Business & Management Track

Boston began its commercial life as a center for maritime trade, and later evolved into a leader of the Industrial Revolution, with textile mills dominating the New England landscape. Today, with an economy driven by industries such as financial services, health care and life sciences, high technology, higher education, consulting, and visitor services, Boston boasts a thriving business community with strong national and international ties.

Perspectives from an Intern
"The BU Summer Study Internship Program provided me with an internship in which I learned a lot about myself and about the career I wish to pursue."

James Waters, Emory University
Intern, Emerging Portfolios Fund Research

The Business & Management Track is divided into two courses of study, for non-business majors or business majors. Students explore principles of economics, management, business, and marketing, and finish with an internship in one of Boston’s many financial, law, business, or marketing firms.

Summer 1: The Academic Phase
(May 19 – June 26, 2009)

The dates for the 2010 program have not been announced yet. Please check back on December 15 for next summer's information.

You’ll spend your first six weeks of the Summer Study Internship Program taking two 4-credit courses chosen from the following offerings designed for both business majors and non-business majors.

 

Non-Business Majors (Select Two):

  • CAS EC 101 Introductory Microeconomic Analysis

    • One semester of a standard two-semester sequence for those considering further work in management or economics. Coverage includes economics of households, business firms, and markets; consumer behavior and the demand for commodities; production, costs, and the supply of commodities; price determination; competition and monopoly; efficiency of resource allocation; governmental regulation; income distribution; and poverty.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Esposito SMG 211 M, T, W 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM
    SA2 IND Ulusoy CAS 204A M, T, W 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
    SA3 IND Idson SMG 220 M, T, W, R 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    SA4 IND Idson SMG 240 M, T, W, R 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • CAS EC 102 Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis

    • One semester of a standard two-semester sequence for those considering further work in management or economics. National economic performance; the problems of recession, unemployment, and inflation; money creation; government spending and taxation; economic policies for full employment and price stability; and international trade and payments.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Fernandez Ga CAS 223 M, T, W 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
    SA2 IND Bandopadhyay CAS 226 T, W, R 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
    SA3 IND Bandopadhyay CAS 227 T, W, R 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
  • MET AC 201 Accounting I

    • Basic principles of financial accounting underlying transaction analysis and the preparation of financial statements. Requirement for accounting degree candidates.   [ 4 cr.]

    Prereq: CAS MA 120.

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Mccarthy SMG 220 M, W 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM
  • MET MG 301 Introduction to Management

    • A look at the management of an enterprise from the perspective of the chief executive officer. Covers the functions of organizing for successful management. Survey of theories and techniques. Examination of case studies.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Marrocco SMG 228 T, R 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM
  • MET MG 410 Entrepreneurial Management: Starting, Innovating, and Managing Small-, Medium-, and Large-Sized Ventures

    • Covers the four key elements of successful entrepreneurial management: choosing a business, organizing, financing, and marketing. Includes preparing a business plan, becoming an entrepreneur, raising venture capital, selling, negotiating, and building an effective organization. Topics given special consideration are the practice of innovation, the art of leadership, and how to relate talents to succeeding in an innovative managed venture and technology management.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Unger GCB 206 M, W 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM
  • MET MG 503 Business in a Changing Society

    • An examination of the management process and the social environment in which organizations operate, including a discussion of the manager's responsibilities to employees, customers, stockholders, and society.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Keegan GCB 208 T, R 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM
  • MET PS 340 Business and Organizational Psychology

    • The discipline of business and organizational psychology is a fast-growing expert area in the behavioral sciences. As a whole it concerns itself with the scientific application of psychological principles, research, theories, methods, and interventions to the world of business and organizations. This course introduces the undergraduate student to the discipline’s theories, methods, and practical applications.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Guedj CAS 322 M, W 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM
  • MET SO 310 Sociology of Business Organizations

    • How businesses are organized and relate to the larger world around them.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Christoforo SOC B59 T, R 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM
  • SMG AC 221 Financial Accounting

    • Sophomore requirement. Basic concepts underlying financial statements and accounting procedures used in preparing statements of financial position, income statements, and statements of cash flow. Stresses the interpretation, analysis, and evaluation of published financial statements.   [ 4 cr.]

