BADM 307 International Business
BADM 499 Senior Seminar

BOTH of the following economics courses:

ECON 101 Introduction to Microeconomics
ECON 102 Introduction to Macroeconomics

BOTH of the following courses:

ENGL 209 Business Writing
PHIL 253 Business and Professional Ethics

EITHER:

COM 385 Organizational Communication OR
COM 482 Leadership, Authority and Organizational Life

ONE additional course on leadership, selected with the approval of the program chair

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Program Policies

Study Abroad:
Students are encouraged to plan their studies to allow for the possibility of study abroad to obtain a greater understanding of how global economic, political, environmental, social, and cultural issues influence domestic and multinational organizations. Prior discussions with the program director are necessary to ensure that the courses taken abroad may be applied toward major credit. 

Advanced Placement:
Advanced Placement scores of 4 or 5 will be accepted for credit by the Business Administration Program to satisfy ECON 101 and ECON 102.

CLEP Policy:
Students wishing to receive credit for CLEP examinations should contact the academic advising staff.

TELL Policy:
The Business Administration Program encourages students with substantial experiential learning to apply for TELL credits in business administration.

Transfer Credits:
Students may apply transfer credit toward the major in business administration if the transferred courses parallel those required for the major. Transfer students who elect a business administration major must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours in business administration major courses at Trinity, of which three must be in BADM 499 Senior Seminar.

Grades in Major Courses:
Majors must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in their major.  Majors must receive a grade of "C" or better in required courses.

Pass/No Pass:
With the exception of internships, courses fulfilling a major requirement may not be taken pass/no pass.

Senior Assessment:
The senior assessment includes a comprehensive project to be completed under the direction of program faculty.

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Course Descriptions

BADM 101 Introduction to Business
Provides students with an overview of the functions and operations of business organizations. Topics discussed include forms of business ownership, research and development, marketing, finance, accounting, production, materials management, and human resource management.
3 credits

BADM 205 Legal Aspects of Business
Offers a comprehensive overview of the principal legal aspects of business management. Topics include: the legal environment of business; contracts; domestic and international sales; negotiable instruments; creditors rights and bankruptcy; agency; business organization; labor and employment relations; government regulations; property; and, special topics (insurance, wills and trusts, liability of professionals, international and comparative law, and law for entrepreneurs). The overall objective of the course is to become familiar with the subject matter by covering the above topics in readings and class discussion sessions.
3 credits

BADM 211 Business Mathematics
Explores quantitative concepts, ratios, and analysis commonly used in the various functional areas of business, including human resources, finance, accounting, and marketing. Topics include discounts, markup/markdown, interest, payroll, commissions, and ratios for performance analysis.
3 credits

BADM 221 Financial Accounting
Introduces the concepts and techniques of financial accounting as prescribed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASBE). Students study and understand balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, and journals and ledgers, and how to prepare them. Accounting concepts such as revenue recognition, asset measurement, alternative inventory valuation methods, intangible assets, present value, stockholders equity, and liabilities and interest are also studied. Students come away from the course with an understanding of the importance of accounting in business decision-making.
3 credits

BADM 223 Managerial Accounting
Provides a comprehensive introduction to managerial accounting for business managers, focusing on the principles and practice utilizing realistic business cases. Course emphasizes not the preparer's mode but rather the managerial interpretation and implementation of the work of professional accountants in order to facilitate wise and logical business decision-making. Course stresses basic concepts and the intuitive organizing principles evident in the three primary business management activities: financing, investing, and operating. Topics include process costing, manufacturing costs, cost terms (fixed v. variable, direct v. indirect, and product v. period costs), cost-volume-profit analysis, capital budgeting, and standard costs and variance analysis.
3 credits
Prerequisite: BADM 221

BADM 231 Theory and Practice of Marketing
Addresses the principles and processes in the marketing of consumer goods and services and the organizational and environmental variables that have to be managed in order to be successful. Course materials focus on the essential components of the marketing mix, including product development, distribution, pricing policies, and promotional strategies.
3 credits

BADM 241 Computer Applications in Business
Allows students to gain hands-on experience with business software packages including word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics, and database management.
3 credits
Prerequisite: Computer proficiency

BADM 251 Management and Leadership Development
Discusses the principles, concepts, and practice of management. Through participation in experiential exercises such as simulations, role-playing, and team activities, students learn how to be more effective managers and leaders, with a focus on personal awareness and growth and on building effective working relationships.
3 credits

BADM 307 International Business
Examines the interdependence of the economic, political, environmental, social, and cultural issues facing multinational organizations. Students gain an understanding of international trade, cross-cultural management issues, strategic planning, international marketing, and financial markets. Trade blocs such as NAFTA and the European Union are examined to assess their impact on U.S. organizations and the economy.
3 credits

BADM 325 Business Financial Management
Introduces the theory and practice of business financial management. Discusses the techniques of financial management such as discounted cash flow, financial statement analysis, cost of capital, capital budgeting and leverage. Capital market theory and functions of capital markets are also examined.
3 credits
Prerequisite: BADM 223

BADM 328 Business, Government, and the World Economy
Provides an introductory examination primarily of macroeconomic theory and policy. Its purpose is to assist non-economists in dealing with real world economic issues. The course deals with such topics as economic growth, money and taxes, the balance of payments, exchange rates, international trade, business cycles, and financial markets.
3 credits
Prerequisites: ECON 101 and ECON 102

BADM 491 Internship
Allows students to pursue an internship under the direction of a faculty member and an off-site supervisor.
3 credits
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

BADM 497 Directed Research
Allows students to pursue an advanced research project under the direction of a faculty member.
3 credits
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

BADM 498 Independent Study
Allows students to develop an independent course of study under the direction of a faculty member.
3 credits
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

BADM 499 Senior Seminar
Integrates the functional areas of business, international business, and professional ethics, with a strong emphasis on the synthesis of knowledge and skills gained throughout the business administration curriculum and on understanding how strategic decisions affect the performance of organizations. The course relies heavily on case study analyses and assists in preparing students for entry into the business world or graduate studies.
3 credits
Prerequisites: All functional core courses

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