PDF reflects print versionCourses of Instruction
Graduate School of Business Administration (GSBA)
The terms indicated are expected but are not guaranteed. For the courses offered during any given term, consult the Schedule of Classes.
Registration for most courses designated GSBA is restricted to students admitted to M.B.A., M.Acc. and M.B.T. programs only. For a listing of courses in which non-business students may enroll, consult the Schedule of Classes.
GSBA 502ab Professional Development for Leaders (a: 1, Fa; b: 0.5, Sp) Integrates leadership theory and practice with communication skills to improve individual, team, and organizational performance. Emphasizes interpersonal, presentation and writing skills; teamwork; developing others; and value-based leadership. (Duplicates credit in GSBA 523, GSBA 542 and former GSBA 502.) Open only to master's level students.
GSBA 504 Operations Management (2.5, Sp) Formulation, modeling, analysis, and optimization of business decision problems; survey of concepts and techniques necessary to manage the operations function of a firm. (Duplicates credit in GSBA 534 and former GSBA 547b.)
GSBA 506ab Applied Managerial Statistics (1.5-1.5, FaSp) Principles of probability theory and classical statistics applied to business decision problems; survey analysis, estimation and prediction methods, evaluation, and control techniques. Graded IP/letter. (Duplicates credit in GSBA 524.)
GSBA 509 Marketing Management (2.5, Fa) Marketing is treated as a managerial decision-making process. Emphasis is given to understanding the concepts, tools, and techniques that comprise a comprehensive marketing strategy. (Duplicates credit in GSBA 528.)
GSBA 510 Accounting Concepts and Financial Reporting (2.5, 3, Fa) Information systems for public reporting and for management decision-making; theory of asset and income measurement; interpretation and uses of accounting data and financial statements; analysis of cases.
GSBA 511 Managerial Economics (2.5, 3, Fa) Microeconomic theory with business applications; consumer demand, production theory, cost theory, and market theory; decision-making within the firm under different market and regulatory environments.
GSBA 513 Global Leadership and Accountability (1.5, Sp) Explores the critical accountabilities that define general management and leadership challenges managers face in different contexts. Develops skills and concepts useful in meeting managerial accountabilities.
GSBA 514 Foundations of Business I and II (6, Sm) Introduction of business fundamentals to graduate students with non-business undergraduate degrees. Economics, finance, marketing, operations management and general management concepts are introduced with a global perspectives. Prerequisite: GSBA 510 or ACCT 525x.
GSBA 515 Contemporary Issues in Global Economic Strategy (1.5, Sp) Study of political and economic forces in a global context and their effects on markets, policies, and strategies. (Duplicates credit in GSBA 582.) Recommended preparation: M.B.A. core courses.
GSBA 518 Accounting Control Systems (3, Sm) Accumulation and interpretation of accounting data by management; profit planning; analysis of operations; systems for control of production and distribution costs; cost and profit centers for decentralized control. (Duplicates credit in former GSBA 517ab and GSBA 536.) Recommended preparation: GSBA 510.
GSBA 519ab Strategic Formulation for Competitive Advantage (1.5-1.5, FaSm) Analyses of environments and competition, the basis of competitive strategy, strategy models, and the achievement of sustainable competitive advantage. (Duplicates credit in GSBA 529 and GSBA 540.)
GSBA 520 Business Fundamentals for Non-Business Professionals (3, FaSp) An overview of concepts, tools and principles of business management to develop a general management point of view. Open only to non-business graduate students.
GSBA 521 Corporate Finance (2.5, 3, Fa) Basic principles of corporate finance; theory and application; management of short-term and long-term assets; financial instruments and markets; financial policy applications. (Duplicates credit in GSBA 548.) Recommended preparation: GSBA 510.
GSBA 522ab Managerial Perspectives (1.5-1.5, FaSp) Managerial careers, development of critical executive and managerial abilities, and the dynamics of organizational environment and systems as they impact managerial progression and work. Graded IP/letter. (Duplicates credit in GSBA 532 and GSBA 543.)
