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Undergraduate Catalog 2012-2013

THE ROBERT H. SMITH SCHOOL OF BUSINESS (BMGT)

1570 Van Munching Hall, 301-405-2286
www.rhsmith.umd.edu
undergradinfo@rhsmith.umd.edu
Dean: Dr. G. Anandalingam
Associate Dean(s): Victor Mullins
Assistant Dean(s): Brian Horick

The Robert H. Smith School of Business seeks to provide the knowledge and thought leadership that transform students into agents of both economic prosperity and transformative social change. The Smith School is accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the premier accrediting agency for bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs in business administration and accounting, www.aacsb.edu .

A student in the Smith School of Business, selects a major(s) in one of the following curricula: (1) Accounting; (2) Finance; (3) Information Systems; (4) International Business; (5) Management; (6) Marketing; (7) Operations Management; or (8) Supply Chain Management.  Upper-division BMGT programs are offered at College Park and at the Universities at Shady Grove in Montgomery County.  For details on the majors offered at Shady Grove visit www.rhsmith.umd.edu/undergrad/shadygrove.html.

Admission Requirements

See "Admission Requirements and Application Procedures" chapter for general LEP admissions policies.

Freshman Admission

Direct admission to the Smith School is offered on space-available basis to first-time applicants who present the most competitive academic records. All students admitted directly to BMGT as freshmen must demonstrate satisfactory progress.

  • All students admitted as freshmen must demonstrate satisfactory progress (2.0 GPA or better) plus completion of Gateway courses (BMGT 220, BMGT 230, ECON 200 or 201, and MATH 220 or 140 - each with a minimum grade of "C-" or better) by the semester they reach 45 credits (excluding AP and ESL), at which time they will be reviewed in order to continue in the BMGT major. (Note: Only one repeat of one single course to the set of Gateway courses will be accepted to remain in BMGT. Appeals will be considered.)
  • Students must be in the process of completing BMGT 221 and ECON 200 or 201 in the semester in which they reach 60 credits. Students should have completed 50% of general education program requirements by the time they have reached 60 credits.

Transfer Admission for Students from On or Off Campus
All students applying for admission to BMGT as transfer students, whether internal transfers already enrolled at UMCP or external transfer students entering the university for the first time, will be subject to competitive admission for a limited number of spaces in the BMGT program at each program location. Internal and external transfer students may apply to compete for admission to the Smith School of Business after they have earned 45 credits, and if accepted, will be provisionally admitted for the semester following the completion of their 60th credit. Admission will be finalized once all requirements are confirmed at the end of the following semester. Below are the current admission standards.

  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (preferred, may vary based upon the applicant pool)
  • Minimum junior standing: 60 credits earned
  • Completion of the following Gateway courses, all with "C-" or better:
BMGT 220 and 221: Accounting
ECON 200 and 201: Micro and Macro Economics
ENGL 101 Academic Writing
MATH 220 or 140: Calculus
BMGT 230*or BMGT 231# Business Statistics
* The following courses are approved substitutes for BMGT230: BIOM301, ECON321, EDMS451, GEOG305, PSYC200, and SOCY201.
# The following courses are approved substitutes for BMGT 231: ENEE324, ENME392, or STAT400
  • Co-curricular involvement, leadership experience and honors and awards will also be considered in the admission decision. Students are strongly encouraged to submit with their applications a resume and letter detailing their accomplishments and experience.
  • Students may be in the process of completing BMGT221 and ECON 200 or 201 in the semester in which they apply for admission but must have successfully completed all gateway courses by the end of the current semester. Students should have completed 50% of general education program requirements by the time they have reached 60 credits.

Application Deadlines for Transfer Students: Complete applications and all supporting documents must be received no later than:

Fall Semester:   March 1st    
    June 15th
Spring Semester:   November 1st

Please submit completed applications to the Attn: LEP Coordinator, Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Mitchell Building, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742-5235.

Freshmen who begin study in another major at College Park who would have met the direct BMGT admission standards from high school have until the last day of instruction in the first semester of their freshmen year at College Park to change their major to BMGT.

