Cox School of Business: Course Descriptions

Cox School of Business

Courses

Business Law

• BL 6224 - Managerial Perspectives on Law and the Workplace

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  Credits: 2
  
  Hones students’ ability to recognize, critically assess, and manage many of the significant and recurring legal issues that arise in the employment context. Takes a practical approach in equipping managers to effectively handle workplace issues and mitigate the risk of litigation while simultaneously protecting the business’ legal position in the event litigation does ensue. Includes topics such as protecting intellectual property in a competitive environment; strategic principles for designing, drafting, negotiating and administering employment contracts, including noncompete and confidentiality agreements; recent developments in discrimination and sexual harassment law; and the competing interests of the employee’s right to privacy and the employer’s right to know, such as the content of employees’ email messages or what Internet sites they visit. Also discusses the inherent risks in terminating an employee and the use of a release of liability as a risk mitigation device. The format of the class is a combination of lecture, informal class discussion, and case studies.
• BL 6225 - Legal and Ethical Environment of Business for Accountants

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  Credits: 2
  
  Provides an in-depth study of the Texas State Board of Public Accounting’s Rules of Professional Conduct and the Code of Professional Conduct promulgated by the American Institute of Public Accountants. A concrete understanding of these rules of ethics is necessary for both the practice of public accounting and, prior to that, success on the CPA exam. Also discusses related legal issues, including accounting malpractice and liability to third parties such as the creditors or investors of the accounting client.
• BL 6274 - Legal Environment of Business

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  Credits: 2
  
  Provides a managerially relevant platform that (1) embeds legal considerations into mainstream managerial and entrepreneurial strategic development and decision making, (2) identifies a variety of legal tools entrepreneurs and mangers can use to manage the firm more effectively during different phases of business development and the business lifecycle, and (3) provides opportunities for students to develop the ability to exercise informed judgement when managing the legal aspects of business. Prerequisite: Enrollment in the Online M.B.A. program.
• BL 6325 - Ethics and Related Legal Issues for Accountants

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  Credits: 3
  
  Students learn the ethical and legal requirements of the accounting profession, and the legal risks associated with ethics violations. Covers the provisions of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct, the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy’s Rules of Professional Conduct, and related law. Students hone their analytical reasoning and critical-thinking skills regarding ethics dilemmas and decisions. Prerequisite: Enrollment in the M.S.A. program.

Business Leadership Institute

• BLI 6202 - Business Communications and Development

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  Credits: 2
  
  Promotes students’ professional success as effective communicators and leaders. Covers interpersonal skills and the vital role that ethics, integrity, and trust play in leading a successful business. Develops communication skills necessary for effective career management, business presentations, business writing, and teamwork while increasing their understanding of contemporary business topics. Prerequisite: Enrollment in the M.S.A. program.

Entrepreneurship

• CISB 6210 - Essential Law for the Entrepreneur

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  Credits: 2
  
  Provides a broad awareness of and skill in coping with critical legal issues encountered by the entrepreneur building a growth-oriented business, from venture initiation through the expansion stage. Students also develop skills in minimizing exposure to liability and litigation and in working effectively with attorneys and regulators. Topics include contract law, legal entities, governance, intellectual property, e-law and e-litigation, securities law, dispute resolution and litigation management, employment law, and protection of intellectual assets.
• CISB 6211 - Enhancing Operational Performance for Entrepreneurial Companies

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  Credits: 2
  
  By successfully managing and directing the operations of his or her fledgling company, an entrepreneur can build a firm capable of withstanding the challenges of an ever-changing marketplace. The course uses lectures and cases to emphasize practical, real-world approaches to operations. Topics include industry and competitor analysis, assessing financial strength, the business model, building the management team, measuring costs, the legal foundation of the business, marketing issues, preparing for the challenges of growth, and growth by acquisition.
• CISB 6212 - International Entrepreneurship

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  Credits: 2
  
  Explores complex issues entrepreneurs face in doing business in a global environment and ways to successfully cope with that environment. Uses an international perspective to examine entrepreneurial opportunity identification and evaluation; market analysis and intelligence; joint ventures and partnerships; agents, VAR’s and representatives; regulations, laws, and customs; regional and cultural issues; financing foreign ventures; and choice of domestic and international legal entities.
• CISB 6214 - Law of Financial Transactions for Entrepreneurs

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  Credits: 2
  
  Explores the issues that determine the proper entity for a business (corporation, partnership, or LLC); the legal and practical issues in funding a business in the startup phase; and the tax, legal, and business issues that determine the proper structure for mergers and acquisitions. Also, how VC funding works and how to negotiate with VCs; the mechanics of stock option plans and how to design them; how to read definitive documents and what to look for; and how the IPO process works.
• CISB 6216 - Managing the Entrepreneurial Business I

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  Credits: 2
  
  Focuses on entrepreneurial management and leadership issues in a rapidly changing micro and macro environment. Topics include management of adversity and/or rapid growth, entrepreneurial leadership, and contemporary management theories applied to the entrepreneurial setting.
• CISB 6217 - Managing the Entrepreneurial Business II

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  Credits: 2
  
  Addresses legal and financial issues encountered by entrepreneurs trying to professionalize and grow the existing enterprise. Topics include developing visionary skills, protecting intellectual property, and managing rapid change. Also, turnaround strategies and approaches. Prerequisite or corequisite: CISB 6216 .
• CISB 6218 - Managing the Family-Owned and Closely Held Business

