Faculty

Scott E. Battle, Assistant Professor of Business Administration (Program Director)
V.R. Nemani, Associate Professor of Business Administration
Victoria G. Goetz, Assistant Professor of Business Administration [on leave Fall 2002]
Bill Steel, Assistant Professor of Information Technology

Return to top

Description

The Business Administration Program offers students in the School of Professional Studies an undergraduate major leading to the Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) in Business Administration. The Program also offers an undergraduate minor in business administration.

The business administration curriculum immerses students in an intellectually challenging field of study that develops the conceptual, analytical, functional, interpersonal, and communication 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. 

Students tailor the curriculum to address their particular academic and career goals. The following tracks of study are available:

• General business
• Information systems management
• International business
• Marketing communications
• Public administration
• Sport management

Course work in the Business Administration major is divided into five categories: co-requisite, functional core, professional skills, capstone, and concentration track courses.

Return to top

Major Requirements

To fulfill the requirements of the B.S. in Business Administration, students must successfully complete required coursework in the following areas:

Co-Requisite Courses (9 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

ECO 121 Introduction to Economics I (Macro)
ECO 122 Introduction to Economics II (Micro)
PHI 213 Business and Professional Ethics

Co-requisite courses are taken as part of the School of Professional Studies' 40-credit Core Curriculum. ECO 121 and ECO 122 fulfill the 6-credit Social Sciences requirement; PHI 213 fulfills the 3-credit Philosophy requirement. If courses other than these are used to meet Core Curriculum requirements, students must take these three courses as part of their Electives; they may not be taken as Business Electives. Public Administration students fulfill the 6-credit Social Sciences requirement using two Political Science (AMER) courses instead of the two Economics courses.

Functional Core Courses (27 credits)

These courses cover the functional areas of business administration, providing the student with exposure to the knowledge, concepts, and practices that are central to most business operations.

ALL of the following courses:

ACC 235 Financial Accounting
ACC 236 Managerial Accounting
BUA 223 Theory of Management Information Systems
BUA 290 Quantitative Methods of Business
BUA 302 Legal Aspects of Business 
BUA 324 Business Financial Management 
MGT 335 Human Resource Management
MGT 356 Organizational Behavior
MKT 221 Theory and Practice of Marketing

Professional Skills Courses (12 credits) 

One of the unique features of Trinity's business program is the inclusion of a professional skills component. This series of courses develops personal and professional skills that help contribute to success in the workplace.

ALL of the following courses:

BUA 215 Computer Applications in Business
COM 290 Public Speaking
ENG 384 Business Writing
MGT 254 Management and Leadership Development

Capstone Course (3 credits) 

This course provides students with the opportunity to synthesize the information, concepts, and skills acquired throughout the Business Administration Program. It is taken at the end of one's course of study.

ONE capstone course:

BUA 480 Senior Seminar

Concentration Track Courses (15 credits)

Students complete 15 credits in one of the following tracks, each of which is geared toward a particular career objective. A General Business track is offered for those wanting to add additional breadth to their program of study.

General Business Track

ONE course in international business:

BUA 337 International Business

TWELVE additional credits in ACC, BUA, MGT, and MKT course work (excluding BUA 105)

Information Systems Management Track

BOTH of the following courses:

BUA 353 Electronic Business
BUA 401 Project Management

THREE courses chosen from among:

BUA 230 Decision Support Systems
IT 363 Fundamentals of Information Systems Security
IT 307 Database Management Systems
IT 141 Introduction to Programming
Other relevant IT courses

International Business Track*

ALL of the following courses:

BUA 205 International Operations: Communication and Cultural Considerations 
BUA 337 International Business
ECO 373 International Trade
MKT 400 International Marketing

ONE course chosen from between:

INS 386 World Geography I
INS 388 World Geography II

*International Business students are strongly encouraged to become proficient in at least one foreign language.

Marketing Communications Track

ALL of the following courses:

BUA 205 International Operations: Communication and Cultural Considerations
MKT 231 Integrated Marketing Communications
MKT 250 Public Relations
MKT 370 Publicity and Media Relations
MKT 400 International Marketing

Public Administration Track*

FIVE courses chosen from among:

ADM 580 Public Administration
ADM 582 Public Policy Analysis and Evaluation
ADM 583 Public Program Evaluation
ADM 586 Public Finance and Budgeting
ADM 587 Human Resource Management in the Public Sector
ADM 588 Government Procurement and Contracting

*Students interested in Public Administration as their concentration should fulfill the Core Curriculum's 6-credit Social Sciences requirement using two Political Science (AMER) courses instead of the two Economics courses (ECO 121 and ECO 122). In addition, students must have completed at least 60 credits with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 to enroll in track courses. Public Administration courses will not be available until Fall 2003.

