Core Courses  I  Industry Electives

Core Courses

Core courses comprise the basic structure for the fundamental development of your MBA program of study.  Successful completion of all core courses is a requirement for your MBA.

MBA 803.3
Business and Society
N. Harrison / D. Kalesnikoff
Pre-requisites – none
Offers students the opportunity to explore the broad role of business in society as well as relationships between business and key stakeholders. Specifically, students will gain a greater understanding of the context in which business operates by examining the issues and factors that affect managerial decisions as well as the performance of firms. A rich consideration of the interplay between business and society sets the backdrop against which key strategic decisions must be made. Students will use this information in order to develop their skills in analyzing and formulating firm strategy.
Course Outline

MBA 805.2
Managing Organizations – Value Through People
K. Hebert
Pre-requisites – MBA 803
Students will examine the linkage between organizational strategy and human resources with an eye toward achieving ‘fit’ between the two. Specifically, students will be exposed to fundamental concepts in the fields of organizational behaviour and human resources with an emphasis on identifying and applying best practices and research findings to current management situations.
Course Outline

MBA 807.2
Financial Statement Analysis
G. Entwistle
Pre-requisites – none
Designed to prepare future managers to effectively analyze, interpret, and evaluate an entity’s financial statements and related information (e.g., attestation reports). The entities subject to analysis will be both private (e.g., owner managed) and public (e.g., where the firm’s securities trade on a stock exchange) and will be drawn from a wide variety of different industries. Tools for interpreting cash flow patterns, for recognizing trends in financial performance (ratio analysis), and for firm valuation will be discussed. The importance for any organization of creating an effective financial reporting strategy will also be examined. The course will also expose students to future trends in financial reporting, both national and international.
Course Outline

MBA 825.3
Financial Management
B. Lane
Pre-requisites – MBA 803, 807 Recommended: MBA 834
Examines the role of finance in business decision-making. Emphasis is placed on developing knowledge of theories, concepts, and analytical techniques used in business finance. Students will begin to view finance as an integral part of business and learn that all business decisions involve some form of financial analysis.
Course Outline

MBA 833.2
Marketing for Organizational Decision-Making
W. Murphy
Pre-requisites – MBA 803, Recommended: MBA 837
Involves a process of analyzing market opportunities, planning (i.e., choosing objectives, formulating appropriate strategies and programs), implementing, and controlling the marketing activities of the organization. This course will familiarize students with the marketing environment, the marketing mix, and other basic concepts of marketing. Topics to be covered include customer, competitor and industry analysis, segmentation targeting and positioning, market positioning strategies, the marketing plan, and implementation of marketing strategies.
Course Outline

MBA 834.2
Accounting for Planning and Decision-Making
S. Kalagnanam
Pre-requisites – MBA 803, Recommended: MBA 807
Focuses on introducing students to different forms of managerial accounting information, examining the usefulness of such information for different managerial activities/functions, identifying the limitations of managerial accounting information, and understanding the potential dysfunctional behaviour that may arise from the use of such information. However, to meet the above mentioned objectives, one needs to understand how managerial accounting information is prepared. Therefore, understanding the technical details of managerial accounting will also be emphasized to some extent.

MBA 835.2
Operations Management
I. Sila
Pre-requisites – none
Provides a foundation for understanding the operations of a company. The operations function is one of the main functions of a business organization. Operations management includes all activities that are directly related to the production of goods and services. In this course, we will study both manufacturing and service operations and provide an overview of the important operational issues faced by manufacturing and service companies. In addition, this course will acquaint students with the tools and techniques used by operations decision makers.
Course Outline

MBA 836.2
Leadership
T. Maber
Pre-requisites – MBA 803, 805
Examines articles leadership theory through cases, novels, illustrations, and discussion to appreciate the totality of leadership and its practical application.  Students develop and hone their personal leadership philosophies. 
Course Outline

MBA 837.2
Marketing Research for Decision-Making
C. Harper
Pre-requisites – none
Decision making is one of the most critical elements of a manager’s job. Making a bad decision can have a detrimental impact on a company’s financial performance and harm the careers of business leaders. Research provides the information needed to make sound business decisions. The objective of this course is to help you recognize the role of systematic information gathering and analysis in making better business decisions. The course is designed primarily for the users of research rather than producers of research. Thus the emphasis is on the interpretation and the use of the results rather than mathematical derivations.
Course Outline