    Prereq: SMG SM 121/122 or SMG SM 299; sophomore standing

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Kim SMG 222 M, W, R 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
    SA2 IND Kim SMG 310 M, W, R 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
  • SMG AC 222 Managerial Accounting

    • Sophomore requirement. AC 222 is a department-coordinated course that introduces the basic principles, methods, and challenges of modern managerial accounting. It covers traditional topics such as job-order costing, cost-volume-profit analysis, budgeting and variance analysis, profitability analysis, relevant costs for decision making, and cost-plus pricing, as well as emerging topics such as Activity-Based Cost (ABC) accounting. The material is examined from the perspective of students preparing to use management accounting information as managers, to support decision making (such as pricing, product mix, sourcing, and technology decisions) and short- and long-term planning, and to measure, evaluate, and reward performance. The course emphasizes the relationships between accounting techniques and other organizational activities (such as strategy and motivation).   [ 4 cr.]

    Prereq: SMG AC221; SMG SM221 (previous or concurrent) highly recommended; Sophomore standing

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Doherty SMG 310 M, W, F 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
  • SMG SM 101 Introduction to Business

    • A broad introduction to the nature and activities of business enterprises within the United States economic and political framework. Course content introduces economic systems, essential elements of business organization, production, human resource management, marketing, finance, and risk management. Key objectives of the course are development of business vocabulary and a fundamental understanding of how businesses make money.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Allen SMG 210 M, W 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
  • SMG SM 105 Introduction to Marketing

    • How is it that some products succeed and some fail? In many instances, the difference is in their marketing strategy. This class examines key areas of marketing including product development, advertising, promotions, pricing, and retailer decisions. Uses a combination of in-class exercises, real world examples, cases, lecture, and discussion.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Utter SMG 210 T, R 12:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Business Majors (Select Two):

  • CAS EC 323 Behavioral Economics

    • Introduction to a new field in economics that challenges the traditional model of rational decision-making and uses research in psychology to construct alternative models. Covers the theory of choice under certainty, uncertainty, and temptation; biases in judgment; social preferences.   [ 4 cr.]

    Prereq: CAS EC 201.

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Noor Butt CAS 225 M, T, W 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
  • CAS EC 332 Market Structure and Economic Performance

    • Structure of the American economy. The theory of imperfect competition. Topics include firm concentration and conglomeration, consumer ignorance and market failure, and advertising and technological change as part of market performance.   [ 4 cr.]

    Prereq: CAS EC 201 or CAS EC 211 or CAS EC 303.

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Bond CAS 208 M, T, W 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
  • CAS EC 391 International Economics I

    • The pure theory of international trade. Topics include comparative advantage and gains from trade, tariff and nontariff barriers to trade, and case studies in international economic policy.   [ 4 cr.]

    Prereq: CAS EC 201 or CAS EC 211.

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Lucas CAS 323A M, T, W 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM
  • MET FI 512 Financial Markets and Institutions

    • Investigation and analysis of organization, structure, and performance of U.S. money, capital, markets, and institutions. Examines regulation of the financial industry and the role of financial instruments.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Noorian GCB 208 M, W 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM
  • MET MG 410 Entrepreneurial Management: Starting, Innovating, and Managing Small-, Medium-, and Large-Sized Ventures

    • Covers the four key elements of successful entrepreneurial management: choosing a business, organizing, financing, and marketing. Includes preparing a business plan, becoming an entrepreneur, raising venture capital, selling, negotiating, and building an effective organization. Topics given special consideration are the practice of innovation, the art of leadership, and how to relate talents to succeeding in an innovative managed venture and technology management.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Unger GCB 206 M, W 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM
  • MET MG 503 Business in a Changing Society

    • An examination of the management process and the social environment in which organizations operate, including a discussion of the manager's responsibilities to employees, customers, stockholders, and society.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Keegan GCB 208 T, R 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM
  • MET PS 340 Business and Organizational Psychology

    • The discipline of business and organizational psychology is a fast-growing expert area in the behavioral sciences. As a whole it concerns itself with the scientific application of psychological principles, research, theories, methods, and interventions to the world of business and organizations. This course introduces the undergraduate student to the discipline’s theories, methods, and practical applications.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Guedj CAS 322 M, W 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM
  • MET SO 310 Sociology of Business Organizations

    • How businesses are organized and relate to the larger world around them.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Christoforo SOC B59 T, R 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM
  • SMG FE 442 Money, Financial Markets, and Economic Activity

    • Required for Finance concentrators. The role of money and the importance of interest rates in determining economic activity; determinants of level of interest rates. The nature and operation of central banks; the goals and instruments of monetary policy. The roles, activities, and risk management of financial institutions. Instruments traded in money and capital markets, and their valuation. Role of derivative securities; contemporary issues in the financial system.   [ 4 cr.]

