Undergraduate Studies in Business Administration -On-campus and distance learning- Curriculum for BS degree programme

Transcription

1 Undergraduate Studies in Business Administration -On-campus and distance learning- Curriculum for BS degree programme

2 Name of curriculum: BS in Business Administration Contact: Head of Department of Business Length of degree programme: Seven semesters Number of credits: 180 ECTS, Cycle 1.2 under Iceland s National Qualification Framework for Higher Education and Degrees from 2011 First edition, March

3 Table of Contents Description of study programme... 4 International studies... 5 Programme structure and teaching methods... 6 Pedagogical approach... 6 Programme structure: BS in Business Administration... 9 Programme structure: BS in Business Administration with emphasis in Marketing Communications Programme structure: BS in Business Administration with emphasis in Food Business Management Programme structure: BS in Business Administration with emphasis in Tourism Information Technology, 6 ECTS Applied Mathematics, 6 ECTS Microeconomics, 6 ECTS Research Methods, 6 ECTS Introduction to Law, 6 ECTS Statistics, 6 ECTS Macroeconomics, 6 ECTS Accounting I, 6 ECTS Marketing Management I, 1 ECTS Human Resource Management and Leadership, 6 ECTS Term Project, 8 ECTS Servant Leadership and Management, 6 ECTS Managerial Accounting, 6 ECTS Marketing Communications and Media Planning, 6 ECTS Food Microbiology, 6 ECTS Finance I, 6 ECTS Industrial and Organisational Psychology, 6 ECTS Corporate Governance, 6 ECTS Food Processing, 6 ECTS Sustainability and Social Responsibility, 6 ECTS Finance II, ECTS Accounting II, 6 ECTS

4 Change Management, 6 ECTS Service Management, 6 ECTS Marketing Management II, 6 ECTS New Trends in Marketing Communications, 6 ECTS Product Management and Logistics, 6 ECTS Information Technology in the Food Industry, 6 ECTS Food Safety, Legislation and Control Tourism and Leisure Marketing, 6 ECTS Consumer Behaviour and Market Research Strategy and Business Plans, 6 ECTS Tourism and Culture, 6 ECTS Electives Operation, Analysis and Planning I, 6 ECTS Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 6 ECTS Intercultural Communication International Business Negotiation and Sales Management Corporate Valuation Tax Law Operation, Analysis and Planning II CRM (Customer Relationship Management) International Marketing Investments and Financial Markets Intended learning outcomes for BS in Business Administration Knowledge: Skills: Competences:

5 Description of study programme The undergraduate study programme in Business Administration at Bifröst University is a general business degree programme, designed to prepare students for leadership and management positions within the economy and the community. The study programme consists of core business disciplines, such as finance, accounting, management and marketing. Students may spend one semester on exchange at a partner university abroad. Admission requirements to the study programme are a matriculation examination (stúdentspróf) or equivalent qualifications at Level 3, for example Bifröst University s University Gateway (Háskólagátt). The Academic Council also has the authority to grant an exemption from the above provision if an applicant possesses experience and/or knowledge that can be assessed as equivalent to completion of a matriculation examination. Those who complete the programme are awarded a BS degree in Business Administration, which fulfils the requirements for a Bachelor s degree, Cycle 1.2 under Iceland s National Qualification Framework for Higher Education and Degrees from 2011, issued by the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture. 1 All study programmes at Bifröst University strongly emphasise students ability to work independently in completing demanding tasks and to collaborate with a group of student peers in carrying out research and undertaking larger projects, presenting and submitting them for evaluation by teachers and student peers. Programmes stress critical thinking skills and applied connections to concrete projects that are exacting and large-scale. A defining feature of Bifröst University s teaching methods are term projects, which students complete in groups of 4 to 6. Term projects, which are combined with instruction in project management, are projects worth 8 ECTS, and students complete two such projects over the course of their studies. At the beginning of a semester during which term projects will be completed, students organise themselves into groups, and groups complete a project research plan alongside the courses in which they are enrolled that semester. Term projects span 8 weeks; in the final week, groups submit a report and defend their projects before an evaluation committee of two teachers together with a group of students. It is permissible to complete only one term project in cases where students spend an exchange semester abroad or have a comparable project from a different university assessed as part of their studies. 1 See Auglýsing um útgáfu viðmiða um æðri menntun og prófgráður [Advertisement on the publication of a qualification framework for higher education and degrees] in the Law Gazette (Stjórnartíðindi), 16 May 2011 ( 4