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  Credits: 2
  
  Explores the unique challenges and opportunities involved in owning, building, and managing family-owned and closely held enterprises. Examines key business, personal, and interpersonal issues relevant to the continuity and management of these firms, with a focus on family business systems and family dynamics.
• CISB 6220 - Social Media for Entrepreneurs

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  Credits: 2
  
  Equips students with the social media concepts and tools required to make informed decisions and set the direction for their company. Focuses on helping entrepreneurs build and sustain the successful, integrated, digital-media programs required to compete in the connected economy. Topics include leveraging social media, picking the right channel/platform, building a social plan, determining metrics, tracking strategies, creating a strategic differentiator matrix, and understanding social media law. Students learn how to develop buyer persona for a prototype product and how to develop an online go-to-market strategy for a new product launch.
• CISB 6222 - Starting a Business

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  Credits: 2
  
  Identifies, qualifies, quantifies, and validates an entrepreneurial opportunity, with the objective of deriving a repeatable, scalable, and profitable business model. Students learn how to take a validated opportunity and create a marketing plan, a financial projection, and an elevator pitch. Uses business modeling tools to develop and refine the business plan.
• CISB 6223 - Early-Stage Valuation and Fund

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  Credits: 2
  
  Focuses on securing funding in the early stage of a venture and on using the venture capital method for determining the valuation of the deal. Students learn how to prepare an executive summary, a financial forecast, and an investor pitch to early-stage investors, and to determine the exit valuation. Students gain an understanding of investors’ screening methodology, deal metrics, and equity architecture.
• CISB 6224 - Venture Financing

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  Credits: 2
  
  Explores evaluating the opportunity, developing the business concept, and assessing and acquiring financial resources. Examines the most important financing concepts for the entrepreneur, including startup, expansion, leveraged buyouts, mergers, and acquisitions. Also, situations where proper venture financing can mean the difference between success and failure.
• CISB 6225 - Entrepreneurial Exit Strategies: LPO, Sale, IPO, Recapitalization, and Liquidation

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  Credits: 2
  
  Examines one of the key strategies required of any entrepreneurial venture: how the founders and investors realize the appreciated value of their contributions to the business. Includes in-depth coverage of the strategies and methodologies for each of the major types of exit transactions: leveraged buyouts, the sale of the business, the use of an initial public offering, recapitalization of the firm, and liquidation of the business.
• CISB 6226 - Evaluating Entrepreneurial Opportunity

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  Credits: 2
  
  Provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to select viable opportunities and evolve them into high-potential concepts and business models. Topics include identifying and evaluating opportunity, evaluating markets, developing a powerful value proposition, creating a sustainable competitive advantage, developing powerful and successful business models, and evolving an insightful sales forecast.
• CISB 6228 - Corporate Entrepreneurship: Intrapreneuring

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  Credits: 2
  
  Detailed examination of the challenges and trade-offs a corporation faces when trying to implement and manage for corporate entrepreneurship. Develops and analyzes key elements for intrapreneurship, success drivers, and business frameworks and models. Topics include the definition of intrapreneurship and comparing and contrasting it with traditional entrepreneurship; the impact of corporate culture, processes, and structures on the rate of innovation and new venture development; international impacts on intrapreneurship; and models for sustaining and adapting corporate entrepreneurship. An M.B.A. graduate who can innovate and grow new ventures within a corporation can add significant value to the company for which he/she works.
• CISB 6229 - Blockchain Entrepreneurship

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  Credits: 2
  
  Introduces students to the basics of blockchain, including the founding history, the ecosystem, the technology model, crypto currencies (such as Bitcoin), new business models, and the ICO (initial coin offering). Students explore current blockchain business models in established corporations as well as in startups. The term project is to write a white paper for a blockchain startup using an ICO to raise capital.
• CISB 6230 - Teaming with Venture Investors

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  Credits: 2
  
  Examines business practices and applications that are unique to the venture-funded, early-stage company. Building a fast-growth, venture-backed company is different from building a company using the entrepreneur’s own funds or those of friends or relatives. The entrepreneur must be effective working with “smart money.” Students learn management techniques, organizational processes, and collaboration models that contribute to success as an entrepreneurial executive in a venture-backed enterprise. Covers what the venture investor looks for; evolution of the entrepreneur’s role as the CEO; and board responsibilities, leadership, and behavior. Also, recognizing the key challenges and typical mistakes that lead to failure in the early-stage, venture-backed company and how to prevent them.
• CISB 6295 - Directed Study in Cisb/Entrepreneurship

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  Credits: 2
  
  The student works directly with a professor on a specific project or projects. Credit is given based upon evaluation by the professor. Students are responsible for submitting a proposal to a professor for directed study credit.
• CISB 6485 - Directed Study in Cisb/Entrepreneurship

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  Credits: 4
  
  The student works directly with a professor on a specific project or projects. Credit is given based upon evaluation by the professor. Students are responsible for submitting a proposal to a professor for directed study credit.

