College of Business
Labh S. Hira, Dean
Michael R. Crum, Associate Dean
Kay M. Palan, Associate Dean
www.bus.iastate.edu
Departments of the College
Accounting
Finance
Logistics, Operations and Management Information Systems
Management
Marketing
Objectives of the Curriculum in Business
The instructional objective of the College of Business is to provide a high quality professional education in business. Such an education should provide the student with: (1) an appreciation of the evolution of the profession and an awareness of the ethical, global, technological, economic, political and social forces shaping its future; (2) an understanding of the major functional areas of business with the opportunity for specialization for a career in business; (3) an ability to recognize and appreciate the affect of diversity in the work place; (4) an opportunity for advanced study.
A comprehensive education in business includes a broad foundation in the liberal arts, courses in the major functional areas of business activity, proficiency in analytical methods, and the ability to identify problems and arrive at logical solutions. In addition, a professional education is designed to inspire students to assume business and community leadership.
The curriculum in business is accredited by the International Association for Management Education (AACSB), the national business accrediting agency.
Organization of Curriculum
The undergraduate curriculum in business is divided into two phases: a general education (pre-business) program and a professional program. The pre-business requirements provide a broad foundation in the liberal arts. The professional program includes two parts: (1) the business core which provides a common body of knowledge in all the functional areas in business, and (2) a major area of study. The eight majors offered for the degree bachelor of science (B.S.) are accounting; finance; management; management information systems; marketing; logistics and supply chain management; operations and supply chain management; and business economics. The college also offers a secondary major in international business. Elective courses are part of the curriculum.
Bachelor of Science
The bachelor of science (B.S.) degree offers a high quality professional education in business. It prepares students for professional careers in specialized functions of business and government. Candidates for this degree must satisfy
the requirements established by the College of Business and also the requirements for individual majors specified by the departments of the College. All candidates for the B.S. degree are required to complete one of the following majors: accounting; finance; management; management information systems; marketing; logistics and supply chain management; operations and supply chain management; or business economics.
Required High School
Preparation
Students entering the pre-business curriculum must present evidence of the following high school preparation:
a. Four (4) years of English/Language Arts, emphasizing writing, speaking, and reading as well as an understanding and appreciation of literature.
b. Three (3) years of mathematics, including one year each of algebra, geometry, and advanced algebra.
c. Three (3) years of science, including one year each of courses from two of the following fields: biology, chemistry, and physics;
d. Two (2) years of social studies.
Admission Standards to Professional Programs
All new entering students are enrolled in the pre-business curriculum. To enter the professional program in the College of Business, students must complete any Engl 101 courses, Engl 150, and the following foundation courses or their approved substitutions: Math 150, Econ 101, Econ 102, Stat 226, Acct 284, and BusAd 101. See Curriculum in Business.
In addition, all students must achieve an Iowa State University cumulative grade point of 2.5 or a grade-point average of 2.5 in the foundation courses. Admission into the professional program is a prerequisite for pre-business students to gain admission into upper-level business classes.
Students who meet the following requirements qualify for early admission to the professional program. First Semester Freshman: ACT score of 30 or higher, or ranked in the top 5% of high school class, or National Merit/Achievement Finalist, or member of the Freshman Honors Program. All other Students: minimum ISU cumulative GPA of 3.35 in at least 12 credits, or full member of the University Honors Program.
If using the foundation courses for admission to the Professional Program, both transfer grades and Iowa State University grades are used to compute the grade point average. If foundation courses initially taken at Iowa State University need to be repeated, they must be
repeated at Iowa State University. With the exception of Acct 285 and MIS 330, pre-business students do not have access to business core classes. To facilitate registration, qualified students may be conditionally admitted during the semester in which they complete the admission requirements.
Admission requirements are subject to change. Applications and the current requirements for admission to the College of Business are available on the Web at https://apps.bus.iastate.edu/ProfessionalProgram/ or from the Undergraduate Programs Office in the College of Business.
Academic Standards and
Graduation Requirements
Policies for students enrolled in the College of Business may be obtained on the Web at http://www.business.iastate.edu/undergraduate/ or from the Undergraduate Programs Office in the College of Business.
