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Business

Requirements & Courses

  • Business Analytics Major

    Sixty-four credits, which must include:

    Business Core Courses (48 cr):

    1. BUS-117, 121, 221, 222, 225, 309, 317, 323, 333, 440
    2. ECN 111 or ECN 112
    3. Ethics: four credits from PHL-225, 227, 228, 229 or other course pre-approved by the department.
    4. BUS-385 Business Practicum 

  • Analytics Concentration (12 cr); only 8 credits are permitted from the same discipline:

    • MTH 116 or MTH 118 or POL 210 or PSY 220
    • BUS 417 Business Analytics III
    • DAT 115 Introduction to Data Analytics
    • DAT 116 Programming with Data
    • DAT 315 Machine Learning
    • ECN 217 Quantitative Methods
    • ECN 317 Econometrics
    • HCA 405 Healthcare Informatics
    • IPH 330 Health Data Analysis
  • Business Environmental Responsibility Major

    Sixty-four credits, which must include:

    Business Core Courses (48 cr):

    1. BUS-117, 121, 221, 222, 225, 309, 317, 323, 333, 440
    2. ECN 111 or ECN 112
    3. Ethics: four credits from PHL-225, 227, 228, 229 or other course pre-approved by the department.
    4. BUS-385 Business Practicum

  • Environmental Responsibility Concentration (12 cr); only 8 credits are permitted from the same discipline:

    • COM 253 Environmental Communication
    • ECN 340 Environmental Economics
    • ENG 180 Environmental Literature
    • ENV 105 Intro to Environmental Studies
    • ENV 280 Environmental Seminar
    • ENV 291 Scientific Writing and Methods
    • ECN 360 Environmental Policy Analysis
    • ENV 370 Risk Assessment
    • ENV 205 Environmental Health
    • NMS 253 Environmental Media
    • PHL 225 Environmental Ethics
  • Business Leadership & Management Major

    Sixty-four credits, which must include:

    Business Core Courses (48 cr):

    1. BUS-117, 121, 221, 222, 225, 309, 317, 323, 333, 440
    2. ECN 111 or ECN 112
    3. Ethics: four credits from PHL-225, 227, 228, 229 or other course pre-approved by the department.
    4. BUS-385 Business Practicum

  • Leadership & Management Concentration (12 cr); only 8 credits are permitted from the same discipline:

    • BUS 223 Business Leadership and Society
    • BUS 341 Applications and Cases in Management
    • BUS 380 Strategic Leadership
    • COM 102 Group and Team Communication
    • COM 192 Introduction to Public Relations
    • COM 353 Risk and Crisis Communication
    • COM 380 PR Strategy
    • ECN 314 Behavioral Economics
    • EHS 231 Team Leadership
    • ENG 203 Professional and Technical Writing
    • NMS 310 Social Media
    • PSY 276 Industrial Organization
    • SOC 224 Women, Work, and Calling
  • Business Sports Management Major

    Sixty-four credits, which must include:

    Business Core Courses (48 cr):

    1. BUS-117, 121, 221, 222, 225, 309, 317, 323, 333, 440
    2. ECN 111 or ECN 112
    3. Ethics: four credits from PHL-225, 227, 228, 229 or other course pre-approved by the department.
    4. BUS-385 Business Practicum

  • Sports Management Concentration (12 cr); only 8 credits are permitted from the same discipline:

    • BUS 230 Sports Management
    • COM 212 Sports Communication
    • ECN 380 Economics of Sports
    • IPH 224 Principles of Sports Medicine
    • NMS 310 Social Media
    • PHL 242 Philosophy of Sport
    • PSY 242 Sport Psychology
  • Accounting Major

    Fifty-two credits which must include:

    Core Courses (36 cr):

    1. BUS-121, 221, 225, 309, 323, 333, 440

    2. Four credits from 224A, 224B, 224C, 224D

    3. Four credits from BUS-150, 151, 340, 341, 342, 350, 442, 385/386, 299/399/499, 500

    Accounting Emphasis (16 cr)

    1. BUS-321, 322, 331, 425.

    *See also Required Cognate Courses.

  • Professional Accounting (CPA) Major

    The State of Michigan requires five years of coursework in order to sit for the CPA exam (or 168 credit hours at Alma College). Students interested in pursuing the Professional Accounting (CPA) can, with careful planning of coursework at Alma, complete the necessary coursework required to sit for the exam in four years. In addition to the courses required for the Accounting Major, students must complete the following courses for the Professional Accounting (CPA) Major: BUS-366, 422, 426 and 449. (See also Required Cognate Courses.) As part of their cognates, students must also take ECN-111 and MTH-116. Total Credit Hours: 68.

