Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA)

Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA) Curriculum Course Description A. Core courses (25 courses or 150 ECTs) BBA101 Professional Development The objectives of this course are the transformation of habits, attitudes, and behaviours to inculcate professionalism and the sharpening of student s transferable skills (time management, emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, networking, problem solving and decision making skills) to maximize value creation and job satisfaction. Central to the course are critical thinking, creativity at work, risk taking and experimentation, managing stress, self branding and continuous professional development. BBA102 Communication and Negotiation Skills The objective of this course is to improve your ability to articulate your thoughts and communicate them effectively, orally and in writing, in a variety of social, professional and business environments. You will learn about your personal communication style and its advantages and disadvantages, how better listening can enhance your relationships and productivity, how to better understand those you communicate with, how to develop your confidence in communication and your ability to make effective public presentations. You will learn how to remove barriers to effective communication, how to send and receive clear messages, and how to develop your listening and assertion skills. BBA103 Philosophy Studying philosophy gives us insight into the world and our place within it and thus provides us with a guide for conducting our lives. Philosophy forces us to think hard about difficult and fundamental questions, it also teaches us how to think providing us with analytical skills we can use in many other areas. Here are some questions philosophers might consider: How do I know that what I believe is true? What is the difference between right and wrong? What makes an action just? What makes a painting beautiful? Does God exist? Are ideas and concepts more real, or is physical matter more real? What happens to us after we die? What kind of government is justified? What is the nature of our moral judgements and reactions? BBA104 Mathematics for Business and Economics This course provides a good insight and understanding of how mathematical concepts, theories and techniques are applied to the fields of business, economics and the social sciences. Topics include the review of linear and non linear functions and models (including cost, revenue, profit, demand and supply), solving linear and non linear systems of equations, matrices, linear programming, difference equations and mathematics of finance (including simple and compound interest: discrete and continuous, annuities, mortgages, loans). 1

BBA105 Management Issues and Principles The aim of this course is to introduce the principles of management and define the managerial functions of planning, organizing, leading and controlling. It helps aspiring managers to understand the role and needs of management and get a clear perspective about managerial functions across the organization and what skills, knowledge and attitudes are necessary for an effective management role. The course exposes students to an integrated perspective of the firm and how it creates and sustains value building a conceptual and analytical framework to examine the choices managers face and how these choices are shaped by government, society and competitors. The course offers an overview of the value creation process in business sectors by exploring the inter relationships among the partners in the value chain. BBA201 Behavioral Sciences (Psychology & Sociology) This course aims to develop a broader understanding of people and the world we live in, thus raising the students awareness of how they can contribute to society. Students will develop a critical understanding of society and how it operates and thus re examine in a new light many of the taken for granted assumptions which we hold, and which influence the way we think about ourselves and others. Furthermore, this course will familiarize the student with selected areas of psychology, including methods, learning and memory, sensation, perception, physiological processes, emotions, drives, personality, individual differences, social behaviour, cognitive and affective responses to various stimuli and growth and development. BBA202 Introduction to Economics I This course covers both Introductory Microeconomics and Introductory Macroeconomics. Microeconomics provides students with an understanding of consumer and firm behaviour and the ability to analyse different types of market structures and to apply economic principles to a range of policy questions. After completing this course students will be in a position to use supply and demand diagrams to analyse the impact of overall changes in supply and demand on price and quantity, analyse the behaviour of firms under different market structure in the short run and the long run and calculate the resulting producer and consumer surplus. Introductory Macroeconomics covers national income accounting, the determination of national income and employment, monetary institutions and the money supply, inflation, balance of payments, exchange rates. BBA203 Globalization, Markets and Institutions The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the operation of global markets and the system that supports their function, the advantages and disadvantages of allocating scarce resources through globalized markets, the interaction between globalized markets and the society, as well as market regulation issues. It also introduces the European Union s institutions and decision making and key questions of governance faced by EU policymakers today including an analysis of the most important policy areas such as the common agricultural policy, the structural and regional policy, cohesion, labour market and social policies, economic and monetary union, common foreign and security policy and research and development policy. The teaching is designed to equip students with the empirical knowledge, theories and transferable skills necessary to analyse and explain the EU s institutions, and political and economic processes. 2