Students are responsible for knowing and adhering to these College of Business policies as well as the university regulations found in this catalog. The following policies are in effect for students graduating from a professional curriculum in business with a B.S. degree under the 2009-2011 catalog:
(1) A minimum of 122 semester credits are required.
(2) At least 50 percent of the required business credits must be earned at Iowa State. All 300 level and higher business credits must be earned at a four-year college.
(3) At least 50% of the 122 credits required for graduation must consist of general education (non-business credits).
(4) A minimum of 12 credits of the last 32 credits earned in residence must be applied to the business core and/or the major.
(5) The major departments reserve the right to determine the appropriate section of the degree program to which transfer credits will be assigned.
(6) Students must achieve Communication proficiency by earning a grade of C or better in two of the three required English courses.
(7) A student must earn a grade of C or higher in a minimum of 30 credits applied to the business core and the major.
(8) A student must earn at least 42 credits of 300 level and higher coursework from a four-year institution.
(9) Business majors may not take business courses Pass-Not Pass (P/NP).
(10) General education courses may not be taken P/NP.
(11) No more than 9 elective credits may be taken P/NP.
Curriculum in Business
The college offers programs of study leading to the degree bachelor of science with a major in accounting; finance; management; management information systems; marketing; logistics and supply chain management; operations and supply chain management; or business economics. The college also offers a secondary major in international business. Total credits required: 122
| |
| Pre-business Curriculum |
| Cr. |
|
| 18.5 |
Foundation Courses |
| R |
BusAd 1503 |
| 3 |
BusAd 250 |
| 3 |
Math 1501, 2 |
| 3 |
Econ 101 |
| 3 |
Econ 102 |
| 3 |
Stat 226 2 |
| 3 |
Acct 284 |
| 0.5 |
BusAd 101 |
| 12.5 |
Communications |
| 3 |
Engl 150 |
| 3 |
Engl 250 |
| 3 |
Engl 302 |
| 3 |
Sp Cm 212 |
| 0.5 |
Lib 160 |
| 7 |
Supporting courses1 |
| 0.5 |
BusAd 201 |
| 0.5 |
BusAd 301 |
| 3 |
Acct 215 |
| 3 |
Math 1511,2 |
| 24 |
General Education Requirements |
| 6 |
Global/International Perspectives4 |
| 9 |
Humanities |
| 3 |
Phil 230 |
| 6 |
Select from approved list |
| 3 |
Natural science |
| 6 |
Social science |
| |
U.S. diversity course5 |
| |
|
| |
1 Acct, Fin, and Bus Econ majors will also take State 326 as part of the supporting courses. Bus Econ majors will take Math 160 instead of 150, and Econ 207 instead of Math 151. See the Undergraduate Programs Office in the College of Business. |
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|
| |
2 Students not adequately prepared in mathematics may have to take remedial courses in addition to courses listed above. Remedial mathematics courses may not be used to satisfy credit requirements for graduation in the business curricula. |
| |
|
| |
3 Students without adequate computer background may take Com S 103 to satisfy the computer literacy requirement. |
| |
|
| |
4 Students may satisfy this requirement either by taking six credit hours from the University International Perspectives list, or three credit hours from the International Perspectives list and three credit hours from the College of Business Global Perspectives list. Approved list of courses is available on the web at http://www.business.iastate.edu/undergraduate/ or from the Undergraduate Programs Office in the College of Business. |
| |
|
| |
5 Courses for this requirement may also be used to fulfill other curriculum requirements or electives and therefore credits are not included in the sum needed. |
