Biology - Major in Biology Program

Core Courses:

ACT 131 Fundamentals of Accounting and Financial Statement Analysis

This course will provide students with an introduction to the fundamentals of the accounting system, basic financial statements, and SEC filings. You will learn how transactions get recorded in a business' financial records and become familiar with the concept of footnote disclosures. You will evaluate and analyze how financial statements are used by stakeholders and how information contained therein in collected. Students are not permitted to take ACT 131 if they have previously completed ACT 151 with a C- or better. 3 credits.

ACT 231 Managerial Accounting

Cost-volume-profit relationships, cost analysis, business segment contribution, profit planning and budgeting as a basis for managerial decision-making. Prerequisite: ACT 131 or ACT 151, with a minimum grade of C- or better. 3 credits.

BUS 130 Modern Business Organizations

This course is designed as a survey course to introduce the many aspects of the business community through the use of discussion, case study, group projects, and "real world" contacts, typically via the web. We will use the text as the foundation for our study but you will incorporate current data from web sources and you will be exposed to "typical" business decisions as you complete your in-class case studies and your group project. Interactive class discussion is a cornerstone of the class. Fulfills requirement: . Priority will be given to majors and to first-year and sophomore students, where necessary. 3 credits.

BUS 150 Math for Business and Management

This course is designed to build mathematical skills required to analyze different decision-making problems in business, accounting, and economics. Main topics covered include functions & graphs, mathematics of finance, matrices & linear programming, derivatives & optimization, and their real-world applications. 3 credits.

BUS 170 Introduction to Business Analytics

An introduction to the statistical tools used in the analysis of business and marketing data. Topics include data visualizations and descriptive statistics, probability, hypothesis testing, single variable regression, and forecasting. Students will learn how to analyze, interpret, and present data effectively using Microsoft Excel. Fulfills requirement: Quantitative Reasoning. 3 credits.

BUS 230 Principles of Management

This course is designed to enhance student understanding of the foundational principles of management. The classroom learning process will consist of discussion, case studies, group projects, and analysis of current management writing. We will use the text, journal articles, and internet materials throughout the semester. Interactive class discussion is a cornerstone of the class and students are expected to be prepared to discuss the assigned material. Prerequisite: BUS 130. Accounting and business administration majors must have a cumulative GPA of 2.000 or greater in all foundation courses completed to date. 3 credits.

BUS 260 Business and Market Analytics I

A second course on the analysis of business and marketing data with a focus on comparing data and making predictions to evaluate past performance and guide future decision making. Topics include hypothesis testing with two or more samples, multiple variable regression, forecasting, and nonparametric statistics. Students will learn how to implement descriptive and predictive business analytics tools using Microsoft Excel. Prerequisite: BUS 170. 3 credits.

BUS 485 Strategic Management

A capstone course to study administrative processes under conditions of uncertainty, integrating prior studies in management, accounting and economics. Uses case method and computer simulation. Fulfills requirement: . Prerequisite: BUS 230, BUS 340, BUS 361 and senior standing. Designed for last semester seniors. Course requires business casual or business professional dress at all class sessions. Underclassmen admitted with permission of instructor and chairperson. Required GPA of 2.00 in the major. 3 credits.

ECN 101 Principles of Microeconomics

The course examines how individuals and firms make choices within the institution of free-market capitalism. Individuals decide how much of their time to spend working and what to buy with the earnings of their labor. Firms decide how much to produce and in some cases what price to charge for their goods. Together these choices determine what is produced, how it is produced, and for whom it is produced in our economic system. Fulfills requirement: Quantitative Reasoning. 3 credits.

ECN 102 Principles of Macroeconomics

This course extends the study of consumer and producer choices to discover how they affect the nation's economy. Macroeconomics deals with the economy as a whole as measured by the key variables of inflation, unemployment, and economic growth. Emphasis is on both Keynesian and classical theories and how they predict what monetary and fiscal policies can be used to affect these variables and reach national economic goals. Fulfills requirement: Quantitative Reasoning. 3 credits.

MKT 240 Principles of Marketing

An overview of marketing from the management perspective. Topics include marketing strategies, marketing research, consumer behavior, selecting target markets, developing, pricing, distributing and promoting products and services and non-profit marketing. (This course is a new version of previous listing BUS 340.) Fulfills requirement: . Prerequisite: BUS 130. 3 credits.