6 Undergraduate studies are organised around a session-based instruction model: subjects are taught over a six-week session, with examinations in the seventh week. However, heavier and more demanding subjects will be taught over two sessions. This programme structure makes it easier for students to concentrate on the subjects that they are taking at any given time, and student load is more evenly balanced over the instruction period. Modern teaching methods are used, including flip teaching, which gives instructors and students increased flexibility to linger over complex topics, depending on student needs at any given time. Session-based teaching offers enhanced opportunities to recruit professionals and specialists from far and wide to teach subjects or sections thereof at Bifröst University. Great importance is also assigned to adequate breaks between periods of study, helping students to maintain a clearer distinction between studies and family life. Bifröst University has many years experience of university-level distance learning, at both undergraduate and Master s levels. Lectures and course materials for individual courses are accessible to students on the University s distance-learning web, allowing students to organise their time as suits them best. Students can listen to lectures through the Internet or download and listen to them, for example on computers, tablets, ipods or other MP3 players. For each course, there is a working weekend, where students meet together at Bifröst University, along with their teachers. Working weekends are an important part of distance learning at Bifröst University. They are devoted to lectures, assignment work and training in communication. Considerable emphasis is placed on students organising their time in order to be able to meet on working weekends and participate fully in presentations, critical discussion and other activities. Students stay in on-campus accommodation, and all facilities and housing conditions for students are exemplary. An effort is made to make provision for students abroad with special technological solutions or special projects. Distance-learning students can complete their studies anywhere in the world. Distance-learning examinations are held at numerous locations around the world. In Iceland, these locations include continuous-education centres throughout the country, while options for students writing their examinations outside of Iceland include embassies, consulates or universities. International studies Bifröst University s emphasis on building international relationships is manifested in its extensive collaboration with foreign universities. This is reflected in the professional and academic connections of the University s academic staff with their colleagues abroad and in the University s student exchange agreements with partner universities around the world. Undergraduate students at Bifröst University have the option of spending an exchange semester at one of Bifröst s partner schools, and the study programme is structured so as to allow students to complete the same number of credits at the partner school as they would otherwise have completed at Bifröst over this same period. Bifröst University receives foreign exchange students from its partner universities as well, and collaboration and interaction with exchange 5

7 students is an important part of the international experience that Bifröst offers its students. The University is a member of the Erasmus programme and likewise has many bilateral agreements with select universities outside Europe. Bifröst participates in the University of the Arctic (UArctic), a consortium of several universities in Canada, the United States, Greenland, Iceland, Sweden, Finland and Russia. Bifröst also takes part in the north2north student exchange programme, organised under the auspices of UArctic. Programme structure and teaching methods The BS study programme in Business Administration is a 180-ECTS study programme that can be completed in two and a half years or over a longer period. On-campus and distance-learning programme structure Four emphasis areas are offered as lines of study in undergraduate on-campus and distance-learning programmes in Business Administration: BS in Business Administration BS in Business Administration with emphasis in Marketing Communications BS in Business Administration with emphasis in Tourism BS in Business Administration with emphasis in Food Business Administration The programme is structured so that, in addition to traditional fall and spring semesters, teaching also takes place over summer semesters, allowing students to complete 80 ECTS over a year rather than 60. Coursework can thus be largely finished in two years; students in their last semester in the third year write a final thesis in addition to completing remaining required credits, with options including internships or electives. The study programme may be completed over a longer period. Pedagogical approach All study programmes at Bifröst University strongly emphasise students ability to work independently in completing demanding tasks and to collaborate with a group of student peers in carrying out research and undertaking larger projects, presenting and submitting them for evaluation by teachers and student peers. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking skills and applied connections to concrete projects that are exacting and large-scale. Bifröst University s pedagogical distinctiveness consists in students term projects, among other things, as has been stated above. These projects are in many instances carried out in collaboration with businesses, municipalities, public institutions and other parties outside the University and are defended before an evaluation committee of two teachers along with a group of students. 6

