Mba_modified.pdf

School of Business Management and Finance

Master of Business Administration

(GENERAL) (Part-Time)

Programme Document

VERSION 1.0

April 2009

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MBA Programme Specifications Page 2 of 10

Master of Business Administration Part Time

1. PROGRAMME INFORMATION

This Part-time MBA programme is designed to equip its graduates for managerial success in all types of organisations and to meet the needs of a dynamic and growing economy. It provides an advanced course for students aspiring senior positions in an organisation. It aims at producing graduates capable of critical evaluation at an advanced level of the core business disciplines of economics, finance and accounting, marketing, strategic management, quantitative methods, information systems and operations management. It will thus prepare managers to assume key positions of responsibility and perform in a wide variety of specific assignments within an organization. It has also got the added value of training students to start their own businesses. The MBA combines a blend of modules in fundamental management disciplines and specialist modules in various areas of management. The programme emphasises communication and interpersonal skills as well as the conceptual and technical skills critical to managerial careers and are intended primarily to meet the needs of people of the managerial community. This MBA programme comprises of 12 modules and a dissertation or business related project. Each module carries a weight of 10 credits and the project carries a weight of 30 credits. One credit represents 7.5 hours of student work, meaning that a 10 credit module represents 75 hours of study including formal teaching, independent study, revision, and the preparation of assessments. The MBA degree requires the successful completion of 150 credits, 120 of which are taught modules, and 30 of which include the successful completion of the project. Case study analysis combined with written and oral case study presentation will be used extensively.

2. PROGRAMME AIMS & OBJECTIVES The part time MBA programme aims and objectives are to provide:

A systematic understanding of organisations, their management, and the changing external environment in which they operate;

A theoretical and practical grounding in the key disciplines of modern business and their application to business and management;

And develop key cognitive, problem solving, qualitative, quantitative, computing, inter personal, group working and research skills;

A critical awareness, informed by the latest theory and practice, of business management, and the changing external environment in which they operate;

A practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to enhance theory and practice in relation to the management of businesses;

To develop critical thinking and communications skills, thereby allowing our graduates to conduct research independently and to be able to evaluate the work of others;

Professional and personal growth of the student in a challenging yet friendly atmosphere; The opportunity for course members to study a series of self-contained intensive modules and

to learn through action taking and through teamwork.

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PART I

REGULATIONS

3. GENERAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

As per UTMS Admission Regulations, and Admission to Programmes of Study at Masters Degree Level.

4. PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS

Admission decisions will be made by the School of Business Management and Finance on a case to case basis.

Candidates must either be:

Graduates of a recognised university or other institutions of higher education with at least a second class honours degree or holders of an approved professional qualification deemed equivalent to an honours degree.

Or Other honours graduates or holders of an equivalent qualification may be admitted if they produce evidence which satisfies the School Board of their competence to pursue the programme;

Or Applicants who do not satisfy any of the requirements as per Regulations 3 or the above but who submit satisfactory evidence of having passed examinations or have acquired managerial experience which are deemed by the Academic Council to be equivalent to any of those listed.

Overseas Candidates Overseas candidates whose first language is not English and who do not hold a degree or equivalent professional qualification taught in English will be required to produce evidence of their competence in English.

5. PROGRAMME DURATION

Part Time: 2 years, comprising 4 Semesters

6. SELF-LEARNING AND TUTORIAL

Students are expected to spend one hour weekly on self-learning and seek for tutorial assistance.

7. SEMESTER

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12 weeks (Excluding Exam Period). As far as possible, lectures will be conducted on Saturday afternoon and Sunday.

8. CREDIT SYSTEM

1 module = 10 credits

9. APPLIED PROJECT

Candidates should compulsorily submit a business related project at the end of the final

semester of the programme. The scope of the research will be assessed and approved

through a project proposal that will be due after completion of Research Methods &

Techniques, which is a non-examinable module. The project will mainly involve real

business problems solving situation or will be on business administration themes as

approved by the post graduate dissertation committee. The project should be around

15000-20000 words and may have to be defended in a viva-voce.

10. STUDENT PROGRESS AND ASSESSMENT

All modules will carry 100 marks and will be assessed as follows (unless otherwise

specified):

Assessment will be based on a written examination of three hours and a continuous

assessment carrying between 30% and 50% of the total marks. However, some

modules may be assessed through 100% coursework.

The continuous assessment may include class tests, assignments or class

seminars.

.A minimum of 50% should be attained in each of Continuous Assessment and

Written Examination, with an overall total of 50% for a candidate to pass a module

unless otherwise agreed by the Board of Examiners.

