Subject outlines for the WSB-NLU degrees

* Year 01

>>Semester 01<<

Fundamentals of Computer Technology [30hrs]
The aim of this course is to introduce basic notions of computer technology, in both hardware and software. The students will learn about the main constituents of computer hardware and about the ideas behind the software. Laboratory classes will give them hands-on experience with common software products like Microsoft Windows, Word and PowerPoint.

Fundamentals of Organisation [45hrs]
This course presents an overview of the field of organizational theory and management. Through a combination of readings, lectures and case discussions, and specific individual and group
assignments, this course will introduce students to the fundamentals of management. Moreover, this course further develops abilities in critically evaluating an organization from multiple theoretical perspectives and integrating the findings into a diagnosis of the organization’s current situation. At the end of this class students should improve individual and team skills in written and oral communication of information gleaned from rigorous organizational analysis.

Introduction to Fine Arts [15hrs]
The aim of the course is to give a basic introduction to concepts, media and history of art. The focus will remain on Western world; its art will be shown through several examples from the past and the present. Students will also acquire basic knowledge concerning the technology of making art. After completing the course the students should be able to express their own opinion about art, artists and their favourite pieces of art.

Microeconomics [60hrs]
Microeconomics is a FOUNDATION subject on the M&M programme, from which other business-oriented content emerges. Understanding of fundamental Microeconomic concepts assures mastery of related business subjects, as Micro outlines the primary conditions and determinants of economic behaviour and rationale. Economic decisions are outlined (both from the perspective of the producers and consumers), as well as the activity undertaken by economic actors. An important element is the comparison of various market structures, analysis of the factors of production. A history of economic thought, technological progress and basic behavioural factors are added to enhance understanding.

Introduction to Politics [30hrs]
This is an introductory course in political science. The purpose of this course is to provide you with a framework for further study in the general discipline. We will study basic terms and concepts, major ideologies and theoretical perspectives, political systems, elements of international relations. Additionally, we will discuss relations between politics and economy, public administration and media. Part of the course will be devoted to European integration process and Polish accession to EU.

Philosophy [45hrs]
[syllabus under re-design]

College Mathematics [60hrs]
Mathematical proficiency in elementary functions, differential calculus, integration, and linear algebra is essential for successful application of many quantitative techniques in economics and management. The objective of this course is to help students acquire the mathematical skills they will need while taking courses in micro and macroeconomics, econometrics, finance, operations management, quantitative methods, etc. Because for many first-year students obtaining a sufficient mathematical competence is a challenge, a special effort will be made to make this course as practical as possible without the loss of the essentials of the mathematical theory.

>>Semester 02<<

Business Statistics [45hrs]
Sample and population. Why managers need statistics ? Basic measures of central tendency and spread. Graphs. Normal distribution. Statistics and quantitative relationships. Probability background.. Events, methods of calculating the probability, conditional probability and independence. Random variables, probability distributions for discrete random variables. Bernoulli and binomial models. Continuous random variables, approximation via normal Distribution. Unbelievable result - central limit theorem. Computer simulations. One sample inference. Point and interval estimation. Tests and confidence intervals. How P value became popular. Two sample inference. Independent sample comparisons. Matched samples comparisons. Comparing several means - the ANOVA table. Statistics and management. Examples from operations management, quality control, consulting.

Ecology [30hrs]
Course in ecology is focused on presenting the role of the environment in business activities. The special interest areas are: markets for pollution emission; recycling; doing business in environment protection industry; doing business in the alternative energy sector; externalities of business activities; economics of endangered species. Aims: to show how business is affected by: wildlife, not so wild life, environment protection initiatives, natural disasters, ecological terrorism, global climate change; to show how to measure the abovementioned effects; to show how to hedge business against the risks flowing from negative effects of abovementioned facts; to show how to do business and benefit from operating in the environment protection sector.

Internet & Intranets [30hrs]
The aim of this course is to show the concepts and capabilities of the Internet and intranets. Common services available on the net are presented, along with the basics of its structure and techniques. Laboratory classes will help the students to use the Internet efficiently in their everyday work.

Fundamentals of Macroeconomics [45hrs]
Macroeconomics continues the introduction to Economics, which was initialised last semester by Micro. This term the student is taken into the large-scale economic environment, and the subject focuses on economic theories, facts and events that occur at the level of the nation.

Fundamentals of Marketing [45hrs]
This course is an introductory course in marketing for undergraduates, and as such, is designed to serve as a foundation course for more advanced courses in marketing students will later take. Subjects to be included are: the idea and scope of marketing, the marketing environment, managing market information, market segmentation and targeting, and the four "P's" of marketing products and an introduction to services. The primary purpose of this course is to introduce students to the field of marketing and its role in the modern business organization. To help students learn, link and apply the basic concepts of modern marketing in an enjoyable and practical way, several teaching methods will be applied.