    Prereq: SMG FE 323.

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Roberts SMG 315 T, R 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
  • SMG FE 445 Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management

    • Required for Finance concentrators. Introduction to the investment management process. Defining investment objectives and constraints. Introduction to Modern Portfolio Theory, CAPM, APT, Efficient Markets, stock and bond valuation models. Immunizing interest-rate risk. Active vs. passive investment strategies, fundamental vs. technical analysis, trading practices, and performance evaluation. Introduction to the role of futures and options in hedging and speculation. Students are expected to become familiar with current events in the financial news.   [ 4 cr.]

    Prereq: SMG FE 323.

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Santini SMG 222 T, R 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM
  • SMG MK 468 Advanced Marketing Strategy

    • Provides the insight and skills necessary to formulate and implement sound marketing strategies. The process of strategy formulation is divided into three stages: strategic analysis, strategic decision making, and implementation of strategies. Specific topics include strategic planning, customer decision making, life cycle, segmentation, product positioning, market response, competitive behavior, new product development, product line management, and the marketing plan. Includes both lecture and case analysis.   [ 4 cr.]

    Prereq: SMG MK 323.

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Hibbard SMG 304 M, W 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • SMG MK 486 E-Commerce Marketing

    • This course is an in-depth look at e-commerce from a marketing perspective. Topics include an investigation of current e-business models, website analysis, customer acquisition and retention strategies, and consumer behavior on the Internet. Students explore e-commerce marketing through lectures, class discussion, guest speakers, text readings, cases, and interactive exercises.   [ 4 cr.]

    Prereq: SMG MK 323.

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Utter SMG 224 T, R 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Summer 2: The Internship Phase (July 6 – August 14, 2009)

The dates for the 2010 program have not been announced yet. Please check back on December 15 for next summer's information.

For the second six weeks of the program, you’ll be placed as an intern in a Boston-area organization or business that matches your interests and experience. You should expect to work five days a week for a minimum of 35 hours.

Business & Management Internship Opportunities

Internship placement opportunities are available at banks; stockbrokers; law firms and legal centers; and firms in corporate finance; accounting, marketing, and personal management.

Internship Placement

  • Guaranteed internship placement for 35 hours a week
  • Internship matches are based on your interests, abilities, and experience
  • All internship sites are accessible by public transportation
  • Visit our Placement Process page for additional information

Summer Study Internship Course (May 22 – August 11, 2009)

The dates for the 2010 program have not been announced yet. Please check back on December 15 for next summer's information.

Throughout the 12 weeks of the Summer Study Internship Program, you will participate in a required 2-credit Summer Study Internship Course. This course serves as a means of preparing you for the internship and provides support as you adjust to a new workplace. It will also provide you with an opportunity to explore links between your academic coursework and your work experience.

You’ll have a faculty advisor and a shared forum with other interns to address your expectations, goals, and challenges as an intern. In the Internship Course, you will continue to develop as a professional by addressing topics such as workplace culture, networking skills, and self-assessment.

Internship Profile

Student: Jia He
Career Track: Business & Management
Courses: Financial Markets and Institutions, Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management
Internship Site: United Commercial Bank

On the Job: I worked in the lending department at UCB, which is a major international institution that operates over 51 offices around the world. I gained real familiarity with banking practices as they are implemented on a daily basis. I learned about risk ratings, different sources of repayment, appraisal reports, and the difference between good and bad loans. Best of all, I learned that I really have a passion for the industry

Perspectives: This experience has truly prepared me to pursue a long-term career in banking. I gained so much exposure to the industry and learned so much from the people I worked with.