Business Management and Administration Courses

BMA 172 - Business Computer Skills and Applications (1 hour)
Implementation of spreadsheet software to solve business problems covering both introductory and intermediate skills. Review and extension of presentation skills using common presentation software. Use of linking functionality between varied applications to create integrated presentations. Brief introduction to the data analysis functions of spreadsheet software and specialized statistical analysis software. May not be counted for degree credit in the Foster College of Business Administration. Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: business major or minor or consent of department chair.

BMA 173 - Information Systems and Business Applications (3 hours)
Application of spreadsheet software to solve business problems. Use of linking functionality between varied applications to create integrated presentations. Brief introduction to the data analysis functions of spreadsheet software and specialized statistical analysis software. Business use of information systems in organizations; electronic commerce and the Internet. The impact of information systems on organizations; system development; ethical and legal issues; data and knowledge management; information security. Prerequisite: business major or minor or consent of department chair.

BMA 175 - Introduction to Developing Business Applications (3 hours)
Provides an introduction to object-oriented computer programming using VisualBasic.NET. Demonstrates the advantages of using a programming environment to efficiently develop computer programs. Focuses on developing logical approaches to problem solving and implementing programmed solutions to those problems.

BMA 250 - Interpersonal Effectiveness in Organizations (2 hours)
Individual and group theories of behavior within organizations. Applying methods of effective interpersonal interactions, increasing self-awareness (through topics including perception, personality, attitudes, values and the effects of stress) in order to better inform an understanding of others. Various interpersonal competencies including motivating others, team dynamics including diversity, problem-solving, decision-making and conflict management, and communicating expectations and feedback. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. Students who have already completed BUS 210 will not receive credit for this course.

BMA 272 - Management Applications of Personal Computers (3 hours)
Survey of computer applications in business, personal computers, and business information systems. Emphasis on personal computer applications from the perspective of the individual user. Intermediate-level software packages. Prerequisite: BMA 172 or BMA 173 or consent of instructor.

BMA 275 - Business Applications Using Visual Basic (3 hours)
Object oriented business application development using Visual Basic. Emphasis on object classes, events and properties, and data structures, controls, and objects. Prerequisite: BMA 175.

BMA 276 - Developing Information Systems for E-Commerce (3 hours)
Provides an introduction to developing e-commerce solutions and their components using various tools. Also explores the business models available for implementing these solutions within and between organizations. It focuses on the application of networked information technologies to implement a rich variety of business applications.

BMA 280 - Entrepreneurial Creativity (3 hours)
Toolkit to think more innovatively. Students will gain knowledge of various theories of creativity and innovation and will learn how to rebuild cognitive models. By the end of the semester, students will develop at least one marketable business opportunity.

BMA 281 - The Entrepreneurial Career (1 hour)
This course is designed to give students a feel for an entrepreneurial career. The course will consist of entrepreneurs and investors as guest speakers, case studies, and opportunity recognition theory and activities. By the end of the course, students should have an understanding of the benefits and risks of being an entrepreneur and how entrepreneurs recognize opportunities.

BMA 315 - Risk and Insurance (3 hours)
Insurance aspects of risks. Nature of risk assessment control and financing activities in organizations. Firm risk policy issues. Cross-listed as ASB 315. Prerequisite: junior standing.

BMA 342 - The Legal Environment of Business (3 hours)
Social, equitable, and ethical considerations influencing the development of the law. Procedure, constitutional law, contracts, torts, international law, and agency. The influence of government regulation of business: antitrust, labor, securities, environmental, and consumer law. Emphasis on analytical legal reasoning and the case method. Prerequisite: junior/senior standing.

BMA 345 - Law of Business (3 hours)
Principles of law in commercial paper, agency, business organizations, sales, and contracts, with application of the commercial code. Prerequisite: BMA 342.

