BUS 215-1 MOUNT ST. MARY S UNIVERSITY MBA PROGRAM SYLLABUS Semester 1 Theme: Setting the Stage External Global Business Environment BUS 215 Interpreting Financial Signals: The Competitors Position Fall Semester, 2015 Class schedule: Session 1: Sunday September 13, 2015 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Session 2: Saturday October 10, 2015 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Faculty: Professor Jeffrey Cheung jcheung@msmu.edu
BUS 215-2 SYLLABUS INTRODUCTION The course syllabus is one aspect of good pedagogy: It sets out information about the course as well as course expectations. From the faculty member s standpoint, it provides an easy- to- use form setting out the components and requirements so there is clear communication with the students. From the students point of view, the syllabus gives an overview of the coverage as well as the requirements, so they have a good sense of what the course entails from the beginning of the semester. Any surprises should be in the satisfaction of learning and the joys of being in an educational environment that values all the participants students and faculty. At Mount St. Mary s College, we are guided by the Mount Mission to further the development of the whole person. The syllabus helps make that evident. The syllabus has two major functions: 1. THE SYLLABUS IS A STATEMENT OF COURSE EXPECTATIONS The syllabus sets out the course requirements, the grading scale, and the methods of assessment. It is intended to provide the students with sufficient information about the course expectations, along with due dates, and a class schedule. After the add/drop period, instructors should not redistribute points unless it is to the advantage of the student (e.g., reducing the homework/reading, removing a specific requirement, such as a quiz). The syllabus should be consistent with the catalog description. 2. THE SYLLABUS IS A PERMANENT RECORD The syllabus is a permanent record for the student, instructor, the department, and the institution. As such, it is both a professional and personal document. The syllabus provides a record of course content, grading methods, and information vital for equivalency transfers, as well as for the evaluation of a course or instructor. Subsequently, both faculty and students should retain course syllabi for future reference. Semester 1 Theme: Module Title: Module Prefix and Number Module Description: Statement of Module Objectives and Learning Outcomes Setting the Stage External Global Business Environment Interpreting Financial Signals: The Competitors Position BUS 215 Organizations seek to attain a sustainable competitive advantage in their industries. In this module, industry and competitive forces are identified and evaluated using quantitative information from financial statements of a firm and its competitors, as well as qualitative information about the availability of capital needed to sustain growth. This information is used to assess the financial viability of a firm compared to its industry rivals, focusing on how financial strategies can help to successfully position the organization in the industry. The analysis of comparative financial factors within a given industry, and in light of the overall economy, is used to analyze appropriate strategies for the organization to be competitive. This course is intended to give students an understanding of: 1. How financial analysts improve management s decisions about business strategy; 2. The importance of access to capital (why access to capital is critical to a firm s growth and survival), and how and why firm s size and financial condition affect the ways in which capital is obtained; 3. Why company financial profiles, including capital structure, inventory levels, etc., differ across industries; how credit rating agencies impact the choice of capital structure and affect a firm s access to capital; how the state of financial markets can impact the cost of and access to capital; 4. How to compute and interpret key financial ratios to assess a firm s
