The following course descriptions give a sense of the scope and the range of the course offerings at the AUA MBA program. The content of both required and elective courses is reviewed on regular basis and, if and when necessary, revised to reflect changes in both the business world and in academic research. Course offerings, therefore, may vary from year to year, and each instructor may differ in how he or she teaches the topic.
BUS 050 Pre-term Quantitative Methods
This intensive workshop for incoming students is designed to refresh the basic quantitative tools essential for the successful completion of the program. The course content provides the student with a number of mathematical and statistical tools frequently used in business analysis, marketing research, operations management and finance. Topics include: linear and exponential growth, data analysis and description statistics (mean, median, mode, range, variance, deviation), basic concepts of probability, hypothesis testing, introduction to linear regression, basics of linear programming, compound interest, discounting and calculation of Net Present Value. Topics may change according to the needs of the participating students. The main software used is R. The course can be waived through a Placement Test. Read the details below.
The goal of the test is to assess the students’ knowledge on basic statistical knowledge and ability to analyze and interpret statistical data. The placement test will cover the following topics: Measures of central tendency and variation; Frequency distribution; Correlation analysis; Visualization of univariate and bivariate statistical data. While the course uses only R program for statistical analysis purposes, however, students are free to choose any data analysis software you want (Python, Stata, Eviews, SPSS, Excel, etc.).
How Placement Test works:
Students opting for the Placement Test will be provided a data set in excel format asked to answer some questions. The student(s) must submit a report (in word, or in R markdown format) containing tabular and graphical outputs together with his/her interpretations. If you are going to use R, Python or Stata or any other programming tool, then you have to copy the script of the analysis (list of commands) in the report. For each correct answer the student will be assigned a grade. To pass the placement test a student must earn at least 60% out of the total score.
Number of Credits: 0
Prerequisites: None
Co-requisites: None
BUS 051 Effective Communications
This course prepares students to meet the challenge of professional oral communications. Through prepared and impromptu speeches, peer coaching, and lectures, it provides students with the opportunity to develop the necessary skills for effective public speaking, skills that will make them articulate, confident, organized, competent and persuasive speakers. The course exposes students to a variety of communication and presentation styles and modes, helps students develop critical listening skills, and improve their abilities to give, receive, and apply feedback.
Number of Credits: 2 (not part of 52 credits)
Prerequisites: None
Co-requisites: None
BUS 300 Introduction to International Competitive Strategy
This course is intended to develop students’ ability to think strategically about business problems. At the same time it serves as an introduction to the use of the case method. The course is a systematic examination of models and techniques used to analyze a competitive situation within an industry from a strategic perspective. It examines the roles of key players in competitive situations and the fundamentals of analytical and fact-oriented strategic reasoning. Examples of applied competitive and industry analysis are emphasized. The course examines the different stages involved in making and implementing strategic decisions, defining the problem(s), establishing the criteria (both quantitative and qualitative), designing alternative solutions, and making a decision based on objective criteria and the ease of successful implementation of the solution chosen.
Number of Credits: 2
Prerequisites: None
Co-requisites: None
BUS 305 Managing People and Organizations
This course provides an intensive overview of the major concepts in organizational behavior and issues facing contemporary managers. The course approaches management as the processes and techniques used to reach organization goals by working with and through people and other resources. These processes include a study of individual differences, group behavior, organizational culture, job design and job satisfaction, motivation, decisionmaking, power and leadership, and communication. The course makes use of theories that transcend the workplace, such as the psychology of individual and group behavior. The course examines how people influence organizational events and how events within the organization influence people’s behavior. The course uses a combination of conceptual and experiential approaches, including case analyses, videos, simulations, group exercises and class discussions.
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
Co-requisites: None
BUS 306 Managerial Negotiations
This course introduces students to negotiation skills and practices and improves their abilities to diagnose conflict situations. It provides a conceptual framework to diagnose problems and promote agreements, both outside and inside an organization. Upon completion of this course, students will have a sound understanding of using negotiation and conflict resolution skills in a variety of settings. Course format involves simulated negotiation and experiential exercises, case analysis, discussion, and lecture.
Number of Credits: 2
Prerequisites: None
Co-requisites: BUS 305
BUS 307 Human Resource Management
The objective of this course is to introduce the student to a general overview of personnel policies and best practices in organizations. The course will focus on human resources from the perspective of the human resource professional. Specific topics to be covered include staffing, training and development, performance evaluation, compensation, employee discipline, work safety/health, and labor/management relations to name a few. This course will rely heavily on case analysis, along with didactic lectures, group discussions, and presentations.
