KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM & MINERALS

COLLEGE OF INDUSTRIAL MANAGEMENT

NEW MBA PROGRAM

2016-2017

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 Table of Contents
MAIN FEATURE OF THE NEW MBA PROGRAM ...................................................................................... 4
THE NEW MBA PROGRAM ............................................................................................................................. 9
MBA COURSE DESCRIPTION....................................................................................................................... 16
ACCOUNTING ............................................................................................................................................... 16
ECONOMICS .................................................................................................................................................. 17
FINANCE ........................................................................................................................................................ 19
MANAGEMENT ............................................................................................................................................. 21
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS .............................................................................................. 24
MARKETING .................................................................................................................................................. 25
OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT ................................................................................................................... 27
MBA INTEGRATIVE COURSE (EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING/CAPSTONE COURSE)................................................. 29

2
 List of Tables
Table 1: Statistical Comparison between Current MBA and Revised MBA Programs ......................... 4
Table 2: Proposed Core Courses (excluding MBA 510) ......................................................................... 5
Table 3: Proposed Elective Courses ....................................................................................................... 6
Table 4: Electives Courses from Other Graduate Programs within KFUPM ......................................... 8
Table 5: Proposed Elective Courses ..................................................................................................... 12

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 MAIN FEATURE OF THE NEW MBA PROGRAM

Table 1: Statistical Comparison between Current MBA and Revised MBA Programs
Course Type Current Revised Summary of Changes
MBA MBA
No. of Pre-MBA Courses 7 3 Retain 2 courses
Drop 5 courses
Introduce 1 course
No. of Core Courses 11 11 Retain 5 courses
Drop 2 courses
Move 4 core courses into electives@
Introduce 6 new courses
No. of Elective Courses 45* 48 Retain 17 courses
Drop 28 courses
Move 3 courses from core to electives
Introduce 28 new courses
Total Credit Hours 45** 42#
No. of Needed Electives 4 3
*
38 courses without 7 different independent research courses; one of them must be taken as a core course
**
10 core courses (30 credit hours) + 1 independent research course (3 credit hours) taken as a core + 4
elective courses (12 credit hours)
#
10 core courses (30 credit hours) + 1 experiential learning course (3 credit hours) taken as a core + 3
elective courses (9 credit hours)
@
Including the core independent research course

The salient features of the new program:

1. New Pre-MBA program will be reduced to only three (3) courses

instead of 7 courses in the old program, which can be registered in one
term:

 ACCT 502: Introduction to Accounting and Finance

 ECON 501: Principles of Economics
 OM 502: Statistical Analysis for Business

The three courses can be waived based on approved waiver guidelines. Note that ACCT
502 is an updated course of ACCT 501 that addresses also some finance-related topics.

2. The total credit hours in the new MBA program are 42 credit hours,
with the following break-up:
The new MBA program has 42 credit hours. The program consists of:
I. A total of 10 core courses 10 (total 30 credit hours), and
II. One experiential learning course (total 3 credit hours). (This is a required
capstone course to enable experiential learning and integration of
knowledge), and

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 III. A total of 3 elective courses (total 9 credit hours)

The details are as follow:

I. Core Courses
There are 11 proposed core courses: 10 regular courses and one experiential learning
(i.e. capstone course MBA 510). Table 2 provides a list of the 10 core courses.

Table 2: Proposed Core Courses (excluding MBA 510)

Credit
Code Course Title
Hours
1. ACCT 509 Financial Reporting and Analysis 3
2. ACCT 510 Managerial Accounting 3
3. ECON 510 Managerial Economics 3
4. FIN 510 Managerial Finance 3
5. MGT 512 Leadership and Organizational Behavior 3
6. MGT 580 Strategic Management 3
7. MIS 511 Information Technology in Organizations 3
8. MKT 510 Marketing Management 3
9. OM 511 Management Science 3
10. OM 513 Operations and Supply Chain Management 3
Note: Courses # 1, 5, 7, 8, and 10 (in italics) are proposed new courses in addition to
MBA 510.

II. Experiential Learning (MBA 510)

A new capstone courses MBA 510, titled, “Business Practicum” has been introduced.
This is a core course with regular class meetings. This course provides MBA students
with experiential learning and integration of knowledge. The rationale is to integrate
the learning obtained in core courses in real-world projects and simulations.

It is envisaged that the experiential learning schemes can be engaged in practice in one
or more of the following ways:
a. Applied research project
b. Business model generation projects
c. Faculty led projects
d. Simulations and lab based projects.
e. Assigned by the course instructor to work through:
- Startup enterprises
- Consultation projects to startups or SMEs
- Facilitated engagements with for profit, non-profit, or government
Organizations.

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 III. Elective Courses
Table 3 lists all elective courses in the new MBA program.

Table 3: Proposed Elective Courses

NO1 NO2 Code Title
ACCOUNTING
1 1 ACCT 512 Cost Management Systems
2 2 ACCT 526 Internal Auditing
3 3 ACCT 532 Auditing and Assurance
4 4 ACCT 533 International Accounting
5 5 ACCT 535 Zakat and Business Tax Accounting
ECONOMICS
6 1 ECON 511 The Macroeconomic Environment of Business
7 2 ECON 520 Microeconomic Analysis
8 3 ECON 525 Energy Economics
9 4 ECON 530 International Economics
FINANCE
10 1 FIN 521 International Finance
11 2 FIN 523 Investment Analysis
12 3 FIN 524 Financial Derivatives and Risk Management
13 4 FIN 526 Mergers and Acquisitions
14 5 FIN 528 Management of Financial Institutions
15 6 FIN 530 Real Estate Investment and Finance
16 7 FIN 534 Portfolio Management
17 8 FIN 535 Islamic Banking and Finance
18 9 FIN 536 Venture Capital and Private Equity
19 10 FIN 537 Energy Finance
MANAGEMENT
20 1 MGT 511 Organizational Theory and Design
21 2 MGT 521 International Business
22 3 MGT 525 Human Resources Management
23 4 MGT 527 Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
24 5 MGT 530 Business Communications and Negotiations
25 6 MGT 531 Corporate Governance
26 7 MGT 534 Management of Technology and Innovation
27 8 MGT 536 Family Business Management
28 9 MGT 537 Management of Non-Profit Enterprises
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
29 1 MIS 512 Data Management
30 2 MIS 515 Systems Analysis and Design
31 3 MIS 531 E-Business Strategy