BBA204 Information Technology The aim of this course is to familiarize students to single machine organization, architecture and operation. A further aim is to introduce the principles of data structures and algorithms, emphasizing on the algorithmic side of programming, and focusing on problem solving. Worked examples will demonstrate how algorithmic ideas can be used to build efficient applications. BBA205 Introduction to Statistics I The objective of this course is to provide an introduction to the fundamental statistical concepts and tools used in economic analysis and business decision making. Topics covered include: descriptive statistics; introduction to probability theory and probability distributions; point and interval estimation of parameters; hypothesis testing; simple regression analysis. The course also aims to provide some basic familiarity with the use of computer spreadsheet software Excel for data analysis and problem solving. BBA301 Business and Corporate Law This course is an introduction to the legal system of Cyprus and the legal principles that govern business transactions and relations in Cyprus, but also in the UK and the EU. The course will enable students to develop an understanding of the general legal framework, and of specific legal areas relating to business, recognizing the need to seek further specialist legal advice where necessary. BBA302 Information Management The goal of this course is to provide a good foundation in information systems, which is pervasive in contemporary organizations. A strategic perspective is taken so as to develop the student s critical thinking as to how emerging technologies can be best utilised in organizations. In addition, key pitfalls and challenges are also highlighted to sensitise students to people and organizational issues associated with information technology implementation. As such, a holistic perspective examining technological, strategic, and people issues associated with information systems in the context of organizational change is developed throughout the course. BBA303 Financial Accounting I This course aims to develop knowledge and understanding of the underlying principles and concepts relating to financial accounting and technical proficiency in the use of double entry accounting techniques including the preparation of basic financial statements for single entities and simple groups. The syllabus also introduces basic techniques of interpretation of financial statements. BBA304 Ethics and Social Responsibility The purpose of this course is to sensitize the students to the impact of business on the society and the environment and the ethical issues stemming from this. The course puts an emphasis on training them to identify ethical dilemmas and resolve them based on ethical principles and moral theory. The course will examine the ethical and social responsibility of business from different perspectives and will introduce tools of ethical analysis of management decisions involving difficult choices between right and right and wrong and wrong. 3

BBA305 Statistics II (Econometrics) This course builds on statistical methods covered in Statistics I with emphasis given to applications in economics, finance and marketing. Topics covered include: a thorough treatment of multiple regression analysis; issues of model selection, equation specification and functional form; analysis of variance, logistic regression; time series and panel data analysis. Emphasis is given on Business applications through the extensive use of computer exercises. BBA401 Business Intelligence, Analytics and Optimization Information technology has made available to organizations volumes of information about their operations, market and industry which is not being utilized to improve operations or out smart competitors. Analytics is about sophisticated quantitative and statistical analysis and predictive modelling used towards building competitive strategies around data driven insights to improve business results. For example, leading companies such as HSBC, Amazon, Procter and Gamble are using business analytics to identify their most profitable customers; accelerate product innovation; optimize supply chains; and identify the true drivers of financial performance. Business intelligence technologies include online analytical processing, data mining, process mining, complex event processing, business performance management, benchmarking, text mining, predictive and prescriptive analytics. BBA402 Corporate Finance This course provides an introduction to the theory, the methods, and the main issues of corporate finance. The objective of this course is to introduce the fundamental concepts of the theory and practice of finance paying particular attention to helping managers make the right corporate finance decisions. This course focuses on very important decisions: how businesses allocate scarce resources (the investment decision), how they raise the funds to use in these investments (the financing decision) and how much cash to leave in the business for growth versus how much cash to take out of the businesses (the dividend decision). BBA403 Economics II The course aims to develop students capacity to analyse the economic environment in which business entities operate and understand how managerial decisions can vary under different constraints. The course covers consumer behaviour and demand analysis, the theory of the firm, production and supply analysis, market structure and pricing strategies, game theory and competitive strategies, moral hazard and contracts, market failure, information asymmetry and welfare economics. The course combines the strong analytic approach of economics with the technical aspects of management and recognizes that computing has become intrinsic to business. Students in this concentration will gain knowledge about using computing as a tool for analysis of economic, statistical and financial data. 4