  • Secondary Teaching Major Requirements

    Business Core Courses (48 cr):

    1. BUS-117, 121, 221, 222, 225, 309, 317, 323, 333, 440
    2. ECN 111 or ECN 112
    3. Ethics: four credits from PHL-225, 227, 228, 229 or other course pre-approved by the department.
  • Business Administration Minor Requirements

    Twenty-four credits which must include:

    1. BUS-117, 121, and 221
    2. Twelve additional credits of BUS courses at the 200 level and above.
  • Required cognate courses for Accounting and Professional Accounting Majors:
    1. Economics: ECN-111 or 112
    2. Data/Business Analytics: four credits from ECN-217, 317; POL-111, 215, or other course pre-approved by the department.
    3. Quantitative: four credits from MTH-113, 116, 118, 121, 341, PSY-220 or other course pre-approved by the department. MTH-116 is the preferred course.
    4. Ethics: four credits from PHL-225, 227, 228, 229, 242 or other course approved by the department.
    5. Communication: One course in COM or NMS or any other communication course approved by the department (students may take any two or four credit course in either COM or NMS).

Courses

  • BUS
    117
    .
    Business Analytics I
    4 Credits
    Microsoft Excel is the most widely used software in business. Bankers, accountants, analysts, marketing professionals, scientists, entrepreneurs, and most professionals use Excel. This course will cover advanced skills in the use of Excel spreadsheets, workbooks, tools, techniques, and functions.
  • BUS
    121
    .
    Business Foundations
    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
    221
    .
    Financial Accounting
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: BUS-121 or HCA-131 (may be taken concurrently), sophomore standing, or permission
    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
    Study of accounting with emphasis on cost accounting, Cost-volume-profit, budgeting, capital budgeting and decision making. Emphasis on how cost and managerial accounting concepts apply to decision making and management analysis.
  • BUS
    223
    .
    Business Leadership and Society
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: BUS-121 or Permission
    Social, ethical and legal responsibilities that leaders have to society at large in profit and non-profit enterprises. Special focus on helping students become future leaders who think critically about the outcome of decisions they make and how these decisions impact society as a whole. Uses a case-analysis approach to study decisions made by business leaders that have had positive and negative impacts on companies in our society. Designed as an experiential learning class. Includes simulations, case applications and projects.
  • BUS
    225
    .
    Legal Environment of Business
    4 credits
    Introduces legal concepts and critical thinking that are applied in a business context. Includes the study of complex business problems with a legal and ethical focus. Students will build knowledge of the law and legal concepts to help navigate the everyday business world. Topics may include: the court system, litigation process, negligence and strict liability, employment law and discrimination, contracts, real and personal property law, torts, product liability, consumer law and criminal law impacting business.
  • BUS
    230
    .
    Sports Management
    4 Credits
    An overview of the sports industry and the history of sports as a cultural phenomenon. Introduces the student to the basic fundamental knowledge and skill sets required of the sport manager to solve sport business problems. Additional topics may include: historical, ethical, social, and economic aspects of the sports industry; the terminology of sports; and the forces that have affected the growth of sports as a business.
  • BUS
    309
    .
    Managerial Finance
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: Four credits from BUS-222 or BUS-224(A-D or 224M); ECN 111, 112, 201 or 202; and four credits from MTH 113, 116, 118, 121, 341, PSY 220, or Permission
    An introductory course in finance designed for general business students with an emphasis on core financial principles. Students will acquire a working knowledge of how capital markets function, learn to analyze financial statements, assess the time value of money and the valuation of debt and stock, and make capital budgeting decisions.
  • BUS
    317
    .
    Business Analytics II
    4 Credits
    A data analytics course using multiple tools to emphasize critical thinking and data analysis skills, including descriptive, diagnostic, predictive and prescriptive analyses. Students will take real business data and determine what questions to ask and what decisions to make to solve business problems. Students will: learn how to ask the right questions; extract, transform and load relevant data; apply appropriate data analytic techniques; interpret and share the results with stakeholders using basic data visualizations.
  • BUS
    321
    .
    Intermediate Accounting I
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: four credits from BUS-222 or BUS-224(A-D or 224M)
    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
    Prerequisite: 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
    .
    Contemporary Management
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: four credits from BUS-222 or BUS-224(A-D or 224M); ECN 111, 112, 201 or 202; and four credits from MTH 113, 116, 118, 121, 341, PSY 220, or Permission
    Exploration of the four primary functions of management: planning, organizing, leading and controlling. Emphasis on understanding functions and roles that managers play within organizational structures and society stakeholders. Students will engage in numerous contemporary experiential learning and project applications. Developing managerial problem-solving, business professionalism, teamwork, and communication skills are a cornerstone of this course.
  • BUS
    324
    .
    Human Resource Management
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: 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
    331
    .
    Cost Accounting
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: four credits from BUS-222 or BUS-224(A-D or 224M)
    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 and Society