GSBA 523 Communication for Management (2-3, FaSp) Internal and external communication, research methods; reports for decision-making; oral presentations and briefings; strategies to assure communication; field studies. (Duplicates credit in GSBA 502 and GSBA 542.)
GSBA 523T Communication for Accounting Professionals (3, Fa) Communications strategy for internal audit reports, management letters, proposals; engagement team planning; oral presentations; case and field studies; critical thinking for audit communication requirements, research.
GSBA 524 Data and Decision Models (2.5, 3, max 3, Fa) Principles of probability theory and classical statistics applied to business decision problems; survey analysis, estimation and prediction methods, evaluation, and control techniques. (Duplicates credit in GSBA 506ab.)
GSBA 525 Politics for Global Managers (3, Irregular) The dynamic forces shaping the political environment of business. Impact of politics, cultures and world events on multinational enterprise. Case studies of political risk assessment.
GSBA 526 Global Economics (1.5, Sp) Important issues related to global economics. Measurement of economic performace, macroeconomic indicators, sources of country-specific data, and data evaluation. Analysis of growth experiences, growth factors and long-term economic growth forecasting. (Duplicates credit in GSBA 544, GSBA 549.)
GSBA 528 Marketing Management (3, Sp) Marketing is treated as a managerial decision-making process. Emphasis is given to understanding the concepts, tools, and techniques that comprise a comprehensive marketing strategy. (Duplicates credit in GSBA 509.)
GSBA 529 Strategic Formulation for Competitive Advantage (3, FaSpSm) Analyses of environments and competition, the bases of competitive strategy, strategy models, and the achievement of sustainable competitive advantage. (Duplicates credit in GSBA 519ab and GSBA 540.) Recommended preparation: completion of first year courses.
GSBA 530 Electronic Commerce (3, FaSpSm) Explores business issues related to the economics, marketing, and management of business transactions involving products/services created and nurtured by information technology (i.e., digital products). (Duplicates credit in former GSBA 550 and GSBA 581 and GSBA 531.)
GSBA 531 Information Systems and Technology Management (1.5, Sp) Discuss and analyze various issues related to technology in business, including feasibility and management of transactions and products/services created and delivered through technology. (Duplicates credit in former GSBA 550, GSBA 581.)
GSBA 532 Behavior and Organizations (3, Sp) Individual behavior (motives, cognitive process, learning), interpersonal processes (perception, communication), small group dynamics (power, productivity, and morale), and organization theory and development (culture, design). (Duplicates credit in GSBA 522ab and GSBA 543.)
GSBA 533 General Management (1.5, Fa) Introduction to the functions and integrative responsibilities of the general manager. Corporate governance and accountability, organizational structure design, organizational boundaries, integrating and configuring resources. (Duplicates credit in GSBA 534.)
GSBA 534 Operations Management (2-3, Sm) Formulation, modeling, analysis, and optimization of business decision problems; survey of concepts and techniques necessary to manage the operations function of the firm. (Duplicates credit in GSBA 504 or former GSBA 547ab.) Recommended preparation: GSBA 506b or GSBA 524.
GSBA 536 Management Accounting (1.5, Sp) The use of accounting information to formulate strategic managerial decisions in a global business environment. (Duplicates credit in former GSBA 517ab and GSBA 518.)
GSBA 540 Contemporary Issues in Competitive Strategy (1.5, FaSp) Introduces the role industry and competitive analysis serves in an organization. Topics covered include global competition, innovation, the use of standards, competence, and building organizational capabilities to sustain competitive advantage. (Duplicates credit in GSBA 519ab and GSBA 529.)
GSBA 542 Communication for Management (1.5, Fa) Internal and external communication, research methods, reports for decision-making, oral presentations and briefings, strategies to assure communication; field studies. Graded CR/NC. (Duplicates credit in GSBA 502 and GSBA 523.)
GSBA 543 Managerial Perspectives (3) Managerial careers, development of critical executive and managerial abilities, and the dynamics of organizational environment and systems as they impact managerial progression and growth. (Duplicates credit in GSBA 522ab and GSBA 532.)