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NO1 NO2 Code Title
32 4 MIS 532 ERP Systems
33 5 MIS 533 Business Intelligence
34 6 MIS 534 Knowledge Management
35 7 MIS 536 Information Security
MARKETING
36 1 MKT 512 Applied Marketing Research
37 2 MKT 513 Strategic Marketing
38 3 MKT 520 International Marketing
39 4 MKT 521 Buyer Behavior
40 5 MKT 526 Services Marketing
41 6 MKT 532 Customer Relationship Management
42 7 MKT 533 Digital and Social Media Marketing
OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
43 1 OM 515 Business Forecasting
44 2 OM 518 Project Management
45 3 OM 530 Supply Chain Management
46 4 OM 531 Business Analytics
OTHER ELECTIVES
47 1 MBA 590 Special Topics in Business
48 2 MBA 592 Independent Research in Business

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Table 4: Electives Courses from Other Graduate Programs within KFUPM

ARE 520 Principles of Facilities Management

ARE 528 Real Estate Management
EM 530 Decision Analysis
CRP 504 Urban Economics
CRP 514 Geographic Information Systems
CRP 533 Public Works Management
CRP 536 Urban Transportation Systems
CRP 538 Environmental Planning and Management
ISE 514 Warehousing and Material Handling
ISE 518 Supply chain information systems
ISE 529 Maintenance Management
ISE 539 Systems Safety Engineering
PETE 551 Petroleum Economic Analysis
SEC 511 Principles of Information Assurance and Security
SWE 505 Principles of Software Engineering

 Other courses will need pre-approval

 MBA students can take maximum one elective course from other
KFUPM graduate programs

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 THE NEW MBA PROGRAM

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA)

The College of Industrial Management offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA)

degree, which provides the necessary education and skills to prepare students to work and
perform successfully at all, levels of management. The program covers all the functional areas
of business and allows the students to take additional elective courses that match their career
aims and their personal goals and development, which allows them to further integrate all func-
tional areas and gain the essential overall view of organizational performance. The program
accepts both full and part-time students and provides a list of deficiency courses for those
whose educational background is not in business fields. Various teaching methods are utilized
including experiential learning, cases, team projects, field research, and simulations.

While the overall orientation of the program is general business management, it also puts
sufficient emphasis on leadership, globalization, strategy, and stresses application of the theory
and skills to the Saudi business environment.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

An applicant for admission to the MBA program should:

1. A four-year Bachelor’s Degree (B.A., B.S. or B.E.) in business, engineering or
science from an institution whose undergraduate programs are substantially
equivalent in length, content, and quality to those of KFUPM, with a major in the
proposed field or evidence of suitable background for entering the proposed field.
2. Grade-Point Average (GPA) of 2.50 or higher on a scale of 4.00 or equivalent, and
a GPA of 3.00 in the subject of the major field. Official transcripts and degree
certificates are required for final admission.
3. Completion of TOEFL with a minimum score of 520 (PBT), 190 (CBT) or 68
(IBT). The TOEFL score must be sent directly to the Deanship of Graduate Studies
(KFUPM code is 0868). IELTS is also acceptable (min 6.0).
4. Completion of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) with an
acceptable score.
5. At least three letters of recommendation from the faculty who taught the applicant
undergraduate courses.
6. At least one course in college level calculus which covers both differentiation and
integration subjects.
7. A working knowledge of computers as evidenced by at least one course in that area
(e.g. data processing, programming, information systems, etc.)
8. At least one-year of full-time work experience. This requirement may be waived
for graduate assistants, research assistants, and applicants with exceptional
academic records.

ADMISSION OF STUDENTS WITH DEFICIENCIES

Students who are admitted to the MBA program are expected to have all the basics and
fundamentals in the functional areas of business administration. Those who have a deficiency

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in all or some of these areas will be provided with the opportunity to enroll in the deficiency
courses offered by the College of Industrial Management. The following conditions will apply
to these students:

1. They are admitted as Pre-MBA students and are not allowed to enroll in the MBA
core and elective courses until they complete all of their deficiency courses.
2. All Pre-MBA courses must be completed with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or more
for the student to be admitted to the MBA program.
3. Pre-MBA courses will not count in the MBA program GPA calculation for purposes
of graduation. The MBA cumulative GPA will include grades in the core, elective
and capstone courses only.

Pre-MBA Courses:

Each applicant’s academic record will be reviewed. The applicants who are deficient in the
basics and fundamentals of business functional areas will be provided with the opportunity to
enroll in all or some of the following deficiency courses:

1. ACCT 502 Introduction to Accounting and Finance 3

2. ECON 501 Principles of Economics 3
3. OM 502 Statistical Analysis for Business 3

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MBA DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The candidates for the MBA degree are those students who have been admitted to the program
and are not required to take deficiency courses or have completed their required deficiency
courses with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4.0 scale, and fulfilled all admission
provisions. The MBA degree requirements consist of 42 credit hours of which 30 credit hours
are in core courses, 9 credit hours in electives, and 3 credit hours in experiential learning.

The MBA degree course requirement: (42 Credit Hours)

1. Core Courses: (30 Credit Hours)

Code Course Title Credit Hours

ACCT 509 Financial Reporting and Analysis 3
ACCT 510 Managerial Accounting 3
ECON 510 Managerial Economics 3
FIN 510 Managerial Finance 3
MGT 512 Leadership and Organizational Behavior 3
MGT 580 Strategic Management 3
MIS 511 Information Technology in Organizations 3
MKT 510 Marketing Management 3
OM 511 Management Science 3
OM 513 Operations and Supply Chain Management 3

2. Required Experiential Learning Course: (3 Credit Hours)

MBA 510 Business Practicum 3

3. Elective Courses (9 Credit Hours)

Each student is required to take 9 credit hours from the list of elective courses. The student is
given the freedom and flexibility to tailor his electives to meet his personal and career goals
and interests. A student may elect to broaden his knowledge and skills by taking his electives
from different functional areas or he may elect to concentrate all of his electives in one
functional area to gain depth and specialization in that area.

