This is an archived copy of the 2016-2017 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.
David Spalding, Dean
Danny J. Johnson, Associate Dean
Russ Laczniak, Associate Dean
The instructional objective of the College of Business is to provide a high quality professional education in business. Such an education should provide the student with: (1) an appreciation of the evolution of the profession and an awareness of the ethical, global, technological, economic, political and social forces shaping its future; (2) an understanding of the major functional areas of business with the opportunity for specialization for a career in business; (3) an ability to recognize and appreciate the affect of diversity in the work place; (4) an opportunity for advanced study.
A comprehensive education in business includes a broad foundation in the liberal arts, courses in the major functional areas of business activity, proficiency in analytical methods, and the ability to identify problems and arrive at logical solutions. In addition, a professional education is designed to inspire students to assume business and community leadership.
The curriculum in business is accredited by AACSB International and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
The undergraduate curriculum in business is divided into three areas: a general education program, a pre-professional business program, and a professional business program. The general education program provides a broad spectrum of liberal arts coursework. The pre-professional business requirements provide a foundation in pre-business coursework. The professional program includes two parts: (1) the business core which provides a common body of knowledge in all the functional areas in business, and (2) a major area of study. The seven majors offered for the degree bachelor of science (B.S.) are accounting; finance; management; management information systems; marketing; supply chain management; and business economics. The college also offers a secondary major in international business. Elective courses are part of the curriculum.
Students entering the pre-business curriculum must present evidence of the following high school preparation:
a. Four (4) years of English/Language Arts, emphasizing writing, speaking, and reading as well as an understanding and appreciation of literature.
b. Three (3) years of mathematics, including one year each of algebra, geometry, and advanced algebra.
c. Three (3) years of science, including one year each of courses from two of the following fields: biology, chemistry, and physics;
d. Two (2) years of social studies.
Iowa State University students who want to change their curriculum to the College of Business must attend a curriculum change meeting. See Changing Curriculum or Major for more details on this process. Students on Academic Probation will not be allowed to change curriculum to the College of Business during enrollment period three. See Making Schedule Changes.
All new entering students, and curriculum change students are enrolled in the pre-business curriculum. To enter the professional program in the College of Business, students must complete any ENGL 101 English for Native Speakers of Other Languages courses, ENGL 150 Critical Thinking and Communication , and the following foundation courses or their approved substitutions:
| MATH 150 | Discrete Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences | 3 |
| 3 | ||
| COM S 113 | Introduction to Spreadsheets and Databases | 3 |
| ECON 101 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 102 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| STAT 226 | Introduction to Business Statistics I | 3 |
| ACCT 284 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
| BUSAD 102 | Business Learning Team Orientation | 1 |
| or BUSAD 103 | Orientation | |
| BUSAD 250 | Introduction to Business | 3 |
In addition, all students must achieve an Iowa State University cumulative grade point of 2.5 or a grade-point average of 2.5 in the foundation courses listed above. Admission into the professional program is a prerequisite for pre-business students to gain admission into upper-level business classes.
Students who meet the following requirements qualify for early admission to the professional program. First Semester Freshman: ACT score of 30 or higher, or ranked in the top 5% of high school class, or National Merit/Achievement Finalist, or member of the Freshman Honors Program. All other Students: minimum ISU cumulative GPA of 3.50 in at least 12 credits, or full member of the University Honors Program.
If using the foundation courses for admission to the Professional Program, both transfer grades and Iowa State University grades are used to compute the grade point average. If foundation courses initially taken at Iowa State University need to be repeated, they must be repeated at Iowa State University. With the exception of ACCT 285 Managerial Accounting , pre-business students do not have access to business core classes. To facilitate registration, qualified students may be conditionally admitted during the semester in which they complete the admission requirements.
Admission requirements are subject to change. Applications and the current requirements for admission to the College of Business are available on the Web at https://apps.bus.iastate.edu/ProfessionalProgram/ or from the Undergraduate Programs Office in the College of Business.