Psychology [30hrs]
Overview of fields of psychology, including biological, social, developmental, and adjustment aspects of behavior. Personality, perception, motivation, emotions, and social behavior are included with laboratory experiences in selected areas.

Fundamentals of Management [60hrs]
The objective of the course is to provide students with the knowledge of the basic concepts of management which are necessary to develop more advanced knowledge and skills in all areas of management theory and practice. In the course the classical management tasks will be presented using recognized and widely approved textbooks. Analysis of management tasks will be supplemented with selected issues from modern management practice: directions of management thought in early 21st century, total quality management, globalization and international management, entrepreneurship and innovation management.

* YEAR 02 *

>>Semester 01<<

Econometrics [45hrs]
Comparison of the means: recap from the statistics class, details of the one-way analysis of variance, F test, simultaneous comparisons. Simple regression analysis: parametrizing the simple regression model, the role of R square test and the student t-test, the truth is in the errors, heteroskedasticity and outliers in simple regression, autocorrelation of the errors. Multiple regression analysis: choice of variables, backward and forward search of the optimal set of variables, example: analyzing crime in the US, error analysis with multiple regression model. Regression model and elasticities: Cobb-Douglas model, multiple regression model. Modeling time series type data: DJIA index, income data.

International Relations [45hrs]
The course introduces the essentials of International Relations and contributes to understanding of the global developments and problems. The course is divided into three major sections. The first section (classes 1-6) introduces students with major analytical perspectives and concepts in analyzing international politics and foreign policy of states. In this section of the course it is intended to facilitate the knowledge of IR as a social science discipline and its major approaches, factors and actors (levels of analysis) in examination of global politics.

Operations & Production Management [45hrs]
This course addresses the key elements that forge the effective management of an organization’s limited resources. It aims at providing a comprehensive view of the most central aspects of production and operation management, and presenting an overview of the central managerial methods that are used by today’s complex enterprises in solving their difficult and intrinsic operational and production problems. Operations and Production Management concern all types of organizations; manufacturers of products or service providers, public or private sector companies as well as profit and non-profit organizations. The course develops a strategic perspective of production and operations management rather than a quantitative mathematical modelling approach.

Spreadsheet Applications [45hrs]
The aim of this course is to show the capabilities of spreadsheet software and teach the techniques needed to use it efficiently. Common applications of spreadsheets will be discussed. Laboratory classes will give the students hands-on experience with Microsoft Excel.

Introduction to Accounting [45hrs]
Definition of accounting and theoretical background. Basic dictionary, differences between similar basic terms. Simplified methods of bookkeeping. Principles of accounting. Equation of accounting. Balance sheet – introduction.

Foundations of Finance [45hrs]
Foundations of Finance is a basic course of every business or economic studies and should be a prerequisite for any other financial course. The main three parts of the course are concerned with the key concept of time value of money, legal forms of business organization and basic financial statements. The first part provides the students with the tools for computing the future and the present value of cash flows or streams of cash flows which allows for comparing cash flows produced by different investment proposals over different time periods. The second part shows the legal and tax environment of financial decisions. The last part reviews the basic financial statements and evaluating financial performance using financial ratios. The aim of this course is to offer the foundations of finance, including mathematical formulas as well as tools of financial analysis that are necessary to study any other financial course. Therefore it is important to become fully proficient in all underlying concepts. The course provides the students with theory and practice since connecting them guarantees profound understanding of the material.

Innovation Management [30hrs]
[new subject: syllabus being developed for 1st half 2009]

Ethics in Business & Technology [30hrs]
The course presents issues concerned with the role of moral and ethical values in business, on a local, regional, national and international level, as well as on the scale of small, medium and large organisations. Ethical dilemmas present in a business setting are outlined as are their (potential) solutions. The systemic transformation in Central & Eastern Europe is explained, within the context of morality/ethics changeover with its impact on business conduct for local companies and those wishing to enter the fast-growing market. Students will: understand the role of ethics in business conduct; understand the determinants of a firm's ethics; understand the impact of C&EE systemic changeover on the conduct of business; understand the role that new developments play in challenging company behaviour; understand the role of the company within the wider society and of the individual within the company.

>>Semester 02<<

Market Research and Analysis [60hrs]
The course will introduce the students into the subject of marketing research. The main topics covered during the meetings will include: marketing information and its significance in today’s business environment; types of research and data collected; marketing research cycle, the stages, relevant tasks and outcomes; data collection methods; the practical approach to the research project preparation, implementation
Throughout the course students will design and perform their own research projects as well as give a formal presentation of research results at the end of the course.

