Business Administration

Accounting Theory & Practice II

A continuation of ACC 1003 introducing additional and more advanced concepts. Different forms of ownership; manufacturing operations; the management of short and long-term liabilities; the management of current, intangible and fixed assets; as well as exposure to various evaluation techniques are studied.

Introduction To Managerial Accounting

The managerial accounting course provides students with skills to become highly effective in environments where quick decisions are required. Students learn to use financial information to make quick strategic decisions including how to use data to evaluate the effectiveness of current operations. Learning to maximize the profitability of operations, students interpret financial statements and supporting financial data that drive decision making. Topics covered in this course include cost management, analysis of financial performance, application of pricing strategies, and budgetary planning and control for a business enterprise.

Entrepreneurial Mindset

This course introduces students, through a Canadian lens, to the development of an entrepreneurial mindset. The ability to think like an entrepreneur and act like an innovator are critical skills for success across industries and are proven tools to help distinguish individuals in the workplace. Whether applied in a start-up company, or as an employee within an existing organization (intrapreneurship), learners develop knowledge on how to navigate barriers to creating, developing, and sustaining innovative new initiatives. Topics related to the development of resilience, focus, productivity, creativity, and success are introduced to support learners in building their own entrepreneurial capacity.

Communications for Business

This course provides students with the skills required for professional, written, and oral communications essential to business success and subsequent courses. Students will develop database and internet research skills; prepare professional written business communication; and create, practice and deliver professional oral presentations. Students will research and document borrowed information in a business report and will demonstrate critical reading and thinking skills.

Business Mathematics II

This course applies mathematical principles to problems of finance and probability. We will study simple and compound interest, annuities, bonds, project evaluation, laws of probability, and probability distributions.

General Education Elective

Sustainable Business Leadership

This course provides an exploration of sustainable business practices, focusing on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Students examine how CSR can address social and environmental challenges, and how integrating these practices can enhance both organizational success and societal impact. Students also analyze the UN SDGs, learning how these goals can be applied to sustainable business strategies and personal success. The course includes practical examples to explore contemporary ethical business dilemmas and develop strategies for addressing them effectively. Additionally, the course emphasizes the importance of cultural competencies and inclusive practices in creating a more equitable business environment. Students gain skills in diversity, equity, and inclusion (EDI), and learn how to implement these practices to foster a more socially inclusive workplace and society. Through a mix of theory and practical application, students are equipped to lead with sustainability and ethics in today's global economy.

Macroeconomics

This course provides an understanding of the role of economics in business decision-making through the study of the methodology of economics, the components of the Canadian economy, cycles in the economy, macroeconomic goals, the measuring of economic performance, and government intervention in the economy as government attempts to manage the economy.

Business Statistics

This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of statistics. It includes regression analysis, probabilities and distributions, sampling, statistical estimation, and hypotheses testing.

Social Media Marketing

This course explores online marketing tools and tactics, such as social media, email, digital advertising and content marketing, that businesses can use to build a profitable relationship with their customers. Students engage in simulated social media, email and digital advertising campaigns to gain a better understanding of how to use these tools in their marketing efforts. Along with learning about digital and social media marketing, students learn general principles of marketing that are key for every business, regardless of industry or size: identifying who your customers are; understanding what needs they have that you are uniquely able to serve; creating a brand voice that speaks to them; identifying who your competitors are; deciding how to differentiate your offering from theirs; and creating a plan for engaging customers across social media and digital advertising platforms.

Organizational Behaviour

This subject is an examination of the contemporary Canadian business environment including the organization, leadership and management decision process which influences the behaviour of individuals and groups. Increased global competition, technological change and the rising expectations of both employees and employers have underlined the need for improved and more effective leadership. This subject provides a better understanding of this process.

Secondary Market Research

This course introduces students to the constantly expanding world of secondary data research. This is the first of two research courses designed to develop research techniques and skills that meet the needs of today's business. Students develop their research technology skills by learning how to locate, evaluate, and qualify high-quality data. Students strengthen their ability critically interpret and evaluate the data collected and suggest potential trends and implications. An important focus of the course is learning to create appropriate tables, graphs, and infographics that aid in understanding and visualizing the data. Through a series of research assignments, students learn to craft high-quality written reports, presentations and infographics with accurate references and citations. Throughout the course, students are exposed to a wide variety of government, business, and economic information expanding their knowledge of the dynamic business environment.

Retailing

This course provides students with a solid understanding of the complexity of operating a retail business in Canada and serves as a good foundation for a career in retailing or other industries that support the retail supply chain. The course provides an overview of the retail industry in Canada and its importance in the Canadian economy. Trends impacting the dynamic retail environment and the changing retail customer are investigated with an emphasis placed on sustainability issues in retail operations. Students evaluate market opportunities, location considerations, store design and layout decisions to consider when planning a store. Students are introduced to retail financial analysis and the operational decision functions of buying, managing, and pricing merchandise.