BMA 347 - Law and the Entrepreneur (3 hours)
Introduces students to legal requirements of forming a business and how to anticipate legal concerns and risks during the life of the business. Covers legal issues, such as intellectual property, contracts, entity formation, and venture capital funding. Prerequisite: Junior Standing

BMA 350 - Managing for Results in Organizations (2 hours)
Planning, organizing and control processes as practices of management. Introduction of management roles, functions, and skills, and evolution of management thought. Discussion of general and task environment and organizational stakeholders. Analysis of planning, strategy, and decision-making frameworks. Foundations of organizational structure and design, human capital, and managerial control models including feedback systems. Application of concepts to contemporary examples. Prerequisite: Junior standing or declared first major and 42 credit hours. Students who have already completed BMA 352 will not receive credit for this course.

BMA 353 - Operations Management (3 hours)
Survey of issues and methods related to designing, implementing, and controlling production systems. Project management, production planning, quality control, just-in-time techniques, and strategic importance of operations management. Prerequisite: QM 263; BMA 352.

BMA 354 - Organizational Analysis (3 hours)
Methods used to analyze internal operations of organizations. Systematic techniques for gathering and analyzing data necessary to assess organizational efficiency and effectiveness.

BMA 355 - Labor-Management Relations (3 hours)
Collective bargaining as a social innovation in labor-management relations. Current public policy, major substantive issues in management and union policies, and tactics in collective bargaining and dispute settlement. Case studies. Prerequisite: junior/senior standing; BMA 352 or consent of BMA department chair.

BMA 356 - Human Resource Management (3 hours)
Management of human resources in work organizations. Emphasis on employee recruitment, selection, development, and skill utilization for efficiency and effectiveness. Prerequisite: BMA 352.

BMA 357 - Leadership and Interpersonal Behavior (3 hours)
Recognition, development, and practice of organizational leadership skills. Enhancing interpersonal dynamics and relationships. Organizational politics and interpersonal influence, creativity and innovation, negotiation and conflict resolution. Handling problem situations; effectively utilizing diverse talents and personalities. Introduction to major leadership and interpersonal development techniques. Case studies. Prerequisite: BMA 352.

BMA 358 - Managerial Decision Making (3 hours)
Descriptive and prescriptive approaches; formal and informal methods. Emphasis on subjective judgments and choices. Prerequisite: BMA 352 or 6 hours psychology and/or sociology; a 3-credit-hour course in statistics.

BMA 372 - Management Information Systems (3 hours)
Management of information resources. Use of information systems for competitive/strategic advantage. Advances in information technology, including industry trends and innovations. The information systems function in organizations. Electronic commerce and the World Wide Web. The impact of information systems on organizations. Ethical and legal issues in information use. Information security. Prerequisite: junior/senior standing; Foster College of Business Administration computer skills proficiency requirement.

BMA 373 - Business Data Communications (3 hours)
Study of the theories, design and technologies utilized in modern business data communications networks. Study of the functionality, performance and management of multiple network designs. Prerequisite: BMA 272 and junior/senior standing.

BMA 374 - Database Management and Administration (3 hours)
Investigation and application of advanced database concepts: administration, technology, and selection and acquisition of database management systems. In-depth business practicum in data modeling and system development in a database environment. Overview of future trends in data management. Prerequisite: BMA 272 and junior/senior standing.

BMA 375 - Business Systems Analysis and Design (3 hours)
Information systems in business applications. Emphasis on relationship of information systems planning to overall business goals, policies, plans, management style, and industry condition; analysis, design, and implementation of information systems. Overview of future trends in data management. Prerequisite: BMA 272 and junior/senior standing.

BMA 378 - Human-Computer Interaction and Usability Testing (3 hours)
Provides an introduction to the theory of human factors and process of usability testing. Explores current theory of human factors and human-computer interaction and how they should be applied to designing business systems. Emphasis placed on the scientific approach to systems testing to ensure systems meet usability standards and on the statistical benchmarking these tests provide. This is a non-technical course designed for those interested in managing the development of technical products and evaluating the usability of existing products and processes.

