Master of Science in Administrative Studies concentration in Innovation & Technology

Introduction to the concepts, methods and problems of accounting and financial analysis. Includes accounting principles, measurement and disclosure issues, financial statement analysis, time value of money, cash flow projection and analysis, capital budgeting and project evaluation, bond and equity valuation, cost of capital and capital structure. 4 cr.   [ 4 cr. ]

The course examines the concepts and applied techniques for cost effective management of both long-term development programs and projects. Project management principles and methodology are provided with special focus on planning, controlling, and coordinating individual and group efforts. Key topics of focus include overview of modern project management, organization strategy and project selection, defining a project and developing a project plan and scheduling resources, project risk analysis, work breakdown structures, and project networks. MS Project will be introduced in this course to provide hands-on practical skills with the above topics. Mastery of key tools and concepts introduced in this course provides a significant competitive advantage in the marketplace.   [ 4 cr. ]

Provides a detailed examination of how businesses can successfully use Internet and Web technology. Students are introduced to the concepts and issues of electronic commerce. Topics include comparison of e-commerce procedures, payment mechanisms, applications in different industry sectors, security, the challenges of starting and maintaining an electronic business site, as well as a comparison with traditional business practices.   [ 4 cr. ]

This course considers macroeconomic factors of relevance to the firm: aggregate economic activity, cyclical movements, and fiscal and monetary policies. The course reviews the problems of decision-making relating to demand, production, costs, market structure, and price, and provides an analysis of the interplay between governments, economic systems, labor, and multinational corporations (MNCs). Topics include: the basis for the existence, organization, and growth of MNCs; a comparison of major economic and government systems; areas include the impact on the firm's business transactions and trade due to taxation, regulation, legal environments and labor influences. This course additionally investigates the relationship between the interaction of national culture and development. Topics range from developing nations' rain forest and species management to pollution generated by developed nations. Culture, policy, and development are also discussed in relation to the impact of the business interactions (agriculture, fishing, technology transfer, etc.) among developing and developed nations.  [ 4 cr. ]

Addresses the specifics of new product and service development and fostering innovation and technology to increase performance. Topics include generating and screening initial ideas; assessing user needs and interests; forecasting results; launching, and improving products and programs; bringing innovation to commercial reality.   [ 4 cr. ]

Examines various approaches to developing high tech innovation based economies as a route to self sufficiency and growth. Factors studied include both structural reforms in the political, legal and economic areas, and government sponsored initiatives in higher education, basic research, private venture capital, grants to support new product development by promising ventures, and the creation of science and technology parks and incubators. Students independently research, write, and present studies of the strategies of various countries. This will be augmented by case studies, reading, and guest speakers on strategies being employed in such countries as Taiwan, Thailand, and Brazil.  [ 4 cr. ]

Marketing approaches have been significantly altered with the advent of the Internet. This course provides a view of marketing for the twenty-first century. Special emphasis is provided on the impact of new Internet marketing techniques, research using data mining and metrics, search engine optimization, reaching consumer markets through the new business models associated with social communities, blogs, and other Web 2.0 structures. 4cr.  [ 4 cr. ]

Includes opportunity assessment and feasibility analysis, concept development, budgeting and financial operations, financial and human resource management, legal and organizational issues, role of boards and external advisors that lead to the writing of a business plan.  [ 4 cr. ]

Examines legal issues that affect high technology firms. Topics include copyright, reverse engineering, trade secrets, patents, international legal differences, the Uniform Commercial Code, and product liability. Cases drawn from high tech industries are used to emphasize current and future developments.   [ 4 cr. ]

Provides a market oriented, strategic planning framework to address a broad range of tourism and regional economic and development issues that relate to tourism industry development and growth. The interplay of private, public and government organizations is discuss as they relate to the development of a comprehensive tourism plan. The combination of theory and practice will prepare students to analyze tourism markets, assess area, regional and national weakness and strengths as well as the security, infrastructure/logistics, marketing and costs associated tourism. Topics include: importance of tourism to the economy, developing the tourism strategy, ecotourism, research and analysis, positioning and marketing, funding tourism and developing new attractions.   [ 4 cr. ]

This overview course examines the management issues involved with assessing the security and risk environments in both the private and public sectors in order to assure continuous system-wide operations. The course studies the elements of risk assessment and operational continuity using the project management framework of planning, organizing, and control. Students are exposed to the role of the firm in crisis response and management as well as the terms, systems, and interactions necessary to assure continuous operations. Topics include: the role and need for comprehensive assurance strategy and planning; the security aspects of the firm; an overview of the system-wide structure?as well as the organizations within that structure?designed to plan for and respond to local or national crisis; the social and emotional impact on the workforce as well as its effect on productivity; and the organizational infrastructure relating to national, regional, and international compliance. 4 cr  [ 4 cr. ]

This course analyzes the managerial activities required to support manufacturing and service industry international strategies to assure that that products/services are delivered/provided in the quality and timely manner expected through the use of global supply chains, outsourcing relationships and multi-country operations. The course focuses on contemporary strategic issues that affect both large and small corporations and includes: the strategic role of the internet, international trade and logistics, cross cultural teaming, supply chain dynamics, information management, inventory scheduling and control, international coordination and transportation and customer service. 4cr.   [ 4 cr. ]

