Current William and Mary students can access course schedules by logging into my.wm.edu. If you do not have a my.wm login, you may access a searchable course schedule available on the Office of the University Registrar's homepage.
Current Undergraduate Course Catalog
Previous Undergraduate Course Catalogs
Introductory Courses and Prerequisites
150W. Freshman Seminar: Topics in Business.
Fall or Spring (4,4) Mallue. (Not offered 2006-2007)
A writing intensive and discussion intensive seminar designed for first-year students that explore a specific topic within the business disciplines. A grade of C- or better satisfies the College Writing Proficiency Requirement. Topical contents of seminars vary.
203. Principles of Accounting.
Fall and Spring (3,3) Dafashy Irving, Ramamurthy. Required for admission to BBA program.
A study of the use and preparation of financial information and the accounting system as an interpretative tool to communicate information about a variety of economic events to both internal and external users. Topics covered include the preparation and interpretation of financial statements for external users as well as managerial uses of accounting data, cost analysis, budgeting and performance evaluation.
231. Statistics.
Fall and Spring (3,3) Flood, Kottas, Stewart.
Basic concepts of statistical analysis within a business environment. Attention is given to solution methods via use of the computer.
Back to top
Foundation Semester and Remaining Core Courses
300. Business Perspectives and Applications.
Fall and Spring (1,1) Staff. Prerequisite: Admission to BBA Majors Program.
This course complements the core courses in the BBA Program by integrating business disciplines, ethical considerations, and business communications. The course includes business simulations, team interaction, and presentation skills. The course is graded pass/fail and is completed the first semester as a BBA major.
311. Principles of Marketing.
Fall and Spring (3,3) Herbst. Prerequisites: ECON 101 or ECON 151 and ECON 102 or ECON 152, or consent of the instructor.
A study of the role of marketing in business and the economy. Emphasis is on the examination of functions, institutions and policies.
317. Organizational Behavior and Management.
Fall and Spring (2,2) Sims, Solomon.
This course develops the ability to recognize and manage human and behavioral factors in work settings. Topics include: individual differences, group dynamics, motivation, and an introduction to organizational structure and leadership.
323. Financial Management.
Fall and Spring (3,3) Cici, Staff. Prerequisites: BUAD 203 and BUAD 231 or equivalents.
An examination of the finance function in the firm. Topics include the theory and practice of valuation, current and long term financing, working capital management, capital budgeting and multinational finance.
330. Computer Skills for Business.
Fall and Spring (1,1) Hardin. Prerequisite: Admission to the BBA Majors Program and junior standing.
This course is designed to complement functional courses in the BBA Core Program by providing instruction in the use of application software. Typically the course will cover presentation software, spreadsheets, and database application. This course is graded pass/fail.
343. Legal Environment of Business.
Fall and Spring (2,2) Mallue, Waxman.
An introduction to the law and the legal process. Substantive areas of law covered include: contracts, sales of goods and product liability; business torts and environmental law; bankruptcy and international law.
361. Introduction to Operations Technology.
Fall and Spring (3,3) Aggarwal, Boone. Prerequisites: a computer skills for business course or the equivalent and BUAD 231 or equivalent.
An introduction to the production and operations aspects of manufacturing and service organizations. Emphasis is on planning, control and quantitative analysis. Topics include product/process/facilities design, capacity planning, quality and materials management, scheduling and inventory management.
362. Introduction to Information Technology.
Fall and Spring (3,3) Abraham, Kohli, McCoy. Prerequisites: a computer skills for business course or the equivalent and BUAD 231 or equivalent.
An introduction to current and expected future trends in information technology and their impact on organizations. Topics include the strategic value of information; hardware and software issues; networks and telecommunications; planning, justification, development and management of information resources. Quantitative analysis is applied to evaluate and justify information resources.
431. Strategic Analysis and Consulting.
Fall or Spring (3,3) Kohli, Palmer. Prerequisite: Junior standing. Students may not be concurrently enrolled In BUAD 431 and BUAD 300.