Grading

Grade Marks x[%]

A x 70

A- 65 x < 70

B 60 x < 65

B- 55 x < 60

C 50 x < 55

FAIL X < 50

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11. EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE

The percentage mark contributes a 100 percent weighting towards the degree classification.

12. DEGREE AWARD CLASSIFICATION

Either

Overall weighted mark y (%) Classification

70y MBA with Distinction

7060 y MBA with Merit

6050 y MBA

50y No Award

Or

Overall weighted mark y (%) Classification

70y MBA with Distinction

7050 y MBA

50y No Award

Minimum Credits Required for the Award of: MBA Degree: 140

Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration: 110 (excluding applied project) Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration (General):80 (excluding applied project)

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Part II PROGRAMME STRUCTURE AND PLAN Master of Business Administration

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE and PLAN

Semester 1

Code Modules Hrs/Wk Credits

MBA xxxx Economics for Managers 2 + 1 10

MBA 1512 Financial & Managerial Accounting 2 + 1 10

MBA xxxx Operations Research 2 + 1 10

MBA xxxx Business Information Technology 2 + 1 10

Semester 2


MBA 1410 Production and Operations Management 2 + 1 10

MBA 1307 Marketing Management 2 + 1 10

MBA 1409 Human Resource Management 2 + 1 10

MBA 1714 Business & Labour laws 2 + 1 10

Semester 3


MBA 1815 Entrepreneurial Theory & Skills 2 + 1 10

MBA 1412 Strategic Management 2 + 1 10

MBA 1411 Project Management 2 + 1 10

MBA xxxx Research Methods & Techniques**

** This module is non-examinable and comprises FIVE (i.e. 15 hours) lectures leading to the submission of a project proposal for approval to continue with the APPLIED PROJECT in semester 4. Attendance is compulsory

Semester 4


MBA xxxx Applied Project 30

Workshops/Seminars

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Part III

OUTLINE SYLLABUS

YEAR 1, SEMESTER 1 MBA CODE Economics for Managers (10 credits) The module presents the foundation to understanding how the economy works, covering microeconomic descriptions of business applications as well as some macroeconomic issues. Content: pricing for profit maximisation, price elasticity, market structures and modelling of businesses in varying economic climates. Demand analysis and forecasting, production and costs, cost benefit analysis. Government role in the market and business strategies. Inflation, economic growth and international trade, Fiscal policy, Monetary policy, Foreign exchange policy. Foreign exchange markets. MBA 1512 Financial and Managerial Accounting (10 credits) This module aims to provide an understanding of the role of financial accounting as the primary channel for communicating the economics of any business. Students will develop knowledge in applying accounting information to aid managerial decision making. Introduction to financial and Managerial Accounting, Accounting Mechanics, Understanding financial statements, financial statements Analysis, Cost allocation and Activity based costing, costing systems and methods, profit reporting for management analysis, cost-volume-profit analysis, budgetary planning and control, standard cost and variance analysis. MBA CODE Operations Research (10 credits) The aim of this module is to provide students with an understanding of fundamental principles of management science. It is geared to develop skills in formulating basic mathematical models and familiarise students with the main algorithms used in management science. The unit also addresses the use of IT and quantitative methods for managing performance in organisations. Content: Linear programming, decision analysis, the SIMPLEX method, duality and sensitivity analysis, transportation model and its variants, network models, goal programming, Forecasting models, Queuing systems, inventory models, simulation modelling. MBA CODE Business Information Technology (10 credits) This module deals with the relevant issues of effective management of information services and the strategic alignment of business objectives with information technology.

Content: Information technology as a competitive Potential, Business Drivers, Strategic Alignment, Developing IT Competitive Strategy, Information Architecture, Disruptive Technology and Strategy, Strategy and Operating Models, Business Models, Case Studies in Information Systems.