In addition to the MBA elective courses available to the MBA students in the College of
Industrial Management, a student may take one of his electives from other graduate courses
offered in the University with the approval of the Department Chairman and the Dean of
Graduate Studies.

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List of Elective Courses

Consolidated List of all Elective Courses (Retained and New)

Table 5: Proposed Elective Courses

NO1 NO2 Code Title
ACCOUNTING
1 1 ACCT 512 Cost Management Systems
2 2 ACCT 526 Internal Auditing
3 3 ACCT 532 Auditing and Assurance
4 4 ACCT 533 International Accounting
5 5 ACCT 535 Zakat and Business Tax Accounting
ECONOMICS
6 1 ECON 511 The Macroeconomic Environment of Business
7 2 ECON 520 Microeconomic Analysis
8 3 ECON 525 Energy Economics
9 4 ECON 530 International Economics
FINANCE
10 1 FIN 521 International Finance
11 2 FIN 523 Investment Analysis
12 3 FIN 524 Financial Derivatives and Risk Management
13 4 FIN 526 Mergers and Acquisitions
14 5 FIN 528 Management of Financial Institutions
15 6 FIN 530 Real Estate Investment and Finance
16 7 FIN 534 Portfolio Management
17 8 FIN 535 Islamic Banking and Finance
18 9 FIN 536 Venture Capital and Private Equity
19 10 FIN 537 Energy Finance
MANAGEMENT
20 1 MGT 511 Organizational Theory and Design
21 2 MGT 521 International Business
22 3 MGT 525 Human Resources Management
23 4 MGT 527 Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
24 5 MGT 530 Business Communications and Negotiations
25 6 MGT 531 Corporate Governance
26 7 MGT 534 Management of Technology and Innovation
27 8 MGT 536 Family Business Management
28 9 MGT 537 Management of Non-Profit Enterprises
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
29 1 MIS 512 Data Management
30 2 MIS 515 Systems Analysis and Design
31 3 MIS 531 E-Business Strategy
32 4 MIS 532 ERP Systems
33 5 MIS 533 Business Intelligence
34 6 MIS 534 Knowledge Management

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 NO1 NO2 Code Title
35 7 MIS 536 Information Security
MARKETING
36 1 MKT 512 Applied Marketing Research
37 2 MKT 513 Strategic Marketing
38 3 MKT 520 International Marketing
39 4 MKT 521 Buyer Behavior
40 5 MKT 526 Services Marketing
41 6 MKT 532 Customer Relationship Management
42 7 MKT 533 Digital and Social Media Marketing
OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
43 1 OM 515 Business Forecasting
44 2 OM 518 Project Management
45 3 OM 530 Supply Chain Management
46 4 OM 531 Business Analytics
OTHER ELECTIVES
47 1 MBA 590 Special Topics in Business
48 2 MBA 592 Independent Research in Business

Electives courses from other graduate programs within KFUPM

ARE 520 Principles of Facilities Management

ARE 528 Real Estate Management
EM 530 Decision Analysis
CRP 504 Urban Economics
CRP 514 Geographic Information Systems
CRP 533 Public Works Management
CRP 536 Urban Transportation Systems
CRP 538 Environmental Planning and Management
ISE 514 Warehousing and Material Handling
ISE 518 Supply chain information systems
ISE 529 Maintenance Management
ISE 539 Systems Safety Engineering
PETE 551 Petroleum Economic Analysis
SEC 511 Principles of Information Assurance and Security
SWE 505 Principles of Software Engineering

 Other courses will need pre-approval

 MBA students can take maximum one elective course from other
KFUPM graduate programs

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Degree Plan for MBA Program (Full-Time Students) 1

Course # Title LT LB CR

FIRST YEAR

First Semester
ACCT 509 Financial Reporting and Analysis 3 0 3
ECON 510 Managerial Economics 3 0 3
OM 511 Management Science 3 0 3
MGT 512 Leadership & Organizational Behavior 3 0 3
12 0 12

Second Semester

ACCT 510 Managerial Accounting 3 0 3

MKT 510 Marketing Management 3 0 3
FIN 510 Managerial Finance 3 0 3
MIS 511 Information Technology in Organizations 3 0 3
12 0 12
SECOND YEAR

First Semester
OM 513 Operations & SCM 3 0 3
MGT 580 Strategic Management 3 0 3
XXX 5xx ELECTIVE 1 3 0 3
XXX 5xx ELECTIVE 2 3 0 3
12 0 12

Second Semester

MBA 510 Business Practicum 3 0 3

XXX 5xx ELECTIVE 3 3 0 3
6 0 6

Total Credit Hours 42

 1
Each student is expected to submit his detailed degree plan according to the above generic degree
plan for approval by the Department and the Deanship of Graduate Studies by the middle of the
second semester from enrolment.
 Students are required to adhere with the regulations of degree plan. No relaxations will be given to any
student and the courses taken in conflict of the above will not be counted towards the degree.
 The order of taking the courses can be different from above but students must take the core courses
before electives.

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Degree Plan for MBA Program (Part-Time Students) 2

Course # Title LT LB CR

FIRST YEAR
First Semester
ACCT 509 Financial Reporting and Analysis 3 0 3
ECON 510 Managerial Economics 3 0 3
6 0 6
Second Semester
MGT 512 Leadership & Organizational Behavior 3 0 3
FIN 510 Managerial Finance 3 0 3
OM 511 Management Science 3 0 3
9 0 9

SECOND YEAR
First Semester
MKT 510 Marketing Management 3 0 3
MIS 511 Information Technology in Organizations 3 0 3
6 0 6
Second Semester
ACCT 510 Managerial Accounting 3 0 3
OM 513 Operations & Supply Chain Management 3 0 3
XXX 5xx ELECTIVE 1 3 0 3
9 0 9
THIRD YEAR
First Semester
MGT 580 Strategic Management 3 0 3
XXX 5xx ELECTIVE 2 3 0 3
6 0 6
Second Semester
MBA 510 Business Practicum 3 0 3
XXX 5xx ELECTIVE 3 3 0 3
6 0 6

Total Credit Hours 42

 2
Each student is expected to submit his detailed degree plan according to the above generic degree
plan for approval by the Department and the Deanship of Graduate Studies by the middle of the
second semester from enrolment.
 Students are required to adhere with the regulations of degree plan. No relaxations will be given to any
student and the courses taken in conflict of the above will not be counted towards the degree.
 The order of taking the courses can be different from above but students must take the core courses
before electives.

