Undergraduate Course: Foundations of Business (BUST08025)
Course Outline
| School | Business School |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 40 |
| Home subject area | Business Studies |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | 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. With 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 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; Human Resource Management and Employment Relations; and Organisational Behaviour.
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 | Students MUST NOT also be taking
Introduction to Business (BUST08026)
|
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Delivery period: 2014/15 Full Year, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Learn enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
|
Web Timetable |
Web Timetable |
| Course Start Date |
15/09/2014 |
| 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 %
|
| No Exam Information |
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, Human Resource Management and Employment Relations, and Organisational Behaviour.
(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 |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
You are strongly advised to purchase a copy of the Custom Textbook, Volumes 1 & 2 (available exclusively from Blackwell's South Bridge) |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Business Policy and Strategy; the Economic Environment and Anatomy of Business; Marketing; Operation |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Stephen Harwood
Tel: (0131 6)51 5243
Email: stephen.harwood@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Sara Dennison
Tel: (0131 6)50 3825
Email: Sara.Dennison@ed.ac.uk |
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