The course will focus on the process of analysis and consulting. Students will engage with a variety of tools for data collection, information gathering, interviewing, and the evaluation of hard and soft data sources. Students will develop an appreciation for the multiple moving parts in a consulting assignment through a case competition and an engagement for a specific organization. This course fulfills the core strategy requirement. Students may not receive credit for both BUAD 431 and BUAD 432, but they may re-ceive credit for both BUAD 431 and BUAD 433.
432. Strategic Management.
Fall and Spring (2,2) Jelinek. Prerequisites: BUAD 311, BUAD 317, BUAD 323, BUAD 361. Senior standing.
The establishment of company-wide objectives and the subordinate plans and controls to accomplish them. This course inte-grates and builds upon the business administration body of knowledge to develop decision-making ability at the policy-making level of administration. This course fulfills the core strategy requirement. Students may not receive credit for both BUAD 432 and BUAD 431. Students may not receive credit for both BUAD 432 and BUAD 433.
433. Strategies of Entrepreneurship.
Fall or Spring (3,3) Jelinek. Prerequisites: BUAD 311, BUAD 317, BUAD 323, BUAD 362, and Senior standing In the Mason School of Business; or consent of the instructor.
Strategies of Entrepreneurship emphasizes entrepreneurial strategy issues of concern to entrepreneurs, business owners, and innovators responsible for new or smaller enterprises, family businesses, technology based start-ups or franchises, or those seeking to strategically transform existing businesses. Students will focus on entrepreneurial opportunities, creativity, sources for start-up ideas, and the special challenges of starting a new venture, or changing an existing one. This course fulfills the core strategy requirement. Students may not receive credit for both BUAD 432 and BUAD 433, but they may receive credit for both BUAD 433 and BUAD 431.
Back to top
Accounting Courses
301. Financial Reporting and Analysis.
Fall and Spring (3,3) Geary. Prerequisite: BUAD 203 or the equivalent.
This course focuses on the financial reporting environment: evaluating the quality of the reported information, analyzing reporting choices, and assessing the role of financial information in resource allocation decisions. Topics traditionally included in intermediate accounting are covered by analyzing key business transactions on the financial statements and measures of performance evaluations such as profitability, competitiveness, and leverage. This course is designed to be taken as either a one-semester course or as part of a two-semester sequence with BUAD 302.
302. Advanced Financial Reporting and Analysis.
Spring (3) Irving. Prerequisite: BUAD 301 or consent of the instructor.
This course focuses on an advanced study of topics in financial reporting that are traditionally considered in intermediate accounting. Reporting issues related to topics such as pensions, stock options, and deferred taxes are considered with reference to original source materials and accounting research. With instructor consent, students who have not completed BUAD 301 may register for BUAD 302.
303. Strategic Cost Management.
Fall or Spring (3,3) Morris. Prerequisite: BUAD 203 or the equivalent.
Applications of cost analysis to inventory valuation and income determination and planning and control of routine operations and non-routine decisions. This course emphasizes the relevance of cost concepts to modern decision tools. Substantial use of problems and cases.
401. Advanced Accounting.
Fall or Spring (3,3) Dafashy. Prerequisite: BUAD 301 or consent of the instructor.
A study of consolidated statements, partnership accounting for special arrangements, fiduciary accounting and fund accounting.
404. Auditing and Internal Controls.
Fall or Spring (3, 3) White. Prerequisite: BUAD 301.
Application of technology, modeling, statistics and other auditing procedures within the framework of generally accepted auditing standards. Reporting, ethics, international practices and case applications are emphasized.
405. Federal Taxation.
Fall (3) J. Smith. Prerequisite: BUAD 203 or the equivalent.
An analysis of the federal income tax laws. Development of conceptual awareness of federal income tax structure and tax planning, and gaining ability to determine solutions to problems confronting the individual taxpayer.
406. Advanced Federal Taxation.
Fall or Spring (3,3) Staff. Prerequisite: BUAD 405.
An analysis of the federal income tax laws for partnerships, corporations and tax-exempt entities. Introduction to estate and gift taxation and to tax research. Tax planning is emphasized.
408. Tax Compliance, Tax Research, and Tax Planning.
Fall (3) J. Smith. Prerequisites: Senior Accounting major or minor; BUAD 405 or to be enrolled concurrently.