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 MBA COURSE DESCRIPTION

ACCOUNTING

ACCT 502 Introduction to Accounting and Finance (3-0-3)

Introduces the basics principles, concepts and tools of financial accounting and corporate finance.
Topics covered include income statement and statement of financial position, purposes and limitations;
statement of cash flows; analysis of financial statements; the introduction to corporate finance,
introduction to financial markets and institutions, time value of money, interest rates, and risk and
return. Covers ethics in accounting and financial management.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing

ACCT 509 Financial Reporting and Analysis (3-0-3)

Gives an overview of the objectives and framework of financial reporting for prospective corporate
consumers of financial information, such as managers, stockholders, investors, creditors and financial
analysts. Emphasis will be on the analysis and interpretations of corporate financial reports and
publically available financial information for risk assessment, forecasting, and decision‐making. The
course will emphasize cross boarder financial reporting analysis (e.g. IFRS and role of IASB) in global
capital market. Ethical dimensions of corporate financial reporting will be considered. Topics include
income measurement, receivables, inventory, long-lived assets, investments, liabilities, equity and
affiliates, off-balance sheet items, and cash flow analysis.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing

ACCT 510 Managerial Accounting (3-0-3)

Provides the accounting concepts and techniques related to planning and cost control. It also provide
the framework to assess the behavioral dimensions of control systems. Topics include development and
uses of accounting data for management decision-making; cost concepts, behavior, and systems;
activity-based costing and activity-based management; budgeting, planning and control; pricing
decisions, strategy and balanced scorecards, performance measurement and compensation schemes,
ethics and management accounting practices.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing

ACCT 512 Cost Management Systems (3-0-3)

Emphasizes the methods and techniques available to measure and evaluate costs for decision-making,
planning and control, and strategic-based performance management. Facilitates to understand major
contemporary issues in cost accounting and operational control systems in modern firms. Reviews a
number of cost management issues relating to the design and implementation of strategic, operational,
marketing, value analysis, and other management models in modern firms; and identifies major
contemporary issues in managerial accounting and financial decision-making.

Prerequisite: ACCT 510.

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ACCT 526 Internal Auditing (3-0-3)

Introduces to the internal audit profession. Topics include concepts and principles of internal auditing,
professional standards, internal auditing process; risk, governance, and control issues; conducting
internal audit engagements, audit reporting, and impact of information technology; fraud audit,
emerging issues in internal auditing, ethics and internal audit practices; administration of internal audit
department.

Prerequisite: ACCT 509 and ACCT510.

ACCT 532 Auditing and Assurance (3-0-3)

Examines the principles and practices of external auditing. Topics include role of the auditor,
organization of the audit profession, and the audit environment; generally accepted auditing standards,
assurance services, auditor's independence, professional ethics, fraud auditing, forensic accounting
techniques, auditor's responsibilities, and legal liability; illustration of audit applications based on
discussion of the theory of auditing combined with practical examples of auditing techniques and
assurance procedures; discussion and analysis in light of auditor's reporting standards, audit process and
case studies and readings.

Prerequisite: ACCT 509.

ACCT 533 International Accounting (3-0-3)

Examines the accounting concepts and techniques for multinational operations and transactions. Topics
covered include, International accounting standards and organizations, transnational financial reporting
and disclosure problems, accounting information systems and control, financial planning, accounting
for foreign currency translation and inflation, cross-border taxation and transfer pricing, consolidated
financial statements, comparative international auditing and corporate governance, and international
corporate social reporting.

Prerequisite: ACCT 509.

ACCT 535 Zakat and Business Tax Accounting (3-0-3)

Gives an overview of the rules, and objectives of taxation zakat regulations. Participants become
familiar with the business income tax and zakat rates. Determination of taxable income and tax liability
of corporations and their implications on various corporate decisions such as capital structure,
distribution, business formation, cash repatriation, etc. Computing, assessing, and analyzing income tax
and zakat base for business entities. Major emphasis will be on local tax and zakat laws.

Prerequisite: ACCT 509.

ECONOMICS

ECON 501 Principles of Economics (3-0-3)

Introduces economic theories and concepts that focus on the functioning of individuals, firms, and
markets in a modern economy. First part covers microeconomics topics such as supply and demand in
individual markets, elasticity of supply and demand, theory of consumer behavior, the theory of the

17
firm, markets and competition and the policy choice that affect these markets. Second part introduces
macroeconomic concepts such as national income accounting, the measurement of the price level and
inflation, aggregate and aggregate supply, national output and income determination both in the short
run and the long run, consumption, savings, investment, government expenditures, business cycles, and
unemployment. Covers role of commercial banks in creating money and the role of regulation, monetary
and fiscal policies in stabilizing the economy.

ECON 510 Managerial Economics (3-0-3)

Links economic theories with business practice to create competitive strategies for sustainability and
growth. The topics covered include demand and production theories, the theory of the firm, economic
optimization, cost/benefits analysis, pricing policies, information and efficiency, strategic interactions
of consumers, firms markets, and regulators, and dynamics of competition.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing

ECON 511 The Macroeconomic Environment of Business (3-0-3)

Emphasizes the use of economic theory to understand the functioning of the world's markets and
economics and the impact of government policies. Topics covered include the determinants of the level
of national income and balance of payments, growth, productivity, labor markets and wages, business
cycles, investment, money and interest rates, inflation, exchange rates, monetary and fiscal policies,
financial crises and financial stabilization.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing

ECON 520 Microeconomic Analysis (3-0-3)

Covers selected topics like utility theory, analysis of demand and supply, production theory, labor
market, and capital theory. It also covers price and output determination in different market structures,
resource allocation, income distribution, welfare economics, the economics of uncertainty and
information, as well as the analysis of partial and general equilibrium systems.