Appeals to this Policy: Appeals to this policy may be filed with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, on the ground floor Mitchell Building. Such appeals will require documentation of unusual, extenuating, or special circumstances.

Statement of Policy on Transfer of Credit from Community Colleges
It is the practice of the Smith School of Business to consider for transfer from a regionally accredited community college only the following courses in business administration: an introductory business course, business statistics, introduction to computing (equivalent to BMGT 201), or elementary accounting. Thus, it is anticipated that students transferring from another regionally accredited institution will have devoted the major share of their academic effort below the junior year to the completion of basic requirements in the liberal arts. A total of 60 semester hours from a community college may be applied toward a degree from the Smith School of Business.

Other Institutions
The Smith School of Business normally accepts transfer credits from regionally accredited four-year institutions. Junior- and senior-level business courses are accepted from colleges accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Junior- and senior- level business courses from other than AACSB-accredited schools are evaluated on a course-by-course basis to determine transferability.

The Smith School of Business requires that at least 50 percent of the business and management credit hours required for a business degree be earned at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Undergraduate Degree Requirements/Degree Options

The university confers the following degrees: Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Master of Science (M.S.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Information concerning admission to the M.B.A. or M.S. program is available at www.rhsmith.umd.edu.

Undergraduate Program
The undergraduate program recognizes the need for professional education in business and management based on a foundation in the liberal arts. In addition, the program's internationally integrated curriculum prepares students to be effective and responsible managers in today's dynamic business environment.

A student in business and management selects a major in one of several curricula: (1) Accounting; (2) Information Systems: Specialization Business; (3) Finance; (4) General Business; (5) International Business; (6) Operations Management; (7) Marketing; (8) Supply Chain Management.

Summary of Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements (all curricula)
At least 45 hours of the 120 semester hours of academic work required for graduation must be in business and management subjects. A minimum of 57 hours of the required 120 hours must be in 300- or 400-level courses. In addition to the requirement of an overall cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C average) in all university course work, all business majors must earn a C- or better in all required courses, including Economics, Mathematics, and Communication. Beginning with students matriculating in Fall 2012, to be awarded a baccalaureate degree, students must have a minimum C (2.00) cumulative grade point average across all courses used to satisfy major degree requirements. Electives outside the curricula of the School may be taken in any department of the university, if the student has the necessary prerequisites.

    Credits
  Freshman-Sophomore School Requirements  
BMGT110 Intro to the Business Value Chain 3
BMGT220 Principles of Accounting I 3
BMGT221 Principles of Accounting II 3
ECON200 Principles of Microeconomics 4
ECON201 Principles of Macroeconomics 4
   One from:  
 MATH220 Elementary Calculus I  3 
 MATH140 Calculus I 4
   One from:  
 BMGT230 Business Statistics 3
 BMGT231 Statistical Models for Business 3
   One from:  
COMM100 Foundations of Speech Communication 3
COMM107 Speech Communication 3
COMM200 Critical Thinking and Speaking 3
  Total 26-27
     
  Junior-Senior School Requirements  
BMGT301 Introduction to Information Systems 3
BMGT340 Business Finance 3
BMGT350 Marketing Principles and Organization 3
BMGT364 Management and Organizational Theory 3
BMGT367 Career Search Strategies in Business 1
BMGT380 Business Law 3
BMGT391 Leadership in Action 1
BMGT495 Business Policies 3
BMGT499 Advanced Topics in Business 1
ECON Economics - see below  3-6
  Total 24-27

Economics Requirements
3-6 credits of approved upper-level economics courses are required by the Smith School of Business. The specific requirements for each major are listed with the majors' specific requirements.