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: BUS 305
Co-requisites: None
BUS309 Special Topics in Management: Innovation, Creativity, and Design Thinking
This course is designed to introduce graduate students to some of the emerging global trends in management. The course covers concepts and practice not covered by other management courses. The focus will be on areas that are likely to have wide applicability in Armenia and in the region. The primary method of instruction will be to use didactic lectures, case analysis and group presentations.
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: BUS 305
Co-requisites: None
BUS 312 Legal Environment of Business
This course provides students with a basic understanding of how legal, regulatory and political processes affect business strategy and decision making. Readings and lectures provide students with a basic background in the theoretical foundations and practical workings of the two main legal systems of the world, how they evolved and presently work. The course includes a survey of basic rules of criminal law, intentional torts, and negligence, the rules affecting the making and performance of contracts, general contract law as well as specific rules that exist in the sale of goods and merchandise, and in the purchase, ownership and sale of real property, and the choices available for dispute resolution, including mediation, arbitration, and trial at court.
Number of Credits: 2
Prerequisites: None
Co-requisites: None
BUS 317 Leadership
Leading entails taking risks and working in the face of danger. For some, leading may seem romantic, and others may take leading as means to acquire high positions, authority, supporters/votes or wealth. True leadership though is not about any of those. Exercising leadership
Number of Credits: 2
Prerequisites: BUS 305
Co-requisites: None
BUS 320 Data Analysis for Business Decisions
This course is an introduction to statistical methods and techniques as tools for management decisionmaking. Specific topics to be covered include: sampling and sampling distributions, parametric and nonparametric statistical inference methods, simple and multiple regression, and forecasting techniques as applied to business and management problems. Students will gain the ability to build forecasting models using a variety of techniques, employing mathematical and statistical models including regression techniques, time series analysis, and business and economic indicators for forecasting. Students will also learn to use various computer software including Excel, SPSS and Access.
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: BUS 050 or placement test
Co-requisites: None
BUS 321 Data Mining for Business Decisions
We will examine how data analysis technologies can be used to improve decision making. We will study the fundamental principles and techniques of data mining, and we will examine real-world examples and cases to place data-mining techniques in context and to develop data-analytic thinking. We will work “hands-on” with data mining software.
Number of credits: 3
Prerequisites: BUS 320
Co-requisites: None
BUS 322 Managerial Economics
This course focuses on the economic decisions made by managers of business firms, and the structures of various market environments within which these decisions are made. The course reviews the application of fundamental concepts, such as opportunity costs, transaction costs and market power as they apply to managerial and individual decisionmaking. In addition, the course covers utility analysis, demand, supply, and cost functions, and applies these models to pricing and vertical integration issues. An introduction to the economics of information and uncertainty is included.
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
Co-requisites: None
BUS 324 Business Analytics
This is a course on the use of decision models for business analytics. Its main topics include constrained optimization and decision making under uncertainty. The emphasis is on models that are widely used in diverse industries and functional areas, including operations, finance, accounting, and marketing. The course has a twofold purpose. First, it seeks to introduce you to simple models and ideas that provide useful (and often surprising) qualitative insights about a large spectrum of managerial problems. Second, it aims to give you a feeling for the kinds of problems that can be tackled quantitatively, the methods and software available for doing so, and some of the issues involved in gathering the relevant data. Whether or not students explicitly use these decision models in the future, the course will have impact on the way they think about available data and how it can be used to provide more value in management decisions.
Number of Credits: 2
Prerequisites: None
Co-requisites: None
BUS327 Microfoundations of Competitiveness
The course explores the determinants of national and regional competitiveness building from the perspective of firms, clusters, sub-national units, nations, and groups of neighboring countries. It focuses on the sources of national or regional productivity, which are rooted in the strategies and operating practices of locally based firms, the vitality of clusters, and the quality of the business environment in which competition takes place. Through lectures, class discussions and group projects, students will analyze competitiveness at multiple levels – nations, sub-national units and neighboring countries. Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: BUS 300, BUS 322
Co-requisites: None
BUS 330 Financial Management
This course focuses on the firm’s goal to maximize shareholder value. Topics include risk, return and pricing of financial assets, time value of money, investment decisions, capital markets, and cost of capital and corporate financing decisions.
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
Co-requisites: BUS 345
BUS 332 Corporate Finance
This course builds upon BUS 330 by examining advanced topics in corporate finance including dividend policy, mergers & acquisitions, cost of capital, capital budgeting and financial decision-making. Course concepts are integrated into the standard theories of risk and return, valuation of assets, the role of financial markets, and market structure.