Policies for students enrolled in the College of Business may be obtained on the Web at http://www.business.iastate.edu/undergraduate/ or from the Undergraduate Programs Office in the College of Business.
Students are responsible for knowing and adhering to these College of Business policies as well as the university regulations found in this catalog. The following policies are in effect for students graduating from a professional curriculum in business with a B.S. degree under the 2014-2015 catalog:
Each student in the College of Business has an assigned academic adviser who helps facilitate student progress toward graduation while supporting the academic standards of the College. Students enter as Pre-Business majors and are guided toward their entrance to the Professional Program (business major) with assistance from professional advisers who continue to work with them through graduation.
Advisers, as part of the Undergraduate Programs Office staff, provide academic services to Business students including development of academic plans, study abroad planning, accessing pertinent University services and resources, and meeting their overall educational objectives.
The College encourages students to attend an orientation program prior to their entry, where information is shared and evaluated in order to help set the student out on the academic path appropriate to their goals, preparation, interests, and capabilities.
Entering freshmen who meet one of the following criteria, and have a minimum English ACT of 24, will be invited to apply for membership in the Freshman Honors Program: earned an ACT composite of 30, or ranked in the top 5% of their high school classes; or selected as a National Merit or National Achievement finalist.
Enrolled students who have completed 12 graded credits at Iowa State University and earned a 3.50 can be admitted as a full member of the Honors Program. To qualify for full membership, students must have declared a major, developed a program of study, and have a minimum of 48 credits remaining before graduation. Designated advisers will assist honors students in developing an appropriate program of study.
Credit and non-credit internships in business may be approved for College of Business students in all majors including pre-business. Credit hours and requirements vary. Arrangements must be made in the college prior to the beginning of the internship. An internship adviser from the Business Career Services Office will assist students in making these arrangements.
Undergraduates pursuing a degree in the College of Business may complete additional majors in the College of Business. Those desiring additional majors outside the college should refer to the catalog section of the appropriate college and department for the additional major requirements. A multiple major in business economics and agricultural business or economics is not permitted. A major in business economics with a minor in economics is not permitted.
Undergraduates with a primary major outside the College of Business who want a second major in business must meet the admission requirements for the professional program as well as complete the following requirements: Foundation, Supporting Courses, Business Core, and major requirements. (Refer to the current Curriculum Guide).
All students pursuing multiple majors or multiple degrees within the College of Business are required to have a minimum of 15 credits of coursework in each major that is not used in the other majors.
Students are limited to three business majors/ degrees within the College of Business, or a total of three business major/minors within the college. This limit is on business majors/ degrees/minors only, and does not apply to multiple majors/degrees/minors taken outside the College of Business.
A student in the College of Business may earn a secondary major in International Business. The requirements for this major include 12 credits in international business courses, one year of the same university-level foreign language (minimum 6 credits) and an approved international experience (minimum 3 months). Students who pursue this secondary major will be required to complete the requirements for a primary major in Business. Fifteen of the 18 credits required for the International Business major may not be used for the primary major.
Students with a major in the college of Business may earn a minor in International Business by completing 15 credits of approved course work and an approved study abroad experience of 12 weeks, or one year of foreign language study and completion of an approved study tour course offered by the College of Business. The minor must include at least 6 credits numbers 300 or above taken at Iowa State University with a grade of C or higher. Students with declared majors have priority over students with declared minors in courses with space constraints.
Students with a major in the College of Business may qualify for a minor specialization in one of the college’s departments by taking at least 15 credit hours in the minor specialization, nine hours of which may not be used to satisfy any other department, college, or university requirement. The minor must include at least 6 credits in courses numbered 300 or above taken at Iowa State University with a grade of C or higher. Students with declared majors have priority over students with declared minors in courses with space constraints.
Students are limited to three business majors/ degrees within the College of Business, or a total of three business major/minors within the college. This limit is on business majors/ degrees/minors only, and does not apply to multiple majors/degrees/minors taken outside the College of Business.