MBA 838.2
Leveraging Information Technology in Business
M. Klassen
Pre-requisites – MBA 803, 805, 807
This is an applied course in leveraging technology in business settings which serves to give managers the tools they need to operate in a world influenced by technology.  We will introduce material that often goes hand and hand with technology.  For example, tools such as business process improvement and change management can be applied in many settings, but we will learn methodologies and apply them in the context of technology.  The style of teaching wil be more facilitative then lecture oriented.  Cases, exercises, discussion and a few industry speakers will be in the normal pedagogy.
Course Outline

MBA 839.2
Global Environment of Business
D. Zhang
Pre-requisites – MBA 803
Provides an opportunity to understand the complexity of the global environment of business, and makes an attempt to systematically examine the broad dynamics of the international environmental factors that would potentially influence business activities of the firm, including demographic trends, economic development, natural and resource concerns, political landscape, and cultural diversity.
Course Outline

MBA 841.2
Entrepreneurship and Business Planning
M. Painter
Pre-requisites – MBA 803, 807, 825, 833, Recommended: MBA 834
Designed to provide entrepreneurs and innovators with concepts and tools to successfully develop and manage all components of a strategic business plan. Students will be required to assess business plans from the viewpoint of entrepreneurial proponents as well as venture capital investors. Students will construct a case business plan, use business plan tools to analyze risk, discuss approaches to maximizing the effectiveness of the business plan as a management tool for ongoing innovation and business renewal, especially in fast changing environments, and present business plans for discussion and critique.
Course Outline

MBA 828.2
Tactical Strategy: Implementation, Evaluation and Control
B. Dobni
Pre-requisites – MBA 803, 807, 825, 833, 837, 841 or Permission of Director
Strategic management is that set of decisions and actions which leads to the development of an effective strategy to help achieve corporate goals and objectives.  Focusing on tactical implementation of strategic choices and how the benefits of strategic choices can be maximized, this course serves as the capstone to the Edwards MBA, integrating all of the concepts learned.

Industry Electives

A wide selection of electives is available for students to choose from.  Following are suggestions for areas of interest, however it is up to you to decide how to focus your studies.  Select from these Edward’s MBA electives or choose from other approved master’s level courses offered at the University of Saskatchewan.  Students must select 4 electives, for a total of 8 credit units, to compete their MBA.

Agribusiness
The agribusiness sector is undergoing important changes. Firstly, mass production of value-added agribusiness products is leading to the industrialization of agriculture. Secondly, new economic opportunities are arising that serve niche markets. Thirdly, the development of new international trade agreements (e.g. WTO and NAFTA) are helping to break down the barriers to international agriculture-based economics.

These developments are bringing about a change in the structure of agribusiness activity where the catch phrase is "to become globally competitive." There is a growing realization that consumer value tends to be created more by "business systems" than by individual firms. These business systems involve groups such as retailers, exporters, packers, growers, genetic seed stock and other input suppliers. It is often thought that global competitiveness involves individual firms in another part of the world. However, it is becoming more and more the case that global competitiveness involves a business system of Canadian growers-assemblers-processors-exporters competing with a business system in the rest of the world.

MBA 872.2
Global Agribusiness Management
M. Painter
Pre-requisites – MBA 803, 807, 825, 833, Recommended: MBA 805, 834
Provides an in-depth look at the trends and challenges facing agribusiness managers today. This course will provide agribusiness managers with marketing, accounting and financial concepts and tools required to build a sustainable competitive advantage in an ever-changing economic environment. These concepts and tools are necessary for agribusiness managers to lead their human and capital resources for profit and success in a competitive environment that requires managers to be innovative and entrepreneurial.
Course Outline

bioTechnology
As the research, development and commercialization of products derived from bioTechnology rapidly expands across virtually all industries, so does the need to manage this process.

bioTechnology management must strike a balance between two often-disparate approaches to bioTechnology. On the one hand, it involves encouraging technological progress through various commercialization strategies in order to maximize the benefits of knowledge-based growth. Essentially, this involves determining ways to assist the growth and development of innovative firms and determining the distribution of the gains from this technological process. Yet, on the other hand, bioTechnological Management also involves ensuring technological precaution through various regulatory strategies in order to minimize the risks and uncertainties of advanced technologies. This involves examining the role of scientific risk analysis in the regulatory system and determining the socially acceptable level of regulatory oversight that product approvals must meet.