BUS 250 Professional Ethics

This course provides students with an understanding of the foundational concepts in professional ethics. The course focus is to develop comprehension of ethical concepts and theories and apply them to practices in the numerous professional environments through the use of case studies and group interaction. Prerequisite: FYE 111. 3 credits.

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PHL 210 Ethics for Social Justice

An inquiry into the central problems of values applied to human conduct, with an examination of the responses of major ethical theories to those problems. Fulfills requirement: Critical Thinking through Writing. 3 credits.

BUS 285 Organizational Communications

This course equips students with essential skills for effective communication and critical thinking in professional settings, focusing on developing writing, speaking, and listening skills for business management. Students will learn to express themselves clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing. The curriculum emphasizes crafting content tailored to specific purposes and audiences, understanding communication processes, and applying critical thinking and ethical considerations in today's digital workplace. Practical training includes delivering oral presentations, using effective listening techniques, and building writing skills focusing on style, mechanics, organization, and content. Additionally, students will develop information literacy skills, enabling them to compose well-researched reports using appropriate documentation formats and perform professionally in speech, writing, and interpersonal communication within global and diverse work environments. Fulfills requirement: Critical Thinking through Writing. Prerequisite: ENG 111/112 or FYE 111/112. Majors in accounting and business administration majors need a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or greater in all foundation courses completed to date. 3 credits.

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ENG 150 Introduction to Creative Writing

Introduction to a variety of models and craft concepts useful in writing poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and other genres. This course provides the basis for the student's acquisition of a repertoire of techniques. Fulfills requirement: . Prerequisite: FYE 112 or permission of the instructor. 3 credits.

BUS 460 Management Information Systems

Examines data sources and the role of information in management planning, operations and control in various types of business environments. Treats information as a key organization resource parallel to people, money, materials and technology. Prerequisite: BUS 130, ACT 231; Junior or senior standing or by permission of the instructor. 3 credits.

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ACT 480 Accounting Information Systems

This course provides an introduction to information systems for accounting students to provide them with an understanding of key concepts that they will need to be successful in their careers in using and helping to purchase or build accounting information systems. Prerequisite: BUS 130; junior or senior standing or by permission of the instructor. 3 credits.

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DCOM 263 MIS for Competitive Advantage

This course explores how organizations use and integrate technology in their business operations. An emphasis is placed on understanding and applying the business models and strategies that support technology and business decisions. 3 credits.

DCOM 130 Principles of Interaction Design

This class surveys the principles and practices of information design, information architecture, and interaction design. Students will learn and practice human-centered design methods in designing meaningful and effective interfaces in which users interact with information. Prerequisite: freshman or sophomore standing, or permission of the instructor. 3 credits. (This course is cross-listed with IXD 130)

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DCOM 150 Fundamentals of 2D Design

An introduction to the fundamental elements of 2D design. Students work with graphic symbols, theories of visual perception, principles of composition, and color interaction in a variety of studio projects. The emphasis of the course will be placed on the design process as students develop their ability to communicate their ideas through the use of traditional and digital media. 3 credits.

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DCOM 151 Digital Graphic Design

The course will focus on blending the creative and technical aspects of developing electronic images and layouts. Students will apply traditional design methods and techniques to the electronic canvas. Additionally, the course will serve to familiarize students with industry standard software and procedures for producing creative work for a variety of media. 3 credits.

Choice of 3 (9 credits) from the following:
ART 380 Color and Culture

How does color shape our understanding of the world? This is the center question of Color & Culture, a course in which we will investigate the powerful role that color has played throughout human history. With the history of art as a starting point, students will analyze the origins, uses, and interpretations of color from the earliest human cultures to the present, emphasizing the criteria by which color has been valued. These criteria incorporate a wide range of factors - aesthetic, biological, economic, religious and social - that have impacted culture in myriad ways and continue to influence our attitudes toward color. Fulfills requirement: Intercultural Competence. 3 credits.

BUS 360 Business and Market Analysis II

A third course on the analysis of business and marketing data with a focus on machine learning tools used to compare/classify data and make predictions with a focus on marketing applications. Topics include cluster analysis, classification and regression trees, logistic regression, and matching. Students will learn how to implement applied machine learning tools using R. Prerequisites: BUS 260. 3 credits.