Finance

• FINA 6201 - Managerial Finance

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  Credits: 2
  
  An analysis of the basic problems in corporate financial management. The course is organized around the theme of asset valuation. Topics covered include stock and bond valuation, capital budgeting, cost of capital, market efficiency, and company valuation.
• FINA 6205 - Finance Theory and Practice

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  Credits: 2
  
  This course examines the tools and concepts that form the core of modern finance theory, with an emphasis on practical applications. Topics include risk measurement and the investor’s portfolio optimization problem, asset pricing models, risk-adjusted discount rates, investment under uncertainty, capital structure theory, firm valuation, and an introduction to options pricing. This course must be taken before all other finance electives. Prerequisite: FINA 6201  or currently enrolled in M.S.F. program.
• FINA 6211 - Valuation and Analysis

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  Credits: 2
  
  Practical, applied overview of corporate finance that builds upon and reinforces the theoretical and institutional framework covered in introductory business and finance courses. Uses the case approach to apply concepts to real or simulated business situations. Focuses on the valuation of the enterprise. May include financial analysis and financial planning, corporate strategy, capital expenditure analysis, capital structure, or cost of capital determination. Recommended: FINA 6212  as a sequel course. Prerequisite: FINA 6205 .
• FINA 6212 - Corporate Financial Policies

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  Credits: 2
  
  Addresses topics in corporate financial management that are more advanced, primarily using the case method of analysis but may be supplemented by mini-lectures. May include corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, risk management, project finance, dividend policy, financial distress, real options, or recent advances in theoretical and empirical finance literature. Recommended: FINA 6211 . Prerequisite: FINA 6205 .
• FINA 6214 - International Financial Markets

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  Credits: 2
  
  Provides an overview of the financial environment that globally operating companies and investors operate in. Topics include exchange rate determination and forecasting, international fixed income and equity markets, barriers to international investing and the securities that overcome these barriers, international portfolio home bias, and law and finance. Prerequisite: FINA 6205.
• FINA 6216 - Portfolio Theory and Asset Pricing

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  Credits: 2
  
  Covers the theory and applications of risk and return in capital markets. Topics include the measurement of risk, diversification, portfolio theory, asset allocation, CAPM and APT models of asset pricing, and various measures of portfolio performance evaluation that arise from these models. Applications stress the use of portfolio theory and asset pricing models in contemporary investment decisions. Students examine the empirical evidence as it pertains to these theories and practices. Prerequisite: FINA 6201  or enrollment in the M.S.F. program.
• FINA 6218 - Fixed Income Securities

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  Credits: 2
  
  Provides an analysis of fixed income securities and interest rate derivatives. Topics include an overview of key bond markets, bond mathematics, theories and models of the term structure of interest rates, evaluation of credit risk, determination of duration, bond portfolio management, and interest rate derivatives. Prerequisite: FINA 6205 .
• FINA 6219 - Derivatives

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  Credits: 2
  
  Provides an in-depth analysis of forwards, futures, options, and swaps, with a focus on forward futures-option and swap pricing and the use of these instruments to hedge risks and formulate trading strategies. Includes applications to assess and manage risks associated with the energy business. Requires some proficiency in mathematics and statistics. Prerequisite: FINA 6205 .
• FINA 6222 - Financial Markets and Monetary Policy

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  Credits: 2
  
  Uses cases dealing with contemporary issues to address the role of the Federal Reserve System in stabilizing the U.S. and international economies. Covers the transmission mechanisms of monetary policy as it influences the cost and availability of credit in financial markets and its impact through financial institutions. Analyzes the changing linkages that stress the equity and fixed income markets rather than the banking system. May include the Fed’s role in international crisis management; the complexities of globalization and linked capital markets; the growing international emphasis on price stability as the primary goal of central banks; and the difficulties of dealing with an economy that is evolving toward a new, high-productivity paradigm characterized by government surpluses and private sector savings shortfalls. Prerequisite: FINA 6205 .
• FINA 6223 - Global Mergers and Acquisitions

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  Credits: 2
  
  An application-oriented course that draws heavily upon real world change of control case studies. Seeks to apply finance principles and analytical techniques to actual problems likely to be encountered by senior management of major corporations or those who are the advisers to such management in the context of an M&A transaction. Students gain an appreciation for the role that M&A plays in today’s corporate landscape and form an opinion as to whether or not an M&A transaction “makes sense” for the firm. At the conclusion of this course, students should expect to gain a level of competency in M&A commensurate with an entry-level investment banking associate in M&A. Whether or not students “practice” M&A, the course affords them an insider’s look into what is an undeniable major force on today’s corporate landscape. Accordingly, students who are interested in investment banking, consulting, equity research, corporate development, corporate lending, strategic planning, private equity, leveraged finance, or proprietary trading many wish to consider this course. Prerequisite: FINA 6205 .
• FINA 6226 - Quantitative Trading Strategies

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  Credits: 2
  
  Focuses on designing and implementing trading strategies with controlled levels of risk exposure. Students are exposed to quantitative investing using big-data analysis; arbitrage strategies using statistical techniques; risk management using simulation techniques; and strategy implementation based on market structure and high frequency trading. Mathematical and statistical techniques, with emphasis on financial applications, are covered. Prerequisite: FINA 6205 .
• FINA 6228 - Topics in Energy Finance

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  Credits: 2
  
  Through a combination of case studies, spreadsheet models, and class discussions, students learn about energy project valuation; techniques to recognize and measure the value of real optionality in project design; link between project structure and financial performance; hedging techniques to assess and manage commodity price risk, and the major industry players and the economics driving the energy value chain. Prerequisite: FINA 6205 .
• FINA 6230 - Practicum in Portfolio Management I

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  Credits: 2
  
  First of a two-course practicum. Provides real-time money management experience with the Nancy Chambers Underwood portfolio (approximately $4 million). Tasks involve sector analysis, evaluation of existing securities, analysis and due diligence underlying security transactions into and out of the portfolio, and performance assessment. Students meet 1.5 hours per week during fall term, and they are expected to take FINA 6231  in spring. Admission is by application in the spring term prior to the fall term enrollment, and an application does not guarantee admission.
• FINA 6231 - Practicum in Portfolio Management II