BBA404 Innovation and Entrepreneurship In a world of rapid change and constant innovation organizations will keep being challenged and their responses may determine their future. The objective of this course is to provide participants with an understanding of how entrepreneurship and innovation can be managed effectively within organizations in order to defend against, leverage or even create change. The key areas to be covered are: a framework of strategic innovation that links firm capabilities with market and technology changes; organizational designs that cultivate learning and foster entrepreneurship and innovation; ways of building internal and external linkages to improve the organization s competencies and their ability to commercialize innovation; and the discipline of creating innovative new firms. Students will learn how to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in organizations by influencing the key pillars of innovation. BBA405 Management and Cost Accounting While Financial Accounting produces Reports for the external users, Management Accounting provides internal users with information useful to take management decisions. This course aims to develop knowledge and understanding of management accounting techniques to support management in costing, planning, controlling and monitoring performance in a variety of business contexts. BBA501 Business Plan and Business Model Formulation This course introduces a structured way to think about, analyse, and develop a sound business model as well as the grounding in how to write and implement a business plan. How will you create and deliver value for your customers? How will you extract some of that value for your organization? The business model encompasses your product or service, your customers, and the economic engine that will enable you to meet your profitability and growth objectives. Business model analysis is important for start ups, new and established businesses which need to discover, defend or evolve their business models. The second objective is to instruct on to write and implement a well documented and implementable business plan. BBA502 Performance Management The aim of this course is to examine the significance of an effective performance management system in defining and achieving the organization s short and long term goals. It highlights the notion of performance management as an ongoing process of planning, facilitating, assessing, and improving individual and organizational performance. This course will help students to develop knowledge and skills in the application of management accounting and operations management techniques in analysing quantitative and qualitative information for planning, decision making, performance evaluation, and control. BBA503 Managing People and Organizations This course aims to provide students with an understanding of the evolving human resources function within contemporary organizations. It focuses on the changing roles and responsibilities of human resources managers, and the value adding role of the human resources function and leadership. The course emphasizes the role of the human resource professional as a strategic partner in managing today s organizations. Key human resource 5

functions examined include employee recruitment, selection, development, assessment and appraisal, retention, compensation, and labour relations. BBA504 Research Methods/ Market Research This course introduces students to a number of research methods appropriate for academic and professional research. The applications, strengths and weaknesses of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies will be taught and discussed in order to allow the students to develop an understanding of the various decisions and steps involved in designing and executing a research methodology. Furthermore, students will be in a position to critically assess the methodologies of published research. BBA505 Starting a New Business The aim of the module is to offer students the opportunity to apply in practice key strategic, entrepreneurial management, business financial tools and techniques. More specifically, students will undertake a feasibility study through the design and implementation of experiential market researching activity for a new venture (either in the entrepreneurial or intrapreneurial context) for the strategic development diversification of an existing company perhaps pursing accelerated organic growth. Students will develop hands on experience in terms of the formulation, presentation and promotion to potential investors/financiers of a real business plan proposal. B. Electives (10 courses 60 ECTS) Concentration: International Business and Management (IBM) IBM601 Marketing Management Marketing management is a value creating function that develops markets, identifies opportunities, and builds brands. Therefore, good marketing management enables companies to sustain competitive advantage and leads to long run profitability. The aim of this course is to provide students with a full understanding of the principles of marketing and to enable them to apply their in depth understanding of marketing management to real life situations in their own business environment. IBM602 Logistics and Supply Chain Management Logistics and supply chain management issues include decisions pertaining to the choice of facility location, vehicle routing, and inventory management from a tactical and operational point of view, as well as from a strategic point of view, as many firms focus on logistics and supply chain management to gain competitive advantage. This course aims to introduce students to the development of mathematical modelling tools for the solution of logistics and supply chain management problems and to teach students how to use these tools in analytical strategic, tactical, and operational decision making. IBM603 Fundamentals of Operations Management This course focuses on the essential role that operations play in a company's success. The aim of this course is to provide students with the analytical skills, techniques and tools 6