DCOM 380 Advertising

Students will learn how advertising is used to create awareness in audiences, to persuade them, and move them to action, drawing from theories and practices established by academics and advertising professionals in design, psychology and rhetoric. Students will learn about the advertising industry, how advertisements are commonly structured- particularly on digital platforms-- read case studies of both successful and disastrous brand audience interactions, and learn how to gauge the effectiveness of content and measure audience engagement through the use of success metrics and analytics. They will also examine the various moderation tools and philosophies used by news organizations, commercial comment spaces, and social media sites, and develop guidelines for best moderation practices. Fulfills requirement: Critical Thinking through Writing. Prerequisite: FYE 112, and junior or senior standing. 3 credits.

DCOM 465 Online Marketing

The course examines the principles and processes of Online Marketing. Students will examine current topics including search engine advertising; social media, online advertising strategies and models; metrics, and ethics. The course will also integrate a comparison and contrast of online promotion to traditional channels and extensively employ case studies. Satisfies the business technology and communications concentrations. Prerequisite: Course restricted to junior-level standing or above. 3 credits.

DCOM 466 E-Commerce Innovation

Why are some companies considered innovative and others stodgy? What cultural, organizational, and personal elements make innovation in technology possible? This course attempts to answer these questions by exploring how technology ideas are created, fostered, and shared. The course will study innovation from both theoretical and applied perspectives using case studies, creative exercises, research, and simulations as learning experiences. Satisfies business technology concentration. Prerequisite: DCOM 261. 3 credits.

DCOM 468 Principles of E-Commerce

An exploration of the important technologies related to doing business on the Internet. Topics include e-commerce, advertising, customer support, and business-to-business applications. Emphasis on how businesses implement these technologies, resource requirements, and cost-to-benefit analysis. 3 credits.

ENG 231 Journalism and News Reporting

Introduction to the basic skills of journalistic writing such as interviewing, gathering and reporting news and writing feature stories according to standard formats and styles. The course also covers ethical and legal considerations related to news reporting. Fulfills requirement: . Prerequisite: FYE 112, or permission of the instructor. 3 credits.

ENG 331 Persuasive Writing

Investigation of the theory and practice of advanced composition and rhetoric in multiple communications contexts. This course introduces the student to classical and contemporary rhetoric, and contributes to the enhancement of persuasive writing skills. Fulfills requirement: Critical Thinking through Writing. Prerequisite: FYE 112; or permission of the instructor. 3 credits.

MBA 815 Marketing Management

A focus on issues in the interplay between marketing and society including the ethics of selling, advertising, marketing research, and the social responsibility of marketers. An understanding of the role of marketing in businesses and not-for-profit organizations and its importance for individuals within a society. Discover how marketing interfaces with domestic and global environments. Understand consumer and organizational buyer behavior for identifying market opportunities, segmenting and targeting markets, and developing positioning strategies. Must satisfy Marketing prerequisite. 3 credits.

MKT 341 Consumer and Organizational Buying Behavior

This course focuses on the analysis of the factors affecting the purchasing decision in the marketplace and the application of behavioral and social science concepts to the study of individual and group buying behavior. The course emphasizes the use of this understanding in making marketing mix decisions. Prerequisite: BUS 340, or permission of the instructor. 3 credits.

MKT 374 Personal Selling and Sales Management

The study of personal selling as a communication process and the management of the personal selling force. Emphasis is placed upon the development, implementation and evaluation of the sales presentation and upon the role of the sales manager in staffing, compensating, motivating, controlling and evaluating the sales force. Effective oral and written communication is stressed. Prerequisite: BUS 340. 3 credits.

MKT 390 Special Topics in Marketing Administration

Topic announced at the time of registration. This course may be repeated for credit as topic changes. Prerequisite: Take MKT-240 or BUS-340. 3 credits.

MKT 400 Internship

Practical and professional work experience related to the student's career interests, involving both on-site and faculty supervision. Fulfills requirement: Immersive Experience. Graded pass/fail. May be repeated for credit (up to 6 credits of internship may be counted toward the degree). Prerequisites: 2.75 GPA, permission of the chairperson, completion of department's application form. Generally limited to juniors and seniors. 1-6 credits.

(maximum of 6 credits toward major)