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  Credits: 2
  
  Second of a two-course practicum. Provides real-time money-management experience with the Nancy Chambers Underwood portfolio (approximately $4 million). Tasks involve sector analysis, evaluation of existing securities, analysis and due diligence underlying security transactions into and out of the portfolio, and performance assessment. Students meet 1.5 hours per week during spring term. Admission is by application in the spring term prior to the fall term enrollment for the first course, FINA 6230 , and an application does not guarantee admission.
• FINA 6238 - Financial Modeling

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  Credits: 2
  
  Presents practical examples and real-world templates and tools used by investment bankers and private equity professionals in 1) financial statement spreading and analysis, 2) valuation (using comparables, precedent transactions, and discounted cash flow analyses) of public and private companies in both minority interest and controlling interest situations, 3) construction and sensitivity of integrated cash flow models (financial statement projections), 4) analysis and construction of leveraged buyout models, and 5) analysis and construction of merger and acquisition (accretion/dilution) models. Classroom discussions are a blend of lecture and case studies, with case studies involving a hands-on modeling approach by all students. Homework/projects provide additional real-world context and practice for in-class discussions and case studies. Prerequisites: FINA 6205  or currently enrolled in M.S.F. program.
• FINA 6275 - Global Mergers and Acquisitions and Corporate Governance

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  Credits: 2
  
  The course is divided into two discrete sections: (1) developing an in-depth understanding of how and when to apply the appropriate tools and skills to successfully complete a transaction, and (2) applying what has been learned to solving real-world business problems. All major elements of the acquisition process are discussed in the context of a logical process. The course involves the application of what the student may have learned in such courses as finance, accounting, business law, micro and macroeconomics, management, negotiation, new ventures, entrepreneurship, strategic planning, human resource management, risk management, financial modeling, and business policy/organization. As part of pre-class preparation and in-class discussions, students are asked to solve both quantitative and qualitative problems and to analyze both publicly traded and privately owned companies with respect to valuing synergies, control premiums, and leveraged buyouts. Prerequisite: Enrollment in OMBA or MBA Direct Programs. (*updated* 12/8/2020; effective spring 2021)
• FINA 6280 - Directed Studies in Finance

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  Credits: 2
  
  The student works directly with a professor on a specific project or projects. Credit is given based upon evaluation by the professor. Students are responsible for submitting a proposal to a professor for directed studies credit.
• FINA 6281 - Directed Studies in Finance

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  Credits: 2
  
  The student works directly with a professor on a specific project or projects. Credit is given based upon evaluation by the professor. Students are responsible for submitting a proposal to a professor for directed studies credit.
• FINA 6374 - Fundamentals of Finance

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  Credits: 3
  
  Examines basic tools and concepts in financial management, focusing on the responsibilities, concerns, and methods of analysis employed by corporate financial managers. Students learn the difference between earnings and cash flow, present value mathematics, stock and bond valuation, capital budgeting, risk and return, capital structure, and related topics. Prerequisite: Enrollment in the Online MBA Program.
• FINA 6377 - Applied Corporate Finance

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  Credits: 3
  
  Examines the practical application of concepts and tools introduced in earlier finance and accounting courses. Develops the financial knowledge and capabilities that leaders require to successfully guide their organizations through investment, financing, and operational decisions. The primary learning framework is based on case studies of real and simulated business situations. Students become very familiar with spreadsheet analysis, cash flow projections, valuation tools and techniques, capital structuring alternatives, and available sources of capital employed in growing a successful business. Prerequisites: FINA 6374  and enrollment in the Online MBA Program.
• FINA 6430 - Asset and Wealth Management

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  Credits: 4
  
  Combines hands-on money management of equity and fixed income investments and the survey and application of the asset allocation and portfolio management process. Includes active investment management; student investment presentations; case studies; discussions of current investment topics; the study and applied analysis of different asset classes; and the management of multi-asset portfolios. Admission is by application in the spring term prior to the fall term enrollment; an application does not guarantee admission.
• FINA 6495 - Directed Studies in Finance

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  Credits: 4
  
  The student works directly with a professor on a specific project or projects. Credit is given based upon evaluation by the professor. Students are responsible for submitting a proposal to a professor for directed studies credit.

Information Technology and Operations Management

• ITOM 6202 - Management Decision Analysis

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  Credits: 2
  
  Explores how complex business problems can be analyzed, modeled, and solved in an optimal manner. Reviews decision-making under risk and uncertainty; the use and application of decision trees, including the incorporation of utility theory; the use and application of mathematical optimization models, including linear programming, network models, and integer programming; and simulation. Students develop spreadsheet models for making complex business decisions and interpret the results of such models.
• ITOM 6203 - Operations Management

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  Credits: 2
  
  Examines the fundamental concepts and techniques necessary for attaining a world-class performance in service and manufacturing operations, using a process management viewpoint to address a variety of strategic and operational issues. Consists of two interlinked modules: 1) process analysis, design, and improvement with exercises and cases to illustrate concepts such as capacity, cycle time, bottlenecks, and theory constraints and 2) improving medium- to long-term operational processes, with topics such as inventory management, supply chain management, and operations strategy. Introduces ways information technology is being used to reengineer and dramatically improve business processes.
• ITOM 6205 - Digital Strategy

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  Credits: 2
  
  Specifying an organization’s vision, goals, opportunities, and initiatives in order to leverage the increasing digitalization of people, places, and things for competitive advantage entails key objectives of a digital strategy that include building deeper interactions with customers, offering more customized and personalized products and services, making more data-driven decisions, and implementing organizational models and processes that are more flexible and dynamically adjustable to changes in an organization’s environment. Provides students with both conceptual tools and an understanding of digital technology so that they can analyze and critically assess the viability of digital strategies intended to create value and competitive differentiation. Prerequisite: ITOM 6202 .
• ITOM 6206 - Business Intelligence

