Course Offerings
Consult the LORIS Browse Classes for a list of course offerings by semester. Register for courses online using LORIS. Refer to MyLearningSpace to view course materials, or see your faculty member for further information on how to access your course material.
Note to Toronto students: You will receive term-specific schedules and registration details by email.
Required Course Descriptions
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites:BU602, BU603, BU604, BU605, BU606, BU607, BU609
An examination of the key processes involved in managing the total enterprise from the point of view of the general manager. These include strategy formulation, implementation and change. The course seeks both to integrate material from other more specialized required courses and to familiarize students with the basic concepts, theories, tools and methods in the field of strategic management.
0.5 Credit
An overview of marketing management with an emphasis on understanding and applying theories and concepts in marketing. An analytical foundation for creating, communicating and implementing integrated marketing plans is developed and reinforced through application. The course also introduces the unique contexts of marketing and illustrates the need to integrate marketing with the other functional areas of business.
0.5 Credit
An introduction to the fundamentals of corporate finance, including securities valuation and interest rates, risk and return tradeoff involved in corporate investment decisions, capital budgeting and sources of long-term financing, capital structure decisions and how they affect corporate value, dividend policy and corporate restructuring, and sources of short-term financing and working capital management.
0.5 Credit
An introduction to the human side of managing organizations in today's environment, including links between the organization's strategy, its human resources, the internal systems and processes, and the outcomes achieved. Creating, managing and responding to change is a major focus.
0.5 Credit
An overview of important concepts and methods used in managing business operations. Topics include: product and process design, facility location and layout, capacity planning, quality assurance, materials management and scheduling. Essential ideas and techniques from probability, statistics, management science and information systems are also covered.
0.5 Credit
An introduction to the principles of resource allocation, and to the tools necessary to look at the economy as part of the environment in which business decisions are made. Topics include an examination of micro and macro policies, including the impact of taxation, monetary policy, regulation, interest rates and exchange values on business in general as well as on the individual firm.
0.5 Credit
An introduction to the fundamental accounting skills required by managers, including the analysis of financial statements, the use of accounting information in both short-run and long-run decisions, and an understanding of the impact of management control systems on the organization.
1.0 credit
The development of integrative thinking and management "soft skills" has been recognized as a critical quality of business school graduates for some time; and, is the key distinguishing feature of the Lazaridis MBA. BU608 will engage students in a series of integrative topics/themes, integrative exercises, lectures, and management skills workshops designed to develop these skill sets spread over two terms. Students will participate in experiential team and individual activities requiring the application and integration of functional area knowledge and tools. Workshops will facilitate the development of presentation, verbal and written communication skills.
0.5 Credit
The course introduces systematic approaches to management decision making under conditions of certainty and uncertainty. Applications of all approaches to functional areas of business will be considered through the use of case studies and computer software.
1.0 Credit
Prerequisites: BU601, BU602, BU603, BU604, BU605, BU606, BU607, BU609
Exclusions: BU608, ENTR600*
This course is designed to expose students to advanced management topics and issues in an integrated manner, and is team taught. A field study portion challenges students to develop their research and implementation skills through an applied business research project, and a not-for-profit organization practicum component. The project reports are submitted and presented to a panel of faculty.
This project gives you an opportunity to provide real value to a client of your choice. You will apply the information and learning in the program, directly to real-life business situation and determine a strategy or solution for the client. There are many different consulting opportunities from a wide variety of industries that will meet your interests and goals in the MBA Program.
0.5 Credit
This course addresses the ability to integrate insights of specific functional knowledge by providing an understanding of the value of an integrated perspective, the strategic contexts that require the adoption of such a perspective and the ability to apply an integrative perspective to both the analysis of and resolution of strategic issues. The course is largely project based, and includes a focus on communication competencies and high performance team skills needed for success in business.