GSBA 544 The Firm in the National Economy (1.5, Sp) The economic environment of business and the forces influencing the firm. (Duplicates credit in former GSBA 526 and GSBA 549.)
GSBA 548 Corporate Finance (3, Sp) Modern theory of corporate investment and financing decisions. (Duplicates credit in GSBA 521.) Recommended preparation: introductory finance course.
GSBA 549 The Firm in the National and International Economy (3, Sp) The economic environment of business and international forces influencing the firm. (Duplicates credit in former GSBA 526 and GSBA 544.)
GSBA 553 International Business Survey (3, Fa) An interdisciplinary survey of international business issues for non-business graduate students and faculty. Not open to graduate business students.
GSBA 555 Management and Organization of the Creative Industries (3, Sp) How creative industries (motion pictures, television, publishing, radio, music, arts, games) operate and are organized. Critical discussion of pressing issues that these industries face. Open to M.B.A., M.Acct, and M.B.T. students only, including dual degrees.
GSBA 556 Business Development in the Networked Digital Industry (3, FaSp) Business development and business models for products/services delivered through networked digital platforms (NDI), including creative industries. Convergence of telecom, IT, software, entertainment, content, and media. Open to M.B.A., M.Acct, and M.B.T. students only, including dual degrees.
GSBA 560 The Perspective of Top Management (2, Fa) Using cases, students are introduced to top management issues of executive leadership, environmental and strategic analysis, use of financial statements, organizational assessment and design, technology management and decision support systems. Graded CR/NC.
GSBA 561 Evaluating Market Performance (9, Fa) Evaluation of the firm by the market forces that affect its success; financial accounting and reporting; competitive market analysis; external communication; microeconomics; labor, customer and financial markets, statistical and decision analysis, financial and organization measures of effectiveness.
GSBA 562 Management of Operations (11, Sp) Analysis of operations management and business functions; managerial accounting; finance; marketing; production; data processing and information systems; human resources management.
GSBA 563 Technology and Information Systems Management (6, Sm) Impact of technology on organizations; new product development; investment decisions and capital budgeting; decision support systems, expert systems; information technology; organizational design; management of information systems.
GSBA 564 Functional Strategies and Implementation (2, Sm) Developing functional strategies and interdependence to achieve organizational goals; negotiations, conflict resolution; communication strategies; organizational effectiveness; implementation and change strategies; self-assessment and individual presentations.
GSBA 568 The Economics and Marketing of a Professional Services Firm (3, Sp) Development of marketing skills required for a professional services firm. Examination of professional's role and responsibility to social and civic concerns, as well as role of a new consultant. Review of operational and administrative aspects within the organization.
GSBA 570 The Role of the Senior Executive (2, Fa) Introduction to strategic management; executive leadership; environmental analysis; international context; financial growth strategies; social, legal and macroeconomic issues; role of CEO with boards, media and other publics; business ethics, strategic planning project. Graded CR/NC.
GSBA 571 Environmental Analysis: Establishing Competitive Advantage (9, Fa) Development of strategic planning processes; analysis of economic, social, political environment; forecasting; futures research; macroeconomics; international economics; technological developments; multinational management simulation; field projects.
GSBA 572 Strategic Planning for Growth (11, Sp) Formulation and implementation of strategies in different organizational and environmental contexts; financial growth strategies; comparative management; impact of taxation; technology strategies; product development and new market strategies.
GSBA 573 Managing Strategic Change and Implementation (6, Sm) Management of the strategic change process for the total organization including implementing growth strategies, use of consultants, corporate governance, implementation in a multinational environment, leadership and power, use of technology, innovation, corporate cultures, executive succession, corporate relations.
GSBA 574 The Executive of the Future (2, Sm) Forecasting future environments; the role of the executive in the future, changing organizations; executive development; personal development goal setting. Graded CR/NC.
