Business Administration (Undergraduate Program in the School of Professional Studies)

Program Chair
Description
Major Requirements
Program Policies
Course Descriptions

Program Chair

V.R. Nemani, Associate Professor of Business Administration

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 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
• International Business
• Small Business & Entrepreneurship

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:

ECON 101 Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 102 Introduction to Macroeconomics
PHIL 253 Business and Professional Ethics

Co-requisite courses are taken as part of the School of Professional Studies Core Curriculum. The required economics courses fulfill 6 of the 9-credit Social Sciences requirement; PHIL 253 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.

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:

BADM 101 Introduction to Business
BADM 205 Legal Aspects of Business
BADM 213 Quantitative Methods of Business
BADM 221 Financial Accounting
BADM 223 Managerial Accounting
BADM 231 Theory and Practice of Marketing
BADM 243 Information Systems in Organizations
BADM 325 Business Financial Management 
BADM 373 Organizational Behavior

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:

BADM 241 Computer Applications in Business
COM  290 Public Speaking
ENGL 209 Business Writing
BADM 251 Management and Leadership Development

Senior Seminar (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.

BADM 499 Senior Seminar

Concentration Track Courses (9 credits)

Students complete 9 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

NINE additional credits in Business Administration at the 200-level or above

Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management Track

ALL of the following courses:

BADM 252 Entrepreneurship
BADM 351 Entrepreneurial Finance & Resource Development
BADM 353 Small Business Development, Management and Finance

International Business Track

ALL of the following courses:

BADM 307 International Business
ECON 351 International Trade
ECON 353 International Finance

Return to top

Program Policies

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

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

Cross-tallied Courses:
Courses that are cross-tallied 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-tallied 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.

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

Senior Assessment:
All majors are required to take BADM 499 Senior Seminar at Trinity.

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. 

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 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.

Return to top

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 145 Internet Research
Explores the types of resources available via the Internet and World Wide Web as a function of the business environment. The content of this course will also include adequate instruction in the fundamentals of the Internet and the World Wide Web.
Cross-tallied with ISYS 103
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
Core Area I: Skills for Life and Work

BADM 213 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

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.
Cross-tallied with ISYS 201
Prerequisite: Computer proficiency
3 credits

BADM 243 Information Systems in Organizations
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-tallied with ISYS 211
3 credits

BADM 245 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-tallied with ISYS 213
3 credits

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 252 Entrepreneurship
Develops entrepreneurial skills through analysis and examination of the strategies employed by today's most successful entrepreneurs. The case study approach is utilized. Students learn about the entrepreneurial process, and about the opportunities and challenges facing entrepreneurs starting new business ventures. Identifying promising new opportunities, developing business concepts and marketing plans, and managing a new venture are integral components of this course.
Prerequisite: BADM 101
3 credits

BADM 253 Social Entrepreneurship
Develops awareness of social policy and change. Examines current external environmental societal factors. Analyzes current conditions and projected changes -- demographic, technological, political, legal, regulatory, environmental, and social -- facing business managers in the overall macroenvironment. Focuses on optimizing available resources to maximize benefit to society.
Prerequisite BADM 101
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 321 Intermediate Accounting
Offers an intensive study of the generally accepted accounting principles for asset valuation, income measurement, and financial statement presentation for business organizations, and of the processes through which these principles evolve. Focuses on important areas in financial accounting, including accounting for leases, pensions, and income taxes. Accounting for the equities of a firm's investors and creditors. Continues to focus on financial accounting issues, including financial instruments, asset impairment, and long-term debt.
Prerequisite: BADM 221
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 335 Consumer Behavior
Refers to the behavior that consumers display in searching for, using, evaluating and disposing of products and services to satisfy their needs. The study of consumer behavior is the study of how individuals make decisions to spend their available resources (time, money, effort) on consumption-related items. Relying heavily on case studies, the course requires students to understand and predict consumer behavior.
3 credits
Prerequisite: BADM 231

BADM 337 Advertising and Promotion
Studies promotional activity and marketing communication as they relate to the theory of exchange and the existence of an informational gap between procedures or products (goods, services and ideas) and the potential consumer. The tools of promotion include advertising, personal selling, reseller support, publicity and sales promotion. Decisions about the promotional mix, message, media and their selection and execution are discussed.
3 credits
Prerequisite: BADM 231

BADM 341 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.
3 credits
Prerequisite: BADM 243
Cross-tallied with ISYS 351

BADM 351 Entrepreneurial Finance and Resource Development
Focuses on principles of corporate and financial management, financial statement analysis and interpretation, effective planning, budgeting and financial control, financial risk assessments, and fundamentals of basic financial planning for new and small businesses. Includes in-depth discussion and analysis of entrepreneurial resource development and human resource management and development. Incorporates the study of ethical business decisions in the small business environment.
3 credits

BADM 353 Small Business Development, Management, and Finance
Covers the initial and continuing development, management, and finance of the small business enterprise. Focus is on essential issues of law, accounting, and technology as they relate specifically to the small business. Includes analysis of the basics of starting and maintaining a home-based small business enterprise, as well as small business planning and management in general, including customer service, public relations and advertising, goal setting, merchandising, packaging and pricing, employment, record-keeping, and financial management. Reviews the unique issues involved in owning and operating the family business, including succession planning, the family business culture, hiring and managing family members, the interaction between family and non-family employees, and operating the family business. In addition to lectures, the case study method is used extensively to illustrate opportunities and problems facing the entrepreneurial small business enterprise in America in the new millennium.
3 credits

BADM 355 Business Plan Development
Focuses on methods for entrepreneurs and small businesses to find and develop new business opportunities, including initial capitalization through partners and other investors. Includes a detailed study of the management of business personnel and associates, the analysis of competition in the marketplace, and the forecasting of business growth. Students learn how to define objectives, strategies, and action plans, forecast sales and expenses, prepare profit and loss statements, predict and manage cash flow, and determine sales and marketing strategies, among other key topics. Students are required to identify and define new business opportunities and to prepare related business plans.
3 credits

BADM 357 Venture Capitalism
Focuses on the essence of entrepreneurial success - new business development and venture capital financing, and on the opportunities and problems facing venture capitalists with small companies as they move from starting a business to its successful operation. New developments in private and public equity financing and the structure of the venture capital market are discussed. Topics also include the economics of financing contracts, starting new companies, investing in start-up companies, lending to small companies, conventional bank loans, private placements, and refinancings, among other issues.
3 credits

BADM 373 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

BADM 375 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
Prerequisites: BADM 251 or BADM 373

BADM 451 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
Prerequisites: BADM 101 or BADM 251

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

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

Return to top