Elective Course Descriptions
A dynamic blend of relevant course elective topics are offered within the Waterloo and Toronto MBA program. Below are a sampling of potential electives that could be offered.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU601, BU602, BU603, BU604, BU605, BU606, BU607, BU609
Specializations: Entrepreneurship, Strategic Management
An understanding of the process of starting a new business, including the study of the characteristics of the entrepreneur, the identification and evaluation of opportunities, the assembly of resources and the development of the business plan. Franchising and starting a new venture by an established company are also examined.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU602
Specializations: International Business Management, Marketing
An introduction to the theories, concepts, knowledge, and skills relevant to international marketing practice in multinationals and international new ventures, including cultural and institutional influences and with special emphasis on international entrepreneurship.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU605
Specializations: Operations Management
This course examines operations techniques to support a proactive approach to good corporate citizenship in environmental performance. Topics will cover product-lifecycle analysis, overview of regulations (provincial, federal, global), resource management, risk analysis, integrated waste management, pollution prevention planning and implementation, Total Quality Environmental Management (TQEM), Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and ISO 14000.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU607
Exclusions: BU697m
Specializations: Accounting
This course focuses on the concepts, methods, and uses of financial information. It includes an in-depth examination of the accounting theory that is the basis of current accounting practice and how it can be applied to emerging issues; the application of the procedures and practices under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); and the examination of how financial accounting serves the needs of external decision-makers: investors, creditors, and other interested individuals and groups including the public at large.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU607
Specializations: Accounting
The process and techniques by which management assures that the organization carries out its strategies effectively and efficiently. Management control systems focus on the control and motivation of managers as a means to the attainment of the organization’s strategy.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU601, BU602
Specializations: Strategic Management, Marketing
Introduction to decision-making contexts, processes, tools, and techniques of managing competitive intelligence (CI). Contexts addressed include the practical application of CI to ethical, functional organizational, industry-specific, international and technological domains. CI processes covered include planning, data gathering, analysis, dissemination, and evaluation.
Note: This course can be counted as an elective toward either the Marketing or Strategic management specializations in the MBA program.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU602
Specializations: Marketing
An examination of the development, implementation, and management of marketing service strategies. Topics include how to create a competitive advantage, design a service delivery system, build customer loyalty, implement service management strategies and deliver services on the Internet.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU603
Specializations: Financial Management
Futures, options, and other derivative securities have become increasingly important in the world of financial management. This course investigates how these markets operate and the use of these instruments in corporate risk management.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU605
Specializations: Operations Management
This course prepares students to be effective users of computer/communications services now and in the future. The focus is on the opportunities and pitfalls provided by these systems; the resources (hardware, software, networks, people, and data) that organizations provide and alternative approaches to managing them; and what the user-manager needs to know to make effective use of information systems.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU617
Exclusions: BU697n
Specializations: Accounting
This course provides a detailed study of accounting principles, practices, and concepts with an emphasis on their application for liabilities and equity accounts. It builds on Financial Accounting I, including an emphasis on Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and how financial accounting serves the needs of external decision-makers.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU604
Specializations: Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management
This course focuses on the nature of effective organizational leadership. Competent leadership will contribute to more effective management of people and organizations.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU602
Exclusions: BU692r
Specializations: Marketing
An examination of the unique challenges and issues associated with marketing technological innovations as well as the impact of technology on marketing processes and activities.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU603
Specializations: Financial Management
A study of the major financial institutions in Canada and the competitive and regulatory environment in which they operate. Emphasis is placed on the practical implications of recent innovations in financial theory to the management of interest rates, liquidity and credit risk. The course examines management decisions in financial institutions in Canada: chartered banks, insurance companies, trust and mortgage loan companies, investment banks, credit unions and pension funds.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU605
Specializations: International Business Management, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management
This course focuses on strategic issues and operational problems that are relevant to companies that source, produce, distribute and sell products and services in multiple nations and compete in the global arena. Inbound and outbound logistics in a global setting, the management of risks associated with fluctuating exchange rates, and other issues relating to the coordination of transnational supply chains are examined.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: Registration in the final year of the MBA with CPA option program
Exclusions: BU697Q
Specializations: Accounting
This course explores the role of the management accountant in the design, implementation, and use of contemporary financial information systems. Particular attention is paid to the use of accounting systems to support strategic objectives.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU601, BU602, BU603, BU604, BU605, BU606, BU607, BU609
Exclusions: BU691m
Specializations: Strategic Management