In attempting to find the balance between technological progress and precaution, the bioTechnology Management electives - building on the MBA core program - will focus on a range of levels. At the firm, sector and industry level, aspects of commercializing products, such as business development, management of intellectual property, marketing strategies and regulatory obligations will be examined. At the national level, the benefits and costs of technoloigcal progress and precaution will be assessed. Finally, at the international level, various bilateral, plurilateral and global issues arsing from the application of knowledge-based technologies will be analyzed.

MBA 868.2
Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation
S. Singh
Pre-requisites – MBA 803, 833
Develops a framework for understanding and analyzing the strategic management of technology, innovation and the knowledge based economy.  Topics include the strategic management of public policy interface; intellectual property rights; regulatory obligations; operations (including industrial organization); human resources (science-commerce interface) and marketing (credence goods).
Course Outline

MBA 869.2
Commercialization and Valuation of Technology
S. Singh
Pre-requisites – MBA 803, 805, 807, 825, 833, 868
Develops a framework for understanding and analyzing the commercialization of high or advanced technology ventures from an entrepreneurial and venture capital perspective, including the valuation of intellectual assets and the development of a financial model to determine value at the at each stage of the tech life cycle.
Course Outline

Finance

MBA 851.2
International Finance
D. Mishra
Pre-requisites – MBA 803, 807, 825
Imparts on corporate finance issues faced by firms operating or seeking to operate internationally and corporate finance practices around the world. The course is divided into three major parts. The first part starts with an introduction of exchange rates (e.g. balance of payment, international monitory system, determinants of exchange rates, international arbitrage, purchasing power parity, and forecasting exchange rates). The second part deals with exchange rate exposure measurement and management, and the third part with the issues related to cross boarder investment and financing decisions including capital structure, cost of capital and capital budgeting decisions, and valuation of foreign firms/projects.
Course Outline

MBA 854.2
Investments, Security Analysis and Portfolio Management
A. Mamun
Pre-requisites – MBA 803, 807, 825
Introduces the theory and application of security analysis and portfolio management, including determinants of investment risks, trade-offs between risk and return, valuation of stocks, fixed-income and derivative securities.  Application will be first hand through participating in an investment scenario.
Course Outline

MBA 855.2
Mergers and Acquisitions
F. Yang
Pre-requisites – MBA 803, 807, 825
Financial and economic aspects of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) are examined. Particular attention is paid to the valuation of M&A targets and the overall impact of M&A on corporate governance. The motivation of mergers, both theoretically and empirically, is investigated. The course also explores anti-takeover devices and international M&A activities.
Course Outline

MBA 858.2
Corporate Finance
B. Lane
Pre-requisites – MBA 803, 807, 825
Knowledge of finance concepts, theories, and analytical tools are very important to the manager in today’s competitive marketplace. Those that master the skills and knowledge of finance will be able to make sound economic investment decisions, finance projects with confidence, and manage their firm’s assets and liabilities more effectively. In this course, emphasis will be placed on measuring cash flows, valuing assets and investments, measuring risk and required returns, financing and structuring deals, and managing operational assets. Organizations studied will range from private entrepreneurial enterprises to large public corporations.
Course Outline

Indigeneous Business
Now more than ever, the business world needs to recognize the contributions of Aboriginal people and the role they play in the business environment. Demographic studies project that Aboriginal people will constitute a significant proportion of the future labour market within Canada. Along with this is the fact that Aboriginal people are opening business at a much larger rate than in the past. These courses allow students the opportunity to learn about business concepts as they relate to Aboriginal people. The two elective courses are suited for individuals looking at a career in Aboriginal economic and business development, individuals working in Aboriginal communities looking to develop their management skills and those working in non-Aboriginal organizations focusing on Aboriginal relations.

