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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2013/2014 -
- ARCHIVE as at 1 September 2013 for reference only
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Business School : Business Studies

Undergraduate Course: Business Studies 1 (BUST08001)

Course Outline
SchoolBusiness School CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Course typeStandard AvailabilityAvailable to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) Credits40
Home subject areaBusiness Studies Other subject areaNone
Course website None Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionQUOTA DETAILS AND INSTRUCTIONS
Due to the popularity of the course, a quota system has been introduced, and the order of preference will be:

(1) First year students enrolled on either a single Business Studies degree or a Joint Degree with Business Studies, for which Business Studies 1 is a mandatory course;

(2) First year students, wishing to take Business Studies 1 as an outside subject;
(3) Second year students, wishing to take Business Studies 1 as an outside subject.

Science and Engineering students should be referred to Industrial Management 1h (BUST08002) rather than Business Studies 1.


This course affords students an understanding of the nature, structure and workings of contemporary business organisations. This is achieved by applying the concepts and techniques of the social sciences to the problems of business. The course is designed both to be ¿self-contained¿ for those who do not intend to study the subject further, and to prepare students for three further years of Business Studies. Similarly, by the mix of lectures, tutorials and assignments, the course aims simultaneously to cater for the needs of those who have, and have not, formally studied the subject prior to University.

After an initial lecture which introduces the subject content of Business Studies and its methodology, the course comprises eight modules throughout Semesters 1 and 2: Business Policy and Strategy; the Economic Environment and Anatomy of Business; Marketing; Operations Management; Management Science; Finance; Employment Relations; and Organisation Studies.

The students are introduced to the subject-matter of the modules by a combination of lectures and weekly tutorials, and students have the opportunity to select areas to study in depth through a choice of essay topics. The poster exercise is designed to encourage practical application of concepts and models introduced in the initial module on Business Policy and Strategy, and to encourage early interaction with academic staff and peers.

Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus?No
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2013/14 Full Year, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Learn enabled:  Yes Quota:  None
Web Timetable Web Timetable
Class Delivery Information 1 hour(s) per week for 20 week(s).
Course Start Date 16/09/2013
Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 400 ( Lecture Hours 59, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 18, Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2, Summative Assessment Hours 5, Revision Session Hours 1, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 8, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 307 )
Additional Notes
Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) Written Exam 50 %, Coursework 40 %, Practical Exam 10 %
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours:Minutes
Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May)3:00
Resit Exam Diet (August)3:00
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding

On completion of the course, students should be able to:

(a) describe the various ways in which organisations are structured and managed;
(b) describe the inter-relationships between organisations and the environments in which they operate;
(c) explain and evaluate critically the contribution of the various techniques and functions to the operation and development of organisations;
(d) describe and discuss critically such key contemporary topics as the ¿globalisation¿ of business, and the ¿responsibilities¿ of organisations, including environmental concerns and employees¿ welfare.

Cognitive Skills

On completion of the course, students should have had inculcated into them the desirability, and the methods, of time management and planning through lectures, tutorials and course assignments. Students should have been encouraged to:

(a) use the entire range of learning resources that are available to today¿s students;
(b) analyse and solve organisational problems and issues, especially through tutorials;
(c) appreciate the holistic nature of the contemporary organisation, especially through the two integrated assignments.

Key Skills

On completion of the course, students should have been encouraged to:

(a) develop their written skills, through the two assignments and the degree exam;
(b) develop their oral skills through the weekly tutorials;
(c) be aware of, and confidently to use, the range of quantitative and qualitative techniques that are appropriate to contemporary organisations;
(d) acquire, or develop, computer literacy techniques.

Subject-Specific Skills

On completion of the course, students should be aware of:

(a) the techniques and insights that are germane to Strategy, Business Economics, Marketing, Operations Management, Management Science, Finance, Employment Relations, and Organisation Studies.
(b) the uses, abuses and limits of these techniques and insights.
Assessment Information
Group project (poster exercise) accounts for 10% of the assessment.
Two essays, each essay accounts for 20% of the assessment.
Final degree exam accounts for 50% of the assessment.
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus Module 1: Business Policy & Strategy
Module 2: The Economist Environment Anatomy of Business
Module 3: Marketing
Module 4: Operations Management
Module 5: Management Science
Module 6: Finance
Module 7: Employment Relations
Module 8: Organisation Studies
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list You are strongly advised to purchase a copy of

Business Studies 1 Custom Textbook, Volumes 1 & 2 (Pearson, 4th Edition)
(available exclusively from Blackwell's South Bridge)
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Not entered
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Stephen Harwood
Tel: (0131 6)51 5243
Email: stephen.harwood@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Sara Dennison
Tel: (0131 6)50 3825
Email: Sara.Dennison@ed.ac.uk
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