ECTS 2011-12

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Master's Programme in Business Administration (5-years)

300 ECTS credits - 5 years - Kristiansand

MASTØKAD5

MASTØKAD5

300

Higher Education Entrance Qualification with specific requirements in mathematics (R1 or S1 + S2).

A thorough knowledge of English is recommended, as several of the courses are taught in English.

The 5-year Master´s programme in Business Administration aims at educating students to reach a high level of theoretical competence. Students graduating from this programme are attractive to a wide range of positions within private businesses, organisations and public sector. The programme also provides the foundation for further studies at PhD. - level, at the University of Agder as well as for other institutions in Norway and abroad.

The 5-year programme is an integrated program consisting of a three-year Bachelor´s degree and a two-year Master´s degree. The program builds on Higher Education Entrance Qualification and specific requirements in mathematics. The first part of the programme consists of compulsory courses within four subject areas; methodological subjects such as mathematics and statistics, economics, accounting and business administration, marketing and organisational theory. In the fourth semester the students may choose their electives, and in the third year a minor subject. A possible minor subject is for example Business Administration, which is the most theoretical option and also the most suitable for further Master´s studies. Other options are Estate Development and Management, Accounting and Auditing. In addition other minor subjects are offered, like various one-year programmes. It is also possible to take the third year abroad as an exchange student. All fourth semester electives and third year minor subjects are presented below.

Before starting the last two years of the Master´s programme the students choose one of three alternative specialisations. These are: Financial Economics, Performance Analysis and Project Management, and International Management and Strategy. Within each of these specialisations the first and second semester consists of compulsory courses, whereas in the third semester the students choose their electives. In the last semester the students write their Master´s Thesis (30 ECTS credits). The three specialisations are further presented below.

During the five years of study the student may choose to take a semester abroad at one of our many cooperating institutions, usually in the third semester. Studying abroad makes it possible to study themes and courses beyond what is offered at UiA. An additional benefit of studying abroad is meeting languages and cultures in an educational context, an experience highly valued by many employers. International students also come to UiA to take parts of their degree in Business Administration. In addition, degree students are admitted to the specialisation International Management and Strategy. This contributes to an international studying environment where most of the students during their studies will meet foreign students and so have the opportunity to practice their English skills.

Arrangements for the recognition of prior learning are described in the information on the institution under "General arrangements for the recognition of prior learning (formal, informal and non-formal)".

For a description of the examination regulations, see the Examination Regulations of the University of Agder.

For information about the Norwegian grading system, see ECTS credits and grades. Specific information on grading for each course is found in the individual course descriptions.

The Examination Regulations of the University of Agder regulate the graduation requirements for each programme of study.

Studieplanramme

Remarks to the course structure diagram

ORG205 Business Strategy is a compulsory course for all the students. Students choosing minor subject like Business Administration, Estate Development and Management, Accounting, and Auditing will have this course in the sixth semester. Students taking other minor subjects will have to take ORG205 Business Strategy in the fourth semester.

Look up the programme description for the two-year Master´s Programme in Business Administration for further information on the fourth and fifth year of study.

Information regarding the first, second and third year of study

The bachelor´s programme (the first three years of the five-year programme) consists of compulsory courses (95 ECTS credits), electives (25 ECTS credits) and a minor subject in the third year of study (60 ECTS credits).

The students planning to take the Master´s programme are advised to choose Business Administration as their minor subject. This gives an introduction to economic theories while also offering the possibility to take courses based on individual preference based on interests and/or academic plans.

Students admitted to the 5-year master programme in Business Administration can also choose other minor subjects. For further presentation of the options, see the description of the bachelor´s programme in Business Administration, and the bachelor´s programme in Auditing.

In the fourth semester the students choose their own electives which makes this semester particularly suitable for exchange. Exchange is both encouraged and facilitated during this semester.

Electives

Please note that scheduling conflicts may occur with regard to timetables as well as dates of examination. Moreover, the courses on offer may be subject to modification as they rely on sufficient student enrolment and available resources.