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  Credits: 2
  
  Covers the design and use of enterprise data management systems for management decision support, such as data warehouses and data marts, multidimensional databases, and OLAP. Students gain hands-on experience with data warehouses and related peripheral systems, as well as data management skills that are essential for successful business analytics in large and medium-size traditional enterprises. Prerequisite: ITOM 6202 .
• ITOM 6207 - Supply Chain Management

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  Credits: 2
  
  Covers the supply chain from the perspective of a general manager. Students learn how supply chain design and planning decisions impact the performance of the firm as well as the entire supply chain. Each class session is a blend of theory presentation and case discussion, during which some spreadsheet modeling and analysis may be required. Prerequisite: ITOM 6203 .
• ITOM 6208 - Managing Big Data

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  Credits: 2
  
  Covers data warehouse and big data technologies at the heart of modern enterprise analytics programs. Heavy emphasis is placed on the development of skills required to enable students to be successful in their roles as effective managers of or consumers of business analytics. Topics include grid systems, federated and distributed database systems, and technologies such as Hadoop and MapReduce. Awareness of relational database technologies is important for success in this class. Prerequisite: ITOM 6215  or instructor permission.
• ITOM 6212 - Data Visualization and Communication

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  Credits: 2
  
  Students learn how to effectively develop visualization, gather insights, and communicate the results of the business analytics they perform. The course objective is to enable students to learn what data visualization is, the best methods of communicating with data, how to blend data using Alteryx, how to visualize data using Tableau, and how to build insights and communicate these insights through stories. Prerequisite: ITOM 6202 .
• ITOM 6214 - Advanced Management Decision Analysis

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  Credits: 2
  
  Students gain experience using spreadsheets to model and analyze quantitative business problems. Augments data analysis skills for business analytics in operations, finance, marketing, and strategy. Covers various modeling techniques (e.g., linear programming, nonlinear programming, integer programming, and simulation) and how these techniques can be employed in spreadsheets to improve risk assessment and decision-making in business. Presents spreadsheet design and the use of spreadsheet tools for model analysis (e.g., Visual Basic for Applications). Prerequisites: ITOM 6202 .
• ITOM 6215 - Database Design for Business Applications

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  Credits: 2
  
  Covers fundamental issues in database creation and design. Starts with mapping data collection in organizations onto a relational database with the objective of storing data consistently over time. Covers methods for information extraction from databases and generating reports to answer business questions related to the database. Homework assignments and an implementation project reinforce both the design issues and the practical skills covered in the course. Prerequisite: ITOM 6202 .
• ITOM 6217 - Data Mining and Machine Learning

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  Credits: 2
  
  Examines how companies can leverage machine learning and data mining to gain insights for operational and competitive intelligence. Reviews the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for business applications. Discusses several data mining technologies such as CART, neural networks, clustering, and association-based reasoning, and examines relevant considerations that managers must make in applying these technologies to different types of decision and planning problems. Includes lectures, cases, and hands-on exercises using appropriate software. Prerequisite: ITOM 6202. Prerequisite: ITOM 6202 .
• ITOM 6218 - Business Analytics Consulting

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  Credits: 2
  
  Organizations are faced with an ever-increasing velocity and volume of data, as well as more and more powerful technologies and sophisticated techniques for analyzing these data. Under these circumstances, a key challenge is to design and develop analytics solutions that provide insights that are perceived as reliable and useful by decision makers. The focus of this class is to identify concepts, methods and conceptual tools that will increase the likelihood of an analytics solution’s success with respect to improving organizational performance. Prerequisite: ITOM 6202 .
• ITOM 6219 - Predictive Modeling with Web and Social Media Data

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  Credits: 2
  
  Focuses on social network analysis, including how and why networks form, how network structure impacts platform and product strategies, and how innovation diffuses in such networks. Explores text and data mining, including how to interpret structured, semi-structured, and unstructured user generated content. Discusses web analytics, including what metric to use while measuring a platform’s performance in web and social media and how to address challenges such as the attribution problem. Covers the use of analytic tools such as NodeXL, SAS (Text Miner, Sentiment Analyzer), R, Python, and Google Analytics to model, visualize, and understand such network data. Prerequisite: ITOM 6202  or enrollment in M.S.B.A. Program.
• ITOM 6220 - Revenue Management

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  Credits: 2
  
  Investigates methods and models for increasing revenue by actively managing prices and capacities for the firm (airline, hotel, railroad, rental car, retail sectors, etc.). Covers a broad range of topics, including price optimization (with and without capacity constraints), Littlewood’s two-class model (and extensions), the n-class single resource revenue management problem, nested capacity controls, bid price controls, heuristic approaches, network capacity control (multiresource problems), overbooking models, markdown optimization, and assortment optimization. Students learn how to implement all models in spreadsheets. Prerequisites: MAST 6201  and ITOM 6202  or enrollment in the M.S.B.A. program.
• ITOM 6222 - Business Forecasting

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  Credits: 2
  
  From forecasting aggregate-level sales to predicting whether a customer will choose a particular product, analytic techniques are used by businesses to make rigorous, data-driven predictions. Students learn to distinguish between trend and seasonality and to utilize both for making forecasts in such areas as sales and operational planning. Explores analytic models such as deterministic time-trend, exponential smoothing, Holt-Winters, autoregressive exogenous, and Box-Jenkins. Covers how to use industry and government metrics and how to present results to management. Prerequisites: ITOM 6202  and MAST 6201 , or current enrollment in the M.S.B.A. program.
• ITOM 6224 - Managing Service Operations

