Alma College: Courses

BUS 121.	Introduction to Business
	4 credits

General survey course that introduces the students to the various business disciplines. Students will briefly investigate the disciplines of accounting, finance, international business, law, management and marketing and how all of these disciplines are interrelated. The areas of business ethics and social responsibility will also be examined.
BUS 150.	SIFE
	1 credit

Preparation to present strategic business initiatives at regional and national Student in Free Enterprise (SIFE) competitions by examining non-profit and for-profit business structures and assisting individuals and businesses in adapting successful strategies for future success. Course may be repeated for credit. Only four credits in total of BUS 150 and BUS 350 will count toward the business major.
BUS 221.	Financial Accounting
	4 credits
	BUS 121 or taken concurrently, MTH 101 or its equivalent, Sophomore Standing
General survey course that introduces the study and application of the basic concepts and methods used in developing and reporting financial information about an economic entity. Emphasis on developing the ability to interpret and apply accounting information to the decision-making process.
BUS 222.	Managerial Accounting
	4 credits
	BUS 221
Study of accounting in the manufacturing and service sector, cost allocation and analysis, development of cash flow statements and analysis of financial statements. Emphasis on how cost and managerial accounting concepts and methods apply to the decision-making process.
BUS 226/*446.	Cross-Cultural Studies
	4 credits