Prerequisite: ECON 510

ECON 525 Energy Economics (3-0-3)

Focus on the pricing and consumption of energy sources such as petroleum coal, gas and electricity.
Topics covered include the analysis of demand and supply of energy commodities with special emphasis
on oil, the analysis of short-and long run costs of investments in energy resources under uncertainty,
pricing models for exhaustible resources such as oil, and modeling of long-run theory of demand. Other
topics include renewable and nuclear energy sources, energy efficiency and conservation, and the
environmental impacts of energy use.

Prerequisite: ECON 510

ECON 530 International Economics (3-0-3)

Covers both International Trade and International Finance in an open economy. Early part of the course
offers an overview of the world trade, classical and neoclassical theories of international trade, openness
and gains from trade, protectionism and government’s commercial policies. The later part of the course

18
covers exchange rates, the twin deficits, the relationship between exchange rates, interest rates and
inflation rates, the choice of an exchange rate regime and the impact of fiscal and monetary. Other
issues include monetary unions and international economic crises.
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing

FINANCE

FIN 510 Managerial Finance (3-0-3)

Emphasizes the impact of financing and investment decisions on firm value. Topics include
understanding risk and return, the role of financial markets and institutions, information and pricing,
capital budgeting under uncertainty, firm valuation, capital structure, payout policy, leasing, mergers
and acquisition, takeovers and other forms of corporate restructuring, bankruptcy, risk management,
corporate governance, measuring and rewarding performance.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing

FIN 521 International Finance (3-0-3)

Focuses on financial decision making in Multinational Corporation. Topics covered include the
operation of international financial markets, the determination of exchange rates and interest rates,
measuring and managing exposure to foreign exchange risk, accounting for international operations,
international capital budgeting, cross-border financing, direct foreign investment, political risk analysis
and international taxation.

Prerequisite: FIN 510

FIN 523 Investment Analysis (3-0-3)

Covers the basic concepts and techniques of financial investments. The topics covered include financial
securities and financial markets, market efficiency, asset pricing, portfolio theory, selection and
management of financial assets, valuation techniques for stocks and bonds, portfolio management,
portfolio performance measurement, derivatives and hedging.

Prerequisite: FIN 510

FIN 524 Financial Derivatives and Risk Management (3-0-3)

Covers the trading and pricing of a wide array of derivative securities including financial options,
futures, forwards, and swaps. The topics covered include that operation of derivatives markets, trading
strategies of derivatives, the payoff and valuation of divertive securities, the theory and approaches of
derivative pricing. The course will also cover the economic role of derivatives and their use in managing
risks such as currency risk, interest rate risk, market risk, commodity risk, and general business risks.

Prerequisite: FIN 510

FIN 526 Mergers and Acquisitions (0-0-3)

Focuses on strategic, financial, and managerial aspects of corporate restructuring such merger,
acquisition, and divestiture. Covers topics such as the strategic motives of mergers and acquisition,
deal structure and analysis, valuation methods, due diligence, leveraged buyouts, takeovers, takeovers

19
defense, deal financing, post-merger impact, business integration and organizational change due to
merger.

Prerequisite: FIN 510

FIN 528 Management of Financial Institutions (3-0-3)

Presents both theoretical and practical aspects of managing financial institutions and intermediaries
such as commercial banks, investment banks, and insurance companies. Major topics include the
organization and operation of the different types of financial instructions, identification and
management of various risks related to financial institutions, asset/liability management, capital
adequacy regulations; credit evaluation, lending policies and practices, liquidity management;
performance evaluation.

Prerequisite: FIN 510

FIN 530 Real Estate Investment and Finance (3-0-3)

Covers investment and financing aspects in real estate industry. Major topics include an overview of
real estate markets; analysis of residential and commercial real estate development, fundamentals of
property valuation, economic factors influencing property values, property management and appraising
principles for residential and income property, leverage, and methods of financing. Topics covered also
include mortgage financing, mortgage structuring and trading, Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)
structures and markets.

Prerequisite: FIN 510

FIN 534 Portfolio Management (3-0-3)

Covers the theory and practice of constructing, monitoring and evaluating investment portfolios.
Topics covered include modern portfolio theory, modern techniques for portfolio construction,
investment strategies and approaches, investment vehicles such as mutual funds and hedge funds,
performance measurement techniques, management of specialized asset classes such as fixed income,
private equity, real estate, commodity etc. Includes the ethical and professional standards related to
asset management.

Prerequisite: FIN 523

FIN 535 Islamic Banking and Finance

Addresses the conceptual framework and the practice of Islamic Finance. Early part covers the general
guiding principles of the Islamic contract theory with special emphasis on Islamic financial contracts.
The later part cover the implications of the Islamic contract theory on Islamic financial markets and
institutions and on regulations and standard setting. Topics covered include the operation and structures
of Islamic banks, sharia standards and regulatory framework for Islamic banks, Islamic financial
markets and instruments, Islamic insurance. Covers sukuk structures, the roles of sharia standards,
sharia boards and sharia audit, tax and regulatory issues relate to Islamic finance
Prerequisite: FIN 510

20
FIN 536 Venture Capital and Private Equity (0-0-3)

Examines the financing of startups and early stage businesses. The course will cover the valuation of
entrepreneurial ventures specially technology-based ventures, the financing methods, the structure and
the process of venture capital financing, funding rounds, later stage financing approaches, negotiations
strategies, exit strategies,. Addresses the structure and operation of private equity and venture capital
funds, the key interest alignment terms in private equity funds, the strategies for value creation,
harvesting and growth.