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  Credits: 2
  
  The service sector represents the largest part of most industrial economies. Industries such as financial services, health care, transportation, hospitality, and communications all face ever-more intense competition and increasing customer expectations based on their operational performance. Students explore the major managerial problems and issues in service sector companies and in the service functions of manufacturing firms, and they use analytical techniques (e.g., process analysis, forecasting, optimization, simulation, and yield management) to explore questions about the strategic service vision, design and delivery of services, capacity and demand management, service quality and productivity, customer service management, technology in service operations, and globalization of services. Provides the language, concepts, insights, and tools to deal with these issues and to gain a competitive advantage. Prerequisites: ITOM 6202 , ITOM 6203  or current enrollment in the M.S.B.A. program.
• ITOM 6225 - Project Management

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  Credits: 2
  
  Managing projects in a cost-effective and timely manner is one of the most challenging tasks in any organization. Competent project leadership requires understanding how to allocate financial, material, and time-based resources and how to motivate and maintain the project team’s focus. Students learn relevant project management skills by examining project decisions. Includes structuring and managing the task and leading the project team in an individual project. Also, aggregate linkages across a portfolio of projects and management of programs, and alliances across firms, project contracting, and open innovation management. Introduces tools and concepts that enable project managers to evaluate, manage, and execute critical functions of any project while ensuring speed, efficiency, and market impact. Prerequisite: ITOM 6203  or enrollment in the M.S.B.A. program.
• ITOM 6226 - Operations Analytics

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  Credits: 2
  
  Organizations invest the bulk of their human and financial resources in their operations functions. Operations that are more efficient typically result in better performance. Students study analytical models and techniques to understand the role that analytics and analytical models can play in improving an organization’s operational processes. Decision-making under uncertainty is addressed using static stochastic optimization, two-stage optimization with recourse, and sequential decision-making. Uses optimization models to tackle problems in inventory management, revenue management, supply chain management, project management, and new product development. Also, how strategic decisions can be aided by data-driven, analytical models. Covers some core aspects of business strategy, including external analysis, competitor analysis, and opportunity analysis. Prerequisites: ITOM 6202 , ITOM 6203  or enrollment in the M.S.B.A. program.
• ITOM 6227 - Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies in Business

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  Credits: 2
  
  Provides an overview of the foundations of Blockchain and cryptocurrencies and discusses their applications in business. Topics covered include basics of Blockchain technology, mechanics of popular cryptocurrencies, applications to FinTech, Blockchain-based business models, digital tokens, and regulations. Students gain understanding of opportunities and challenges associated with Blockchain, and explore specific business situations where the technology can be effectively deployed. Prerequisites: ITOM 6202  and ITOM 6203  or enrollment in M.S.B.A. program. (*updated* 11/3/2020; effective spring 2021)
• ITOM 6231 - Special Topics in Information Technology and Operations Management

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  Credits: 2
  
  Surveys contemporary issues and trends in the management of information technology, and its use in both operations and competitive markets. Recent topics include IT-enabled organizational change and business process outsourcing and offshoring. Prerequisites: ITOM 6202 , ITOM 6203 .
• ITOM 6252 - Decision Models

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  Credits: 2
  
  Explores how complex business problems can be analyzed, modeled, and solved in an optimal manner. Reviews decision-making under risk and uncertainty; the use and application of decision trees; the use and application of mathematical optimization models, including linear programming, network models, and integer programming; and simulation. Students develop spreadsheet models for making complex business decisions and interpret the results of such models. Prerequisite: Enrollment in the M.S.B.A. program.
• ITOM 6253 - Programming for Analytics

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  Credits: 2
  
  This course is an introduction to practical analysis with emphasis on the use of programs and computer packages. The student will learn the essentials of and demonstrate proficiency in data management including acquisition, storage and access to real world data; Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA); Analytic programming: structured programming in R and Python; introduction to Data Mining. Prerequisite: Enrollment in M.S.B.A. Program.
• ITOM 6256 - Business Intelligence

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  Credits: 2
  
  Covers the design and use of enterprise data management systems for management decision support, such as data warehouses and data marts, multidimensional databases, and OLAP. Students gain hands-on experience with data warehouses and related peripheral systems, as well as data management skills that are essential for successful business analytics in large and medium-size traditional enterprises. Prerequisite: Enrollment in the M.S.B.A. program.
• ITOM 6258 - Big Data Platforms

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  Credits: 2
  
  Covers Hadoop and Spark, the platforms at the heart of most big data analytics initiatives. Heavy emphasis is on the development of skills required for students to be successful as analysts. Students attempt a professional certification as a demonstration of their newly developed skills. Prerequisites: Enrollment in the M.S.B.A. program and knowledge of SQL and Python.
• ITOM 6264 - Advanced Decision Models

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  Credits: 2
  
  Students gain experience using spreadsheets to model and analyze quantitative business problems. Augments data analysis skills for business analytics in operations, finance, marketing, and strategy. Covers various modeling techniques (e.g., linear programming, nonlinear programming, integer programming and simulation) and how these techniques can be employed in spreadsheets to improve risk assessment and decision-making in business. Presents spreadsheet design and the use of spreadsheet tools for model analysis (e.g., Visual Basic for Applications). Prerequisites: Enrollment in the M.S.B.A. program and ITOM 6252 .
• ITOM 6265 - Database Design for Business Applications