| |
| Professional Program |
| Cr. |
|
| 24 |
Business Core |
| |
Block A |
| 3 |
Acct 285 |
| 3 |
MIS 330 |
| |
Block B |
| 3 |
Fin 301 |
| 3 |
OSCM 320 |
| |
Block C |
| 3 |
Mgmt 370 |
| 3 |
Mkt 340 |
| 3 |
LSCM 360 |
| |
Block D |
| 3 |
Mgmt 478 |
| |
Scheduling note for core courses: Block A, B, C may be taken in any order in sequential semesters. Blocks A, B, C must be completed prior to enrollment in Block D, Mgmt 478, in the students final semester. |
| 18-21 |
Business Major |
| Select one: |
| 18 |
Accounting |
| 18 |
Acct 383, 384, 386, 387, 485, 497 |
| 21 |
Finance |
| 6 |
Fin 310, 320 |
| 12 |
Select from Fin 327, 330, 361, 371, 415, of which six credits must be at the 400 level |
| 3 |
Select from department-approved list |
| 18 |
Management |
| 12 |
Mgmt 371, 377, 414, 471 |
| 6 |
Select from department-approved list |
| 21 |
Management Information Systems |
| 15 |
MIS 331, 432, 433, 435, 438 |
| 6 |
Select from department-approved list |
| 18 |
Marketing |
| 9 |
Mkt 443, 444, 447 |
| 6 |
Select from Mkt 343, 410, 442 |
| 3 |
Select from department-approved list |
| 18 |
Logistics and Supply Chain |
| |
Management |
| 15 |
LSCM 460, 461, 485, 486, 487 |
| 3 |
Select from department-approved list |
| 18 |
Operations and Supply Chain Management |
| 15 |
OSCM 422, 424, 485, 486, 487 |
| 3 |
Select from department-approved list |
| 18 |
Business Economics |
| 9 |
Econ 301, 353, 431, 492 |
| 9 |
Select from departmental approved list |
| 9-15 |
Elective Courses |
| |
Select courses to broaden or complement required courses to meet degree requirement of 122 credits. (See adviser). |
| |
|
| |
CPA Note: See Accounting Curriculum for information on the additional requirements for students who wish to be candidates for the CPA exam. |
| |
|
| Sample Four-Year Plan of Study |
| Cr |
Freshman Year |
| 0.5-1 |
Bus Ad 101/102 |
| R |
Bus Ad 150 |
| 3 |
English 150 |
| 3 |
Bus Ad 250 |
| 6 |
Econ 101 and 102 |
| 6 |
Math 150 and 151 |
| 4 |
Computer Science 103 (Placement out via assessment) |
| 0.5 |
Library 160 |
| 3 |
International Perspectives |
| 3 |
Humanities |
| 6 |
Social Science |
| 35.5 |
| Cr. |
Sophomore Year |
| 0.5 |
Bus Ad 201 |
| 0.5 |
Bus Ad 301 |
| 3 |
Acct 284 |
| 6 |
Acct 285, MIS 330 (Block A) |
| 3 |
Stat 226 |
| 3 |
Acct 215 |
| 3 |
Speech Communications 212 |
| 3 |
Engl 250 |
| 3 |
International Perspective/Global Perspective |
| 3 |
U.S. Diversity |
| 3 |
Philosophy 230 |
| 31 |
| Cr. |
Junior Year |
| 6 |
Fin 301, OSCM 320 (Block B) |
| 9 |
Mkt 340, LSCM 360, Mgmt 360 (Block C) |
| 6 |
Major Courses |
| 3 |
Humanities |
| 6 |
General Electives |
| 30 |
| Cr. |
Senior Year |
| 3 |
Mgmt 478 (Block D) |
| 3 |
English 302 |
| 12-15 |
Major Courses |
| 3 |
Global Perspective |
| 6 |
General Electives |
| 30 |
|
| |
Block A |
| |
Acct 285 |
| |
MIS 330 |
| |
|
| |
Block B |
| |
FIN 301 |
| |
OSCM 320 |
| |
|
| |
Block C |
| |
Mkt 340 |
| |
LSCM 360 |
| |
Mgmt 370 |
| |
|
| |
Block D |
| |
Mgmt 478 |
| |
|
| |
Block A, Block B, and Block C are prerequisites for Block D |
Advising System
The Undergraduate Programs staff, under the leadership of the Director for Undergraduate Programs, facilitates student progress toward graduation while supporting the academic standards of the College of Business and Iowa State University. To accomplish this, the Undergraduate Programs staff provides services for all College of Business students, including academic advising, learning opportunities, and teaching and developmental activities.
Students in the College of Business have advisers located in the Undergraduate Programs Office. The adviser assists students with developing an academic program; accessing pertinent university resources; and meeting their educational objectives.