The Legal Aspects of HR

This scenario/case-based course will provide students with insight into the legal aspects of human resources management through the entire employment relationship. The focus of this course will be on current federal and provincial employment-related legislation. Students will become familiar with specific areas of law and will apply learned concepts and terminology to address issues related to effective human resource management. Students will be introduced to content specific to workplace complaints and workplace investigations as this is an expanding area of responsibility for human resource professionals.

Business Law

In this course, students are prepared for a business environment increasingly affected by laws. They learn how laws must be understood and applied by management in the conduct of business. They also learn how to analyze a business situation from a general legal perspective. Emphasis is placed on methods of dispute resolution, contracts, torts, employment law, methods of carrying on business, sale of goods, and marketing law.

Operations Management

Operations and supply chain management have evolved into one of today's most important business disciplines. In the dynamic world of manufacturing and service delivery, designing systems more effectively and efficiently is a key source of competitive advantage. This course introduces business students to foundational concepts and practical methods used in the design and operations of manufacturing and service firms. Students explore strategic decisions related to how firms compete including operations strategy, supply chain design, process and facility design, and capacity planning. Students also learn tactical and day-to-day strategies for inventory management, forecasting, resource scheduling, quality control, project management, and lean operating systems.

Primary Market Research

This course emphasizes the important role that primary market research plays in guiding strategic decision-making. Students build on their market research skills as they develop primary research instruments through practical application. This includes creating and implementing tools, analyzing the data, and presenting the findings with recommendations to their client.

Integrated Marketing Communications

In today's marketing world, there are more advertising contact points and specialized media competing for consumer's attention than ever before. To effectively break through the clutter, companies need to use a well-coordinated approach to selecting different promotional methods to differentiate their communication and present a consistent message to target audiences. This course introduces students to the concept of integrated marketing communications (IMC); a strategic planning process that helps companies identify the most appropriate and effective methods for communicating and building relationships with consumers. Students will learn the essential components of an IMC plan, including how to integrate advertising, sales promotions, public relations, direct marketing and digital media to maximize the impact of communications. Students will utilize this knowledge to build their own comprehensive marketing communications plan for a selected product or service.

General Education Elective

Selling

This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to professional selling and the skills required to find success in relationship building and sales. Students are introduced to the many career alternatives available as well as the day-to-day expectations of a successful salesperson. The focus is to assist students develop their personal brand and strengthen their presentation, communication, and negotiation skills through role-playing, simulations, and applied learning exercises. Both traditional and digital prospecting methods are explored, along with the application of effective discovery, proposal creation, and problem resolution strategies, all in support of creating a customer relationship built on trust. Topics include goal setting, planning, time management, sales analytics, key performance indicator analysis, and customer relationship building. Students apply their learning in a simulated, professional business-to-business sales environment.

Co-op Work Term (optional)

Co-operative education provides students with the opportunity to apply classroom learning to the workplace, undertake career sampling and gain valuable work experience that may assist students in leveraging employment after graduation.

Entrepreneurship I

As the first of a two-part capstone, students use an entrepreneurial and project management approach to assess the viability and sustainability of a business idea. Students explore the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) examining the role of businesses in addressing global challenges such as poverty, climate change, and inequality, by conducting a thorough research analysis and delivering a feasibility study for a new entrepreneurial venture. Students engage in team building, meeting strategies, and project planning activities that emphasize the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion in fostering an inclusive learning environment. Students develop creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills within the context of business entrepreneurship. These activities enhance leadership and communication abilities, essential for success in the business world.

Financial Management I

This course provides an overview of financial management and covers financial statement analysis, forecasting, operating and financial leverage, working capital management, and sources of short-term financing. It provides a brief review of time value of money concepts as a stepping stone for capital budgeting decisions to be reviewed in Business Finance II. Some long-term financing valuation concepts are also addressed.

General Education Elective

Business Analytics

Strong computer skills are essential to finding Canadian employment in management and administration. This Business Analytics course introduces the use of data-driven techniques to identify and solve business problems. Students will learn key concepts of data analysis, from data collection and preparation to the application of predictive analytics models. Students develop skills in time management, self-discipline, and having an eye for detail by strengthening their ability to read and follow written instructions. Business Analytics is a course delivered using practical applications in the computer lab; through case studies and hands-on activities, students will learn to use Excel functionality more effectively in analyzing, interpreting, and visualizing data. Students will gain an understanding of the importance of data in today's business environment and will develop the skills necessary to identify, analyze, and utilize data for making better industry-specific decisions through case analysis.