BMA 379 - Information Systems Security (3 hours)
An introduction to the various technical and administrative aspects of information security and assurance. Provides the foundation for understanding the key issues associated with protecting information assets, determining the levels of protection and response to security incidents, and designing a consistent, reasonable information security system, with appropriate intrusion detection and reporting features. Prerequisite: Junior/senior standing

BMA 381 - Entrepreneurship for Non-Business Students (3 hours)
This course is designed for students throughout the Bradley campus, except for those majoring in business. Whether your major is the arts, engineering, education, or science, the focus will be on how to launch a new venture enterprise. Students may have a serious interest in starting a business or only want to explore the world of entrepreneurship. The course will answer the question,"Would creating my own enterprise be for me?" Subjects include finding an opportunity, determining if there would be satisfied customers, the use of a business plan, obtaining financing/resources, and deciding on the next steps to take. Students will develop an idea for starting a new venture. Prerequisite: Junior Standing, Not open to Business Majors, Cannot earn credit if taken BMA 382

BMA 382 - Entrepreneurship (3 hours)
Activities involved in starting, financing, growing, and harvesting a new business venture. Entrepreneurs and their behavior, analysis of opportunities, obtaining capital, and venture strategies. Prerequisite: ATG 157; 42 credit hours and a declared entrepreneurship first major or junior standing for other majors.

BMA 383 - Managing Entrepreneurial Growth (3 hours)
Students will gain a better understanding of the challenges of growing an entrepreneurial business. The course will focus on adapting growth strategies, marketing, cash management and personnel in changing competitive environments. Prerequisite: BMA 352.

BMA 384 - Entrepreneurial Finance (3 hours)
Planning and strategies involved in starting or expanding a business. Emphasis on capitalization, record keeping, liquidity management, fixed asset management, financial analysis, expansion strategies, establishing firm value, and exiting the firm. Cross-listed with FIN 384. Prerequisite: BMA 352; FIN 322.

BMA 385 - Technology Entrepreneurship (3 hours)
This course focuses on fostering the analytical and conceptual skills required to develop and test the feasibility of technology-based product-focused business concepts. The course will expose the student to issues that a product-focused company would face when attempting to launch a new venture. Prerequisite: Junior Standing

BMA 386 - Social Entrepreneurship (3 hours)
This course is designed to give students some of the tools and knowledge necessary for understanding, launching and managing a social venture (not for profit or for profit). Social entrepreneurship combines the passion of a social mission with the techniques of the discipline of business. The social entrepreneur applies practical solutions to societal problems. The result may be a new product, new service, or new approach to a social problem. Prerequisite: Junior Standing

BMA 394 - Supply Chain Tools and Techniques (3 hours)
Prepares students for work as supply chain professionals by giving them familiarity with the dominant terminology, tools, and approaches used in supply chain management. Cross-listed with MTG 394. Prerequisite: MTG 315, BMA 353

BMA 395 - Real Estate Principles (3 hours)
Basic principles of real estate and real estate practices in property rights (contracts, deeds, and mortgages), property ownership, financing and management, real estate brokerage, valuation, planning, public housing, and urban renewal. Prerequisite: junior/senior standing.

BMA 446 - Employment Law (3 hours)
Legal issues surrounding employment-at-will and collective bargaining, including hiring and firing, discrimination, workers' compensation, personnel handbooks, alcohol and drug abuse, federal wage and hour law, and federal labor law. Prerequisite: BMA 342, 352.

BMA 452 - Strategic Management and Business Policy (4 hours)
Integrated capstone course. Top level management activities; strategic analysis, planning, strategy development, policy formulation and implementation. Case material and applied projects. Prerequisite: FIN 322; BMA 352; MTG 315; senior standing.

BMA 456 - Compensation Management (3 hours)
Financial returns, tangible services, and benefits employees receive. Prerequisite: BMA 356.

BMA 457 - Human Resource Theory and Program Design (3 hours)
Activities associated with the human resources function. Emphasis on the theoretical, technical, and legal aspects of selecting, developing, and maintaining employees. Prerequisite: BMA 356.

BMA 459 - Topics in Management (3 hours)
Topics of special interest which may vary each time course is offered. Topic and prerequisite stated in current Schedule of Classes. May be repeated under different topics for a maximum of six hours credit.

BMA 478 - Implementing Business Computer Systems (3 hours)
Development of a business computer system application with the life cycle methodology. Specific concepts and skills of project management. Team projects. Prerequisite: BMA 375.