This course provides for the development of the ability of the students to perform sophisticated tax research and analysis as the foundation for tax compliance and for minimizing the tax liability through tax planning for the following tax entities: individual, sole proprietorship, general partnership, limited partnership, LLC, S corporation, C corporation, and exempt entities.
Back to top
Finance Courses
324. Money and Debt Markets.
Fall and Spring (3,3) Agnew, Staff. Prerequisite: BUAD 323.
An examination of the operation and importance of global money and debt markets including market characteristics, regulation, international differences, international interest and exchange rate behavior, bond analysis and valuation, and risk management with interest rate and currency options and futures.
325. Equity Markets and Portfolio Management.
Fall and Spring (3,3) Haltiner. Prerequisite: BUAD 323.
An examination of the operation and importance of global equity markets including market characteristics, regulation, international differences, investor behavior, portfolio theory and capital asset pricing, asset allocation, security analysis, mutual funds, performance measurement, and equity options and futures.
328. Management Control Systems.
Fall or Spring (3,3) Bryce. Prerequisite: BUAD 203 or the equivalent. (Not offered 2006-2007)
An examination of the interrelationships between financial information flows and behavior in organizations. Cases and readings introduce management control processes in responsibility centers. Topics include goal formulation; performance measurement, reporting and evaluation; systems of reward and punishment.
417. International Banking and Trade Financing.
Fall or Spring (3,3) Boschen. Prerequisites: ECON 101, ECON 102, BUAD 203 or the equivalent.
A study of the operation of the U.S. commercial banks abroad and of U.S. branches of foreign banks. Topics include currency markets, public and private sector loans, export financing and international payment mechanisms.
423. Corporate Financial Strategy.
Fall or Spring (3,3) Bryce. Prerequisite: BUAD 323.
Advanced topics in the theory and practice of financial decision-making. Cases and readings are used to examine the tools and techniques of financial strategy formulation and implementation under various environmental settings.
434. Management of Financial Institutions.
Fall or Spring (3,3) Staff. Prerequisite: BUAD 323. (Not offered 2006-2007)
A study of the management of financial institutions, with particular emphasis on depository institutions. The basic themes of the course are asset/liability management, including spread management; capital adequacy; and liquidity requirements.
Back to top
Marketing Courses
442. The Psychology of Decision Making.
(GER 3) Fall or Spring (3,3) Langholtz. Prerequisites: BUAD 231 or the equivalent and senior standing.
An examination and analysis of the cognitive factors that aid or hinder choosing alternative courses of action. The major emphasis will be on psychological processes underlying choice and judgment. Applications to business decisions and policy making will be considered. (Cross listed with PSYC 375)
446. Consumer Behavior.
Fall or Spring (3,3) Szykman. Prerequisite: BUAD 311.
The consumer-firm relationship is analyzed through the application of concepts drawn from contemporary behavioral science to concrete business cases and practices. Relevant concepts from the fields of cultural anthropology, sociology and psychology are applied to problems encountered in marketing to various consumer groups.
448. Marketing Strategy.
Fall or Spring (3,3) Mooradian, Swan. Prerequisite: BUAD 311 or consent of the instructor.
Managerial techniques in planning and executing marketing programs. Emphasis on decision making related to marketing segmentation, product innovation and positioning, pricing and promotion. Extensive use of cases, readings and a management simulation.
450. Global Marketing.
Fall or Spring (3,3) Swan. Prerequisite: BUAD 311.
This course includes theories of and justifications for free trade, a study of environments across international markets (including the economic environments, the cultural environments, the political/regulatory environments, and the physical/geographic environments) and the practice of marketing including global marketing management for large, small and medium sized firms. Topics include globalization, global strategies, international service marketing and marketing in the developing world.
452. Marketing Research.
Fall or Spring (3, 3) Hess, Leggett. Prerequisites: BUAD 311 and an introductory course in statistics or consent of instructor.
Introduction to fundamentals of marketing research. Use of research information in marketing decision making. Topics include research design, interrogative techniques, data collection methods, scaling, sampling and alternative methods of data analysis. Students design and execute their own research projects.
