Functional knowledge

Courses dealing with functional knowledge ground in the analytical courses and provide the background needed for the strategic issues.

BRN 434 Information systems for management

3 credit hours
This course focuses on the use of computers and information systems as managerial tools. It provides an overview of information systems technology and data management from a user’s perspective and addresses policy issues related to the management of information systems. Topics include an introduction to software and hardware operating concepts, electronic commerce, the organizational impact of information systems, telecommunication systems, database management systems, systems analysis and design, distributed systems, and the strategic impact of information systems.

BRN 461 Operations management

3 credit hours
This course views operations management as a key field in the manufacturing and service sectors. It uses the process view as the unifying paradigm to study operations. The objective is to show how managers can design and control process structure and process drivers to improve the performance of any business process. Every concept will be illustrated with small examples, and case studies will be provided.

BRN 476 Managing market systems

3 credit hours
This course is focused on the MARKSTRAT simulation, a pedagogical tool that develops skills in marketing strategy formulation and execution in a dynamic and data-rich environment. Students work in teams to formulate and implement their marketing strategy in simulated competition with other teams. Key concepts and issues that emerge from the simulation are highlighted in class.

BRN 480 Valuation I & II

4 credit hours
This course provides a conceptual framework for identifying and solving valuation problems. The perspectives presented include both theoretical and practical issues. Specifically, the course examines the principles used in the valuation of investment projects and of policy alternatives in the various functional and cross-functional areas of the firm. It also covers firm valuation. Finally, it discusses the identification, valuation, and management of investment projects with option-like characteristics.

BRN 481 Capital markets

3 credit hours
This course offers an introduction to securities markets and the pricing of capital assets. Topics include optimal portfolio selection, risk management and hedging in fixed-income portfolios, options and futures, asset pricing models, and portfolio performance evaluation.

BRN 485 Business plan workshop

3 credit hours
This course gives students all the techniques they need to write a business plan. It is connected to the capstone project.