The Edwards School of Business and Edwards MBA is proud to take a leadership role in Aboriginal business education. It is dedicated to ensuring its graduates have a better understanding of Aboriginal people and related business issues to effect a positive change in society and enhance the way in which business is conducted.

MBA 860.2
Management in Contemporary Aboriginal Organizations
W. Weir
Pre-requisites – none
Examines the practice within contemporary Aboriginal organizations in Canada through organizational metaphor and culture. It examines the political and social context of Aboriginal organizations and identifies those issues that are unique to the practice of organizing and managing within the Aboriginal context.
Course Outline

MBA 861.2
Indigenous People and Economic Development
W. Weir
Pre-requisites – none
Surveys a number of different approaches and issues in economic development utilized by the Indigenous peoples of Canada. This course examines in particular the management issues arising from various strategies, approaches, and institutions created, adapted, and utilized in this effort.
Course Outline

International Business
Managers in the 21st century are increasingly involved in global aspects of their businesses. The International Business electives focus on the environment and the strategic aspects of global business management, the critical dimensions of global business fundamentals, development of a global business mindset and experience and contemporary challenges faced by businesses in their quest for competitive positioning in global markets.

Canada is one of the most trade-dependent countries in the world and Saskatchewan is an export-driven province. From our mining and forestry resources, to our traditional strengths in agriculture, through to our manufacturing strengths in electronics and biotechnology, business here depends on international commerce.

MBA 873.2
International Markets and Business Systems
L. Goodfellow
Pre-requisites – MBA 803, 839
Students will apply knowledge from other courses to the creation of an export marketing plan for a product or service. The export marketing framework will include an assessment of the firm’s readiness to export, environmental analysis, export market assessment, export techniques, product development plan, marketing strategy and programs, pricing, and risk management (including financing and payment) leading to a Go/No Go decision. The same framework will also be cross-applied to foreign investment in the target country.
Course Outline

MBA 851.2
International Finance
Same as above

Organizational Dynamics

MBA 871.2
Organizational Dynamics
J. Valentine
Pre-requisites – MBA 803, 805
Focuses on the social forces within organizations and examines how they affect office politics, power in organizations, organizational culture and organizational change.
Course Outline

MBA 850
Professional Skill Development Program (P/F)
L. Harden
This program is intended to introduce students to various aspects of business processes and professional skill areas. It will also link students with the business community through utilizing guest speakers currently practicing and faculty members researching within the respective areas. Management and organizational leadership require knowledge in the functional areas of business and how those areas integrate in order to make business decisions. However, the successful practice of management is enhanced through knowledge of and expertise in a variety of skills that are situational based.
Outline

MBA 880
International Study Tour (P/F)
L. Harden
The annual International Study Tour is an opportunity for students to experience business first hand within an international context and immerse themselves in the business environment of a specific country. A required component of the Edwards MBA, the Tour allows students to explore a country's business practices, challenges and cultures, through a combination of research site visits and meetings with executives and government officials working within the designated country. The International Study Tour is designed to enhance the classroom curriculum through increasing the awareness of how a global economy functions, provide firsthand exposure to the business culture of the chosen country or region and the world of international economies. It offers a unique experiential learning opportunity using a project-based learning approach. Students will prepare for their expierence through doing advance research on one selected geographic location and target companies and industries.

MBA 992.3
Management Consulting Project
Pre-requisites – MBA 803, 805, 807, 825, 833, 837, 841, Permission of Director is required. 
M. Painter
This project is designed to lead students through the management consulting process, including developing and presenting a consulting proposal and then completing the consulting project. Students will learn how to specify business research questions, propose appropriate methods of researching the questions, analyze the results of the research, and present conclusions and recommendations. Real external business clients are expected for each consulting group (may be one or more students in a group, depending on the size of the consulting project), including a students’ employers, but exceptions may be made for students who wish to research their own business enterprise. The most common types of business research requested by clients have been marketing research studies, business plans, feasibility studies, and industry opportunity surveys.
Outline

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