GSBA 580 Business Practices in the Pacific Rim (PRIME) (1.5, Sp) Improves awareness/understanding of economic, institutional, and cultural issues pertinent to business, markets, policies, and trade in Latin America and Asia. Requires overseas project (hands-on experience). (Duplicates credit in GSBA 582.) Recommended preparation: M.B.A. core courses.
GSBA 581 Information Management (1.5, FaSp) The intersection of information technology and organization, strategy, marketing and other functional areas of business. The impact of information technology on various aspects of a firm.
GSBA 582 Business Environment and Management Practices in the Pacific Rim (3, SpSm) Explores the social, cultural, and political environment of business and management practices in the Pacific Rim. Recommended preparation: M.B.A. core courses.
GSBA 583 International Business Research (3, max 6, FaSpSm) Research on international business problems faced by IBEAR participants or their sponsoring firms. Prerequisite: departmental approval.
GSBA 584ab International Business Consulting Project (3-2, SpSm) a: IBEAR team consulting projects addressing international business problems. Projects culminate in written and oral presentations to corporate clients. Graded IP. b: continuation of a.
GSBA 586 Current Trends in Business (1.5, Sp) Study current issues in business, applying cross-discipline foundations and techniques -- changing issues such as development of new business opportunities, technological change, and internationalization of commerce. Recommended preparation: M.B.A. core courses.
GSBA 589 Industry-Based Business Theory and Practice (1.5, max 15, FaSp) Introductory seminar in the business theories, philosophies, structures and practices of various industries. Open to Marshall master's and doctoral students only.
GSBA 590 Directed Research (1-12, FaSpSm) Research leading to the master's degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.
GSBA 595 Internship in Business (1-15, FaSpSm) Supervised on-the-job business experience in the areas of interest of the respective student. Graduate business students only. Graded CR/NC. Recommended preparation: completion of M.B.A. core courses.
GSBA 597 Business Field Project (0.5, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, FaSpSm) Individual or team projects solving real business problems for companies; situation analyses; field research techniques; statistical analysis; oral and written presentations. Graded CR/NC.
GSBA 599 Special Topics (1, 1.5, 2, or 3, max 9, FaSpSm) Selected topics reflecting current trends and recent developments in business administration. Emphasis on cross-disciplinary inquiry.
GSBA 601 Selected Issues in Behavioral Science (3, Fa) Basic paradigms of science; emphasis on behavioral science: attitude, decision, motivation, and communication theories, small group behavior, leadership and behavioral theory of the firm. Open to doctoral program in business administration students only.
GSBA 602 Selected Issues in Economic Theory (3, Fa) Methodology and research perspectives of economics; contribution of the economics paradigm to accounting, management, finance, marketing, and decision sciences. Open to doctoral program in business administration students only.
GSBA 603 Foundations of Statistical Inference (3, Fa) Theory and applications of statistical methods; review of probability theory and common distributions; exponential families; convergence concepts; law of large numbers; parameter estimation; hypothesis testing.
GSBA 604 Regression and Generalized Linear Models for Business Applications (3, Sp) Theory and application of linear regression models; role of substantive theory in statistical model building; model specification, estimation, diagnostic checking; the general linear hypothesis.
GSBA 605 Multivariate Statistical Methods (3, Fa) Multivariate methods frequently used in business research; discriminant analysis, logistic regression, multivariate ANOVA, principle components, factor analysis, canonical correlation, MDS, simultaneous equation models, log-linear models.
GSBA 610 Seminar in Business Research (3, max 9, Irregular) Critical analysis of research studies in the functional areas of business; practice in formulating and conducting research; presentation of original research of publishable quality (may be repeated for credit up to 9 units).
GSBA 625 Designing and Running Experiments (3, Fa) Introduction to design and implementation of experiments. Single and multiple factors, fully crossed and fractional factorial designs, repeated measures, measurement, manipulations, subject choice, demand effects. Open only to Ph.D. Students.
GSBA 790 Research (1-12) Research leading to the doctorate. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.
GSBA 794abcdz Doctoral Dissertation (2-2-2-2-0) Credit on acceptance of dissertation. Graded IP/CR/NP.