8 Continuous assessment in the form of project and assignment work forms a large part of instruction in Business Administration and is characteristic for Bifröst University. Areas of emphasis in defining objectives and developing policy at the University include the following: A distinctive pedagogical position involving active teamwork, requiring students to adopt orderly working methods and communication skills, at the same time as individual student initiative is harnessed and creative and critical thinking are encouraged. Training for students in presenting their work and ideas, communicating their experience and knowledge and engaging in reasoned discussion thereon. Frequent assignment deadlines and close work with teachers and other students, giving programmes applied value, in addition to general knowledge and understanding requirements in the area of study. Links with the working world, whereby students work on concrete projects in collaboration with businesses and institutions, in addition to the possibility of internships, where students receive on-the-job training under the professional guidance of experienced directors and administrators of businesses and institutions. In addition to the undergraduate programme in Business Administration, Bifröst University offers undergraduate studies in Business Law and PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics). Together, these three undergraduate degree programmes form a cohesive whole, and undergraduate student collaboration during the study period is thus considerable, regardless of field of study. Thus, for example, courses such as Information Technology and Microeconomics are required courses for all students. Through these courses, Bifröst University s foundational vision of community-based learning is realised, and a basis is provided for developing students ability to work with people coming from different directions, whether in their studies or in their work. In order to strengthen ties with the business world and students intended field of work, Bifröst University has developed an internship programme in collaboration with businesses and institutions. Students who have demonstrated good academic performance, initiative and independent thinking may apply for an internship position during their studies. Undergraduate students must have completed at least 110 credits and achieve a first-class grade to be eligible for such training. An internship generally lasts four weeks and is worth 6 ECTS credits. One ECTS credit is considered to correspond to hours of student work. This work includes all reading, assignment work, preparation for final examinations, presentations, working weekends, lectures and project sessions and other work that students complete in connection with a course. 7

9 Teaching, assessment of studies and organisation of teaching are as per the Rules on Studies and Teaching, found in Bifröst University s Quality Manual (see EF F110). The Quality Manual also contains rules for examinations and various instructions for students. The Quality Manual can be viewed online in Icelandic at and in English at The degree programme provides access to further studies at the Master s and Doctoral level, which is, however, contingent on the regulations of individual schools governing minimum credit requirements in each subject, minimum grade requirements and so on. 8

10 Programme structure: BS in Business Administration Year 1 (80 ECTS credits) Fall 2014 ECTS Spring 2015 ECTS Summer 2015 ECTS Information Technology and Business Communication 6 Statistics 6 Term Project Project Management 8 Applied Mathematics 6 Macroeconomics 6 Servant Leadership and Management 6 Microeconomics 6 Accounting I 6 Managerial Accounting 6 Research Methods 6 Marketing Management I 6 Introduction to Law 6 Human Resource Management and Leadership 6 Total credits 30 Total credits 30 Total credits 20 Year 2 (80 ECTS credits) Fall 2015 ECTS Spring 2016 ECTS Summer 2016 ECTS Finance I 6 Sustainability and Social Responsibility 6 Term Project Project Management 8 Industrial and Organisational Psychology 6 Finance II 6 Consumer Behaviour and Market Research 6 Elective 6 Accounting II 6 Strategy and Business Plans 6 Corporate Governance 6 Change Management 6 Elective 6 Service Management 6 Total credits 30 Total credits 30 Total credits 20 Year 3 (20 ECTS credits) Fall 2016 ECTS Internship or elective 6 BA/BS Thesis 14 Total credits 20 9