454. Retailing/E-tailing.
Fall or Spring (3,3) Messmer. Prerequisites: BUAD 311, BUAD 203 or the equivalent.
The course employs a managerial approach to identify, analyze, plan and control traditional Retail and E-tail businesses. While institutional elements are covered, the focus is on developing and executing an effective business strategy. Concepts will be explored which are applicable to both traditional retail environments and to web-based, E-tail business models.
456. Advertising and Marketing Communications.
Fall or Spring (3,3) Rahtz. Prerequisite: BUAD 311.
A study of the relationship of demand stimulation to business management. Development of an advertising campaign will emphasize the presentation of products to consumers through relevant media. Target market identification, situation analysis, promotional strategy and tactics, and evaluation within budgetary constraints will be stressed.
Back to top
Process Management & Consulting Courses
437. Change Management and Organizational Transformation.
Fall or Spring (3,3) Sims. Prerequisite or Corequisite: BUAD 317 or consent of the instructor.
The course will focus on effective process design, change management, and transforming the organization through changes in process, people, and technology. Topics will include stakeholder analysis, goal/strategy alignment, generating buy-in, effectively in-formating processes, performance measurement and incentives.
459. Lean Processes.
Fall or Spring (1.5,1.5) Staff. Prerequisite or Corequsite: BUAD 361 or consent of the instructor. (Not offered 2007-2008)
This course focuses on developing lean processes within a variety of operating environments. Tools and strategies leading to improved process management are included.
461. Six Sigma.
Fall or Spring (1.5,1.5) Boone. Prerequisite or Corequisite: BUAD 361 and BUAD 362; or consent of the instructor.
This course focuses on Six Sigma approaches to process quality and includes emphasis on tools and procedures for implement-ing Six Sigma strategies within organizations.
465. Managing Supply Chains in a Digital Economy.
Fall or Spring (1.5,1.5) Ganeshan. Prerequisite: BUAD 361.
Over the last five years, technology, specifically the WEB, has revolutionized the way firms do business with each other. The usual stumbling blocks of poor information availability: incompatible organizational structures and information systems, and the high cost of collaboration are being “blown to bits” by tailored supply chain initiatives and web-centric software. This course will explore these initiatives and tools that firms are using to manage supply chains and B2B integration.
466. Developing Business Intelligence.
Fall or Spring (3,3) Abraham, Murray. Prerequisite or Corequisite: BUAD 361 and BUAD 362; or consent of the instructor.
The course focuses on the collection, representation and analysis of evidence in support of decision making and process im-provement. The course will examine hard and soft measures, criteria for evaluation, and performance measurement.
467. Advanced Data Management and Modeling.
Fall or Spring (1.5,1.5) Stewart.
This course includes spreadsheet modeling, building simulations and additional data manipulation.
468. Analytical Tools for Consulting.
Fall or Spring (3,3) Staff. Prerequisite or Corequisite: BUAD 362 or consent of the instructor. (Not offered 2007-2008)
The course focuses on the use of information technology tools in supporting the analysis and consulting process. Students will create and analyze models of complex business processes to enable better decision-making. Model-building tools will include computer simulations, data mining, and decision analysis.
469. Visual Basic for Business.
Fall or Spring (1.5,1.5) Hardin. Prerequisite: BUAD 361, BUAD 362.
An introductory course in practical computer programming using Visual Basic.Net, the leading tool for designing user interfaces and web services. Topics include basic principles of programming and of the Visual Basic.Net language, including the architecture of Windows applications, control structures, arrays, functions, object-oriented programming, Visual Basic.Net class libraries, and event-driven programming. Students will also learn how to make user interfaces friendly and efficient and utilize VB with other software such as Excel. Intended for students with little or no programming experience.
474. Art and Science of Negotiation.
Fall or Spring (1.5,1.5) Stewart.
This course introduces students to the art and science of negotiation through the study of well-documented historical negotiations, personal experience with live negotiation exercises, and the study of game theory. Students will focus on understanding the games that underlie most negotiations and developing the analytical tools and techniques required in negotiation. Intended for business majors who have completed the first semester of the junior-year core program.
476. Electronic Commerce.
Fall or Spring (3,3) McCoy. Prerequisite BUAD 362.