Prerequisite: FIN 510

FIN 537 Energy Finance (0-0-3)

Examines the unique financing schemes for energy investments. Topics covered include energy project
finance, non-traditional financing methods such as volumetric production payments, net profits
interests, royalty trusts, etc. The course will also cover the role of government regulation and tax policy,
structuring of exploration deals and the choice of royalty scheme, Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs),
energy accounting and valuation, energy financial modeling techniques including real option models,
hedging energy risk and the value of the firm.

Prerequisite: FIN 510

MANAGEMENT

MGT 511 Organizational Theory and Design (3-0-3)

Analyzes organization as an open system, with an emphasis on maximizing congruency among

organizational structure, strategies, and environments along with understanding the impact of
alternative design configurations and strategies on individual and group behavior. Includes an
understanding of organizational goals, various designs and structures available for different
organizational contexts, organizational culture, and processes like decision-making, communication
etc. Primary focus will be on organizational performance and effectiveness. Explains the linkage
between organizational theory and its practical applications to everyday management.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing

MGT 512 Leadership and Organizational Behavior (3-0-3)

Looks at organizations as multilayered realities operating at individual, group, interpersonal and

collective levels. Addresses issues of significance at all these four levels highlighting the role of
leadership in managing organizations effectively. Addresses a range of topical themes such as
contemporary theories and models of leadership by focusing on leadership styles, managing
commitments, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, and team dynamics. Applies the theories from
psychology and sociology on leadership and managerial practice. Topics include individuals and teams,
motivation, performance, rewards, problem solving, decision-making, communications, corporate
culture, political dynamics, diversity, power and influence, conflict resolution, ethics, giving and
receiving feedback, managing work, negotiations, leadership as well as organizational design and
change.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing

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MGT 521 International Business (3-0-3)

Develops the analytical capability and perspectives to manage a firm’s interaction with its international
and global environment. Enable students to better analyze and understand the opportunities and
challenges that companies face when expanding their activities internationally. Topics include:
international economics and political developments, the economics and politics of trade, business ethics
and CSR in the global context, international trade theories, comparative international strategy,
international strategic alliances, market entry strategies, country selection, modes of entry, international
marketing, organizing multinational enterprises, international human resource management, foreign
exchange and international capital markets, risk analysis, country culture analysis, and social and
cultural heterogeneities.

Prerequisites: MGT 512

MGT 525 Human Resource Management (3-0-3)

Applies current behavioral science theory, research and techniques to cover the topics of planning,
recruiting, selecting, training, evaluating, compensating, and developing human resources within
organizations. The coverage of these issues includes international aspects of human resource
management including expatriate management in local and multinational organizations. The course also
covers dimensions and relevant laws specific to the Saudi business environment.

Prerequisite: MGT 512

MGT 527 Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management (3-0-3)

Familiarizes the participants with the different aspects of entrepreneurship and new venture
development. Intends to study and develop analytical and conceptual skills in the management of new
ventures and small businesses. It will provide a framework for understanding the entrepreneurial
process and analyzing the problems and issues faced by entrepreneurs who start new ventures. Coverage
includes nature and importance of entrepreneurial activities, issues and challenges of launching and
starting a new business, business plan development and the processes involved in the managing,
marketing, financing, and organizing the enterprise. Emphasis is on applying and synthesizing concepts
and techniques from the functional areas of accounting, finance, managerial economics, marketing,
operations management, and organization behavior in the context of new venture development. Other
than new venture formation, the principles also apply to entrepreneurship in corporate settings, small
and family business management and to non-profit entrepreneurship.

Prerequisite: FIN 510, MKT 510

MGT 530 Business Communication and Negotiation (3-0-3)

Enhances the skills necessary to communicate and interact effectively. In the first part, the topics
covered are communication theories and models, verbal and non-verbal communication, barriers to
communication, communication styles, and cultural dimensions in communications. In the second part,
the course provides an understanding of prescriptive and descriptive negotiation theory as it applies to
two party negotiations, team negotiations, resolution of disputes, agents and ethics, and management of
integrative and distributive aspects of the negotiation process, cross-cultural negotiations and arbitration
for disputes settlement.

Prerequisite: MGT 512

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MGT 531 Corporate Governance (3-0-3)

Examines the means by which stakeholders attempt to ensure that the corporation is managed in their
best interests. Governance centers on setting expectations, policies, standards and ways to verify that
these are met. Topics include the structure of the corporation and the roles and responsibilities of the
board of directors and others stakeholders in monitoring management. It also covers liabilities and
fiduciary responsibilities of directors and other officers, and securities regulation with special focus on
topics related to Saudi Arabian business laws that permit or require the board of directors to consider
the interests of stakeholders such as shareholders' rights.

Prerequisite: MGT 512, FIN 510

MGT 534 Management of Technology and Innovation (3-0-3)

Addresses the core issues of managing technology and innovation within organizations. Develops
approaches to analyzing strategies within technology markets. Exposes students to the dynamics and
strategies of technology and innovation driven businesses. Topics include the technological basis of the
firm, technology strategy, integrating technology with the business strategy, R&D management, patents
and intellectual property, disruptive technologies, assessing the firms’ innovation capability, technology
life cycles, technology transfer, and economic, systems, managerial and sociological approaches to
management of technology and innovation.

Prerequisite: MKT 510, FIN 510

MGT 536 Family Business Management (3-0-3)

Examines the nature and uniqueness of family-owned businesses in terms of characteristics,

challenges, governance, succession, future generations, ownership and control, the impact of family
ownership and control on performance and firm value. Covers the cultural aspects of family business
across the globe, the growth and sustainability of family business, keeping the entrepreneurial spirit,
and managing the family wealth.

Prerequisite: MGT 512, MKT 510, FIN 510

MGT 537 Management of Non-Profit Enterprises (3-0-3)

Examines the nature and uniqueness of non-profit enterprises and voluntary organizations.
Topics covered include theories of nonprofit enterprise, social innovation and entrepreneurship,
strategies for non-profits, financial management for non-profits, accountability and control, volunteers
management, fundraising, collaborative partnerships, sustainability and growth, and impact
measurement.