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  Credits: 2
  
  Covers fundamental issues in database creation and design. Begins with mapping data collection in organizations onto a relational database with the objective of storing data consistently over time. Covers methods for information extraction from databases and generating reports to answer business questions related to the database. Homework assignments and an implementation project reinforce both the design issues and the practical skills covered in the course. Prerequisite: Enrollment in the M.S.B.A. program.
• ITOM 6267 - Data Mining

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  Credits: 2
  
  Examines how companies can build models to gain knowledge and insights for operational and competitive intelligence from their data resources. Surveys several data mining technologies such as machine learning, neural networks, clustering, and association-based reasoning and examines relevant considerations that managers must make in applying these technologies to different types of decision and planning problems. Includes lectures, cases, and hands-on exercises using appropriate software. Prerequisites: Enrollment in the M.S.B.A. program and ITOM 6252 .
• ITOM 6268 - Business Analytics Consulting

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  Credits: 2
  
  Focuses on identifying concepts, methods, and conceptual tools that will increase the likelihood of an analytics solution’s success with respect to improving organizational performance. Prerequisite: Enrollment in the M.S.B.A. program.
• ITOM 6269 - Web and Social Media Analytics

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  Credits: 2
  
  Focuses on social network analysis, including how and why networks form, how network structure impacts platform and product strategies, and how innovation diffuses in such networks. Explores text and data mining, including how to interpret structured, semi-structured, and unstructured user generated content. Discusses web analytics, including what metric to use while measuring a platform’s performance in web and social media and how to address challenges such as the attribution problem. Covers the use of analytic tools such as NodeXL, SAS (Text Miner, Sentiment Analyzer), R, Python, and Google Analytics to model, visualize, and understand such network data. Prerequisite: Enrollment in the M.S.B.A. program.
• ITOM 6274 - Data Analytics II

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  Credits: 2
  
  An introduction to some of the decision-modeling techniques available for analyzing business problems. Discusses various modeling techniques, including nonlinear programming (optimization), linear programming, integer programming, and simulation. Involves building models for some of the following: monitoring mutual fund managers, managing portfolios, benchmarking organizations, redesigning distribution networks, scoring credit, purchasing subassemblies, stocking retail inventory, and processing checks. Prerequisite: Enrollment in Online MBA Program.
• ITOM 6277 - Global Supply Chain

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  Credits: 2
  
  Discusses the fields of operations management and information technology and the fundamental concepts and techniques necessary for obtaining world-class performance in these areas. Reviews operations management topics and introduces the way information technology is being used to re-engineer and dramatically improve business processes. Also, analyzes the strategic use of information technology, reviewing such related topics as electronic commerce and knowledge. Prerequisite: Enrollment in Online MBA Program.
• ITOM 6285 - Directed Studies in Information and Operations

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  Credits: 2
  
  The student works directly with a professor on a specific project or projects. Credit is given based upon evaluation by the professor. Students are responsible for submitting a proposal to a professor for directed studies credit.
• ITOM 6295 - Directed Studies in Business Analytics

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  Credits: 2
  
  The student works directly with a professor on a specific project or projects. Credit is given based upon evaluation by the professor. The student must submit a proposal to a professor for directed study credit.
• ITOM 6410 - Business Analytics Capstone

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  Credits: 4
  
  A semester-long course that enables students to understand the complexities of a complete analytics project and the major components of the system development life cycle (SDLC) and agile analytics development. Students work with real companies to understand their business analytics challenge and, using real data, apply the academic concepts, including the analysis of the business needs which they have learned in the classroom, to build an analytic system for the company. Prerequisite: Enrollment in the M.S.B.A. program.
• ITOM 6485 - Directed Studies in Information and Operations

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  Credits: 4
  
  The student works directly with a professor on a specific project or projects. Credit is given based upon evaluation by the professor. Students are responsible for submitting a proposal to a professor for directed studies credit.
• ITOM 6495 - Directed Studies in Business Analytics

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  Credits: 4
  
  The student works directly with a professor on a specific project or projects. Credit is given based upon evaluation by the professor. The student must submit a proposal to a professor for directed study credit.

Management

• MNGT 6001 - Managing Your Career

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  Credits: 0
  
  Professional M.B.A. students gain the knowledge and tools to effectively manage their own careers. Topics include finding a career focus, exploring career options, building and leveraging a professional network, and developing a personal marketing plan. Students who complete the course use the services of the Career Management Center.
• MNGT 6003 - Business Presentation Techniques

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  Credits: 0
  
  Today’s competitive marketplace demands that managers be successful on both a technical and an individual level, exhibiting a high degree of leadership skills. Professional M.B.A. students gain proficiency in the oral presentation techniques needed to enhance academic and career success. This required course is graded on a pass/fail basis.
• MNGT 6004 - Managing a Career

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  Credits: 0
  
  Students gain the knowledge and tools needed to effectively manage their own careers. Topics include finding a career focus, exploring career options, building and leveraging a professional network, and developing a personal marketing plan. Reserved for M.S. in finance majors.
• MNGT 6005 - Managing a Career

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  Credits: 0
  
  Students gain the knowledge and tools needed to effectively manage their own careers. Topics include finding a career focus, exploring career options, building and leveraging a professional network, and developing a personal marketing plan. Reserved for M.S. in management majors.
• MNGT 6011 - Managing Your Career, Part Two

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  Credits: 0
  
  Builds on the knowledge and tools developed in MNGT 6101  to assist students in obtaining the required graduate corporate internship for the summer term. Required course in the full-time M.B.A. program; graded pass/fail. Prerequisite: MNGT 6101 .
• MNGT 6020 - First-Year Foundations