This course prepares students to assume effective roles as managers and advisors in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of merger and acquisition strategies. An understanding of basic mergers and acquisitions strategy concepts, tools, and best practices and their appropriate application are developed, and a disciplined and integrative approach is taken to analyze the interrelated elements of mergers and acquisitions transactions and an appreciation of the effects that value-creating mergers and acquisitions can have on all stakeholders.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU602
Specializations: Marketing, Strategic Management
The use of marketing planning concepts, with particular emphasis on the determination of marketing strategy considering environmental, competitive and company characteristics.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU603
Specializations: Financial Management, International Business Management
An introduction to the international tools and conceptual framework of financial analysis. All of the traditional areas of corporate finance are examined from the perspective of a multinational firm, with emphasis on those decision elements rarely encountered by the purely domestic firm.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU605
Exclusions: BU695q
Specializations: Operations Management, Supply Chain Management
This course covers central topics in supply chain management and helps develop skills in managing the flow of goods and information between a firm and its suppliers and customers. The performance drivers of supply chain management are introduced: inventory, transportation, facilities, and information. Risk pooling, strategic alliances, and other key supply chain management ideas are examined.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU607
Exclusions: BU697l
Specializations: Accounting
This course familiarizes students with relevant tax rules, and how they are applied in day-to-day decisions faced by general managers and decision makers.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU604
Specializations: Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management
Clear, direct communication is essential to effective management. In this course, students draw upon work experience to develop expertise in oral communication, effective listening, and constructive feedback. Students improve their writing through analysis of the writing process and adapt their work to specific management contexts through editing techniques.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU601, BU602, BU603, BU604, BU605, BU606, BU607, BU609
Exclusions: BU691c
Specializations: Strategic Management
To improve the ability to recognize managerial situations that have ethical or moral dimensions. Students develop competence in dealing with ethical issues by interacting with and understanding the viewpoints of others, by discussing, arguing for and defending their own views, by expanding their perspectives and by learning to think about ethical problems in principled and logical ways. A systematic way of arriving at ethical opinions is presented, to enhance students’ abilities to make both ethical decisions and to articulate reasons for these decisions.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU601, BU602, BU603, BU604, BU605, BU606, BU607, BU609
Specializations: Strategic Management
To provide a better understanding of the legal environment in which one must function as a manager, areas of discussion include a review of the Canadian legal system; the role of the courts and administrative tribunals; the civil and criminal responsibility of the corporation; the legal positions of directors, officers and shareholders, and their rights and obligations under the law; and laws dealing with product liability and competition offences.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU602
Specializations: Marketing
An analysis of the consumer decision process, consumer relations, marketing problems, consumer policies (education, protection, and information) and the many legal, social and media influences in the marketplace.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU603
Specializations: Financial Management
This course investigates current working capital theory and through case study evaluates the application of the theory. Emphasis is placed on the literature in finance. Students are expected to present several cases and to defend their solution in class. The areas involved include not only the conventional working capital assets and liabilities but also currently maturing long-term debt.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU605
Specializations: Operations Management
Transfer The course focuses on the scope and complexity of the issues and problems related to the strategic management of technology and innovation, and insights into the skills necessary to be effective as a manager in the technology transfer process.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU607
Specializations: Accounting
This course develops the conceptual background and analytical tools necessary to understand and interpret annual reports. Students examine both the award-winning annual reports of Canada’s largest firms, along with some considerably simpler statements of smaller private companies. Current developments in business related to financial statements are also integrated within the course.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU604
Specializations: Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management
This course examines planned organizational change. Students develop skills in identifying change opportunities in organizations; planning to deal with resistance to change; and, implementing and evaluating change processes.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU601
Specializations: International Business, Strategic Management
An examination of strategy formulation and implementation in enterprises whose vital interests and major activities extend across national boundaries either by choice or competitive necessity. A variety of issues are investigated, including foreign market entry strategies, developing and sustaining international competitiveness, and adjusting to industry globalization.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU602, BU609
Specializations: Marketing
The stages of the research process provide the framework for understanding marketing research as decision support for management. Research and analytic techniques frequently used in business are discussed and their application to a research project is required.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU603
Specializations: Financial Management
This is a course in advanced corporate finance dealing with corporate valuation methods and applications to key corporate finance decisions. It covers the traditional valuation methods (i.e. discounted cash flow and relative valuation methods), as well as the contingent claims valuation approach (i.e. options theory based valuation). The applications of the traditional valuation methods to value-based management (i.e. mergers and acquisitions and corporate restructuring and capital structure choices) and of options theory to corporate finance will be emphasized.