BMA 479 - Topics in Management Information Systems (3 hours)
Topics of special interest which may vary each time course is offered. Topic and prerequisite stated in current Schedule of Classes. May be repeated under different topics for a maximum of six hours credit. Prerequisite: stated in current schedule of classes

BMA 482 - The Entrepreneurial Experience (3 hours)
This entrepreneurship course is for students who have one or more ideas for starting a business (or nonprofit). The idea could be a retail shop or a biotech product, whatever the students decide. The course is heavily focused on actually creating an enterprise, ideally up to selling products or services. It is also possible to work on an existing venture concept and contribute to its actual development. This "hands on" course will enable students to launch ventures after the course concludes, with mentoring and assistance from the Turner Center. Prerequisite: BMA 382 or BMA 381 or consent of instructor

BMA 488 - Internship in Entrepreneurship (1-3 hours)
Supervised experience with an approved new or emerging firm or with an agency providing assistance to emerging high-technology firms. Application of entrepreneurship skills. Written application required (available from internship director). May be repeated for a maximum of 3 hours. Prerequisite: junior standing; entrepreneurship major; 2.5 overall GPA; at least one entrepreneurship-related course.

BMA 489 - Topics in Entrepreneurship (3 hours)
Topics of special interest, which may vary each time the course is offered. Topic and prerequisite stated in current Schedule of Classes. May be repeated under different topics for a maximum of six hours credit. Prerequisite: junior standing.

BMA 498 - Independent Studies (1-3 hours)
Studies undertaken by academically qualified students under the guidance of a faculty member, with the approval of the chair of the Department of Business Management and Administration. Business Management and Administration majors only. Prerequisite: junior/senior standing.

BMA 499 - Independent Studies (1-3 hours)
Studies undertaken by academically qualified students under the guidance of a faculty member, with the approval of the chair of the Department of Business Management and Administration. Business Management and Administration majors only. Prerequisite: junior/senior standing.

BMA 542 - Legal Environment of Business (2 hours)
Analysis of the legal environment in which business operates. Ethical and equitable influence on legal development emphasized. Study of specific areas of procedure, constitutional law, contracts, torts, international business law, business organizations, and the regulatory environment related to antitrust, labor, securities, environmental, and consumer law. Cannot be used to satisfy MBA elective or concentration requirements. Prerequisite: consent of director of graduate programs.

BMA 553 - Operations Management (2 hours)
Survey of issues and decision-making techniques related to the operations of an organization. Quality management, project management, inventory management, waiting line analysis, production scheduling, job design, and facility layout. Cannot be used to satisfy MBA elective or concentration requirements. Prerequisite: consent of graduate program director.

BMA 602 - Organizational Behavior (3 hours)
Analysis of individual and group behavior in the organizational environment. Motivation, leadership, communication, conflict, change, decision-making, and organizational theory, demonstrated through classroom experiences. Prerequisite: BMA 352.

BMA 608 - Open Book Management (3 hours)
Effective management practice under conditions of timely communication of frequently updated operational and financial data for problem solving by organization members. Emphasis on effective coordination of organization members' tasks with shared goals and shared knowledge of how activities relate to these goals. Course considers Open Book Management implications for job descriptions, performance measurement, selection and training, supervision, handling conflict, relationships with suppliers, innovation, and learning from failure.

BMA 613 - Advanced Algorithms for Business (3 hours)
Study of advance algorithms focusing on complex data structures and nonlinear systems using chaos and fractal theory for quantitative analysis. Course implements graphical geometry to represent recursion, termination of solution progress, limits, self-similarity and moving target analysis as it applies to business based financial approximations. This course is tailored to the needs of Master of Science in Quantitative Finance (MSQF) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) students. Various programming environments will be used to program solutions. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor or BMA 275 or CIS 275\x09\x09

BMA 614 - Topics in Advanced Business Technology (3 hours)
The course will cover the study of advanced topics in business technology. Topics may vary each time course is offered. Topics will be stated in current schedule of classes. May be repeated for a total of 6 credit hours. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor\x09\x09

BMA 615 - Interpersonal Relations (3 hours)
Foundations of interpersonal behavior, emphasizing the development and application of the interpersonal skills critical for managerial success. Foster self-understanding and self-awareness through a variety of assessment instruments.