The College of Business offers a structured minor in general business to students outside the College. The minor requires a minimum of 15 credits, not including pre-requisite courses. Requirements for the minor are:
The minor must include at least 6 credits in courses numbered 300 or above taken at Iowa State University. A C average or higher is required in all courses used to satisfy the minor requirements. All requirements for the minor must be taken for a grade. Students with a major outside the College of Business are eligible for a general business minor only—not a specialization in a business department.
Non-Business students may not take more than 9 cr. Of 300 or 400 level Business courses.
The College of Business participates in a cross-disciplinary minor in Entrepreneurial Studies. This minor is available to any undergraduate student. Requirements for the minor include , MGMT 313 Feasibility Analysis and Business Planning (6 credits), two business-oriented electives from an approved list (6 credits), and an experiential learning component (3 credits). The approved list of courses is available in the Undergraduate Programs Office in the College of Business and on the web at http://www.business.iastate.edu/undergraduate/minors/entrepreneurship .
Students who wish to take courses in the College of Business, but are not seeking an undergraduate degree, should apply to the college as non-degree seeking students. Non-degree seeking students are eligible to take up to 9 credits in 300-level and above business courses without meeting the college’s admission requirements.
Students from outside the College of Business are eligible to take up to 9 credits of 300-level and above business courses without meeting the college’s admission requirements to the professional program, as long as they meet course prerequisites.
Four programs are offered at the master’s level: a master of business administration (M.B.A.) program, a master of accounting (M.Acc.), a master of finance (M.Fin.), and a master of science in information systems (M.S.I.S.). These programs are intended to meet distinct sets of educational objectives.
The master of business administration (M.B.A.) is the professional management education program for those pursuing careers in business. The goal of the M.B.A. program is to educate future business leaders preparing them for the challenges of tomorrow by giving them the vision, knowledge, skills, and confidence to make the best decisions for all involved stakeholders. The M.B.A. program consists of a 48-credit curriculum leading to a non-thesis, non-creative component master of business administration. Students may pursue a specialization in accounting, finance, marketing, technology and innovation management, or supply chain management. The College of Business also offers a business administration minor to students with majors outside the college.
A concurrent B.S./M.B.A. is available to eligible engineering undergraduate students majoring in aerospace, agricultural, biosystems, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, industrial, mechanical, or software engineering. A concurrent B.S./M.B.A is available to agronomy, agricultural systems technology, animal science, chemistry (B. S. or B. A.), food science, and industrial technology. A concurrent D.V.M./M.B.A. degree is available to eligible Veterinary Medicine students.
Double degree programs are offered with architecture (M.Arch./M.B.A.), community and regional planning (M.B.A./M.C.R.P), finance (M.B.A/M.Fin.), information systems (M.B.A./M.S.I.S), and statistics (M.B.A./M.S. Statistics).
The master of accounting (M.Acc.) is designed to meet the needs of accountants in public or private accounting, focusing on interpreting and analyzing accounting information for decision-making. Additionally, the M.Acc. program is designed to help interested candidates meet the 150-hour education requirement for CPA certification in Iowa. The 30 hour program requires 15 hours of graduate accounting courses, an international topics course, and 12 hours of non-accounting graduate credits, including a communications course.
The master of finance (M.Fin.) is designed to provide students with in-depth coverage of financial topics and a strong quantitative skill set. Students will learn financial analysis, valuation, modeling, and risk management techniques. The 40-credit program requires 22 core credits, of which 7 are in economics. 18 credits of electives are required, of which 9 must be in finance.
The master of science in information systems (M.S.I.S.) is designed to provide students with strong technical skills and a broad background in business needed to effectively develop and manage information systems projects. Using the latest software, students will apply information systems theory and concepts to modern information systems development. Program requirements range from 30-42 credits depending upon the student’s background. The M.S.I.S. curriculum includes business foundation courses, information systems core courses and electives, and a research requirement (creative component).