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: BUS 330
Co-requisites: None
BUS 336 Management of Financial Institutions
This course focuses on the study of financial policies and practices of commercial banks, savings and loan associations, pension funds, insurance companies, and other major financial institutions. It will review the current major problems facing senior managers in these financial institutions.
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: BUS 330
Co-requisites: None
BUS 338 Investment Analysis and Management
This course will address theory and practice of investment analysis. Topics include organization of security markets, legal and institutional environment, financial intermediation, security classification and general principles of asset valuation with application to specific securities.
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: BUS 330
Co-requisites: None
BUS 339 Special Topics in Finance
This course is designed to introduce graduate students to some of the emerging global trends in Finance. The course covers concepts and practice not covered by other Finance courses. The focus will be on areas that are likely to have wide applicability in Armenia and in the region.
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
Co-requisites: None
BUS 340 International Financial Management
This course approaches financial management within an international context. Topics include international monetary system and financial markets, management of foreign investments, financing for development, foreign exchange markets and risks, international diversification, and global funds.
Number of Credits: 2
Prerequisites: BUS 332
Co-requisites: None
BUS 345 Financial Accounting
This is a foundation course designed to provide a basic understanding of the theory and practice of accounting, with emphasis upon principles, concepts and controls involved with Financial Accounting. The objective of financial accounting is to collect accurate, systematic, and timely financial data and other financial information, and to compile and consolidate it in an organized and systematic way, according to the principles and rules of accounting, for external reporting purpose.
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
Co-requisites: None
BUS 346 Managerial Accounting and Control
Managerial Accounting is the process of identifying, measuring, analyzing and communicating financial information needed by management to plan, evaluate and control an organization’s operations. In this course students understand the role of a management accountant in organizations; identify relevant and irrelevant revenues and costs; understand cost-volume-profit analyses; calculate and interpret product costs, construct income statements and identify inventory balances, understand the budget process and responsibility accounting, and understand standard cost systems and production cost variances.
Number of Credits: 2
Prerequisites: BUS 345
Co-requisites: None
BUS 348 Financial Statement Analysis
This course provides a framework for using financial statements in business analyses. Emphasis is placed on understanding business as a financial system where management makes decisions in three key areas: investment, financing and operations. The course will outline the main financial statements used in the decision-making process and the main profitability and risk ratios used in comparing/assessing companies across different sizes and industries. The course will also include studying the main accounting principles used for compiling financial statements and analyzing qualitative information appearing in the financial statements and, finally, the role of financial Information in Valuation.
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: BUS 346
Co-requisites: None
BUS 350 Taxation and Business Decisions
This course provides students with an overall framework for taking tax considerations into account when making business decisions. It provides students with a solid understanding of the decision contexts that give rise to tax planning opportunities, how to integrate tax strategy into the bigger picture of corporate decision making, and the impact that changes to transaction structure can have on aftertax cash flows. Many Armenian tax rules including profit tax, income tax, VAT, excise tax and property tax are reviewed throughout the course and a general framework of the tax rules are provided so as to facilitate a discussion of how they affect business decision making.
Number of Credits: 2
Prerequisites: BUS 346
Co-requisites: None
BUS 351 Cost Accounting
Intense competition in product markets has forced firms to look inward to become more cost-efficient. Tracing various resource costs accurately to products has become increasingly important as product margins are squeezed. Through a number of case studies supplemented by some lectures, this course exposes students to recent advances in cost accounting, and highlights important inputs into the design of cost systems. The cases cover a variety of decision-making settings and illustrate the role of cost information in these settings. Specific topics to be covered include the important characteristics of good costing systems, various cost allocation systems, reporting and the control of scrap/spoilage/rework products, accounting controls for production activities and for decentralized operations, including transfer pricing, customers profitability analysis, sales mix variances and performance measurement, and capital budgeting.
Number of Credits: 2
Prerequisites: BUS 346, BUS 380
Co-requisites: None
BUS 353 Auditing and Evaluation Controls
The focus of this course is on independent auditors’ examinations of accounting information systems and related internal controls and evidential matter as a basis for expressing an opinion on financial statements. In this course students will develop a sound understanding of auditing theory and concepts. The rationale and objectives of specific auditing techniques will be emphasized. The focus will be on helping students develop analytical and critical thinking skills. It will also cover professional ethics, internal controls, and International Standards of Auditing.