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: four credits from BUS-222 or BUS-224(A-D or 224M); ECN-111, 112, 201 or 202; and four credits from MTH-113, 116, 118, 121, 341, PSY-220, 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
    339
    .
    Logistics/Supply Chain Management
    2 credits
    Prerequisite: BUS-333
    Supply chain management encompasses all areas of business that deal with the movement of product. This includes the inbound movement of raw materials and component parts, the transfer of inventory from one location to another and the outbound movement of products to the customer. Areas covered include customer service, facility location, inventory management, order processing, purchasing/procurement, transportation and warehousing.
  • BUS
    341
    .
    Applications and Cases in Management
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: BUS-121, 221, 309, 323, 333 and four credits from BUS-222 or BUS-224(A-D or 224M)
    Apply management concepts to real life cases and situations. Examine complex management problems in the business world. Learn critical thinking, problem solving and conceptual thinking through the use of role play, simulations, projects, and case applications. This is a synergistic class and content from core classes will be utilized in this experiential learning environment.
  • BUS
    366
    .
    Commercial Law
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: Junior Standing or Permission
    Focuses on the legal theory and mechanisms designed to facilitate commercial transactions within our society. Topics may include: the law of agency, partnerships, corporations, sales, commercial paper, debtor-creditor relations, secured transactions, and other appropriate topics for professionals working with the commercial realm.
  • BUS
    380DM
    .
    Strategic Leadership
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: Permission
    Today’s business leaders confront an increasing array of choices in an environment characterized by constant change. Leadership requires knowledge and technical competence, but as important is the development of the skills needed to align, motivate, and guide diverse teams to perform at the highest levels in rapidly changing environments. This course will employ case studies to engage Alma juniors and seniors in the kind of decisions today’s leaders face. Key to the class will be the opportunity to meet with successful alumni from a range of fields, gaining their perspectives on the characteristics of successful leadership. Reading will range from Marcus Aurelius to Jim Collins. We will spend most of one week of the course in Chicago, working with alumni to develop perspectives on leadership. Spring Term only. Course fee.
  • BUS
    380M
    .
    Strategic Leadership
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: Permission
    OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS. Today’s business leaders confront an increasing array of choices in an environment characterized by constant change. Leadership requires knowledge and technical competence, but as important is the development of the skills needed to align, motivate, and guide diverse teams to perform at the highest levels in rapidly changing environments. This course will utilize a number of methods to engage the students in the kind of decisions that today’s leaders face. Key to the class will be the opportunity to meet with successful alumni from a range of fields, in order to gain their perspectives on the characteristics of successful leadership. The class will be held online and meet daily.
  • BUS
    385
    .
    Business Administration Practicum
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: Complete the following courses with a minimum grade of C: BUS-121, 221, 225, 309, 323, 333 and four credits from BUS-222 or BUS-224(A-D or 224M)
    Only four credits will count in the major. Requires permission. Student must also successfully complete the appropriate internship workshops that are sponsored by the Center for Student Opportunity (CSO).
  • BUS
    410
    .
    Investments
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: 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
    415
    .
    Advanced Finance
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: BUS-221, BUS-309, and four credits from BUS-222 or BUS-224(A-D or 224M)
    An advanced finance course designed to cover more complicated topics in corporate finance. In this course, students will increase understanding of cash flow estimation and risk analysis, capital structure and leverage, dividends and share repurchase, and working capital management.
  • BUS
    417
    .
    Business Analytics III
    4 Credits
    Advanced themes in business analytics that may include data base management, multi variate regression, Monte Carlo simulations, and data visualization.
  • BUS
    422
    .
    Advanced Accounting
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: 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
    425
    .
    Federal Individual Income Tax
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: four credits from BUS-222 or BUS-224(A-D or 224M)
    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
    Prerequisite: four credits from BUS-222 or BUS-224(A-D or 224M)
    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
    440
    .
    Global Strategic Management
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: BUS-121, 221, 309, 323, 333 and four credits from BUS-222 or BUS-224(A-D or 224M)
    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
    Prerequisite: BUS-322 or by Permission
    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
    442M
    .
    Accounting Information Systems
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: BUS-322 or by Permission
    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. Spring Term only.
  • BUS
    449
    .
    Auditing
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: 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
    499
    .
    Business Admin. Independent Study
    1 credit
    Requires instructor permission.
  • BUS
    500
    .
    Senior Thesis
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: Senior Standing and Permission
    Student must have a GPA of 3.5 or better calculated on all BUS courses taken.