Major Requirements

In addition to the Smith School of Business Bachelor of Science requirements listed above, generally another 18-24 credits are required for each major. See individual major listings in chapter 7.
A Typical Program for the Freshman and Sophomore Years

  Credits
Freshman Year  
General Education and/or Electives 6
ENGL101 or equivalent 3
MATH (depending on placement)* 3
BMGT110 3
First Semester Total 15
   
General Education and/or Electives 6
ECON200 4
COMM100, 107 or 200 3
MATH or BMGT230/231* 3
Second Semester Total 16
   
Sophomore Year  
General Education and/or Electives 9
BMGT220 (Prereq Sophomore Standing) 3
ECON201 4
Third Semester Total 16
   
General Education and/or Electives 10
BMGT221 (Prereq BMGT220) 3
BMGT230 or 231 or Elective 3
Fourth Semester Total 16

*See Freshman-Sophomore School requirements for appropriate math and statistics courses.

Advising

General advising for students admitted to the Smith School of Business is available Monday through Friday in the Office of Undergraduate Programs, 1570 Van Munching Hall, 301-405-2286, undergradinfo@rhsmith.umd.edu. It is recommended that students visit this office each semester to ensure that they are informed about current requirements and procedures. Transfer students entering the university can be advised during spring, summer, and fall transfer orientation programs. Contact the Orientation Office for further information, 301-314-8217, or visit www.orientation.umd.edu.

Specialized Academic Programs

The Smith School offers innovative special programs through its Undergraduate Fellows Program.  The Fellows program offers a series of special academic programs, or tracks, which will create small communities of scholars within the larger Smith School community.  Each specialized Fellows program combines opportunities for action learning and professional development with rigorous in-depth academic coursework focused on cutting edge issues affecting 21st century business.

 

Co-curricular activities are a key component of the Fellows program.  Field trips and internships, international study trips and exchanges, speaker series, dinners, retreats and competitions will foster leadership skills and contribute to your personal and professional growth.  Alumni involvement is an important aspect of Fellows programming, with Smith alumni and corporate partners contributing their time, talents and experience through sponsorship and participation in events and activities. For more information on each of the Smith Fellows Programs please see the following information and corresponding links.  For information on all our Fellows Programs visit http://unet.rhsmith.umd.edu and click on the Fellows Program tab.

 

Freshman Fellows:  The Freshman Fellows track provides enriched opportunities for all of our newly admitted Smith freshmen students from the moment they step on campus for the new Freshman Fellows Orientation.  For more information, please visit http://unet.rhsmith.umd.edu and click on the Fellows Program tab.

 

Accelerated Finance Fellows:  The Accelerated Finance Fellows program is designed for freshmen with advanced standing who are sure they want to pursue a finance career.  These students are interested in accelerating their finance coursework, and in taking additional finance courses - beyond what the major requires.  These students have the potential to become "star" finance majors, courted by top finance recruiters.   The emphasis of this program is on preparing students for a high profile career in finance. For more information, please visit http://unet.rhsmith.umd.edu and click on the Fellows Program tab.

 

Accounting Teaching Scholars:  The Accounting & Information Assurance Department (AIA) offers this special program opportunity for undergraduate accounting students to serve as discussion leaders and teaching assistants for the beginning accounting courses, BMGT 220 & 221.  Accounting teaching scholars earn a yearly stipend (depending on hours worked) while reviewing material in preparation for the CPA exam, and practicing organizational and delivery skills. A one-credit mentoring course is offered to prepare students for their roles as teaching assistants.  For more information, please visit http://unet.rhsmith.umd.edu and click on the Fellows Program tab.

 

Business Process Fellows Program:  The objective of the Business Process Fellows program is to develop excellence in operations management. Students will learn and practice business process methodologies and software tools used by leading edge companies and agencies to design and manage complex enterprises. For more information, please visit http://unet.rhsmith.umd.edu and click on the Fellows Program tab.

 

Design and Innovation in Marketing Fellows: The Design in Marketing Fellows Program bridges the gap between marketing research and theory and the realization of well-designed applications. The program curriculum and co-curricular activities are designed to produce business leaders who can make strategically sound and creative design decisions. This program is intendedly interdisciplinary, with mutual benefit to be gained by collaboration between marketing students and design students in developing creative business solutions.  For more information, visit http://unet.rhsmith.umd.edu and click on the Fellows Program tab.