Number of Credits: 2
Prerequisites: BUS 346
Co-requisites: None
BUS 355 Advanced Financial Accounting
The objective of this course is to introduce students to the advanced topics such as Business Combinations, Consolidations, Accounting for Multinational Enterprises, Partnership, Governmental Accounting and Accounting for Nonprofit Organizations. At the completion of this course, the student will be able to apply the equity method to accounting for investments; understand the difference between pooling of interest and purchase methods of accounting for investment; prepare consolidated financial statements; prepare and discuss segment reporting; explain the accounting issues, presentation and alternatives relating to foreign current transactions and translations; and explain how governmental and nonprofit accounting differs from for-profit accounting.
Number of Credits: 2
Prerequisites: BUS 346
Co-requisites: None
BUS 359 Special Topics in Accounting
This course is designed to introduce graduate students to some of the emerging global trends in Accounting. The course covers concepts and practice not covered by other Accounting courses. The focus will be on areas that are likely to have wide applicability in Armenia and in the region.
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
Co-requisites: None
BUS 360 Marketing Management
This course is an introduction to the role of marketing within the business firm. Quantitative methods and behavioral theories are utilized. It provides the student an opportunity to apply analytical concepts and techniques developed in psychology, economics, quantitative analysis, accounting, and finance to marketing problems. The course will utilize case studies, and oral and written presentations. Specific topics to be covered include: customer analysis and buyer behavior, market segmentation, market research, distribution channels, product pricing and strategy, pricing, advertising, and sales force management.
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
Co-requisites: None
BUS 362 Services Marketing
Services marketing is intended to broaden the understanding of how marketing is practiced in the service industry. The course will apply the principles of service marketing to organizations in the private, non-profit and public sectors. Service Marketing is designed to help individuals understand the critical elements in the development of customer satisfaction and service quality in today’s competitive business world.
Number of Credits: 2
Prerequisites: BUS 360
Co-requisites: None
BUS 365 Marketing Research
The objective of this course is to examine marketing research as an information providing activity for the purpose of management decision-making. Students will acquire the skills to examine alternative research designs and their relative strengths and weaknesses; to develop the meaning of measurement and scaling and their application in marketing research; to have a general understanding of the process of obtaining information by surveys of respondents, and to discuss the analysis of data obtained through marketing research Upon successful completion of this course, the students will understand how to develop a research proposal, compose questionnaires, and conduct market data analysis.
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: BUS 320, BUS 360
Co-requisites: None
BUS 366 Advertising Management
This course is designed to give students the basic understanding of advertising principles and practices. Methods used and the effectiveness of various types of advertising will be analyzed. Because our environment has grown increasingly complex and technology is rapidly changing, it is essential that students understand the role played by advertising in our society and the advertising consequences: every principle and practice that stimulates the purchase act.
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: BUS 360
Co-requisites: None
Prerequisites: BUS 360
Co-requisites: None
BUS 370 Special Topics in Marketing: Strategic Marketing
It is an integrative course designed to provide an executive perspective of strategy. This course focuses on making and analyzing complex decisions to describe the firm’s 38 strategies for long-term survival and growth in competitive markets. Techniques for analysis of environmental conditions and trends, opportunities and threats, and resource strengths and limitations are examined. The primary method of instruction will be case analysis.
Number of Credits: 2
Prerequisites: BUS 360
Co-requisites: None
BUS377 Venture Capital Science
This course on Venture Capital management provides knowledge and skills necessary to be part of a VC/Acceleration program team, as well as a critical component for those who want to engage in startup business development. The course has both lecture component (involving also guest speakers from the startup ecosystem) as well as interactive assignments related to real companies. By successfully completing this course the students are expected to develop knowledge and skills to analyze venture deals, actively participate in due diligence, deliver talks on venture investing.
Number of credits: 2
Prerequisites: None
Co-Requisites: None
BUS378 Business Intelligence
This course provides an introduction to the main concepts of Business Intelligence (BI). It aims to supply the necessary skillset for querying and reporting data, working with databases and using dashboards for visualization. Leading BI tools will be introduced during the course. Multidimensional analysis of the business data will be conducted through Online Analytical Processing cubes (OLAP). Business performance management problems will be addressed through descriptive analytics, and predictive models will be applied whenever appropriate.
Number of credits: 2
Prerequisites: None
Co-Requisites: None
BUS 380 Operations and Process Management
The focus of this course will be on the quantitative aspects of the elements, which contribute to the effective and efficient operations of an enterprise. Emphasis will be equally placed on the means for attaining organizational objectives for both service and manufacturing oriented entities. Topical areas will be the planning for and management of services and/or products, the design of processes, facility location and layout, forecasting, scheduling, and quality control.