Fourth semester electives (spring 2012):

BE-202 Intermediate Accounting, 5 ECTS credits
BE-203 Accounting Organisation and Systems, 5 ECTS credits
JU-202 Law 2, 5 ECTS credits
JU-203 Tax Law 1, 15 ECTS credits
EN-123 Business English, 10 ECTS credits*
IS-208 Dynamic Web Page Development, 10 ECTS credits*
MF-200 Industrial Buying Behaviour, 10 ECTS credits*
SE-207 Maritime Economics, 10 ECTS credits*
SE-210 The Political Economy of Corruption, 10 ECTS credits*
ORG105 Basic Entrepreneur Course in Business Establishment, 10 ECTS credits
MA-131 Algebra 1, 10 ECTS credits
MF-201 Tourism and Consumer Behaviour, 10 ECTS credits

* Courses taught in English

Alternative fourth semester electives

It is also possible to take a series of political science courses: ST-101 Political Theory, 10 ECTS credits, ST-102 International Politics, 10 ECTS credits and ST-103 Comparative Politics, 10 ECTS credits. For further information contact the Student Adviser at the Department of Economics and Business Administration.

Fifth and sixth semester electives (autumn 2011 - spring 2012)

Students having chosen Business Administration as their minor subjects are offered elective courses in both the fifth and sixth semesters. This makes it possible for them to take courses lasting two semesters (autumn-spring).

Fifth semester electives (autumn 2011)

BE-311 International Financial Management, 10 ECTS credits*
IS-106 Hands-on E-business for Entrepreneurs, 10 ECTS credits*
ORG105 Basic Entrepreneur Course in Business Establishment, 10 ECTS credits*
SE-304 International Economic History, 10 ECTS credits*
UT-204 The Global Challenge: Natural Resources and Climate Change, 10 ECTS credits*
JU-101 Introduction to Intellectual Property Law, 10 ECTS credits
JU-300 Labour Legislation and Work Environment, 10 ECTS credits
MA-213 Linear Algebra, 10 ECTS credits
PS-101 Psychology, 10 ECTS credits

Sixth semester electives (spring 2012)

MA-210 Modelling and Differential Equations 1, 10 ECTS credits
SV-207 The Experience Economy - Commercialization of Experiences, 10 ECTS credits
SE-201 Budgeting and Public Management Accounting, 10 ECTS credits

It is also possible to take fourth semester electives.

* Courses taught in English

Information regarding the fourth and fifth year of study

The fourth and fifth year of study consist of twelve 7, 5 ECTS credit courses and a 30 ECTS credit Master´s Thesis. The students choose one of three alternative specialisations: Financial Economics, Performance Analysis and Project Management, or International Management and Strategy. In the ninth semester the students may take four electives or go on exchange abroad.

Financial Economics
Students choosing to specialise in Financial Economics will be offered an exciting selection of courses covering the use and workings of modern financial markets. The selection of courses offered covers the use of financial markets for speculation, risk- and investment management (financial investments), how the market functions in relation to business financing and ownership (corporate finance), and the relationship between financial markets, the market economy and the governments use of markets in the practise of economic policy (macro economy). This wide disciplinary approach is an obvious consequence of the comprehensive changes in national and international finance markets, and the behaviour of investors, businesses and governments. Well-known characteristics are deregulation and international integration of financial markets, increased financial savings, privatization of businesses and weighing of finance and ownership through the market, and an increased use of financial markets as source of information and as a tool in the economic policy.

Performance Analysis and Project Management
This specialisation will give students knowledge of how best to measure, analyse and control value creation, both in enterprises and projects. Analysis constitutes the grounds on which decisions can be made, whether in regard to major investments, product- and customer portfolios, prize level, production management or logistics. The financial account is the main tool of communication towards external partners, like investors and lenders. The courses offered belong to four subject areas: profitability analysis, project management, Supply Chain Management and reporting, and analysis of financial information.

