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Course Descriptions - Other Electives

Additional Electives

INDEPENDENT STUDY ACC 400, FIL 400. MQM 400, MKT 400


All four departments in the College offer Independent Study, which can involve any topic. You must, however, have prior approval and a permit from the MBA Director to register for Independent Study credit. You and the professor with whom you are studying will be asked to demonstrate that your study program is worthy of graduate credit and is also of benefit to the Professor's research or pedagogical objectives. MBA students participating in the College of Business Study Abroad programs can earn 3 hours of elective credit by preparing a directed study proposal and registering as independent study.

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: INTERNSHIPS ACC 498, FIL 498, MQM 498, and MKT 498


Professional Practice--Internship Internship credit is offered in four departments (ACC, FIL, MQM, MKT). You must plan ahead if you wish to receive such credit. Internship credit is not given for a job in which you are already employed, except in some circumstances where you are assigned full-time to a different, special project for a period of at least 12 weeks. To request internship credit you should submit an application and a resume to the MBA Program Office early in the semester prior to that in which credit is requested. Opportunities will be available mostly during the summer, and there can be no guarantee of availability. A total of three (3) hours of Professional Practice credit from all departments may be used as elective credit for the MBA. To be eligible to apply for Professional Practice, a student must have completed 12 hours of core courses including the core course in the area of the internship and have a graduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.25.

THESIS
FIL 499, MQM 499, and MKT 499: Master's Thesis


A student may register for a total of four to six hours of thesis credit. The credit may therefore be used to satisfy one or two elective requirements. Normally a student finishes all other coursework first and then spends a full semester working on a thesis. A thesis is not required for the MBA, but students are encouraged to consider a thesis if it would be beneficial to their career or to their preparation for a Ph.D. program. Students interested in pursuing a thesis should notify their academic advisor.  

 

 

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Agribusiness

AGR 422: International Trade of Agricultural Products


Examination of the gains from trade and the impact of agricultural trade policies on the welfare of trading nations. Prerequisites: ECO 240 (Intermediate Microeconomic Theory) and 241(Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory) or consent of instructor.

AGR 424: Agribusiness Strategy and Analysis


Advanced application of quantitative and qualitative analysis in the development and implementation of Agribusiness firm strategy and policy. Prerequisite: Admission to Agribusiness graduate program or consent of instructor.

Information Technology

ITK 432: Systems Analysis and Design


Study of systems development life-cycle emphasizing current techniques for documenting users' requirements and producing maintainable, cost effective systems. Prerequisites: A two-semester sequence in a high-level programming language, and ACC 261 or ACS 261 (Systems). Not for credit if ACS 364 (Systems Development Tools and Issues) has already been taken.

ITK 440: Artificial Intelligence and Expert Systems


Study of artificial intelligence principles, software, and major areas of application. Emphasis on expert systems. Prerequisites: 2 semester sequence in a high-level programming language. ACS 467: Human Factors In Information Systems Human factors issues in developing information systems: design guidelines, psychological principles, incorporation into a systems development life cycle. Prerequisites: ACS 432 (Systems Analysis and Design) or ACS 460 (Software Development Practices).

ITK 475: Advanced Data Communications and Networks


Study of network design, standards, and protocols; hardware and software; layered network architecture; telecommunications access methods; terminals and data streams. Prerequisites: ACS 375 (Introduction to Data Communication) or ACS 376 (Introduction to Online Systems). ACS 478: Advanced Database Management Theory, design, and implementation of application systems using database technology. Data modeling, database administration, database implementation, performance issues, current trends. Prerequisite: ACS 378 (Database Processing).

Arts Management

THE 481: Introduction to Arts Administration


This seminar provides an overview of the world of arts management and leadership. It is intended to serve the needs of future executives and middle managers in not-for-profit arts organizations. The seminar is built around units including (a) the role of management and leadership, (b) an overview of the not-for-profit sector, (c) board roles and responsibilities, (d) marketing the arts, (e) labor unions in the arts, and (f) legal issues.

THE 482: Fundraising and Grantwritingfor Non Profit Arts


This seminar provides an overview of fundraising and grant writing, supplemented by extensive "hands-on" activities. The seminar is built around units including (a) an overview of public and private funding structures for non-profit arts organizations, (b) the current and future state of American philanthropy, (c) writing a project-based grant proposal that will be reviewed and critiqued by field professionals, (d) organizing and conducting capital/comprehensive campaigns, including assessment of institutional readiness, and (e) integrating fundraising into mission and staffing. Further the seminar studies historic legislation (e.g., various tax reform acts) that has effected giving to the arts and other not-for-profits.

THE 483: Public Policy and the Arts.


This seminar explores the relationship in America between arts and government-a "partnership" that has almost always been ambiguous, tense, and highly susceptible to politics at the national, state, and local levels. Government now has the power to encourage the arts through direct grants, supportive policies, and indirect subsidies. The relationship between government and culture is articulated through explicit or implicit "cultural policies" by which governments make decisions about whether the arts can be defined legitimately as a public good worthy of support. But if government provides support, what are the implications for artistic freedom? If governments support arts or artists, does it also have the "right" to control subsidized artistic expression? In times of scarce resources, can support of the arts and cultural organizations rationally be justified over increased expenditures for social or medical services? Seminar participants explore these issues and the controversies that have surrounded the arts and public funding.