Sport Management Track*

FIVE courses chosen from among:

ADM 570 Sport and Society
ADM 572 Sport Governance
ADM 574 Legal Aspects of Sport
ADM 575 Sport Finance and Fundraising
ADM 576 Sport Marketing and Promotion
ADM 579 Sport Facility and Event Management

*Students pursuing the Sport Management track must have completed at least 60 credits with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 to enroll in track courses. Sport Management courses will not be available until Fall 2003.

Return to top

Minor Requirements

Required Courses (21 credits)

ALL of the following courses: 

ACC 235 Financial Accounting
ACC 236 Managerial Accounting
BUA 105 Introduction to Business
BUA 324 Business Financial Management
BUA 337 International Business
MGT 356 Organizational Behavior
MKT 221 Theory and Practice of Marketing

Return to top

Program Policies

Advanced Placement: Credit earned through AP exams may not be applied toward the major or minor.

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

Cross-listed Courses: Courses that are cross-listed represent identical courses offered with a different program prefix. Students may not enroll in or receive credit for more than one iteration of a cross-listed course even in different semesters.

Grades in Major Courses: Students are required to earn a grade of "C" (2.0) or better in all courses counted to fulfill requirements for the major or minor.

Pass/No Pass: The pass/no pass grading option is not accepted in courses to be applied for the major or minor.

Senior Assessment: All majors are required to take BUA 480 Senior Seminar at Trinity College.

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 or minor credit. 

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 and minor in business administration if the transferred courses parallel those required for the major or minor. Transfer students who elect a business administration major must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours in business administration major courses at Trinity College, of which three must be in BUA 480 Senior Seminar. Similarly, transfer students who elect a business administration minor must complete a minimum of 6 credits in business administration at Trinity College.

Return to top

Course Descriptions

ACC 235 Financial Accounting
Introduces students to the principles and concepts of financial accounting, including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Students learn to prepare income statements, balance sheets, and statements of owner's equity and cash flow. A strong emphasis is placed on the accounting cycle and on the preparation and interpretation of financial statements. Typically offered only in the fall semester.
3 credits

ACC 236 Managerial Accounting
Introduces the theory and practice of management accounting. Students learn to prepare budgets, the statement of goods manufactured, income statements for manufacturing concerns, and other internal reports. Topics include cost behavior analysis, job order costing, process costing, standard costing, variance analysis, responsibility accounting, strategic cost management, and capital budgeting.
3 credits
Prerequisite: ACC 235

ACC 375 Tax Accounting I: Individual Taxation
Introduces the theory of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) for individual taxpayers. Students learn the applications of IRC theory by preparing mock income tax returns for individual taxpayers. Topics include income inclusions and exclusions, tax exemptions, deductions and credits, and filing requirements.
3 credits
Prerequisite: ACC 235

BUA 105 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

BUA 205 International Operations: Communication and Cultural Considerations
Examines the structural, behavioral, and cultural aspects of communicating and managing across nations. Students learn to understand intercultural factors that affect communication and how cultural diversity affects international operations. Students draw on the concepts presented in the course to complete an applications-oriented project relating to cross-cultural communication and management.
3 credits

BUA 215 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

BUA 223 Theory of Management information Systems
Provides an introduction to systems and development concepts, information technology, and application software. The course explains how information is used in organizations and how information technology enables improvement in quality, timeliness, and competitive advantage. Cross-listed as IT 223.
3 credits

BUA 230 Decision Support Systems
Provides an understanding of organizational systems, planning, and the decision process, and how information is used for decision support in organizations. The course covers quality and decision theory, information theory, and practice essential for providing viable information to the organization. It outlines the concepts of IS for competitive advantage, data as a resource, IS and IT planning and implementation, change and project management. Cross-listed as IT 230.
3 credits
Prerequisite: BUA 223 or IT 223

BUA 290 Quantitative Methods of Business
Provides students with a sound conceptual understanding of the role quantitative methods play in the decision-making process. Quantitative and mathematical tools used in business for improving the problem-solving process by making it more rational and analytical are explained and examined. The course emphasizes the application of quantitative methods by using problem situations to introduce each of the methods, concepts, and techniques. Topics covered include probability concepts, decision analysis, utility and decision-making, forecasting, linear programming, and project scheduling (PERT/CPM).
3 credits

BUA 302 Legal Aspects of Business
Examines the basic principles of American law and the legal requirements and liabilities imposed upon businesses. Topics include dispute resolution, the judicial system, and the distinction between civil and criminal law; tort liability; intellectual property; contract law; the Uniform Commercial Code; agency law; the law governing forms of business organizations; and government employment, antitrust, and environmental regulations. Students are introduced to the principles of legal analysis and the significant common law rules, statutes, and administrative regulations applicable to business ethics.
3 credits