 

Emerging CFOs:  This program is designed for students interested in corporate finance and investment banking. It is designed to go more in depth into corporate aspects of finance, and provide students with enhanced leadership and communication skills. For more information, please visit http://unet.rhsmith.umd.edu and click on the Fellows Program tab.

 

Entrepreneurship Fellows . The Entrepreneurship Fellows Program brings together talented Smith School students to create an entrepreneurial chemistry that will stimulate the creation and growth of new high-potential enterprises. The primary goal of the Entrepreneurship Fellows program is to have each student participate in launching a profitable business venture while still in school. This program is offered solely at the Smith School at Shady Grove campus (www.rhsmith.umd.edu/undergrad/shadygrove/). ; For more information on the Entrepreneurship Fellows Program, visit http://unet.rhsmith.umd.edu and click on the Fellows Program tab. 

 

Financial Services Fellows: This program is designed for students interested in the financial services industry, including traditional banking (loan officer, personal banking officer) and the financial services industry (financial planners, personal investment managers). For more information, please visit http://unet.rhsmith.umd.edu and click on the Fellows Program tab. 

 

Global Fellows: The Smith Global Fellows program is designed for students who have an interest in the world’s people and cultures, and a desire to apply business and language skills to enhancing economic development worldwide and helping others succeed.  For more information, please visit http://unet.rhsmith.umd.edu and click on the Fellows Program tab.

 

Lemma Senbet Investment Fund Fellows:  This program is a year-long, advanced finance program available to undergraduate finance majors in their senior year. Twelve students are selected in the spring of their junior year to participate on the fund, two as portfolio managers and ten as equity analysts. The program provides the students with the opportunity to apply what they have learned in Finance classes to actual investment decisions, through researching real companies and managing a portfolio of real money, and through reviewing the results of the decisions they make. At the end of the year-long commitment, the Fund members will present their performance to Fund donors.  For more information, please visit http://unet.rhsmith.umd.edu and click on the Fellows Program tab. 

 

Private Equity and Venture Capital Clinic:  The Private Equity and Venture Capital Clinic (PEVCC) is a program that provides selected students with the opportunity to serve as Analysts at an actual Private Equity Fund with over $50M under management, under the supervision of Professional Fund managers.  For more information, please visit http://unet.rhsmith.umd.edu and click on the Fellows Program tab. 

 

SCM Fellows: The Supply Chain Management (SCM) Fellows Leadership Program offers students a unique opportunity for learning and community building both within the Smith School and with external SCM professionals. By combining classroom learning with opportunities in the professional community, SCM Fellows will have a unique opportunity to build knowledge of the SCM profession and create a foundation for a networked career.  For more information, please visit http://unet.rhsmith.umd.edu and click on the Fellows Program tab.

 

Social Innovation Fellows:  The Social Innovation Fellows program will immerse students in the process of seeking innovative solutions for social transformation through business principles and hands-on engagements with nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Whereas many people in the past sought to change society through activism, today individuals are creating entrepreneurial ventures that address social and environmental issues. The program features an optional internship and co-curricular programming aimed at developing skills in the areas of social enterprise, microfinance, marketing and new media. Students leave the program with a deep understanding of how to apply their business skills toward addressing issues of social and environmental importance in large and small organizations alike.  For more information, please visit http://unet.rhsmith.umd.edu and click on the Fellows Program tab.

 

Quantitative Finance Fellows:  The Quantitative Finance Fellows Program (formerly Financial Markets Fellows program) is for students interested in investments, and in particular in learning more about the software and hardware used in the financial services industry. For more information, please visit http://unet.rhsmith.umd.edu and click on the Fellows Program tab. 