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YEAR 1, SEMESTER 2 MBA 1410 Production and Operations Management (10 credits) This unit focuses on the effective and efficient planning, analyzing, management of operations activities. In the unit the students will learn the concepts of managing operations, management of the conversion system, scheduling operations and managing for competition. Content: Concepts of managing operations, Operations Management, Operations strategies, Productivity concept and measurement, Management of conversion system, Organizing the conversion system, Controlling the conversion system, Cellular processes, Group Technology, Scheduling Models, Scheduling operations planning, Operations scheduling, Managing of competition, World Class Manufacturing. MBA 1307 Marketing Management (10 credits) Marketing Management emphasizes the managerial aspects of marketing and introduces students to the systematic development and implementation of marketing plans and strategies in competitive business environment. The focus is on decision-making processes related to the organization and its markets in accordance with marketing management principles. Content: Analysing the marketing environment and consumer behaviour, identifying market segments and selecting target markets, Differentiating and positioning the market offer, Developing testing and launching new products and services, managing product life cycle strategies, managing product lines and brands and designing pricing strategies and programs. Distribution and selection of channels, modern retailing, integrated marketing communication, Advertising and sales promotion. MBA 1409 Human Resource Management (10 credits) This unit provides an introduction to the concepts and practices of HRM effectiveness. It covers topics such as personnel management, planning and procurement, monitoring and rewarding employees, employer-employee relation management and employee exit. Content: HRM- Concept and Philosophy, HRM functions, HRD Instruments, Processes and Outcomes, Human Resource Planning Concept, Quantitative and Qualitative dimensions, HRM in the changing environment, Recruitment and Selection, Job Analysis, Manpower Search, Induction and orientation, Training and Development, Compensation, Pay, Incentives, Benefits, Performance and potential appraisal, Industrial Relations, Collective Bargaining, Grievance and Dispute, Participation and Leadership & Employee Empowerment. MBA 1714 Business and Labour Laws (10 credits) This unit provides an introduction to basic principles of law relating to business and the management of labour in the Mauritian context. It introduces students to the general principles of law relating to contract laws, forms of business and legislations pertaining to commerce, to protect consumers and employees. Content: Contract laws, Quasi Contracts, Sale of Goods, Negotiable instruments, Forms of Business, Company Law, Copyright laws, Anti-corruption Laws, Labour Laws, Health and Safety laws, relevant laws as they evolve.

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YEAR 2, SEMESTER 1 MBA 1815 Entrepreneurial Theory and Skills (10 credits) This module will be fully assessed through course work and a project whereby students will be required to consider creating their own organization and defend their proposal in front of a panel. The objective being to counsel them in creating their own companies and the difficulties in preparing a business plan to market to other stakeholders with the objective of getting support. Contents: Difference between managers and entrepreneurs, study of what successful entrepreneurs do/not do, Product/Service Concepts, Augmented product concept, industry analysis, identification of niche, innovation and bases of competition, managing innovation, formulating strategy and business plan, designing marketing mix, Negotiation, E-Business principles. MBA 1412 Strategic Management (10 credits) The aim of this unit is to develop students familiarity with the principal concepts, frameworks and techniques of business policy and strategy. This will involve and evaluation of the impact of the external operating environment and the need to adopt organizational strategies to ensure effective business performance. Content: The strategic management process, Flexible system view of strategic management, Strategic situations analysis, PEST analysis of competitive environment, Competitive advantage profile, Industry foresight, strategic-capability analysis-resource audit, value chain analysis, Comparative analysis, SWOT analysis, Core competencies, Culture and stakeholder expectations. MBA 1411 Project Management (10 credits) This unit will take students through the problem identification phase to scoping, planning, implementation and evaluation of projects. Content: Problem identification techniques, Definition of project, Dimensions of project, Stages of a project life cycle, Project scoping: SWOT, Force-Field, Resource Analysis, Stakeholder analysis, Feasibility Studies; Project Planning (Tools and Techniques and Soft Issues; Project Implementation, Monitoring progress and managing change; Project Evaluation and Learning for future projects

NO CODE Research Methods & Techniques (Non-examinable) Students will have to cover five lectures (i.e. 15 hours) on research methods & techniques in Semester 3. Note that attendance is compulsory. The aim of this unit is to introduce students to the practical aspects of management research. It shall expose students to different analytical techniques and covers aspects such as: foundations of research, sampling, data collection, data analysis and presentation of main findings. Upon completion, students will be able to design and formulate individual project proposals that will be assessed for the approval of the Applied Project.

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YEAR 2, SEMESTER 2 DISS CODE Applied Project (30 credits) The applied project is a major piece of work required for the fulfilment of an MBA award. Students are expected to demonstrate rigorous research skills and appropriate methodologies acquired during the course. The project must involve problem solving research and more details on the structure of the project will be made available through an MBA Project Guidelines (MPG). Student is expected to submit a thesis on the key findings at the end of semester 4. Student MAY BE CALLED UPON TO defend himself/herself through a presentation and viva voce and will be evaluated on the work done by him/her during the industrial training. The credit assigned to the project work is equivalent to that of 3 modules. Students are expected to maintain individual contact with their dissertation supervisor. Workshops/Seminars Different workshops/seminars will be conducted in close collaboration with Ministries, Private Sector, NGOs and other stakeholders with a view to increase awareness on Corporate Social Responsibility. Upon completion of this unit attendees will be awarded a certificate of attendance. Seminars will be held on the following topics:

Corporate Governance

Health & Safety

Sustainable Development

Ethics and Social Responsibilities

** Seminar topics may change to reflect emerging issues.

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