BUA 324 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: ACC 235

BUA 330 Personal Financial Management
Introduces the tools and concepts employed in financial management for individuals. Topics include analysis of investment alternatives; tax minimization techniques; financing the purchase of a personal residence; auto, medical, and life insurance; risk analysis; employee benefits; and retirement and estate planning. Students discuss methods for integrating these areas into an overall financial plan tailored to individual needs.
3 credits

BUA 337 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
Prerequisite: BUA 105 or MGT 254

BUA 353 Electronic Business
Examines the linkage of organizational strategy and electronic methods of delivering products, services and exchanges in inter-organizational, national, and global environments. Information technology strategy and technological solutions for enabling effective business processes within and between organizations in a global environment are considered. Cross-listed as IT 353.
3 credits
Prerequisite: BUA 222 or IT 222

BUA 401 Project Management
Presents an introduction to the principles and concepts of project management, an essential tool for the business professional in both the federal and commercial sectors. The course addresses all aspects of the project cycle. Topics include project initiation, project planning, team selection, project monitoring and control, risk management, and project closeout. Emphasis is placed on how to identify and meet schedule, cost, and technical constraints while focusing on customer needs.
3 credits
Prerequisite: BUA 105 or MGT 254

BUA 480 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

MGT 254 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

MGT 300 Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
Introduces the concept of entrepreneurship and the important role of small business in the U.S. economy. The characteristics of small business ventures and the techniques for capitalizing on their strengths and overcoming their weaknesses are examined.
3 credits
Prerequisite: BUA 105 or MGT 254

MGT 323 Supervision and Leadership
Introduces supervision and leadership theory and practices. Research findings of many approaches to leadership are reviewed and analyzed, with a specific emphasis on how leadership can be explained and applied in "real-world" situations. The course examines the strengths and criticisms of many leadership theories - trait approach, style approach, situational approach, contingency theory, path-goal theory, and transformational leadership. The focus of the course is on current issues such as team leadership, women and leadership, followership, and leadership approaches discussed in the popular press.
3 credits
Prerequisite: MGT 254 or MGT 356

MGT 335 Human Resource Management
Introduces theories and principles of human resource management. Topics include human resource planning and job analysis; recruitment, selection and placement; performance appraisal; compensation systems; training and development; organizational improvement; and employee rights.
3 credits
Prerequisite: MGT 254 or MGT 356

MGT 355 Issues in International Management
Studies the management functions of planning, organizing and control in the context of international business. Development of effective strategies with the objective of translating into opportunities the challenges of dealing with a diversity of social, cultural, political, economic and geographic factors is an important part of this course.
3 credits

MGT 356 Organizational Behavior
Introduces students to organizational theory and practice. Research literature, theory, and opinion about organizational behavior are reviewed and discussed, with specific emphasis on the individual, groups in the organization, and the overall organizational system. Topics covered in the course include personality and emotion, motivation concepts, decision making, group behavior, work teams, leadership and trust, power and politics, and conflict management.
3 credits

MGT 357 Introduction to Organizational Development
Applies behavioral science theories and techniques to assess the current health of an organization and its ability to adapt to environmental changes, improve internal relationships, and increase its problem-solving capabilities thereby increasing effectiveness. The course studies the essential steps for achieving change at the individual, group, and organizational level necessary to adapt to the dynamic external environment. The course also examines processes and outcomes of planned change efforts in organizations.
3 credits
Prerequisite: MGT 254 or MGT 356

MKT 221 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

MKT 231 Integrated Marketing Communications
Provides an understanding of the integrated marketing communications process and its relationship to an organization's marketing goals. The course examines components of an integrated marketing program, including advertising, sales promotion, direct marketing, personal selling, public relations, and publicity. Students apply concepts from the course to prepare elements of an integrated marketing campaign.
3 credits

MKT 250 Public Relations
Focuses on public relations in various settings (in-house consulting, nonprofit organizations) and the strategies, tools, and skills used by PR practitioners. Cross-listed as COM 250.
3 credits

MKT 370 Publicity and Media Relations
Examines the role of a publicist in various organizations and their relationship with the media. Also looks at the basics of media relations, testing and evaluating publicity, and using publicity as a tool. Students are expected to produce publicity campaigns. Cross-listed as COM 370.
3 credits
Prerequisite: MKT 250 or COM 250

MKT 400 International Marketing
Introduces the principles of marketing on the international stage and the strategies for competing successfully in the dynamic global marketplace. Topics include economic, cultural, and political-legal environments; international marketing intelligence; methods of entry into foreign markets; and international promotion.
3 credits
Prerequisite: BUA 337 or MKT 221

Return to top