BUS 215-3 Module and MBA Program Learning Outcomes Required Textbooks and Materials Faculty Availability Assignment Submissions: financial position compared to averages within its industry, how to identify a firm s financial strengths and weaknesses versus its key competitors, and understanding why this is important in accessing capital, evaluating managerial effectiveness and positioning a firm to make acquisitions and making sure the firm is able to respond to changing market conditions; 5. How a firm s competitors and industry norms affect its choices in evaluating its financial decisions, including making acquisitions and raising capital. Upon completion of this module, students should also be able to demonstrate competency in all module objectives which, in turn, support achievement of one or more of the following MBA Learning Outcomes: Critical thinking Global business acumen Ethics Communication skills Entrepreneurship and innovation Strategic planning Teamwork Required texts are available online at Amazon.com and other online book sites. Financial Management: Principles & Practices 6th Edition. By Timothy J. Gallagher, Freeload Press ISBN 1-930789-15-7 Website: www.textbookmedia.com PLEASE NOTE: THIS REQUIRED TEXT WILL BE USED FOR BUS 203, BUS 215 and BUS 228. By email and phone message To receive credit for your assignments, deposit a copy of each assignment in the Angel Drop Box for this course and ALSO submit (turn in) a paper copy in the class in which the assignment is due. ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSIGNMENT WEIGHTS: Pre-course Assignments: 1) Read Chapters 4, 5 and 13, in Financial Management: Principles and Practice, 6th edition, Timothy Gallagher, Ph.D. 2) Read the Article: Must Finance and Strategy Clash? 3) Read the Harvard Business Publication, Accessing a Company s Future Financial Health. Do NOT calculate the ratios in the Financial Ratios and Financial Health section, we will calculate together in class. Assignment between Session #1 and Session #2: Write and submit your answers to the three questions posed at the beginning of the Financial Ratios and Financial Health section (page 6) your responses should be no longer than 2 pages. This assignment is due on October 10, 2015.. (The article and case will be available on Angel)
BUS 215-4 Assignment Weights: Assignments: 1) Answers to questions about Assessing a Company s Future Financial Health" 25% 2) Presentation and analysis of Industry Group Competitor Financials 25% Final exam 35% Attendance & participation in class discussion 15% TOTAL: 100% Group Project: There is a group project in this course that is designed to expand your learning opportunities and collaborative experience, and provide hands-on chances for you and your group to research, observe and analyze information relevant to the focus of the course, and then report your findings to the class. Group Project Homework: Analysis of Competitors Financial Strengths & Weaknesses To be prepared between Session 1 and Session 2 and presented in class during Session 2: Each Industry Team will prepare an analysis comparing key financial ratios computed for two publicly held firms within their assigned industry. Create a 1-2 page comparison showing key financial ratios, growth rates, etc. for both firms. Include industry averages, if possible. On Saturday, October 10, each team will lead a discussion (15 minutes) of its analysis and defend its conclusion which of the firms is financially stronger. Be sure to explain which financial ratios your team felt were most important for your industry and why. Suggested source: www.reuters.com/finance/stocks - enter (or search for) the names of the two companies your team has chosen (one at time). From the Company Overview page, choose the tab, Financials. Alternative sources: http://finance.yahoo.com/ - from the investing tab, choose Stocks. Under Analysts Research, choose Sector/Industry Analysis, find your industry and your chosen companies. You may also use the firms Annual Reports, 10Ks or other sources. NOTE: You must either provide hard copies of your analysis for everyone in the class, or use Excel, Word or PowerPoint to display your comparison via the projector. If you choose to use the projector, be sure to bring your document on a flash drive for quick access (do not rely on an internet connection). Final Exam: The final exam will focus primarily on understanding and interpreting financial ratios. It will be closed book any supporting information needed to calculate the required financial ratios will be provided. Student Credit Hour Policy A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that reasonably approximates not less than: (1) One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or (2) At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) for other academic activities, including laboratory work, internships, practice, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.