Prerequisite: MGT 512, MKT 510, FIN 510

MGT 580 Strategic Management (3-0-3)

Introduces the process of strategic management in organizations, including strategy formulation,

implementation, and evaluation from the viewpoint of the top management. Takes students through
three pillars of the strategic management framework. First, students will be exposed to the tools and

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frameworks meant to analyze a firm’s external environment, internal environment, and organizational
paradigm. Second, students will learn how to assess a firm’s existing strategy and subsequently use the
information from their analysis to devise a new strategy or alter an existing one. Third, students will
learn how to implement an organizational strategy by understanding the important role of organizational
change and the implications of business level strategy on functional area strategies with emphasis on
integrating the functional areas of management.

Prerequisite: MGT 512, MKT 510, FIN 510

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

MIS 511 Information Technology in Organizations (3-0-3)

Use of information technology (IT) in business; IT planning; IT management; Strategic information

systems and its role in creating competitive organizations, Managing global corporations and adding
business values; Evaluation of IT impact on organizations. Challenges of managing IT resources and
services. Topics covered include types of IT roles, service delivery, IT function and IT governance.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing

MIS 512 Data Management (3-0-3)

Data management concepts. Database support for various levels of management. Relational database
model. Database development life cycle. Data modeling. Conceptual, logical and physical database
design. Database integrity. Database languages and technology. Data and database administration.

Prerequisite: MIS 511

MIS 515 System Analysis and Design (3-0-3)

Learning the mechanics and techniques in the analysis and design of information systems from a
problem-solving perspective. Applying various methodological approaches of developing information
systems including feasibility studies, systems planning, analysis, design, testing, implementation, and
maintenance.

Prerequisite: MIS 511

MIS 531 E-Business Strategy (3-0-3)

Covers issues that the modern organization must deal with in making strategic decisions concerning the
choice, implementation, and execution of electronic business solutions. Strategic use of IT and its
impact on business performance. Opportunities and inherent risks of IT use. Electronic business models.
Electronic value chain.

Prerequisite: MIS 511

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MIS 532 ERP Systems (3-0-3)

Evolution of ERP systems. Fundamentals of business process reengineering, process mapping, ERP
technical and functional features. ERP Selection, acquisition and implementation. Challenges
associated with implementing ERP systems and their impacts on organizations. Use of ERP systems to
support business operations and decision-making. Use of project management techniques to emphasize
team dynamics and management skills.

Prerequisite: MIS 511

MIS 533 Business Intelligence (3-0-3)

Foundations of BI. Role of BI in accessing and analyzing information for better business decision
making. Topics covered include BI framework, business process management & improvement,
performance management & evaluation and IT-based business analytics and reporting. BI tools and best
practices. Ethical, legal, and behavioral issues of BI.

Prerequisite: MIS 511

MIS 534 Knowledge Management (3-0-3)

Contemporary theory and practice of Knowledge Management (KM), with an integrated

interdisciplinary presentation. KM perspectives arising from artificial intelligence, information
systems, and organizational behavior. Technical components of computer tools and technology for
managing knowledge. Leverage knowledge effectively within an organization. Evaluation the nature,
computer representation, access, and utilization of knowledge versus information within a human
context. Preparation for managerial, technical, and systems workers alike in today's modern knowledge-
based economy.

Prerequisite: MIS 511

MIS 536 Information Security (3-0-3)

Concepts and methods associated with security of information and information systems planning,
designing, implementing, managing, and auditing security on various platforms, including worldwide
networks. Risk management and disaster recovery. Techniques for assessing risk associated with
accidental and intentional breaches of security. Legal and ethical issues related to the uses of
information systems

Prerequisite: MIS 511

MARKETING

MKT 510 Marketing Management (3-0-3)

Introduces fundamental aspects of marketing: how organizations discover and translate target
audiences’ needs and wants into strategies for providing compelling value propositions that maximize
organizational objectives. Builds upon these foundations to provide an understanding of the objectives
and typical marketing strategies of organizations and to develop skills in applying the analytical

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concepts and tools of marketing to such decisions as branding, pricing, distribution, and promotion and
how to monitor performance continually.
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing

MKT 512 Applied Marketing Research (3-0-3)

Application of research methods for enhancing managerial decision-making in marketing. It orients

the participants about each stage of the research process including problem definition, research
design, design implementation, data collection and analysis, and reporting the findings. The
course includes the use of multivariate research methodology and computer software specific to
marketing problems in customer analysis, market segmentation, market forecasting, and product
positioning and attribute preference research.

Prerequisites: MKT 510

MKT 513 Strategic Marketing (3-0-3)

Assist students in developing skills in the creative and systematic use of marketing concepts and
strategies in the design and evaluation of strategic plans. The focus is on the business unit and its
network of channels, customer relationships, and alliances. Specifically, the course develops knowledge
and skills in the application of advanced marketing frameworks, concepts, and methods for making
strategic choices like which businesses and segments to compete in, how to allocate resources across
businesses, segments, and elements of the marketing mix. Product life cycle (PLC) serves as the central
organizing theme of the course. It will explore issues such as designing optimal strategies for the launch
of new products, accelerating the revenue during the growth phase, sustaining profitability during the
maturity phase, and managing a business during the inevitable decline phase.

Prerequisite: MKT 510

MKT 520 International Marketing (3-0-3)

Develops skills, knowledge, and cultural sensitivity necessary to market successfully in an international
environment. It differentiates between global and multi-national approaches to all elements of the
marketing mix. Issues of globalization, standardization, inter-market segments in the context of product
development, pricing, distribution, communication, and segmentation in global markets are discussed.
Major emphasis is on the application of marketing principles in the multinational environment and the
cultural influences that require adaptation of strategies in diverse markets. Covers ethical and cross-
cultural nuances in marketing to developed and developing economies as well.

Prerequisite: MKT 510

MKT 521 Buyer Behavior (3-0-3)

Examines why consumers behave the way that they do. Introduces basic concepts and principles in
consumer/buyer behavior, decision processes and behavior of individuals and organizations as they
relate to the purchase and consumption of goods and services. Covers topics related to customer’s
psychological processes (e.g., motivation, perception and attitudes, decision-making) and their impact
on marketing (e.g., demographics and segmentation, branding, customer satisfaction). Examines social
and psychological influences on purchasing decisions, emphasizing their implications for marketing
strategy. Also covers concepts and relevant psychological and sociological theories of the behavioral
sciences, research methods, and applications in marketing management.