Explores decision making and policy formulation in organizations. Includes goal setting and the planning process, rational models of decision making, evaluation of alternatives, prediction of outcomes, cost-benefit analysis, decision trees, uncertainty and risk assessment, and procedures for evaluation of outcomes.   [ 4 cr. ]

A review of the legal and regulatory issues that govern the financial industry. The course reviews SEC regulations as well as the financial legal environments that affect the financial system, the operations of financial firms and protect shareholders and company employees. The course provides a historical context in which the legal and regulatory systems have evolved and relates that history to today's complex financial environment.  [ 4 cr. ]

A communications skills course designed to better understand the nature of conflict and its resolution through persuasion, collaboration, and negotiation. Students will learn theories of interpersonal and organizational conflict and its resolution as applied to personal, corporate, historical, and political contexts. Students will assess their own styles, skills, and values, and develop techniques to better resolve disputes, achieve objectives, and exert influence.   [ 4 cr. ]

Using case studies and lectures, this course focuses on developing appropriate market mix strategies and sound competitive analysis for the goods and services industries. Emphasis is placed on understanding consumers' needs and wants, the competitive environment, effective market communications, and proper positioning techniques.   [ 4 cr. ]

The course explores the issues that managers face when attempting to get work accomplished through other individuals or teams as they arise in organizations that employ numerous professionals and that emphasize innovation in their products, services, and internal processes. The relationship between individuals, organizations and the larger social context is studied. Focus Topics include: motivation, incentive systems, team and work flow management. The course discusses management techniques, effective verbal and nonverbal communication methods and negotiation skills as they pertain to the different aspects of managing individuals or teams. Successful managers have developed the ability to understand the nature of conflict and its resolution through persuasion, collaboration, and negotiation. Students will learn theories of interpersonal and organizational conflict and its resolution as applied in personal, corporate, historical, and political contexts.  [ 4 cr. ]

Provides an analysis of the economics of innovation and the means by which firms secure the necessary capital to begin or expand operations. Procedures for raising venture capital through investment institutions and individuals are discussed.  [ 4 cr. ]

Reviews the process whereby organizations establish and pursue goals within internal and external constraints, resources, and opportunities. Topics include strategy and tactics; the process of strategic choice and adjustment; resource assessment; environmental and competitor analysis; stakeholders and values; and strategy implementation, control, and valuation.   [ 4 cr. ]

Topics include, the shift toward international service economies, the increasingly large service component in "non-service" industries, integrating service in the development of products and the critical role employees play in delivering service quality.   [ 4 cr. ]

MET AD 748 Addresses special characteristics of the life science and medical fields that affect the process of turning new technologies and innovative approaches into successful useful products and services, in such areas as gene therapy, diagnostics, and pharmaceuticals, medical imaging systems and artificial hearts, computer/internet based ?health care management information systems?, telemedicine, and bio-informatics/ genomic research tools. Emphasizes development of skills in assessing complex markets and devising useful ?business models? for cost effective commercialization and reduced time to market. Cases, readings, guest lectures, and group projects involving developing original commercialization plans and/or consulting to startup and established companies on these issues.   [ 4 cr. ]

Provides the student with an understanding of different legal systems as they relate to international business transactions. The seminar builds the analytical skills required to evaluate legal processes, law, and legislation-related events in international business dealings.   [ 4 cr. ]

Techniques and procedures for conducting international trade. The course focus is practical. Topics include operations, government agencies and import/export channel networks, and the evaluation of international opportunities. Designed to provide students with the skills and tools necessary for international trade.   [ 4 cr. ]

Introduces the student to the contemporary word of international business through an examination of the social, cultural, economic, ecological and commercial aspects that impact global operations. Emphasis is on both the thorough understanding of the effect that international business has on the different functional aspects of the enterprise as well as the manner in which firms organize, operate and formulate strategies in order to maximize their chances of successful operations.  [ 4 cr. ]

Through the use of an international business simulation, students develop the ability to manage in the shifting international environment by integrating finance, strategy, and marketing skills to expand their company globally. By selling, exporting, or manufacturing in up to fourteen countries the simulation is intended to provide the student with a "real life" approach to international expansion, environmental stability, inflation and currency issues, financial operations as well as international sales and manufacturing issues. The objective of the course is to offer an overview of the factors affecting global business operations in a stimulating learning environment that is enjoyable and challenging. Intensive course.  [ 4 cr. ]

Historical background of the judicial system. The principles of law as they relate to business transactions; law of contracts, sales, agency, and property; legal aspects of business organizations; creation, corporate structure, and dissolution; securities, regulation, antitrust and labor laws.  [ 4 cr. ]

The course is designed to prepare the student to undertake a comprehensive survey of the regional or national economic, social, logistical/infrastructure and attraction market to determine the most appropriate allocation of resources and strategic positioning. Students are exposed to the development of tourism and regional development plan, the basis for segmentation and target markets. The methods and tools of market and economic research are presented and the role/interplay of private, local, national and international intuitions are discussed as they relate to data gathering and plan assessment and implementation.  [ 4 cr. ]