required in taking decisions for the management of the operations of a manufacturing or service organization. It discusses diverse activities, such as the production process, planning and scheduling the flow of materials, capacity management, forecasting, inventory models, and quality management. IBM604 Organisational Behaviour Organizations consist of people, and individual and group behaviour and processes shape the internal dynamics of organizations. This can have a crucial effect on organizational performance. The aim of this course is to provide students with a fundamental understanding and critical evaluation of the interactions that take place among people in organizations and provide them with the tools to understand individual, group and organizational processes. IBM701 International Business In a globalized economy, the business leaders of today must be knowledgeable of and ready to strategically confront the dynamic international conditions under which they must operate. In this course, students will be introduced to the elements of international business in today's global economy. The differences between domestic and international business will be highlighted and an emphasis will be given in understanding the market and getting familiarized with market evaluation tools. IBM702 Leadership and Strategic Management The objective of this course is for students to understand the nature of effective leadership both as individuals and in teams, to analyse their own goals and skills, and to plan their own leadership journey ahead in a global and diverse environment. This course will help students to develop the ability to work with and through others in order to make substantial contributions as a member of an organization or a community. IBM703 Project Management As projects are integral part of business life and often have significant impact on business success and failure, it is imperative that students have a good understanding of how projects are identified, prioritized, planned and managed to produce business benefits. This course offers a systematic presentation and analysis of the approaches, techniques and tools that are used in project management including: developing a project plan, resource planning, scheduling and project monitoring and evaluation. Project management software is used as a tool in developing real life projects in class. IBM704 Total Quality Management Total Quality Management (TQM) consists of organization wide efforts to install and institute an organizational culture and processes that have as a core the excellence in everything that the organization does. The aim of this course is to familiarize students with the basic principles associated with TQM, to explore how these principles are put into practice to result in high quality products, services and customer satisfaction, and to illustrate several quality models and frameworks in use by various organizations, including EFQM, MBNQA, Deming, ISO 9000 series, etc. 7

Concentration: Innovation and Entrepreneurship Management (IEM) IEM601 Creativity, Idea Development and Opportunity Recognition The course examines the conditions and work practices which stimulate creative behaviour and assists aspiring entrepreneurs in developing great ideas into great companies. With challenging economic times presenting the necessity for many to make their own job, the need to develop the skills to develop and act on innovative business opportunities is ever present. Using proven content, methods, and models for new venture opportunity assessment and analysis, students will learn two key skills: (1) how to use a business model approach to analyse each part of a company, and (2) a customer development orientation to see if anyone really wants the product. Value propositions, customer segments, strategic alliances, and business modelling are core elements taught in the course. The initial steps to creating a business plan, and raising financial capital to launch the firm, are examined as well. The goal is to demystify the start up process, and to help students build the skills to identify and act on innovative opportunities. IEM602 Intrapreneurship Intrapreneurship is defined as entrepreneurial behaviour from within an established institution. Intrapreneurs are valuable for organizations, non profits and businesses because of their ability to raise money, maximize existing institutional resources, and take risks which increase social and financial return on investment. Students who complete the course will have a powerful understanding of how to become an intrapreneur, how to recognize intrapreneurs and effectively partner with them, and how to inspire teams within organizations to think like entrepreneurs. IEM603 Online business, E Commerce and Digital Marketing E business and e commerce refer to the methods used to conduct business and financial transactions online. When a company sells a product over the Internet and when a person communicates or makes business deals with another person online, they are participating in the Internet marketplace and contributing to e commerce. This foundational course focuses on principles of e commerce from a business perspective. It provides an overview of business and technology topics, business models, virtual value chain, and innovation and marketing strategies. In addition, some of the major issues associated with e commerce security, privacy, intellectual property rights, authentication, encryption, acceptable use policies, and legal liabilities will be explored. IEM604 Venture Capital and Business Financing How to finance start ups is a main concern for entrepreneurs. The course helps the participants understand and use the most common tools and techniques used in entrepreneurial finance. This course addresses key questions which challenge all entrepreneurs: how much money can and should be raised; when should it be raised; from whom; what is a reasonable valuation of the company; and how should funding be structured. 8