The college offers an orientation program for entering students. All entering students and family members are encouraged to attend orientation. During orientation the adviser and the student prepare an appropriate schedule and the student registers for courses. Placement assessments may be required in Mathematics and English to assist in placing students in the appropriate level of courses if this cannot be determined by ACT/SAT scores, high school preparation classes or transfer courses.
Honors
Entering freshmen who meet one of the following criteria, and have a minimum English ACT of 24, will be invited to apply for membership in the Freshman Honors Program: earned an ACT composite of 30, or ranked in the top 5% of their high school classes; or selected as a National Merit or National Achievement finalist.
Enrolled students who have completed 12 graded credits at Iowa State University and earned a 3.35 can be admitted as a full member of the Honors Program. To qualify for full membership, students must have declared a major, developed a program of study, and have a minimum of 48 credits remaining before graduation. Special advisers will assist honors students in developing an appropriate program of study.
Internships
Credit and non-credit internships in business may be approved for College of Business students in all majors including pre-business. Credit hours and requirements vary. Arrangements must be made in the college prior to the beginning of the internship. An internship adviser from the Career Services Center will assist students in making these arrangements.
Multiple Majors
Undergraduates pursuing a degree in the College of Business may complete additional majors in the College of Business. Those desiring additional majors outside the college should refer to the catalog section of the appropriate college and department for the additional major requirements. A multiple major in business economics and agricultural business or economics is not permitted. A major in business economics with a minor in economics is not permitted.
Undergraduates with a primary major outside the College of Business who want a second major in business must meet the admission requirements for the professional program as well as complete the following requirements: the business core courses; the major specialization; computer proficiency; Acct 215; and Math 151.
All students pursuing multiple majors or multiple degrees within the College of Business are required to have a minimum of 15 credits of coursework in each additional major that is not used in the other majors.
Students are limited to three business majors/degrees within the College of Business, or a total of three business major/minors within the college. This limit is on business majors/degrees/minors only, and does not apply to multiple majors/degrees/minors taken outside the College of Business.
Students are limited to three business majors/degrees within the College of Business, or a total of three business major/minors within the college. This limit is on business majors/degrees/minors only, and does not apply to multiple majors/degrees/minors taken outside the College of Business.
Curriculum Changes
Iowa State University students who want to change their curriculum to the College of Business must attend a curriculum change meeting. See Changing Curriculum or Major for more details on this process. Students on Academic Probation will not be allowed to change curriculum to the College of Business during enrollment period three. See Making Schedule Changes.
International Business
Secondary Major
A student in the College of Business may earn a secondary major in International Business. The requirements for this major include 12 credits in international business courses, one year of the same university-level foreign language (minimum 6 credits) and an approved international experience (minimum 3 months). Students who pursue this secondary major will be required to complete the requirements for a primary major in Business. Fifteen of the 18 credits required for the International Business major may not be used for the primary major.
Minor
The College of Business offers a structured minor in general business to students outside the College. The minor requires a minimum of 15 credits, not including pre-requisite courses. Requirements for the minor are ACCT 284, Acct 285 or ACCT 215 or BUSAD 250 (6 credits), three courses selected from Fin 301, Mgmt 370, MIS 330, Mkt 340, LSCM 360, or OSCM 320 (9 credits). The minor must include at least 6 credits in courses numbered 300 or above taken at Iowa State University. A “C” average or higher is required in all courses used to satisfy the minor requirements. All requirements for the minor must be taken for a grade.
Students with a major in the College of Business may qualify for a minor specialization in one of the college’s departments by taking at least 15 credit hours in the minor specialization, nine hours of which may not be used to satisfy any other department, college, or university requirement. The minor must include at least 6 credits in courses numbered 300 or above taken at Iowa State University with a grade of C or higher. Students with declared majors have priority over students with declared minors in courses with space constraints.
Students with a major outside the College of Business are eligible for a general business minor only—not a specialization in a business department.