International Management and Strategy
Students taking the specialisation in International Management will acquire analytical and practical skills that are essential in an increasingly global labour market. The main focus is on how multinational companies operate. However, importance is also attached to how small and medium-sized enterprises meet the challenges of entering the global arena. The International Management concentration provides insight into what kind of strategic and operational challenges enterprises are faced with, and how they handle these challenges. Emphasis is on analysis of external and internal relations, framework conditions, and strategic choices in connection with for example forming alliances and establishing strategy for internationalisation and international marketing. This specialisation is also offered to International students as it is in its entirety taught in English.

Electives

Electives offered autumn 2011:
BE-408 International Finance*
BE-409 The Economics of Real Estate
JU-402 Real Estate Development
JU-405 Contract Law
MF-400 Strategic Marketing Management*
ORG412 Conflict Resolution and Negotiation Theory**
ORG419 Judgement and Decision Making*
ORG433 Project Organisation and Administration
ORG444 International Laboratory*
SE-405 History of Economic Crisis
SE-406 History of Economic Thought and Ethics*
SE-502 Personnel Economics*
SE-503 Shipping Economics*
SE-506 Advanced Econometrics for Finance*

Additional electives (NOT TAUGHT IN THE AUTUMN OF 2011):
BE-505 Portfolio Management (requires BE-415 and SE-409)*
ORG414 Corporate Governance*
SE-407 International Economics in the 20th Century in a Maritime Perspective
SE-500 European Economic Integration*

Compulsory courses from the other two specialisations may also be taken as electives.

In addition, students may apply to have the European Integration Summer School (30 ECTS credits) approved as electives. Please note that you have to contact the Student Adviser in advance, and that you have to apply for admission to the summer school by 15. April.

European Integration Summer School courses:
ST-401 History, Institutions and Policies of European Integration (15 ECTS credits)*
ST-402 Current Issues in the European Union (15 ECTS credits)*

Students may also apply to have courses from other Master´s programmes approved. Contact the Student Adviser for further information.

*Courses taught in English

** Limited admission

Important information concerning electives

Please note that scheduling conflicts may occur with regard to timetables as well as dates of examination. Moreover, the courses on offer may be subject to modification as they rely on sufficient student enrolment and available teaching resources.

Upon successful completion of this programme the graduate should be able to demonstrate:

  • a thorough knowledge of business and management subjects and the capability of evaluating financial and strategic opportunities and limitations in various situations
  • a high level of basic competency within business finance, public finance, marketing strategy and method
  • experience in scientific work and acquire an understanding for various scientific research methods and ethical dilemmas through the completion of a Master´s thesis
  • the ability to analyse problems and actively enter into projects requiring general administration, budget and financial tasks, revision and control
  • skills in English, as well as international experience based on the study programme´s international student environment, instruction in English and (in certain cases) participation in student exchange programmes abroad

The Master's Programme in Business Administration is a full-time programme. There will be a variation of ordinary lectures, group work and written assignments. ICT and library databases will be used in several courses. See each course description for more details. All compulsory courses in the spesialisation International Management are taught in English, and also some electives. The remaining courses are taught in Norwegian

Several of the courses require the students to submit written assignments (individually or in groups) in order to take the final examination. Some courses might also include oral presentations. See each course description for details. Most courses have individual written examinations with graded marks.

The Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences has established student exchange agreements with several universities in Europe, USA, Australia and Asia. Students may go on exchange during the spring semester of the programme's second year or during the third year of the programme. It will be possible to spend the ninth semester at a foreign educational institution. Contact the International Office or the Student Adviser at the institute of Economics and Bussiness Administration for further details.

The student should normally have completed the Bachelor's Degree Programme in Business Administration (180 credits) before continuing to the Master's programme.

The programme provides solid knowledge in Business Administration, an so a solid foundation for executive level positions in both private and public sector. Successful completion of the programme also qualifies the graduate for admission to doctoral programmes both in Norway and abroad.

Successful completion of the programme awards the degree Master of Business Administration - "Siviløkonom"

Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences

ECTS Course Catalogue University of Agder 2011-12