Introduction to Business

 

MGG 150 – Fall 2013


 

 

Instructor: David Murray                                                                      

Email: djmurray@buffalo.edu                                                               

Skype: djmurrayub

Office: Jacobs 284

Phone: 645-3249

Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday 12:30 - 1:30 (or by appointment)

Course Web Site: http://www.mgt.buffalo.edu/departments/mss/djmurray/mgg150/

 

 

Course Objectives:

This course provides students with an introduction to business concepts and a foundation of business knowledge.  We will explore all aspects of a business including Organization of a Business, Business Environment, Management, Managing Employees, Marketing, Financial Management and Management Information Systems.  As future managers / business owners, you need to be equipped to make knowledgeable business decisions that will maximize the value of the firm.  The course accomplishes this by:

 

·         Introducing basic business concepts

·         Providing an overview of the functional areas of a business

·         Guest lectures

·         In Class Exercises

·         Providing a foundation needed for subsequent coursework

 

 

Course Materials:

·         Madura, Introduction to Business 5th Edition, Paradigm, 2010.  ISBN: 978-0-76383-620-7

Also available as an eBook at http://paradigm.emcp.com/introduction-to-business-5th-edition.html

 

 

In Class Exercises and Homework:

There will be 12 individual assignments that are designed to help reinforce the material that has been covered in the lecture.  Only the 10 highest grades will be counted towards your overall course grade for a maximum of 50 points.  You are permitted to miss any 2 assignments without penalty.  Completion of more than 10 assignments will not result in extra points earned, but may improve your grade if you scored lower on other assignments.

 

Most of the assignments are In Class Exercises which are assigned and completed during class.  Of the 12 assignments, some may be assigned as Homework to be completed outside of class.  Late assignments are not accepted and you must be in class to earn credit for In Class Exercises.  In Class Exercise #1 will be assigned as a course pretest during the first week of class.

 

 

Exams:

There will be 4 in class exams and a non-cumulative final exam administered during the course.  All exams are multiple-choice format and are Scantron scored so bring your #2 pencil and UB ID Card to class on exam days.  The date and time of the final exam will be announced in class once it has been scheduled.  There are no make up exams except under exceptional circumstances.

 

 

Course Conduct:

You are required to observe the rules of academic integrity and classroom conduct put forth by the University at Buffalo.  Cheating will not be tolerated.  Students found cheating will receive a grade of F for the course and be subject to further disciplinary action by the School of Management and/or the University at Buffalo.  The University at Buffalo Academic Integrity policies are posted on the course website and should be reviewed carefully.

 

 

Grading:

 

Assignment

Points

Exam 1

50

Exam 2

50

Exam 3

50

Exam 4

50

Final Exam

50

Homework and In Class Exercises

50

 

 

Grading Scale:

A course grade of A is 285 points and above, A- is 270 points and above, B+ is 262.5 points and above, B is 255 points and above, B- is 240 points and above, C+ is 232.5 points and above, C is 225 points and above, C- is 210 points and above, D is 195 points and above and a grade of F is earned if you receive less than 195 points.  Depending on the overall class performance, I reserve the right to adjust the scale.  My decision to adjust the scale will only be made at the end of the semester once all of the course grades are in.

 

According to University Regulations, a grade of Incomplete can only be given if the student is currently passing the course and circumstances prevent them from completing the semester.  Incomplete grades will not be given once the student has taken the final exam.  **November 8th is the last day to resign the course.

 

 

Tentative Course Schedule:

 

Date

Ch

Topics

8/27

 

Course Introduction

8/29

 

Course Pretest – will receive full credit for In Class Exercise #1 by simply completing it

9/3

1

Motives and Functions of a Business

9/5

No Class.  Rosh Hashanah

9/10

2

Business Ethics and Social Responsibility

9/12

3

Assessing Economic Conditions

9/17

4

Assessing Global Conditions

9/19

Exam 1 (Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4)

9/24

5

Selecting a Form of Business Ownership

9/26

6

Entrepreneurship and Business Planning

10/1

 

Bill Gates and Warren Buffet Video

10/3

7

Managing Effectively

10/8

8

Organizational Structure

10/10

Exam 2 (Chapters 5, 6, 7, and 8)

10/15

9

Improving Productivity and Quality

10/17

10

Motivating Employees

10/22

11

Hiring, Training, and Evaluating Employees

10/24

12

Creating and Pricing Products

10/29

Exam 3 (Chapters 9, 10, 11 and 12)

10/31

13

Distributing Products

11/5

14

Promoting Products

11/7

 

Topic To be Announced

11/12

15

Accounting and Financial Analysis - Guest Speaker Professor Muriel Anderson

11/14

Exam 4 (Chapters 13, 14, and 15)

11/19

16

Financing

11/21

17

Expanding the Business

11/26

 

Using Information Technology

11/28

No Class.  Fall Recess.

12/3

 

Using Information Technology (cont.)

12/5

 

Final Exam Review

TBA

Final Exam (Chapters 16, 17, and Using Information Technology topic)