IEM701 Social Entrepreneurship Students in the course will learn to be social entrepreneurs and develop creative solutions to address social problems. They will develop the knowledge, and skills and be inspired to them to be, as Gandhi said, the change you wish to see in the world. Starting, growing, and managing non profit organizations leads to challenges as complex as, and in some cases more complex than, the challenges facing the for profit enterprise. Non profits need to identify their market, confront competitors, and manage their internal operations just as do firms. However, non profits must address the needs of multiple constituencies, they must balance their values against the requirements of effective management, and they must attract and retain a skilled labour force without the financial resources that characterize much of the for profit sector. IEM702 Business Development Seminar I IEM703 Business Development Seminar II IEM704 Business Development Seminar III Concentration: Business Information Technology (BIT) BIT601 Programming for Business This is a fast paced introductory course to the C++ programming language which will be the students first programming language. The aim of this course is to introduce the essential skills of Programming, and the concepts of object oriented Programming. Students will learn how to write small programs in C++ and use its core features which include assignments, methods, conditional and loop statements, classes, array, list and data structures. Students learn how to write software that is safe from bugs, easy to understand, and ready for change. BIT602 Database Systems and Cloud Technologies The aim of the course is to cover the fundamentals of databases as seen from the perspective of application writers. The course covers schema design techniques, SQL, data warehouses, On line Analytical Processing (OLAP) and federated databases. BIT603 Securing Business Information The aim of this course is to introduce the fundamental issues and principles of security and information assurance. It will look at security policies, models and mechanism to establish confidentiality, integrity, authentication and identification. A student is expected to understand the basics of cryptography, network security (intrusion detection and prevention), risk management, security assurance and issues relating to organization security policies. BIT604 Web Development and Internet Law The aim of this course is to introduce the fundamentals of the Internet to students and enable them to develop websites and web portals from scratch using the available tools and 9

understand the principles of how the internet works. A student will be expected to be able to develop any website by the end of the course and be aware of the available web technology tools available for businesses. Furthermore, students should be aware of issues relating to internet privacy, confidentiality issues, law enforcement policies and the effect of technological change on our social conceptions of privacy. BIT701 Managing New Business Systems Development At the end of the course students should know how develop new business systems with tough assurance targets and should be able to work in large teams in a well defined manner. They should appreciate the waterfall, spiral and evolutionary models of software development and be able to explain which kinds of software project might profitably use them. They should appreciate the value of other tools and the difference between incidental and intrinsic complexity. They should understand the software development life cycle and its basic economics. They should be prepared for the organizational aspects of any new business software system. BIT702 Data Mining and Big Data Analysis The aim of this course is to enable students to extract novel knowledge from large amounts of data. It introduces the concepts, issues, tasks and techniques of data mining including data preparation and feature selection, association rules, classification, clustering, evaluation and validation, scalability, spatial and sequence mining and data mining applications. Furthermore, it provides knowledge to use new Big Data tools and learn ways of storing information that will allow for efficient processing and analysis for informed business decision making. BIT703 Human Computer Interaction Successful completion of this module will provide you with the ability to construct welldesigned applications in Java, using Human Computer Interaction design principles. The module also serves to strengthen your Java programming ability. Students will learn the importance of a user centred design process and the benefit of incorporating UX activities at every stage of a project. BIT704 Business Modelling and Simulation Successful completion of this module will provide insight in simulation techniques in the modeling of various systems. This includes examination and analysis of various types of simulations including discrete event and continuous time. Course emphasis is on conceptualizing and designing abstract models of real world systems, implementing simulations in special purpose software, planning simulation studies, and analyzing simulation output. This course will go into detail of System dynamics which has been around for over 50 years. It was originally created to help decision makers to design improved management policies and organizational structures. System dynamics is increasingly used in organizations all around the world and has been applied to a wide variety of issues including organizational change, climate change, healthcare and project management. 10