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  Credits: 0
  
  Students participate in various required activities to enhance their professional development. The sessions will take place most Fridays during the first year of the M.B.A. program. Required course in the full-time M.B.A. program; graded pass/fail.
• MNGT 6049 - Graduate Full-Time Status

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• MNGT 6050 - M.B.A. Internship

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  Credits: 0
  
  Optional course for students in the full-time or professional M.B.A. program who are not attending as an international student on an F1 visa. Provides compensated or noncompensated career experience related to a student’s degree goals. Graded pass/fail. Does not meet SMU’s International Student and Scholar Services curricular practical training standards. Prerequisite: Completion of core required courses.
• MNGT 6101 - Managing Your Career

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  Credits: 1
  
  Full-time M.B.A. students gain the knowledge and tools to effectively manage their own careers. Topics include finding a career focus, exploring career options, building and leveraging a professional network, and developing a personal marketing plan.
• MNGT 6103 - Business Presentation Techniques

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  Credits: 1
  
  Today’s competitive marketplace demands that managers be successful on both a technical and an individual level, exhibiting a high degree of leadership skills. Full-time M.B.A. students gain proficiency in the oral presentation techniques needed to enhance academic and career success. Graded pass/fail.
• MNGT 6150 - Graduate Corporate Internship Program

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  Credits: 1
  
  Required course for students in the full-time M.B.A. program during the third (summer) term in the program. Provides compensated or noncompensated career experience related to a student’s degree goals. Graded pass/fail. Meets SMU’s International Student and Scholar Services curricular practical training standards.
• MNGT 6161 - Graduate Corporate Internship Program

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  Credits: 1
  
  A one-credit hour, pass/fail, one semester long optional course for students enrolled full time in one of our M.B.A. programs. Provides compensated or non-compensated M.B.A. career experience related to the students’ degree goals. Students may work between 10 hours (minimum) and 20 hours (maximum) per week while school is in session. This internship meets the Curricular Practical Training standards set forth by the University’s International Student Office. Prerequisites: Completion of all core required courses, minimum GPA of 3.2. May be taken twice.
• MNGT 6162 - Graduate Corporate Internship Program

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  Credits: 1
  
  A one-credit hour, pass/fail, one semester long optional course for students enrolled full time in one of our M.B.A. programs. Provides compensated or non-compensated M.B.A. career experience related to the students’ degree goals. Students may work between 10 hours (minimum) and 20 hours (maximum) per week while school is in session. This internship meets the Curricular Practical Training standards set forth by the University’s International Student Office. Prerequisites: Completion of all core required courses, minimum GPA of 3.2. May be taken twice.

   

• MNGT 6210 - Global Leadership Program

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  Credits: 2
  
  An experience abroad in which students meet with local business and government leaders; visit manufacturing facilities; and come to understand the dynamics of global business, including the impact of cultural and social customs. Provides students with a perspective on the opportunities and challenges of conducting business in the global economy.
• MNGT 6270 - Global Business Environments

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  Credits: 2
  
  Focuses on two field experiences abroad and gives students the opportunity to meet with local business and government leaders; to visit manufacturing facilities; and to understand the dynamics of global business, including the impact of cultural social customs. Helps students gain a perspective on the opportunities and challenges of conducting business in the global economy. Prerequisite: Enrollment in Online MBA Program.
• MNGT 6275 - Global Immersion

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  Credits: 2
  
  Explores organizations and the methods they use to accommodate, and even exploit, ambiguity in their business and social environment to enhance opportunities and to find and take advantage of competitors’ weaknesses. Prerequisite: Enrollment in the Online MBA Program.
• MNGT 6277 - Domestic Immersion

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  Credits: 2
  
  Explores organizations and the methods they use to tie data to real strategy, providing opportunities to discern new opportunities and even create opportunities where other competitors would be experiencing constraint. Prerequisite: Enrollment in the Online MBA Program.

Management and Organizations

• MNO 6201 - Organizational Behavior: Managing and Leading People

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  Credits: 2
  
  Strengthens the skills students need to become effective leaders. Topics include transitioning successfully from individual contributor to effective leader, motivating others for peak performance, identifying traps that prevent effective decision-making, acquiring skills to manage conflict, identifying strategies for becoming a person of influence, and navigating through dilemmas associated with performance management.
• MNO 6202 - Leading Teams and Organizations

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  Credits: 2
  
  Provides students the analytical and behavioral tools necessary to effectively develop and utilize groups of people to accomplish organizational strategies and goals. Describes critical theories, concepts, and contemporary practices to successfully identify the threats and opportunities teams face and take action to improve organizational culture and structure. Provides insight into the key factors that separate successful teams from the many that fail. Explains how to harness the power of teams, relational dynamics, and organizational systems to drive firm performance and innovation. Required for the management concentration. Prerequisite: MNO 6201 .
• MNO 6210 - Leader as Coach

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  Credits: 2
  
  Students learn coaching skills in the context of being a leader. Research indicates the more coach-like the leaders, the more successful the organizations they lead. A leader as coach develops and enables a team by using specific coaching skills to promote development and results. This highly experiential course teaches coaching skills, provides a lab environment for practice, and explores research on the most successful leadership styles. A significant portion of the course grade is class participation; therefore, attendance is critical for successful completion of the course. Because each class session builds on the previous class meetings, students should schedule this course when they are confident they can be present for all class sessions. Prerequisite: MNO 6201 .

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