Project Management Fundamentals for Canadian Business

This course introduces students to the essential logical flow of project management concepts, tools and techniques that can be immediately applied in the Canadian workplace. Students will review different project management case studies and generate a summary report of all the key skills required to be an effective project manager. Students will gain more experience with indemand skills that employers seek in MS Office (Word, Excel), scheduling software, document management, and record keeping, management of meetings, budgeting, and communications.

Consumer Behaviour and Trends

Consumer behaviour is one of the most exciting areas in the study of marketing. Every day, a variety of media inform, persuade, and influence our purchase decision. These media compete with other stimuli for our attention and our hard-earned money. In studying consumer behaviour, students learn how marketers identify and work with these sources of influence, how we think and how we process information. Students also learn how their relationships with others and their dreams and aspirations help shape their product choices and purchase decisions. The evolving topic of sustainable consumption is discussed as brand accountability, legislation and governance continue to set the direction for more purposeful practices.

Business Case Study

This course takes students through the process of creating an industry-standard business case based on a real-life business scenario. Students communicate the business case in two simulated formats (written and oral) to decision makers and other stakeholders. They identify the underlying need and set goals and quantifiable objectives. They perform a cost-benefit analysis to calculate key financial metrics, including return on investment (ROI) and payback period. Students apply tasks and techniques from the Strategy Analysis Knowledge Area of the BABOK (IIBA Business Analysis Body of Knowledge), including the assessment of capability gaps (gap analysis), the formulation of a problem statement, the definition of the solution scope using a scope model (context diagram), and the creation of a weighted scoring table to support the decision process (decision analysis). Students take part in in-class or online discussions, complete online quizzes and work independently and with a group to build their business case.

Entrepreneurship II

As the second of a two-part capstone, students undertake two major projects that further strengthen their creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills within the realm of business entrepreneurship, while emphasizing the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion in fostering an inclusive learning environment. In the first project, students create the operations and human resources strategies for their chosen business idea, doing so while considering the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For the second project, students create a financial strategy for their entrepreneurial venture. Students quantify the social, economic, and environmental impact of their new venture and audit the business' impact regarding the 17 SDGs. Through these two projects, students have constructed a portfolio that highlights their comprehensive business knowledge, exceptional skills, and outstanding talents.

Ethical Leadership & Critical Decision Making

This interdisciplinary course combines insights from the field of business with social psychology and applied ethics to challenge students with an introspective look at some of today's most important ethical dilemmas. Students in PHL-1253 learn that the ethical standards employed by businesses and corporations ultimately concern the quality of human behaviours in those organizations. Human behaviour evolves from many influences: our past relationships, the ways we think and feel, how we respond to pressures in various social contexts, and how we deliberate in our daily thoughts and actions. Each of these influences is intimately involved with the quality of our ethical decision making.

Financial Management II (Optional)

This course builds upon the theories and principles of managerial finance learned in Financial Management I. It introduces the student to the theories and principles of long-term financing decisions and capital budgeting decisions. The purpose of this course is to complete the introduction to the theory and principles of managerial finance.

Purchasing

This course enables the student to investigate the role of purchasing within an organization and the essential processes to follow when procuring goods and services. The course details an overview of purchasing, procurement and strategic sourcing as it relates to supply chain planning. The students will become familiar with the importance of policy and procedure as well as the legal documents and documentation process is explained. Students will formulate strategic cost management as well, will adapt strategic supplier evaluation and selection. The future of purchasing will also be discussed.

E-Commerce

This course is designed to give senior business students an introduction to electronic commerce. Its aim is to provide students with an understanding of the concepts, components, technology overviews, and functions of electronic commerce in the business environment. The course explores the organizational implications of implementing electronic commerce by an enterprise.

Data Visualization

This course equips students with the skills to effectively visualize and communicate data insights. Covering fundamental principles of data visualization, the course emphasizes the importance of visual analytics, chart selection, and design principles. Students will learn to identify and utilize various data types and visual encoding methods, apply design and UI principles, and create both basic and advanced chart types. Hands-on lab sessions using Power BI provide practical experience in developing, analyzing, and interpreting interactive visualizations. The course also focuses on data storytelling, enabling students to draw meaningful insights and communicate findings effectively. By the end of the course, students will be able to present and critique data visualizations professionally, tailoring their presentations to diverse audiences and contexts. This curriculum ensures students are well-prepared to create clear, informative, and visually appealing data visualizations for data-driven decision-making in a professional setting.

Foundations of Equity Diversity and Inclusion

Increasingly, employers are required to build and maintain workplaces that are equitable, inclusive, and psychologically safe for all workers. This is inclusive of visible and invisible differences across people. This course provides students with the knowledge to identify and articulate the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion ("EDI") practices in the workplace. We will explore the history, key concepts and definitions, the business case for allocating resources to EDI practices, and strategies to support the organizational strategy in the context of regulatory and legislative requirements, and emerging trends, opportunities, and issues.