Database management [45hrs]
The aim of this course is to introduce the students to relational databases. Students will learn how to design and implement database systems. They will also learn some advanced techniques enabling them to use existing systems efficiently.

Human Resource Management [45hrs]
Human resources management is a study of how firms can use their employees for gaining competitive advantage. It’s a commonsense the individuals are the most important for the company but it is not obvious why some are more effective in using it and others fail. Moreover the globalization made the human resources management more complex and more strategic because cultural aspects have to be considered.

International Economics [30hrs]
Building upon knowledge acquired in 1st Year Economics classes, International Economics [termed in Polish "International Commercial Relations"] takes the student deep into the international setting. The students will learn the reasoning behind international trade and finance and discover the mechanisms and institutions responsible for managing trade in the international environment.

International Marketing [30hrs]
The development of international marketing programs requires an understanding of the overall marketing process and how companies internationalise adopting their marketing functions to requirements of international business environment. The module will examine the process by which international marketing programs are planned, developed and executed as well as the various factors and considerations that influence this process. The environment in which marketing activities take place and the various regulatory, social and economic factors that affect an organisation’s international marketing activities will also be discussed.

Financial Accounting [60hrs]
Expansion of introductory information with focus on deeper understanding of: principles of accounting. Equation of accounting. Balance sheet – introduction.

Project Management [30hrs]
The participant after completing this course will be broadly based in modern management tools using computer and quantitative tools. This track, however, will not be focused on presenting the tools from technical point of view. On the other hand, the emphasis will be on applications. Students will be able to correctly identify problems of Project Management in the reality of Poland and Europe and, subsequently, will be able to solve those problems with modern tools presented within the track. One of the methods to achieve this will be through problem-oriented approach and consulting. The consulting experience will be build upon meeting the real practitioners of the Polish economic life in the classroom format.

* Year 03 *

>>Semester 01<<

Fundamentals of Law [30hrs]
[new subject: syllabus being developed for 1st half 2009]

International Accounting [30hrs]
The course in International Accounting is designed to develop student’s abilities in using financial statements. The first step is to recognize causes for differences in economies that lead to different accounting systems. Then, revision of main accounting principles and practices is conducted. This serves the ultimate aim, which is the presentation of The International Accounting and Financial Reporting Standards. Aim: to revise accounting principles and to introduce international accounting to students. After completion of this course students should be able to use financial statements of the enterprises, which are prepared according to different accounting principles and in line with International Accounting Standards.

Marketing Management [45hrs]
This course is your final year Marketing Management course. As such, it builds on all previous marketing courses as well as other business courses including accounting, HR, economics, strategy, etc., in order for you to fully understand the role of marketing in a company. Therefore, you must have a good understanding of these topics in order to excel in this course. The marketing topics covered will include marketing strategies, various tactics, and sales force management. A special emphasis will be placed on services and the B2B space.

Economic Psychology [30hrs]
This course covers research topics and results in the scientific area combining economics and psychology, following a lifespan approach. It examines two inter-related questions: what are the psychological mechanisms of individuals' economic behaviours, and how does the economy act on the psychology of individuals within it? Topics to be covered will include individual economic behaviours such as work, buying, saving, giving, and gambling; economic forces acting on individual behaviour include the money system, taxation, advertising, economic growth and development, and special economic conditions such as those experienced by children, or by people in other, more "primitive" economics, or in token economies. Despite the name, the subject covers topics from both Economic Psychology and Psychological Economics [known also as Behavioural Economics].

Management Information Systems [30hrs]
The main focus of the course is directed on management information systems (MIS) that deploy computer-based methods of data processing. In lecture part, it discusses various domain-specific information systems in economic entities, their components and roles in supporting decision making process, managing knowledge and their business value. Implementation, deployment, usability and maintenance of MIS is also considered. Further topics include ethical, social and risk issues arising from using MIS. In exercise part, students analyze, present and discuss concrete information systems. The course enables students to analyse and more effectively use information systems in general. The abilities to recognize potential needs, constraints, risks and customer preferences of a management information system, as well as to facilitate knowledge management by using them are in foreground.

Managerial Accounting [45hrs]
Managerial Accounting is a course preparing to assist managers in carrying their responsibilities, which includes planning, directing, motivating and controlling. It provides the traditional and most modern costing systems and other techniques necessary for managers in strategic and operations management. It is focused on preparing and using reports relying on the same financial data as used by financial accounting but in contrast to financial accounting it is concentrated on the future decisions rather summary of past activities. The aim of this course is to offer the foundations of different costing systems and techniques of managerial accounting and to show their application to practical problems of company’s management. The course provides the students with theory and practice which guarantees better understanding of the material.