Study of selected aspects of world business and economics, politics, religion, communication and the exploration of cultural relations across national boundaries. Special focus on the importance of effective cross-cultural relations for global managers and corporations. Locations vary.
BUS *301.	Business Communications
	4 credits
	ENG 101 and BUS 121
Preparation for effective communication in the business realm. Emphasis on business writing, presentation skills, and obtaining solid listening skills in business forums. Students will improve professionalism regarding communication that is oral, written and electronic. Other topics include: the report process, business research methods and business etiquette.
BUS *309.	Finance
	4 credits
	BUS 222; ECN 201 and 202; MTH 116
Introduction to the principles of managerial financial policies, leading to maximizing the value of a firm. Major emphasis on financial decisions facing a firm, management of current assets, capital budgeting, cash flow management, optimal capital structure, time value of money and financial/ratio analysis.
BUS *321.	Intermediate Accounting I
	4 credits
	BUS 222
In-depth study of theoretical framework, concepts and methods relating to financial accounting, with special attention given to asset measurement and income determination. Emphasis on developing analytical and problem-solving skills.
BUS *322.	Intermediate Accounting II
	4 credits
	BUS 321
Thorough and balanced study of theory, concepts, methods and applications relating to financial accounting with special attention to debt and owner equity measurement and disclosure. Emphasis on earnings per share calculation and accounting for leases and pensions.
BUS *323.	Management
	4 credits
	BUS 222; ECN 201 and 202, MTH 116 or Permission
Exploration of the four primary functions of management: planning, organizing, leading and controlling. Emphasis on understanding functions and role that managers play within organizational structure and within society.
BUS *324.	Human Resource Management
	4 credits
	BUS 323 or Permission
Emphasis on employment issues of organizations such as: recruiting, selecting, training, compensating and managing human resources. Other critical topics such as appraisal, discipline, safety, benefits and collective bargaining are discussed. Insight is also provided into the legal issues involved with human resource management and the framework for equal opportunity employment.
BUS *325.	Business Law I
	4 credits
	Junior Standing
Explores the legal environment in which business actually operates. Topics include introduction to the court system, contracts, sales, commercial instruments, personal property and various other legal concepts impacting business.
BUS *326.	Business Law II
	4 credits
	Junior Standing
Explores the legal environment in which business actually operates. Topics include the law of agency, partnerships, corporations, bankruptcy, and estates and trusts.
BUS *331.	Cost Accounting
	4 credits
	BUS 222
For service and manufacturing sectors, study of cost accounting systems and cost information including objectives, data accumulation, presentation and communication. Emphasis on cash flow, cost behavior and allocation, management planning and control, breakeven analysis and variance analysis useful in decision making.
BUS *333.	Marketing
	4 credits
	BUS 222, ECN 201 and 202, MTH 116 or Permission
General survey course acquainting students with the business and economic principles underlying the transfer of goods and services from producer to consumers. Investigation of the institutions, systems of distribution, and the functions and policies of the marketing discipline.
BUS *336.	Direct Response Marketing
	2 credits
	BUS 333 or Permission
Investigate the role that direct response marketing plays in the overall marketing plan for an organization. Topics covered include: customer relationship marketing, data base marketing, user characteristics, lead generation and ethical considerations.
BUS *337.	E-Commerce
	2 credits
	BUS 333 or Permission
Investigate the importance of the rapidly growing field of e-commerce within a firm's overall strategic marketing plan. Topics covered include: user characteristics, privacy and security issues, and ethical and legal considerations. This course WILL NOT be a course in Web site development.
BUS *350.	Advanced SIFE
	2 credits
	Junior Standing
A thorough examination of business strategy and key functions of business operations including; business planning, strategic initiatives and the role of free enterprise in the business world. Also focuses on examining the role of business in society, leadership initiatives, motivation and entrepreneurs. Course may be repeated for credit. Only four credits in total of BUS 150 and BUS 350 will count toward the business administration major.
BUS 385/386.	Practicum
	4 credits each
	Junior Standing and Permission
Only four credits will count in the major.
BUS *401.	Advertising
	4 credits
	BUS 333 or Permission
Study of advertising and its use in marketing programs. Emphasis on the role of advertising in the world of business, developing advertising strategies, selecting media, managing advertising activities and budgeting for profitability. Special emphasis on the social and ethical aspects of the advertising program.
BUS *410.	Investments
	4 credits
	BUS 309 or Permission
Principles of investments, types of investments including common and preferred stocks, bonds, options, mutual funds and derivatives, analysis of risk and return, portfolio structure, operation of markets, analysis of investment requirements, and market timing strategies.
BUS *422.	Advanced Accounting
	4 credits
	BUS 322 and Senior Standing
Accounting for partnerships, governmental units, not-for-profit organizations, corporate consolidations, foreign currency transactions and translation of foreign financial statements.
BUS *423.	Small Business Management
	4 credits
	BUS 221, 222, 309, 323 and 333
Examines the principles and practices pertaining to the operation of small business enterprises. Students are required to apply skills learned in the core business courses, with a special emphasis on management. Opportunities and risks inherent in starting small businesses are analyzed and the skills needed to successfully run a small business are discussed.
BUS *425.	Federal Individual Income Taxation
	4 credits
	BUS 222
This course covers the federal income tax laws and regulations impacting individuals. Topics covered include: personal and dependency exemptions, gross income, deductions, losses, tax credits property transactions and federal gifts taxes. Students gain analytical and problem-solving skills for dealing with individual income tax issues.
BUS *426.	Federal Business Taxation
	4 credits
	BUS 222
Explore corporate operating rules, capital structure, distributions, reorganization, partnerships, S-Corporations, exempt entities, tax administration and practice, and multi-state and international transactions. Gain analytical and problem-solving skills for dealing with business tax issues.
BUS *427.	Transnational Management
	4 credits
	BUS 323
Study of labor forces, competitive practices, decision making, planning and control, and human resource management in international business. Exploration of other topics influencing global managers and corporations.
BUS *428.	Global Marketing Management
	4 credits
	BUS 333 or Permission
Exploration of the environment of international markets and institutions. Analysis of the impact of cultural, social, financial, legal, political and technical problems in the marketing plan with particular emphasis on current international developments.
BUS *429.	Multinational Finance
	4 credits
	BUS 309
Analysis of foreign exchange issues and risk management, international investment and capital budgeting, global securities and capital markets.
BUS *435.	Marketing Research
	4 credits
	BUS 333 and MTH 116
Study of the formal research techniques applicable to marketing. Methodical considerations include sample selection, questionnaire design, data collection, processing and analysis of data, and the preparation of managerial reports.
BUS *440.	Global Strategic Management
	4 credits
	BUS 309, 323 and 333
Coverage of all aspects of strategy with a focus on industry and corporate analysis, especially in the global environment. Emphasis on individual written and group oral presentations of case analyses. Students apply the concepts learned to actual business situations. The capstone course for Business Administration and International Business Administration majors.
BUS *442.	Accounting Information Systems
	4 credits
	BUS 322 and Senior Standing
Study of accounting information systems, including systems analysis, design and implementation. Emphasis on design and documentation tools and internal controls. Focuses on the needs and responsibilities of accountants as end users of systems, system designers and auditors.
BUS *449.	Auditing
	4 credits
	BUS 322 and Senior Standing
Study and evaluation of the nature, objectives, scope and theory of the audit process as applied to accounting and internal control systems. Emphasis and balance placed on standards, ethics, current developments and legal requirements as well as special topics including statistical sampling and audit of electronic data processing systems.
BUS *480.	Topics in Business Administration
	2-4 credits
	Permission
Current topics in Business Administration including: Business Leadership and Society, Commercial Banking, Government and Not for Profit Accounting, Personal Finances, Physical Distribution Management, Real Estate Management, Sales Management and other topics as the need arises.
BUS *499.	Independent Study
	1-4 credits
	Permission

BUS *500.	Senior Thesis
	4 credits
	Permission

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