BMA 620 - Management Theory (3 hours)
Planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, and controlling operations through managerial decision making. Emerging issues and trends; integration of principles and concepts with contemporary concerns. Prerequisite: QM 263 or QM 502.

BMA 628 - Business Policy and Strategy Formulation (3 hours)
Strategies in response to conditions such as competition and future development. Completion of all core courses.

BMA 630 - Management in Healthcare Organizations (3 hours)
Interdisciplinary approach to understanding management in healthcare organizations. Emphasis on the complex roles of healthcare workers and the behavioral processes of leadership, communication, motivation, group dynamics, conflict, change, organizational development. The class also considers diversity, social responsibility, and ethics. Prerequisite: Graduate standing; As specified in the Schedule of Classes

BMA 655 - Organizational Change (1 hour)
The need for change and building a readiness for organizational change. Models for implementing change that build employee support and commitment. Practical approaches and unique health care related situations of seminar participants are discussed.

BMA 657 - Executive Development (3 hours)
Theory and research of development stages of executive careers. The impact of the organization on the executive personality; forces influencing the development of executive skills and abilities; studies of antecedents of executive role performance; and the role of training programs in executive development.

BMA 658 - Topics in Business Administration (3 hours)
Topics of special interest, which may vary each time the course is offered. Repeatable to a maximum of 6 credit hours. Topic stated in current Schedule of Classes.

BMA 659 - Topics in Management (3 hours)
Management-related topics presented in modules or seminars. Topics may vary each time the course is offered. Topic stated in current Schedule of Classes. Repeatable to a maximum of 6 credit hours.

BMA 660 - Readings in Business Administration (1-3 hours)
Individual readings for qualified students, under the guidance of a member of the faculty. Repeatable to a maximum of 3 credit hours. Prerequisite: advancement to candidacy; consent of instructor and director of graduate programs.

BMA 671 - Productivity Software for Managers (3 hours)
The use of packaged software to improve personal productivity in the business environment: spreadsheets, databases, presentation graphics, database retrieval, statistics, word processing, and electronic mail. Problem-solving laboratory exercises using the different software packages.

BMA 672 - Information Systems Management (2 hours)
Knowledge and application of information-related resources from a management perspective: identifying information needs, strategic uses of information systems, emerging information technologies, managing information resources effectively.

BMA 673 - Data Communications for Managers (3 hours)
Data communications for supporting management decision making and group coordination: communication technologies, idea generation and group collaboration, data and video conferencing, emerging technologies for communication and coordination. Prerequisite: BMA 672 or consent of director of graduate programs.

BMA 675 - Managing Systems Development (3 hours)
Tools and techniques needed to manage the development of information systems. Systems analysis techniques, rapid application development, data modeling, data management and administration, project management tools and techniques. Prerequisite: BMA 672 or consent of director of graduate programs.

BMA 676 - Electronic Commerce (3 hours)
Introduction to electronic commerce (EC). Managerial and organizational issues surrounding EC. History of Internet, emerging technologies for EC, electronic data interchange, digital libraries, data warehouses, interactive advertising and marketing, kiosk systems. Relation of EC to organizational strategy. Prerequisite: BMA 672 or consent of director of graduate programs.

BMA 682 - Entrepreneurship (3 hours)
This course is for MBA students who wish to explore launching a venture of their own or immersing themselves in another actual venture. Beyond the readings, a variety of exercises, live cases and other learning opportunities will enable participants to partially customize the course content to fit their needs and interests. Several specialists and entrepreneurs will serve as distinguished guest entrepreneurs for certain sessions. This is an applied, experiential course that allows for the application of knowledge from other MBA courses. A primary focus will be on conducting a venture feasibility or other project.

This is the official catalog for the 2013-2014 academic year. This catalog serves as a contract between a student and Bradley University. Should changes in a program of study become necessary prior to the next academic year every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes via the Dean of the College or Chair of the Department concerned, the Registrar's Office, u.Achieve degree audit system, and the Schedule of Classes. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of the current program and graduation requirements for particular degree programs.