The College of Business participates in the following graduate level interdepartmental programs: Business Analytics, Information Assurance, Human Computer Interaction, Seed Technology and Business, and Transportation.
The College of Business offers graduate work leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree in business and technology, with one of four specializations—information systems (IS), management (MGT), marketing (MKT), or supply chain management (SCM). Departments in the college (Management, Marketing, and Supply Chain and Information Systems), and the departments of Statistics, Economics, Psychology, and Sociology cooperate in providing coursework toward this degree. The program prepares individuals for academic careers in research, teaching, and public service at institutions of higher learning in the United States and other countries. The PhD program consists of a 44 credit course curriculum followed by a 12 credit thesis or dissertation. Students do not need to have an undergraduate degree or master’s degree in business in order to qualify for enrollment in the PhD program. However, students without a graduate degree in business will be required to complete 18 credit hours of business foundation courses. For more details or application information see the Business Administration Department listing in this catalog.
The college offers programs of study leading to the degree bachelor of science with a major in accounting; finance; management; management information systems; marketing; supply chain management; or business economics. The college also offers a secondary major in international business. Total credits required: 122
Only 65 cr. from a two-year institution may apply which may include up to 16 technical cr.; 9 P-NP cr. of free electives; 2.00 minimum GPA.
Proficiency met with grade of C or better in 2 of 3 English courses
| ENGL 150 | Critical Thinking and Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 250 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition | 3 |
| ENGL 302 | Business Communication | 3 |
| SP CM 212 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| LIB 160 | Information Literacy | 1 |
PHIL 230 Moral Theory and Practice , 6 cr. from approved humanities list.
6 cr. from approved global perspectives list.
6 cr. from approved social science list.
3 cr. from approved natural sciences list.
| BUSAD 102 | Business Learning Team Orientation | 1 |
| or BUSAD 103 | Orientation | |
| BUSAD 250 | Introduction to Business | 3 |
| MATH 150 | Discrete Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences | 3 |
| COM S 113 | Introduction to Spreadsheets and Databases | 3 |
| ECON 101 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 102 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| STAT 226 | Introduction to Business Statistics I | 3 |
| ACCT 284 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
| BUSAD 203 | Business Careers and Employment Preparation | 1 |
| MATH 151 | Calculus for Business and Social Sciences | 3 |
| ACCT 215 | Legal Environment of Business | 3 |
| ACCT 301 | The Accounting Cycle (For ACCT majors only) | 1 |
| MIS 207 | Fundamentals of Computer Programming (For MIS majors only) | 3 |
| STAT 326 | Introduction to Business Statistics II (For ACCT, BUSEC, and FIN majors only) | 3 |
| ACCT 285 | Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| FIN 301 | Principles of Finance | 3 |
| MGMT 370 | Management of Organizations | 3 |
| MIS 301 | Management Information Systems | 3 |
| MKT 340 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| SCM 301 | Supply Chain Management | 3 |
| MGMT 478 | Strategic Management | 3 |
| Total Credits | 21 | |
All above core courses must be complete before .
61 cr. must be non-business courses.
The curriculum in accounting is accredited by AACSB International and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
| ACCT 383 | Intermediate Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 384 | Accounting Information Systems | 3 |
| ACCT 386 | Intermediate Accounting I | 3 |
| ACCT 387 | Intermediate Accounting II | 3 |
| ACCT 485 | Principles of Federal Income Tax | 3 |
| ACCT 497 | Introduction to Auditing | 3 |
| ACCT 498 | Capstone in Accounting | 2 |
| One additional course from department approved list | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 23 | |
| ECON 301 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 4 |
| ECON 353 | Money, Banking, and Financial Institutions | 3 |
| ECON 431 | Managerial Economics | 3 |
| ECON 492 | Graduating Senior Survey | R |
| One 300-level ECON course * | 3 | |
| Two 400-level ECON courses † | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 19 | |