0.5 Credit
Exclusions: BU695h
Specializations: Operations Management
Statistics plays a role in virtually all areas of business. This course will develop student skills for application in all the functional areas of business.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU601, BU602, BU603, BU604, BU605, BU606, BU607, BU609
Specializations: International Business Management, Strategic Management
An analysis of the economic, political, cultural and competitive forces that shape the complex environment of international business.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU601, BU602, BU603, BU604, BU605, BU606, BU607, BU609 (or approval of the program director, based upon granted exclusions from the core curriculum)
Specializations: Strategic Management
This course seeks to integrate principles of strategic management learned earlier in the program with the challenges of strategy implementation and strategy-related processes in the organization. The course takes a general management perspective, focusing on the challenge faced by business leaders with a mandate to put business strategy into action, and to ensure the continuing development and effectiveness of strategy.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU602
Specializations: Marketing
The importance of coordinating and integrating a variety of marketing messages in a strategic marketing communication plan is examined. Through exposure to a variety of commercial messages, students deconstruct messages to identify the underlying psychological, sociological and creative tactics. Students develop a marketing communications campaign in a simulated account competition.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU603
Specializations: Financial Management
This course covers the theory and practice of security analysis and portfolio management using simulated trading. Coverage includes investment taxes, mutual fund management and equity and bond market analysis. Technical and fundamental analyses are also covered.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU605, BU609
Exclusions: BU695W
Specializations: Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management
Project management is vital for effectively managing complex projects, which are the major tool for implementing and achieving the strategic goals and initiatives in most organizations. Effective project management makes possible rapid innovation and execution, better and more efficient use of firm resources,and increased cross-functional communications. This course covers both the technical elements (e.g., scope, schedules, resource and risk management)and the socio-cultural elements (e.g., leadership, teamwork, politics) needed to become a better project manager.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU604
Specializations: Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management
This course, which examines strategies for more effective human resources management in organizations, is divided into four major sections: the challenges facing human resources management; planning and staffing in organizations; employee development and evaluation; and the compensation and protection of employees.
1.5 Credits
Prerequisites: BU601, BU602, BU603, BU604, BU605, BU606, BU607, BU609, and BU662 or BU670
Specializations: Not attributed to a specialization
The design of an applied business research project, including defining a research problem, completing the research and providing a solution to the problem. Equivalent to three one-term elective courses.
Note: Students who select BU680 must defend their research project at an oral defence examination.
The BU680‡ course provides an opportunity to engage in more extensive research, under the supervision of a professor, in an area of special interest to the student. The intent of this research project is to apply the methodology and the knowledge from the core courses in a business setting. Research proposals are restricted to those areas in which the university can provide library and faculty resources. The results of the research project must be submitted to the university in a form acceptable for publication. An oral defence is required before the Major Research Project (MRP) committee members upon completion of the project.
It is the student's responsibility to select faculty members to be invited to serve as MRP committee members, who are then approved by the MBA program director. The committee comprises two full-time faculty members in the academic program who are members of the university's graduate faculty. One committee member whose research interests are similar to the student's topic serves as the advisor. The second member serves as a "reader," whose responsibility includes, but is not limited to, serving as an evaluator of the completed research paper.
0.5 Credits
Prerequisites: BU602
Specializations: Marketing, Supply Chain Management
An examination, from a global perspective, of how a business markets goods and services to other businesses, governments, and not-for-profit organizations. Topics include e-commerce, how customers buy, supply chain management, relationship marketing and management, partnerships, alliances, networks, and the marketing of new/high-technology products and services.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: BU605, BU609
Exclusions: BU695V
Specializations: Operations Management, Supply Chain Management
The purchase of goods and services by most organizations represents a significant level of spending. In manufacturing close to 60 percent of sales revenue goes to outside sources and in non-profit and service organizations 20-50 percent of the total budget is often spent in this area. It is obvious that there should be serious concern over value received for these funds spent. The course will use a mixture of lectures, readings and cases to introduce students to the area of procurement and supply management,what best practices exist,and how these functions can be used to help drive both operations strategy and firm financial performance.