Students are limited to three business majors/degrees within the College of Business, or a total of three business major/minors within the college. This limit is on business majors/degrees/minors only, and does not apply to multiple majors/degrees/minors taken outside the College of Business
Entrepreneurial Studies Cross-Disciplinary Minor
The College of Business participates in a cross-disciplinary minor in Entrepreneurial Studies. This minor is available to any undergraduate student. Requirements for the minor include Mgmt 310, Mgmt 313 (6 credits), two business-oriented electives from an approved list (6 credits), and an experiential learning component (3 credits). The approved list of courses is available in the Undergraduate Programs Office in the College of Business and on the web at http://www.business.iastate.edu/undergraduate/minors/entrepreneurship.
Non-degree Seeking Students
Students who wish to take courses in the College of Business, but are not seeking an undergraduate degree, should apply to the college as non-degree seeking students. Non-degree seeking students are eligible to take up to 9 credits in 300-level and above business courses without meeting the college’s admission requirements.
Upper Division Courses for Students Outside the College
Students from outside the College of Business are eligible to take up to 9 credits of 300-level and above business courses without meeting the college’s admission requirements, as long as they meet course prerequisites.
Graduate Study
Four programs are offered at the graduate level: a master of business administration (M.B.A.) program, a master of accounting (M.Acc.), a master of science (M.S.) in business, and a master of science in information systems (M.S.I.S.). These programs are intended to meet distinct sets of educational objectives.
The M.B.A. is the professional management education program for those pursuing careers in business. The purpose of this professional program is to provide professional business education by preparing students to understand the impact of technology on business organizations in a global environment. The M.B.A. program consists of a 48-credit curriculum leading to a non-thesis, non-creative component master of business administration. Students may pursue a specialization in accounting, agribusiness, family financial planning, finance, information systems, international business, supply chain management or marketing.
The master of accounting (M.Acc.) is a 32-hour degree. The program requires 15 hours of graduate accounting courses, at least 9 hours of non-accounting graduate electives, a communications course, and an international course from an approved list. The M.Acc. is appropriate for any student wanting to pursue a variety of accounting careers. Additionally, the program is designed to help interested candidates meet the 150-hour education requirement for CPA certification in Iowa.
The master of science in information systems (M.S.I.S.) is designed to provide students with strong technical skills and a broad background in business needed to effectively develop and manage information systems projects. Using the latest software, students will apply information systems theory and concepts to modern information systems development. Program requirements range from 30-40 credits depending upon the student’s background. The M.S.I.S. curriculum includes business foundation courses, information systems core courses and electives, and a research requirement (creative component).
The M.S. program, consisting of 30 minimum credits, is oriented toward further business specialization at the master’s level for students with undergraduate degrees or academic backgrounds in business. The program is intended to serve those students who desire specialized study of an area within business. Students in the program must complete a thesis. This program is also a suitable vehicle for students planning to pursue a Ph.D. in business.
Double degree programs are offered with architecture (M.Arch./M.B.A.), community and regional planning (M.B.A./M.C.R.P), informational systems (M.B.A./M.S.I.S), and statistics (M.B.A./M.S.-Statistics). The Department of Logistics, Operations, and Management Information Systems in the College of Business participates in the following graduate level interdepartmental programs: Information Assurance, Human Computer Interaction, Seed Science and Business, and Transportation. The College of Business also offers a business administration minor to students with majors outside the college. A concurrent B.S./M.B.A. is available to eligible engineering undergraduate students majoring in civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, and mechanical engineering.
Ph.D in Business and
Technology
The College of Business offers graduate work leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree in business and technology, with one of three specializations—customer management (CM), supply chain management (SCM), or management information technology (MIT). Many departments in the college (Logistics, Operations, Management Information Systems, Marketing and Management), and the departments of Statistics, Economics, Psychology, and Sociology cooperate in providing coursework toward this degree. The program will prepare individuals for academic careers in research, teaching, and public service at institutions of higher learning in the United States and other countries. The PhD program consists of a 44 credit course curriculum followed by 12 credit thesis or dissertation. Students do not need to have an undergraduate degree or master’s degree in business in order to qualify for enrollment in the PhD program. However, students without a graduate degree in business will be required to complete 18 credit hours of business foundation courses. For more details or application information see the Business Administration Department listing in this catalog.