Number of Credits: 2
Prerequisites: None
Co-requisites: None
BUS 381 Management of Information Resources
This course is designed to make the students knowledgeable about the fundamentals underlying the design, implementation, control, evaluation, and strategic use of modern, computer-based information systems for business data processing, office automation, information reporting, and decision making. The course focuses on using and managing information technologies to derive business value and to secure a competitive advantage.
Number of Credits: 2
Prerequisites: None
Co-requisites: None
BUS 382 Supply Chain Management
This course focuses upon the strategic importance of supply chain management. The purpose of the course is to design and manage business- to-business to retail supply chain purchasing and distribution systems, and to formulate an integrated supply chain strategy that is supportive of various corporate strategies. New purchasing and distribution opportunities for businesses and inter/intra company communications systems designed for creating a more efficient marketplace are explored.
Number of Credits: 2
Prerequisites: BUS 380
Co-requisites: None
BUS 384 Digital Commerce
This course covers e-commerce applications, methodologies, and services that address business solutions needed for electronic procurement, supplier management, and customer relationship management. Real-life examples and case studies are examined to provide the student with working knowledge of constructing an E-Business, Business and Revenue Models, E-Marketplaces, Internet auctions, Internet and Web Programming, Legal Issues and E-Commerce /Digital Commerce strategy.
Number of Credits: 2
Prerequisites: BUS 380
Co-requisites: None
BUS 385 Project Management
In this course students learn project management skills that are essential for current or future managers regardless of their career concentration. Some of the topics covered include life cycle models; project selection; project monitoring and control; planning with uncertainty; managing scope, risk, quality, time and costs; procurement; human resources and communications; the critical chain method; and managing multiple projects. It also discusses commercial project management software and how to overcome its limited functionality to address the requirements of managing risky, complex projects in practice.
Number of Credits: 2
Prerequisites: BUS 305 BUS 345 BUS 346 BUS 380
Co-requisites: None
BUS 388 Managing Companies at the Base of the Pyramid
This is a General Management course aimed at graduate students – potential entrepreneurs, managers and executives – who are interested in exploring new market-based approaches to poverty alleviation and addressing the needs of marginalized part of the population, especially in developing countries such as Armenia. The course integrates concepts of non-profit management, microfinance, inclusive growth and international business to stimulate the analytical thinking and leadership skills necessary for launching and managing Base-of- the-Pyramid (BoP) ventures. Through combination of lectures, international and local case studies, readings, videos and guest sessions, the course will engage students in discussions aimed at: 1) identifying the opportunities related to innovative perspectives on serving BoP markets; and 2) developing the strategies, business models, managerial practices and partnerships required to productively explore those opportunities. 100 minutes of instructor-led class time per week is scheduled.
Number of Credits: 2
Prerequisites: None
Co-requisites: None
BUS 390 Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Incubation
The purpose of this integrative practicum is to understand how new business opportunities are identified and commercialized. The course structure follows the evolutionary process of a new venture: Idea assessment, organization formation, capitalization, growth, and exit. The course integrates much of what students have learned in their first year courses and challenges them to apply the newly acquired knowledge and tools to a real business situation. The course combines theoretical and applied learning, including lectures, guest speakers, traditional case studies and “live” new venture projects. Under the guidance of the faculty and with the support of mentors, student teams take a multidisciplinary approach to the preparation and presentation of a business plan for a real new venture. In the process, students are expected to make difficult business choices with less than perfect information, dealing with ambiguity and uncertainty. Students conclude their project with an oral presentation in addition to a full written report.
Number of Credits: 2
Prerequisites: BUS 330 BUS 345 BUS 346 BUS 360
Co-requisites: None
BUS391 Start-up Management
This course aims to provide the necessary skillset for establishing and running a successful modern startup. It focuses on best practices of Silicon Valley and covers the fundamentals, which can establish a base for executing all stages of startup creation, idea selection, measurement, product building, user acquisition, innovation management, execution, fundraising, and choosing an exit strategy. By the end of the course, students will be able to choose ideas to work on, form teams, incorporate, develop the product, fundraise and commercialize their ideas. The course structure is case-based with guest speakers from Silicon Valley, as well as local entrepreneurs with recent case discussions based on first-hand experience. The final projects are expected to be high quality ideas that can be implemented/funded further.
Number of Credits: 2
Prerequisites: None
Co-requisites: None
BUS399 Independent Study: Financing the Growth
This course is designed to introduce graduate students to some of the emerging global trends in Finance. The course covers concepts and practice not covered by other Finance courses. The focus will be on areas that are likely to have wide applicability in Armenia and in the region.
Number of Credits: 1
Prerequisites: None
Co-requisites: None