0.5 Credits
Prerequisites: BU601, BU602, BU603, BU604, BU605, BU606, BU607, BU609
Specializations: Entrepreneurship
This course aims to address rapidly changing and globally competitive marketplace challenges by providing an understanding of both design and innovation and how managers will need to build and harness these capabilities to be competitive.
0.5 Credits
Prerequisites: BU601
Exclusions: BU691o
Specializations: Strategic Management
This course explores the nature of the “triple bottom line” – the simultaneous delivery of economic, social, and environmental performance – by organizations. Sustainable enterprises use business as an instrument of social development and environmental improvement. Environmental thinking and social responsiveness are integrated proactively into core business processes, systems, and strategies. For a growing number of companies, competitive advantage is rooted in such new capabilities as pollution prevention, design for environment, social development, and stakeholder engagement. Through a combination of cases, readings, lectures, videos, guest speakers, projects, and simulations, students will engage in discussions aimed at developing strategy models and applying new strategy tools that integrate the principles of environmental management and social performance with competitiveness.
0.5 Credits
Prerequisites: BU601, BU602, BU603, BU604, BU605, BU606, BU607, BU609
Specializations: Entrepreneurship, Strategic Management
Creativity is increasingly important in maintaining a competitive edge in the global arena. It is important to both new and innovative start-ups, as well as larger, intrapreneurial firms. This course examines creativity at the individual, team, and organizational levels. Students will examine how to promote creative environments and how to select and retain creative talent throughout the organization.
0.5 Credits
Prerequisites: BU603
Specializations: Financial Management
The fixed income course covers the analysis of all fixed income securities including bonds, money market instruments, and mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. Risk and return relationship of fixed income securities, as well as the yield curve and interest rate risk management, will be covered. The course will extend the analysis to cover the tools and techniques such as duration and convexity which are used to manage bond portfolios.
0.5 Credits
Prerequisites: BU601, BU602, BU603, BU604, BU605, BU606, BU607, BU609
Exclusions: BU698r
Specializations: Entrepreneurship, Strategic Management
This course is designed to enhance your awareness of the significance, diversity, and complexity of family businesses. It develops your understanding of the distinctive advantages and challenges of family firms, enhancing your ability to develop strategic solutions to improve the performance of family firms. Topics include but are not limited to: the duality of business and family roles, intergenerational relations, sibling relations, conflict resolution, mate selection, governance structures for family firms, non-family executives, next generation commitment, consulting to family firms.
0.5 Credits
Prerequisites: BU673
Specializations: Financial Management
The course covers advanced investment management topics in portfolio management and alternative investment assets. In the portfolio management topics, advanced topics including Roll’s critique, empirical tests of the capital asset pricing model, investment strategies and asset allocation as well as endowment portfolios, pension funds, and tax-deferred investment products will be discussed. In the alternative investments, the topics will include commercial and multi-family real estate investments, mortgages, and real estate investment trusts (REITS). Where possible, investment cases will be used to illustrate the application of some of the concepts to portfolio management.
0.5 Credits
Prerequisites: BU601, BU602, BU603, BU604, BU605, BU606, BU607, BU609
Specializations: Strategic Management
This course will include 2 modules. The first covers the theory and practice of corporate governance. Broad topics include legal frameworks for governance, board composition, directors’ fiduciary and strategic responsibilities and their monitoring roles, governance in specific industry and nonprofit contexts and current issues in governance. The second module addresses types of risks and principles, instruments, and practices of enterprise risk management. It will include a special focus on managing certain types of risk (eg. reputational) and risk management in specific industry and nonprofit contexts.
0.5 Credits
Prerequisites: BU602
Exclusions: BU692u
Specializations: Marketing
Branding is a critical area of marketing strategy relevant to all organizations. This course examines the role of brands in customer decision-making, relationship management, and building organizational value. Specific attention is paid to building and executing brand strategies in a variety of business contexts – B2B, Services, Consumer Goods, Non-Profits and Global. Through lectures, case discussions, experiential exercises and guest speakers, students will gain insights into the issues and concepts related to brand management.