11 Programme structure: BS in Business Administration with emphasis in Marketing Communications Year 1 (80 ECTS credits) Fall 2014 ECTS Spring 2015 ECTS Summer 2015 ECTS Information Technology and Business Communication 6 Statistics 6 Term Project Project Management 8 Applied Mathematics 6 Macroeconomics 6 Servant Leadership and Management 6 Microeconomics 6 Accounting I 6 Marketing Communications and Media Planning 6 Research Methods 6 Marketing Management I 6 Introduction to Law 6 Human Resource Management and Leadership 6 Total credits 30 Total credits 30 Total credits 20 Year 2 (80 ECTS credits) Fall 2015 ECTS Spring 2016 ECTS Summer 2016 ECTS Finance I 6 Sustainability and Social Responsibility 6 Term Project Project Management 8 Industrial and Organisational Psychology 6 Finance II 6 Consumer Behaviour and Market Research 6 Elective 6 Marketing Management II 6 Strategy and Business Plans 6 Digital Marketing 6 Service Management 6 Brand Management 6 New Trends in Marketing Communications 6 Total credits 30 Total credits 30 Total credits 22 Year 3 (20 ECTS credits) Fall 2016 ECTS Internship or elective 6 BA/BS Thesis 14 Total credits 20 10

12 Programme structure: BS in Business Administration with emphasis in Food Business Management Year 1 (80 ECTS credits) Fall 2014 ECTS Spring 2015 ECTS Summer 2015 ECTS Information Technology and Business Communication 6 Statistics 6 Term Project Project Management 8 Applied Mathematics 6 Macroeconomics 6 Servant Leadership and Management 6 Microeconomics 6 Accounting I 6 Food Microbiology 6 Research Methods 6 Marketing Management I 6 Nutrition 6 Human Resource Management and Leadership 6 Total credits 30 Total credits 30 Total credits 20 Year 2 (80 ECTS credits) Fall 2015 ECTS Spring 2016 ECTS Summer 2016 ECTS Finance I 6 Sustainability and Social Responsibility 6 Term Project Project Management 6 Food Processing 6 Product Management and Logistics 6 Elective 6 Food Processing Technology 6 Food Safety, Legislation and Control 6 Digital Marketing 6 Service Management 6 Consumer Behaviour and Market Research 6 Information Technology in the Food Industry 6 Strategy and Business Plans 6 Total credits 30 Total credits 30 Total credits 20 Year 3 (20 ECTS credits) Fall 2016 ECTS Internship or elective 6 BA/BS Thesis 14 Total credits 20 11

13 Programme structure: BS in Business Administration with emphasis in Tourism Year 1 (80 ECTS credits) Fall 2014 ECTS Spring 2015 ECTS Summer 2015 ECTS Information Technology and Business Communication 6 Statistics 6 Term Project Project Management* 8 Applied Mathematics 6 Macroeconomics 6 Servant Leadership and Management 6 Microeconomics 6 Accounting I 6 Tourism Innovation and Establishment and Management of Tourism Enterprises 6 Research Methods 6 Marketing Management I 6 Human Resource Management and Introduction to Law 6 Leadership 6 Total credits 30 Total credits 30 Total credits 20 Year 2 (80 ECTS credits) Fall 2015 ECTS Spring 2016 ECTS Summer 2016 ECTS Finance I 6 Sustainability and Social Responsibility 6 Term Project Project Management 8 Elective 6 Finance II 6 Tourism and Culture 6 Elective 6 Change Management 6 Strategy and Business Plans 6 Digital Marketing 6 Service Management 6 Elective 6 Tourism and Leisure Marketing 6 Total credits 30 Total credits 30 Total credits 20 Year 3 (20 ECTS credits) Fall 2016 ECTS Internship or elective 6 *Students work with event management 12