Negotiations [15hrs]
This course deals with the theory and processes of negotiation so that students are enabled to negotiate successfully in a variety of settings. Concepts are applied from a variety of academic fields, including business, law, and psychology. Tools for negotiation preparation and analysis will be used to develop skills that prepare students for their future roles as managers and professionals. Since negotiation requires individual abilities and not just intellectual understanding, these skills will be practiced in the classroom.

Quality Management [30hrs]
[new subject: syllabus being developed for 1st half 2009]

Intellectual property Management [15hrs]
The course focuses on the creation of Intellectual Property, the management of IP processes within companies and organisations, their financing (investments, sales, lease-back) as well as the legal processes related to IP protection. Issues of corporate espionage, electronic protection, data protection, etc., will be also discussed.

Money & Banking [30hrs]
The study of banking and financial markets has become one of the most interesting topics in economics. Financial markets are changing rapidly, and new financial instruments appear almost daily. The banking industry has become highly dynamic. Well-functioning international trade and financial markets have created an integrated world economy in which events in one country’s financial markets have a major impact on financial markets in other countries.

>>Semester 02<<

International Finance [30hrs]
Spotlights the economic and business rationale for the existence of multinational firms in a foreign exchange risk context. It covers foreign exchange exposure, variables that cause exchange rates to change, international capital markets, long-term worldwide cost of capital and short-term and intermediate-term financing through the international banking system. Course objectives: upon completion of the class, the student should be able to do the following: understand the fundamental concepts in international financial management; understand the increasing importance of the global integration of money and capital markets; develop the ability to apply long-term international financial strategies; analyse long-term international finance decisions, including financing of imports and exports.

Strategic Management [30hrs]
The course will be dealing with the function of the Chief Executive Officer wishing to ensure his company’s prosperity in an increasingly challenging, competitive world. Therefore it is concerned with the performance and the survival of the organization as whole. It adopts the perspective of the general manager and examines how different functional policies should be integrated to yield effective responses to the opportunities and threats in the environment. The study of strategic management leads to an understanding of how decisions are formulated within complex situations, what strategies would constitute appropriate matches between the resources of the organization and the forces in the external environment and how internal processes and systems may be designed to support the implementation of the intended strategies.

Culture in Business [30hrs]
The subject provides students with in-depth understanding of the role that local, national, regional and continental determinants have upon the conduct of business in its national and international operations. Please note: this is NOT a "business etiquette" module (how-to-hold-your-fork-and-knife, and how-to-shake-hands). Practicalities WILL be discussed when appropriate/useful, but the module focuses on the role of sociologically-understood CULTURE. Students will: understand the role that family, language, religion play in defining local culture; learn how to deal with those variations: from the use of region-specific up-front research methodology for determining business/cooperation validity, to actual business negotiations; comprehend the relationship between culture and business, and of the various determinants that shape local business performance; within this context students will comprehend the evolution of Capitalism into its newest forms and the role of globalisation as a process that changes culture and business practice.

Entrepreneurship [45hrs]
Entrepreneurship is a study of how to engage in a new business while taking a risk associated with it. It is a multidimensional analysis, i.e. starting from a conceptualization of an idea, through SWOT analysis, raising financial resources and marketing the product or services. In addition entrepreneur must be socially aware, i.e. think about the impact of the business on local society. That is an explanation of the evolvement of new dimensions of entrepreneur.

Corporate Finance [45hrs]
Corporate Finance is a course providing a variety of topics covering material that is necessary in order to understand most of the financial decisions and it is one of the basic courses of every business or economic studies. It is concerned with the maintenance and creation of economic value and that is why the course focuses on decision making that creates wealth. The main parts of this course regard capital budgeting, cost of capital, financial structure, long and short term financial decisions and evaluating financial performance. The aim of this course is to offer knowledge that would allow for understanding and making financial decisions with an eye toward creating wealth. The goal of this course is also to show that financial management is a very important and interesting topic. It introduces decision-making techniques emphasizing the logic behind them. The course provides the students with theory and practice since connecting them guarantees profound understanding of the material.

International Management [30hrs]
Upon completion of the class, the student should be able to do the following: understand the International Market Place in which modern business operates; develop insights into cultural and human relations considerations, required to establish effective business management and control; gain exposure to current international management issues, linking theory with practical applications; understand inter-functional relationships within the global firm.

Commercial Law [45hrs]
[syllabus under re-design]

Organisational Behaviour [30hrs]
[new subject: syllabus being developed for 1st half 2009]