MS in Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Sustainability Concentration

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; and overall bringing innovation from ideation to commercialization.  [ 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. ]

Graduate Prerequisites: MET AD741 - Includes opportunity assessment and feasibility analysis, concept development, budgeting and financial operations, financial and human resource management, legal and organizational issues analysis, and comprehension and determination of the roles of boards and external advisors, all leading into the planning and operating of new ventures.  [ 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. ]

Prerequisites: MET AD 717 or consent of instructor.- A comprehensive investments course introducing important aspects of investing, including environmental, social, and governance issues, and their role in corporate risk management, financial markets, and investments, presented from the viewpoint of market participants and corporate leadership. The course incorporates the mechanics of investing sustainably, with long-term planning on a micro and macro level. Topics will include an introduction and understanding of the ESG market, defining the environmental, social, and governance factors important for investment decision-making, and the importance of corporate engagement and stewardship. The course will also cover ESG analysis, valuation, and integration in portfolio management.  [ 4 cr. ]

This course equips students with the skills and knowledge to drive social change through innovative entrepreneurial ventures. It explores the fundamental frameworks and theories of social innovation while teaching students how to identify and tackle social needs effectively. Participants will learn to create sustainable business models that are both economically viable and scalable, ensuring a long-term impact. The curriculum includes strategies for scaling social ventures, measuring their impact, and engaging with diverse stakeholders to promote collaborative change. Students will examine various funding options available to social entrepreneurs, such as impact investing and crowdfunding, and discover how to influence policy and advocate for supportive environments.  [ 4 cr. ]

Provides analysis of the economics of innovation and the means by which firms secure the necessary capital to begin or expand operations. The students learn different procedures for raising venture capital through investment institutions and individuals.  [ 4 cr. ]

This course offers an in-depth exploration of the challenges and strategies essential for navigating the complex global business environment. It provides students the tools to manage cultural, economic, and political intricacies, develop strategic market entries, and adhere to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. Through a blend of lectures, case studies, a global trade simulation, and interactive sessions, students will learn to implement effective change management, understand geopolitical influences, and foster sustainable business practices. This course bridges theory with practical application, preparing students for successful international business operations.  [ 4 cr. ]

The goal of the course is to give the student a clear, practical understanding of significant pieces of the energy "puzzle" as a guide to understanding how energy is produced and consumed -- as market forces dictate - both in the United States and abroad. Students considering this course can have various backgrounds/knowledge of energy, but most importantly, an interest in understanding the transitions needed to achieve climate-related goals. The student will be challenged to explore energy transition opportunities and decarbonization's imperative through finance, policy, markets, and regulation.  [ 4 cr. ]

Neuromarketing is transforming the global marketing industry as a relatively new discipline, quickly transforming how marketers influence consumers and their buying decisions. The rapid increase in the uptake of neuromarketing across multiple business domains and applications across industries is making it imperative that global marketers take heed and start applying them to their marketing strategies as well. This course leverages three core disciplines: marketing, market research, and brain science. In this course, students will learn how neuromarketing is gaining moment in the industry because it leverages how the consumer's brain reacts and responds to specific marketing incentives and stimuli. It ensures that the marketing efforts and their effectiveness are well- measured and accurate through applied neuromarketing analytics in a lab environment. This course also leverages neuromarketing research during lab sessions, using various cutting-edge and innovative techniques through biometric and brain signals to examine consumer behavior and develop relevant marketing strategies.  [ 4 cr. ]

This course addresses the complex and evolving challenges that leaders face in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. With rapid technological advancements and shifting dynamics in the global market, the course equips aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders with the skills necessary to navigate ethical dilemmas while fostering a culture of integrity and innovation. Students will explore the intersection of leadership, ethics, and entrepreneurship, learning how to achieve sustainable business growth while maintaining ethical standards and social responsibility. Through a blend of theoretical frameworks, case studies, and practical leadership exercises, participants will develop a nuanced understanding of how ethical considerations influence decision-making and organizational success in entrepreneurial ventures.  [ 4 cr. ]

Financial Regulation and Ethics is a course designed to thoroughly review the important topics of financial regulations, policies, and ethics. The course will explore an overview of the financial systems, their history, problems, and issues for the purpose of understanding the enactment of regulations as a method to protect the financial systems and investors. Also, regulators and their authority will be identified, both domestically and internationally.

Ethics, an extremely important aspect of finance will be discussed and explored. Ethics is a difficult topic to define and can be impacted by social norms. During the ethics portion of the course, students will study where ethics have failed and caused major issues for the financial marketplace and individual companies.   [ 4 cr. ]

This course explores the field of creative innovation and entrepreneurship. The first part of the course is dedicated to deepening students' understanding of creativity and ideation as building blocks to innovation, creative placemaking, the creative economy, and business models. During the second part of the course students work in teams to develop entrepreneurial projects at the intersection of Arts and Culture; Business and Technology; and Social Impact, while gaining practical entrepreneurial skills, including business models, customer identification, budgeting, pitching, personas, business plans, and delving into design, communication, marketing and networking.  [ 4 cr. ]

Exploration of principles and practices essential for planning cities that are both sustainable and resilient to climate change. Strategies to create environmentally responsible, economically viable, and socially equitable urban futures will be examined. Key topics include climate adaptation and mitigation, green infrastructure, urban resilience, sustainable transportation, and energy-efficient urban design. Through case studies, policy analysis, and hands-on projects, students will develop the skills to design and implement innovative solutions that address the impacts of climate change while promoting sustainable urban development.  [ 4 cr. ]

Sustainability generally refers to the ability of "systems" to be maintained such that they remain viable over long periods of time. As much as achieving the perfect sustainable equilibrium may be the ideal, it is important to recognize that there will be competing and conflicting interests, especially within complex hierarchical social, economic and ecological systems, particularly in light of ongoing climatic change. This field intensive course draws on the practices and theories of sustainability and climate change to understand what sustainability can mean in different contexts, and, more important, how nuanced, sustainable solutions can be achieved under varying conditions and in different systems. With an emphasis on the urban environment, the course will consist of projects in which students will identify, analyze, and develop practical proposals to real world issues. This course is intended for a wider audience from a range of disciplines.  [ 4 cr. ]

Prerequisites: Six completed program courses. An extensive research project culminating in a written paper and oral defense. Research is conducted under intensive faculty supervision. Requires department approval and thesis supervisor from full-time faculty.  [ Var cr. ]

Prerequisites: MET AD 800. The second course of an extensive research project culminating in a written paper and oral defense. Research is conducted under intensive faculty supervision. Requires department approval and thesis supervisor from full-time faculty.  [ Var cr. ]