Prerequisite: MKT 510

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MKT 526 Services Marketing (3-0-3)

Develops skills necessary to manage companies in an increasingly service-oriented and technology-

driven economy. Gives an insight into customer loyalty principles and interventions – including
customer experience design and implementation of customer management program and in
understanding customer loyalty drivers and their impact on growth and profitability. Consideration of
demand management, customer portfolios, and frameworks to understand and position services in
highly competitive markets is also included.

Prerequisite: MKT 510

MKT 532 Customer Relationship Management (3-0-3)

Focuses on the development and implementation of relationship marketing strategies via the
use of CRM initiatives. Students will learn to apply CRM processes for managing the
relationships with potential and current customers. Topics covered in the course include
relationship marketing, role of CRM in marketing management, and reasons for CRM
implementation failure.

Prerequisite: MKT 510

MKT 533 Digital and Social Media Marketing (3-0-3)

Deals with concepts and theories that underpin digital marketing approaches and their relationship to
conventional marketing. It helps in understanding the role of new digital and social media marketing
within the growth strategies of both mature and new companies. The course introduces forces that drive
consumer behavior in the digital economy through developing practical skills relating to digital and
data-driven marketing, leveraging large data generated as a by-product of electronic interactions and its
critical analysis and evaluation. Teaches also how to develop capacity to test and measure various social
media marketing evaluations for businesses to gain significant advantage in the domestic and
international marketplace.

Prerequisite: MKT 510

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

OM 502 Statistical Analysis for Business (3-0-3)

Introduces basic essential topics in descriptive and inferential statistics with emphasis on
applications in business. Covers basic concepts of probability and probability distributions,
estimation theory, test of hypotheses, analysis of variance (ANOVA), simple and multiple regression
analysis, and introduces nonparametric statistics.

Equivalent to CRP 505

Not to be taken for credit with CRP 505 in the MBA degree plan.

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OM 511 Management Science (3-0-3)

Emphasizes utilization of quantitative and analytical skills in modelling and solving business
problems. In this prospective, some widely used mathematical models will be covered: Linear
Programming: Concepts and Solutions Techniques, Duality and Sensitivity Analysis. Transportation
and Assignment Models, Goal Programming Model, Network Optimization Models including
PERT/CPM project management models, Integer Programming. Additional topics may be selected from
Decision Analysis, Queuing Theory, Simulation, Quadratic Programming, Dynamic Programming, or
Non-Linear Programming, Applications of LP and other models in Business and Industrial Management
will be emphasized. Spreadsheet modeling and optimization will be used extensively in the course.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing

OM 513 Operations and Supply Chain Management (3-0-3)

Provides an overview of several operations and supply chain management concepts including process
design and analysis; productivity competitiveness, operations strategy, forecasting, inventory
management, quality management, scheduling, capacity planning, logistics and locations decisions, and
project management. By focusing on the roles of different parties involved in operations and their
interactions, the course will help developing the managerial insights for the supply chain management.

Prerequisite: OM 511

OM 515 Business Forecasting (3-0-3)

Focuses on principles and methods of business forecasting, including; short and long-term industry
forecasting, evaluation of reliability of existing forecasting techniques, national and international
business trends, the role of business forecasting in managerial planning, and the use of time series
models including exponential smoothing and Box-Jenkins (ARIMA) techniques for business and
economics forecasting.

Prerequisite: OM 511

OM 518 Project Management (3-0-3)

Emphasizes activity network, managing resources, and creating control mechanism that minimize risk.
Project leadership is explored in the context of building effective project teams and maintaining
stakeholder relationship. Topics include basic project management concepts including time and
resource constraints, planning, scheduling, work break down structure, Gantt Charts, network diagrams,
and project control.

Prerequisite: OM 513 (Equivalent to EM550)

Not to be taken for credit with EM 550

OM 530 Supply Chain Management (3-0-3)

Addresses strategic and tactical issues pertaining to an organization's global supply chain and logistics
activities. Topics include designing global supply chains, sourcing, evaluating international suppliers,

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outsourcing, logistics, financial management issues, relationship management, information
management, inventory management, and integration and performance measures. Relies on cases to
understand and solve problems related to the management of global supply chains and logistics.

Prerequisite: OM 513

OM 531 Business Analytics (3-0-3)

Utilizes analytic methods such as spreadsheet modelling, nonlinear optimization, multi-objective

programming, and Monte Carlo simulation in decision-making. Students learn to develop mathematical
models that can be used to improve decision making within an organization, sharpen their ability to
structure problems and to perform logical analyses, translate descriptions of decision problems into
formal models and investigate those models in an organized fashion, Identify settings in which models
can be used effectively, and apply modelling concepts in practical situations. The emphasis is on models
that are widely used in diverse industries and functional areas, including finance, operations, and
marketing.

Prerequisite: OM 511

MBA 590 Special Topics in Business (3-0-3)

Covering contemporary development or emerging issues in the fields of accounting, finance,

economics, management, management information system, marketing, operations management etc.,
which are not covered by other courses.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing and consent of the course instructor

MBA 592 Independent Research in Business (0-0-3)

Conducting research study on a topic related to accounting, finance, economics, management,

management information system, marketing, operations management etc. and adhering to all elements
of sound business research. The study methods and findings must be presented orally and in writing in
a manner that is consistent with acceptable standards of research communication.

Prerequisites: Graduate Standing and consent of the course instructor

MBA Integrative Course (Experiential Learning/Capstone Course)

MBA 510 Business Practicum (3-0-3)

Semester long course of experiential learning and multidisciplinary projects. Applying academic
concepts, analytical skills, and creativity to frame and resolve real business problems and challenges.
Types of projects will vary. Some projects require teams to create a business strategy, solve a market
entry problem, or perform complex financial modeling. Others ask students to generate product launch
plans, propose operations improvements, or develop new customer relationship strategy

Prerequisites: MGT 580

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