14 Information Technology, 6 ECTS Instructor: Jón Freyr Jóhannsson Semester and length: Fall semester, 6 weeks Degree programme: BS in Business Administration Content and objectives: The purpose of this course is to increase students proficiency in the use of information technology in their work and studies. The main focus will be on using Microsoft Excel to solve applied problems in the area of mathematics, finances and operations, as well as in general data processing. In addition to material specified in the course plan, various concepts and subjects in the field of information technology will be presented. Learning outcomes After the course, students will: Be familiar with and able to explain some of the main concepts and subjects in the field of information technology Have knowledge of and be able to distinguish between common methods of solving problems involving use of spreadsheets After the course, students will: Be able to make systematic use of spreadsheet tools (Excel) in tackling diverse projects relating to their work and study Be able to create Excel models Be able to use Word systematically in setting up essays and assignments, including preparing a bibliography using the techniques of Word Be able to prepare PowerPoint presentations Have adopted time-saving and practical methods Compulsory subject 13

15 Applied Mathematics, 6 ECTS Instructor: Guðmundur Ólafsson Semester and length: Fall semester, 6 weeks Degree programme: BS in Business Administration Prerequisites: General mathematics at upper secondary/preparatory level Teaching methods Teaching methods are diverse and build on Bifröst Content and objectives: This course is intended to provide a foundation for continuing studies in finance and economics. The basics of linear and nonlinear equations and methods for solving them will be reviewed. Financial mathematics, percentages and compound interest, as well as calculation of future and present value. Differentiation methods for optimisation and minimisation with and without constraints and differentiating functions with multiple variables will be reviewed and the method of Lagrange multipliers introduced. Matrices and core methods of linear algebra introduced. Learning outcomes: On completion of the course, students will: be able to find solutions to linear and nonlinear functions and sets of equations be able to solve finance-related problems concerning percentages and interest calculations be able to solve exercises in optimisation with or without constraints be able to solve exercises in optimisation with one or more variables be able to utilise mathematics in solving problems relating to economics Compulsory subject 14

16 Microeconomics, 6 ECTS Instructor: Ágúst Einarsson Semester and length: Fall semester, 12 weeks Degree programme: BS in Business Administration Content and objectives: The course introduces the key elements of microeconomics and deals with its position in the sciences, the business setting, supply and demand, elasticity, markets and the effect of government. The course covers the effects of trade on individuals and businesses in taxation and in international trade. Externalities, public goods and common resources are described. Production functions and cost functions are discussed in depth. Consumer behaviour is explained in detail. Various types of market structures are closely scrutinised (i.e., perfect competition, monopoly, oligopoly and monopolistic competition), and their differences and unique features are described. The basics of economic risk and uncertainty are explained. Markets for factors of production are discussed, as are wages, wage gap, income distribution and poverty. Organisation, management, marketing, finance and investments, production management, planning and information retrieval are addressed. Finally, information asymmetry and the economics of politics and behavioural economics are discussed. The object of the course is to offer a comprehensive exploration of the basics of microeconomics. Learning outcomes: After the course, students will: Possess a general understanding of the theories, premises, concepts and methods of microeconomics. Have acquired extensive knowledge and understanding of microeconomics and other elements of corporate and institutional management. Be able to analyse practical, complex subjects in a professional context that relate to fundamental aspects of corporate and institutional management. Be able to work independently and in an organised manner on undertakings in the field of microeconomics and within companies. Have the ability to set forth and describe theoretical subjects in microeconomics orally and in writing in an easily comprehensible way. Be able to apply critical scientific methods in analysing subjects. Compulsory subject 15