BUS 215-5 PLEASE NOTE: Wikipedia is NOT an acceptable reference for work due in this module. As a graduate student, you need to use scholarly resources/references. You may locate scholarly articles through EBSCO Host or GOOGLE Scholar which can be accessed at the MSMC library. WRITTEN WORK: Writing Requirements: All assignments must be typed and spell/grammar checked. Note: while this is not a writing class, it is a graduate level course and, as such, failure to proofread submissions for spelling and grammar will result in a significantly lower grade being assigned. Also, grades will be significantly reduced for papers that either are less than or exceed the stated guidelines for length. Papers are also to be well written with a logical flow of thought. Submit your papers double- spaced with 1" margins. Include a title page that identifies the assignment, the day it is due, the module name and number and your name. Papers should be in 12- pitch font. Indent paragraphs five spaces to indicate a new paragraph. Please include a title page on all papers. Please staple your papers together in the upper left hand corner. Observations and conclusions incorporated in written assignments should be supported by facts and analysis, not just thoughts and feelings. The papers should be tied into the related reading materials. Please contact the Graduate Writing Tutor at the Learning Center for additional information about writing skills. Note: In this class, you will be marked down for incorrect grammar and/or spelling. Plagiarism (discussed later in this syllabus) will result in a number of consequences including a grade of F for your paper. GRADING SCALE - Criteria and Guidelines: All assignments must be completed within the required time frame in order to pass this module. Please see Mount St. Mary s Catalog and the Graduate Student Handbook for additional information regarding grading, required GPA, academic probation and other policies. Grading Scale 93-100 A 90-92 A- 88-89 B+ 83-87 B 80-82 B- 78-79 C+ 73-77 C 70-72 C- 60-69 D BELOW 60 F
BUS 215-6 Participation and Punctuality Grading Criteria. You must be in class to earn any participation points for a class meeting. You have the opportunity to earn up to 15 points (15% of your grade) through your active participation. In consideration of your fellow students, it is expected that you will arrive on time, return from break(s) on time and stay in class until it ends. Participation is graded on individual contribution to class discussions and participation in your study team(s). The development of communication skills, both oral and written, is given a high priority in this module. The classroom should be considered a laboratory where you can test your ability to interact and interface effectively with your professors and your peers. Please avoid the following: Example of things that cause one not to earn the full amount of participation points: Surfing the Internet in class Not reading assigned material Being disruptive and/or not participating in class activities Not listening actively or being uncivil/rude to others in the class Arriving late, leaving early Cell phone/pagers going off during class Text- messaging during class Eating a complete meal in class instead of listening and participating USE OF LAPTOP COMPUTERS ipads and other electronic devices IN THE CLASSROOM: I understand that some students use their laptop computers or other digital devices to take notes during class. In this class we may have class activities where you need to access the Internet and on- line research sites. HOWEVER, there are times when I will ask you to refrain from using your laptop or other electronic device. For example, during class discussions and when others are presenting, your laptop should be CLOSED. These are times for interactions. If you want to take notes during this time, please do so the old fashioned way. You can convert your notes to electronic format later. Thank you. ADDITIONAL POLICIES: Respect and Civility: Active participation in class requires a safe and trusting environment. It is important for us to respect the views and comments made by others, even if we disagree with such comments. I encourage debate and critical discussion, yet it must be respectful, polite, and professional. Confidentiality: Confidentiality is required in order to foster a safe environment for active discussion of business related topics. Student discussions may involve experiences from their jobs or personal experiences. Therefore all discussions of business or personal experiences are expected to be treated respectfully and confidentially. Students should not share proprietary information without permission from their employer. Academic Integrity/Plagiarism: All student- submitted materials are expected to be the product of the student s own thought process. Information from other sources may be used; however credit must be given, by using in- text citations or footnotes. A reference list should be attached to the paper to further identify the sources utilized.
BUS 215-7 Please refer to the Mount St. Mary s 2015 Catalog section on Academic Integrity for a complete discussion of cheating, failing to hand in original work, plagiarism, falsification or misrepresentation, and theft (pp. 4-47). If the work of someone else (whether it is quoted or paraphrased) is not properly cited (or footnoted) in the assignment and if there is not a reference list giving the details of the work, THAT IS PLAGIARISM. If work is plagiarized in this course, the student will be subject to the consequences outlined in the 2012-2014 Catalog which states, The penalty for an act of dishonesty could range from a grade of F on an examination or assignment, a reduced or failing grade for the course in question, probation, suspension or expulsion from the College. Repeated acts of academic dishonesty will be treated more gravely (p.47). Other Requirements: The requirements and conditions established by Mount Saint Mary s College, as enumerated in the Graduate Student Handbooks, Catalog, and Department of Business Administration policies, are incorporated in this syllabus, in their entirety, by this reference. Americans with Disabilities Act: MSMC, in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you are student with a documented disability, please contact Mark Forte at The Learning Center (mforte@msmc.la.edu) to make arrangements for classroom accommodations. Additional disability related information and policies can be found in the Graduate Student Handbook and in the 2015 College Catalog. COURSE CHANGES: The Instructor reserves the right to change assignments, as needed, to achieve the learning objectives of the course. Students will be informed, in writing, of these changes. No changes will require additional work on the part of the student(s).