Electronic commerce describes the use of digital connectivity to pursue business objectives, including information technologies such as electronic data interchange, electronic funds transfer, Internet, intranets, extranets, mobile and wireless. To remain competitive in the 21st century, firms and the people whom manage them must more fully utilize the opportunities presented by electronic commerce by refining the definitions of markets, relationships with partners and competitors, and the development and delivery of goods and services.
480. Sustainability/Green Supply Chain.
Fall or Spring (1.5,1.5) Boone. Prerequisite or Corequisite: BUAD 361 or consent of the instructor.
This course focuses on the development of sustainable supply chains. Students will explore leading-edge initiatives by forward-thinking companies to (re)design and market products, source, manufacture, and eventually distribute them in an environmentally-, ecologically-, and socially- responsible way.
481. Service Quality and Marketing.
Fall or Spring (1.5,1.5) Staff. Prerequisite or Corequisite: BUAD 361 or consent of the instructor. (Not offered 2007-2008)
This course focuses on performance measurements, quality dimensions, and key processes in the service environment.
482. Project Management.
Fall or Spring (1.5,1.5) Aggarwal.
This course will focus on the concepts and tools related to the management of projects within organizations. Students will exam-ine all phases of project management including selection, planning, scheduling, control, and termination. Topics include writing project plans, developing work breakdown structures, project scheduling, resource management, earned value analysis, and project risk management.
Back to top
Additional Electives
315. Personnel Management.
Fall or Spring (3,3) Kellett. Prerequisite or Corequisite: BUAD 231 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.
A course to provide understanding of the principles, policies and practices used to develop a sound industrial relations program. Topics include job analysis, the employment process, employee development, wage and salary administration, labor relations and union negotiation.
316. Organizational Structure and Design.
Fall or Spring (3,3) Kellett.
This course covers a wide range of organizational issues emphasizing: organizational structure and design, reward systems, communication systems, job design and management of change.
342. Commercial Law and Business Organizations.
Fall or Spring (3,3) Waxman.
A study of the law of business organizations, their activities and management. Substantive areas of law covered include: partnerships, corporations; securities, mergers and acquisitions; commercial paper and secured transactions; real and personal property; bailments, antitrust law and creditors’ rights.
436. Business and Society.
Fall or Spring (3,3) Sims. Prerequisite: Senior standing.
A course designed to discuss and clarify the role of the business organization in modern society and its relationship with the social, political, economic, cultural and technological environments, both domestic and international. Cases analyzing the managerial response to external forces are analyzed.
438. Leadership.
Fall or Spring (3,3) Emrich. Prerequisites: BUAD 317. Senior standing.
This field-based course is designed to develop the ability to work with and through others in order to make effective contributions as a member of an organization. The course emphasizes developing a leadership orientation, understanding critical leadership issues and developing appropriate leadership skills.
440. International Business Management.
Fall or Spring (3,3) Staff. Prerequisites: BUAD 203, 311, and 362 or consent of instructor.
A study of the fundamental principles and basic concepts applicable to managing in the international business environment. This course covers the nature of international markets, global trade, investment and financial exchange, and the operations of international business functions, with a strong emphasis on the
strategy and structure of international business.
443. Entrepreneurial Ventures.
Fall or Spring (3,3) Ash. Prerequisites: BUAD 311, BUAD 323, BUAD 362; or consent of the instructor.
Entrepreneurial Ventures focuses on the issues, decisions, and problems faced by entrepreneurial owners and innovators who wish to create and manage new or smaller enterprises, family businesses, technology based enterprises or franchises. Students will develop the knowledge and skill sets relevant for the creation, operation and ultimate success of the venture based on enterprise.
490. Independent Study.
Fall and Spring (1-3,1-3) Staff. Prerequisite: Obtain permission form from the Office of Undergraduate Studies in the Mason School of Business.
A course designed to accommodate independent study. This course may be repeated for credit.
492. Special Topics.
Fall and Spring (1-3,1-3) Staff. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.
A course designed for special topics and for special opportunities to utilize the expertise of a faculty member. This course may be repeated for credit.
Back to top