Concentration: Financial and Management Accounting (FMA) FMA601 Advanced Management Accounting While Management Accounting helps students to develop knowledge and understanding of management accounting techniques to support management in costing, planning, controlling and monitoring performance in a variety of business contexts, this course on Advances Management Accounting aims to develop the critical thinking that will allow students to evaluate those management accounting techniques. FMA602 Business Strategy I Strategy involves the coordination and integration of efforts within the different functional areas of an organization for dealing with the uncertainty of the future in order to take the business where it wants to be. Business strategy begins with the identification and analysis of an organization s competitive capabilities through functional areas such as IT, marketing, human resources, finance etc. that are utilized to create the organization s strategic vision and strategic plan for the future. Attention is paid to several internal and external factors such as the economy, the strengths of the company, industry trends, culture, and social issues. FMA603 Financial Accounting II To develop knowledge and skills in understanding and applying accounting standards and the theoretical framework in the preparation of financial statements of entities, including groups and how to analyse and interpret those financial statements. This course goes beyond the understanding and application of accounting standards: it offers the student a way of thinking around the managerial behaviour that the standards are there to prevent and the managerial behaviour they aim to encourage. FMA604 Governance and Risks This course examines current best practice in all aspects of corporate governance, from the new role of board committees and directors, responsibilities and powers, to best implementation of governance in day to day activities. The course also provides a critical analysis of auditing practices and their role in organizational governance and risk management. Auditing is demanded by, and provides assurance to, a variety of internal and external stakeholders, including corporate shareholders and regulators. As societal demands for accountability have increased, auditing has become both more important and more regulated itself. The course addresses the theoretical basis of auditing, its role as a risk management function, its practical methodologies and its legal, professional and social environment. FMA605 Accountant in Business An accountant performs functions related to the collection, recording, quality, analysis and presentation of useful information on an organization s operations, to be used by internal and external users. Accountants often have a variety of administrative roles within a company's operations. The purpose of this course is to introduce and understanding of the developing role of the Accountant in organizations. It examines the contribution of the accounting function to the efficient, effective and ethical management and development of an organization and its people and systems. 11

FMA701 Financial Analysis and Management Accurate financial analysis is necessary for strategy design and subsequent overall success, as it sheds light on how to allocate scares resources and on how to evaluate projects for maximum return on investment. Financial analysis for the planning process and enables managers to have an overall image of how the business is performing. This course aims to develop the knowledge and skills expected of a financial manager, in relation to investment, financing, and dividend policy decisions. FMA702 Audit and Assurance The aim of this course is to introduce students to the principles of external auditing and other assurance services. The course highlights both theoretical and practical aspects of the audit process and also presents recent developments in the profession and the regulatory framework. Furthermore, this course develops the student s understanding of the process of carrying out the assurance engagement and its application in the context of the practitioner s regulatory framework. FMA703 Business Strategy II The aim of this course is to arm students with the tools that will allow them to critically think about business strategy. Specifically, students will learn how to evaluate the process of strategy formulation, and moreover, to compare the tools and techniques used in strategy formulation and implementation. This course is used to develop the student s critical thinking. FMA704 Long Term Decision Making and Risk Management Decision making is at the heart of what organizations do. Managers must contend with high levels of uncertainty, multi functional teams, and changing competitive landscapes. Besides making short term tactical decisions, there is a growing need for long term, strategic decision making. Every organization must balance the need for positive short term results and positive long term results. Fundamentally, the management behaviours and practices for meeting short term objectives are vastly different than those necessary to meet longterm objectives. Embedded in the course are decision making behaviours, cultural enablers, predicting versus managing the uncertainty of the future, and building adaptability into longer term strategic initiatives. Students gain the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to identify, assess, prioritise and manage the potential risks that face an enterprise. FMA705 Principles of Taxation The objective of this course is to provide students with a basic understanding of the concepts, terminology, and principles specific to the discipline of taxation that are relevant to the professional development of those preparing for a career in accounting, but also of anyone interested in a career in business. This course will allow students to develop knowledge and skills relating to the Cyprus and the UK tax system as applicable to individuals, single companies and groups of companies. 12

C. Practicum (12 ECTS) BBA801 Web Entrepreneurship Academy OR BBA811 Management Simulator Academy OR FMA821 Advanced Accounting Academy D. Internship or Thesis or Accounting Case (12 ECTS) BBA812 Thesis OR FMA822 Accounting Case E. Third Language (6 ECTS) BBA901 Third Language (EU language, or Russian, or Chinese, or Arabic) Students will have the opportunity to learn a new language and will acquire a good working knowledge of the language of their choice by the end of their degree. Learning a new language will expand your cultural awareness and increase your employability in an increasingly globalized economy as global businesses nowadays favour job candidates that are competent in at least two international languages. 13