 

QUEST (Quality Enhancement Systems and Teams):  A collaborative partnership with the A. James Clark School of Engineering and the College of Computer, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, the QUEST program is an innovative three-year quality management program with a dynamic learning environment. Grounded in team-based courses led by an interdisciplinary faculty, the program offers students the opportunity to study integration of quality in the workplace while applying the knowledge and skill-set they have gained from their major in the field of engineering, business or computer science. For more information, please visit http://unet.rhsmith.umd.edu.

 

Smith Technology Fellows: ST Fellows perform a variety of duties, which may include serving as teaching assistants with technology-intensive classes, or as research assistants, executing targeted technology development projects for use in instruction or research, assisting faculty and others with targeted projects involving software such as Oracle or .NET.  Some project assignments will require experience using specific software platforms and will provide technical support for courses, assist faculty with tutorials and demonstrations, and assist student teams in projects. Students working on projects which require specific technology skills will be eligible to attend vendor hands-on training sessions. Projects will generally be defined as one semester in duration but could extend over the academic year. Compensation for work on projects is $10/hour, with projects ranging from 200-400 hours, which can be spread over a semester or a year. Projects may be renewable for additional semesters.  For more information, please visit http://unet.rhsmith.umd.edu and click on the Fellows Program tab. 

 

Sport Management Fellows:  The Sport Management Fellows program focuses on the worldwide enterprise of sport and the prominence of organized sports at every level in collegiate and professional sports environments, together with the significance of auxiliary industries in sports apparel and equipment, television contracts and other ancillary products and services. For more information, please visit http://unet.rhsmith.umd.edu and click on the Fellows Program tab. 

 

Technology and Business Transformation Fellows Program:  The Technology & Business Transformation fellows program aims to identify and train students who are passionate about leveraging the latest technologies for business as well as social transformation. This highly selective Fellows program will provide students the opportunity to interact with the faculty in small classes as well as collaborate with them on state-of-the art industry and research projects. For more information, please visit http://unet.rhsmith.udm.eduand click on the Fellows Program tab. 

 

Other Special Programs outside of the Smith School's Fellows Program: In addition, Smith School students can incorporate other exceptional multidisciplinary learning opportunities as part of their degree programs. Programs like College Park Scholars (including Business, Society, and the Economy ); Gemstone ; and The Hinman Campus Entrepreneurship Opportunities (CEOs) programs join business undergraduates with those from other disciplines. Several of the programs mentioned above were formed through partnerships with other colleges or departments on campus.

College Honors Program

The Smith School Honors Fellows program, which is part of the Smith School's Fellows Program, offers students with superior academic achievements special opportunities and resources, including the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research on business issues, and to graduate with honors. Students in the honors program take their upper-level BMGT core courses in small, seminar-style honors sections which allow in-depth exploration of business topics in marketing, finance, management and organization, business law, and policy and strategy. The Smith School Honors Program provides both a non-thesis and a thesis option, in which students work on an original research project under the supervision of a Smith School faculty member. Admission to the Smith School Honors Program is competitive. Students are selected on the basis of the following requirements:

  • Minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average
  • Minimum 45 credit hours earned
  • Completion of all BMGT pre-requisite courses by the end of Spring semester:

              Principles of Accounting I and II: BMGT 220 and 221
              Business Statistics: BMGT 230 (or 231)
              Calculus: MATH 220 or 140
              Principles of Micro- and Macro- Economics: ECON 200 and 201

The application to the BMGT Honors program includes a personal essay and two letters of recommendation from faculty. The BMGT Honors application can be downloaded from the Smith School website: http://unet.rhsmith.umd.edu

Admission to the Smith School Honors Fellows Program takes place once a year in the Spring semester. For more information, please visit http://unet.rhsmith.umd.edu and click on the Fellows Program tab.

Approved Student Societies and Professional Organizations

Student Professional Organizations
Students may choose to associate themselves with one or more professional organizations offered under the umbrella organization, Smith Undergraduate Student Association (SUSA).  For more details, visit http://unet.rhsmith.umd.edu and click on the People tab to access SUSA clubs.

Awards

Scholarships
For details on available scholarships, please click on the scholarships tab at  http://unet.rhsmith.umd.edu .

 

 

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