17 Research Methods, 6 ECTS Instructor: Sigrún Lilja Einarsdóttir Semester and length: Fall semester, 6 weeks Degree programme: BS in Business Administration Content and objectives: The course is an introductory methodology course and is intended to present basic methodological concepts, the structure of written work, study skills, organisation and work procedures for carrying out larger projects such as term projects. The main emphasis is on equipping students with the tools that will be of service to them in their work and studies, in assignment and project work and solving applied problems. Emphasis is placed on training students in academic writing and acquainting them with the process of preparing and carrying out projects (particularly term projects), subject choice and definition, presentation of research questions and research objectives and hypothesis formulation. Students are familiarised with different research methods, both quantitative and qualitative, as well as academic project work and analysis of available data. Students receive training in creating questionnaires and preparing interviews and in the basics concerning case studies and the various types of field observations, as well as the completion of academic assignments. The fundamentals of quantitative research will also be reviewed: developing, posing and processing questionnaires. Students will likewise gain training in appropriate working methods and procedures for preparing research plans, collecting data and using Zotero in managing bibliographic references, searching for literature and presenting projects. All these tools will be linked to the preparation of the term project through course assignment work. Particular stress is placed on student awareness concerning ethical issues in research, such as copyright, anonymity, handling and protection of personally identifiable information, limitations of research methods (their nature and when such methods are to be used in collecting data), internal and external validity and research reliability, as well as the activities of the Icelandic Data Protection Authority and the National Bioethics Committee. 16

18 Learning outcomes: Knowledge and understanding After the course, students will: Understand and be able to articulate the main basic concepts of methodology Be able to explain the difference between quantitative and qualitative research methods and differentiate between different types of research design Understand the nature of disciplines and other scientific matters and recognise the difference between a scientific text and a general text Be conscious of ethical issues in research Capability objectives After the course, students will: Adopt professional working procedures in selecting and evaluating literature and have gained training in doing literature searches and using databases Have received training in academic writing (completing academic assignments) and can make a distinction between a scientific text and a general text Have received training in reading scientific literature and analysing different types of sources Have mastered the use of different research methods Be able to prepare a research plan and provide argumentation for their choice of data collection method Be able to record their sources in conformity with the APA system Be ready to work on larger projects such as the term project Compulsory subject 17

19 Introduction to Law, 6 ECTS Instructor: Elmar Hallgríms Hallgrímsson Semester and length: Fall semester, 6 weeks Degree programme: BS in Business Administration Content and objectives: The course provides an overview of the essentials of law and the fields of law most important in a business context, namely: Law of Sale The rules governing the sale and purchase of goods and services are examined. Law of Corporations The essentials of corporate law are examined, including the most common types of corporations and what differentiates them. Labour Law Central aspects of labour law are examined, including rights and obligations in the labour market, unions activities, labour disputes and conflict in the labour market, leave and pensions and how to employ persons and terminate employment. Law of Contract The main points of contract law are examined, including how contracts are prepared and the main grounds for invalidation. Negotiation basics are also addressed. Law of Torts The main points of tort law are examined, including basic elements of the culpa rule, strict liability and employers liability. European Law The essentials of the legal system of the European Union are reviewed, along with the connection between European and Icelandic law through the EEA Agreement. Stock-market Law The main rules applying to the stock market and the activities of stock exchanges are examined. Learning outcomes: After the course, students will: Have gained knowledge of the rules and fields of law covered by the course. Have the ability to apply these rules in real-life situations and have an understanding of their nature and purpose. Have gained knowledge of the legal rules governing business and economic activities. Have gained an understanding of their nature and purpose. Possess the capability to apply these laws in real-life situations. Compulsory subject 18

20 Nutrition, 6 ECTS Instructor: NN Compulsory subject Semester and length: Fall, year 1, 6 weeks Degree programme: BS in Business Administration with emphasis in Food Business Management Content and objectives: Students gain insight into food nutrition and the effects of different macronutrients and other nutrients in the human body. Students expand their knowledge of digestion and absorption of nutrients and the roles of vitamins and minerals. They learn about macronutrients and gain knowledge concerning healthy diet composition. Topics of instruction will include recommended daily intake (RDI) and common nutrition-related problems. Learning outcomes: Compulsory subject in Business Administration with emphasis in Food Business Management 19