BSc Financial Management

This is an introductory course designed to cover both a practical and theoretical understanding of the principles and concepts involved in the preparation of financial statements. You are exposed to a conceptual analytical approach, with the aim of improving your critical thinking and communication skills, especially in the area of accounting.

In this course, students are sensitized to an understanding of current cost and management accounting theory and practice. Emphasis is placed on the concepts and procedures of product costing, the tools of managerial accounting such as C-V-P analysis and budgeting, as well as, strategies that help the manager to perform the functions of planning, controlling and decision making. This prerequisite knowledge provides the foundation for the levels II & III Management Accounting courses. The course makes use of some simple mathematical concepts including the basic mathematical operations, solving simple linear equations and graphing linear functions.

This course introduces students to the basic tools and concepts of economics. Students will be exposed to the core principles of economics: the role of incentives; the idea of scarcity; how to measure the cost of a choice; what is a market; and the purpose of prices. Students will be introduced to the toolkit of methods used by economists. At the end of this course students should be able to engage the core principles of the methodology of economics in everyday use.

This Course is designed to build on students’ understanding of elementary mathematics and to expose them to some of the mathematical concepts that will be used in the study of various models in economics and management sciences. It begins with the topic of functions and moves seamlessly into equations and inequalities. These draw on the student’s prior experience in areas of algebra and coordinate geometry. It then moves the equally interesting area of sequences. This is followed by some matrix algebra then into the topic of limits and continuity, it ends with differentiation with some applications to the social sciences. Emphasis will be placed on the understanding and application of mathematical concepts rather than on computational skills, the use of algorithms and the manipulation of a formula.

Recommended that you first attempt in Semester 1

Assessment: 40% Coursework, 60% Final exam
 

This course introduces students to the art and science of statistics. Topics covered are: the collection and compilation of data, descriptive statistics, probability distributions, estimation, hypothesis testing and simple regression and correlation. Teaching is accompanied by computer applications using MINITAB software.

This is a cross-disciplinary course. It is designed to provide a firm base for Communication courses and for courses in English for Special Purposes linked with specific disciplines. It helps students to achieve the level of competence in written language that is required of the university student in undergraduate programmes. Course content includes Language in the Caribbean, Summarizing, the Formal Essay and Methods of Organising Information.

This course is designed to develop an awareness of the main process of cultural development in Caribbean societies, highlighting the factors, the problematic and the creative output that have fed the emergence of Caribbean identities. It also develops a perception of the Caribbean as wider than island nations or linguistic blocs and stimulates students’ interest in, and commitment to Caribbean civilization and to further their self-determination.

This course deals with the basics, major concepts and principles of computers and computing. Topics covered will include: evolution and classification of computers, computer hardware, software and data communications; computer data processing; and microcomputers in business.

The course is designed to introduce learners to the major aspects of management principles. It will expose them to the corpus of knowledge required to assist an organisation to achieve its objectives. It provides important information intended to expose learners to the intricacies of managing enterprises - be these private or public, corporate or small business enterprises, and government or nongovernmental organisations.

This course covers the elements of investments, the construction of optimal investment portfolio using common stocks, bonds, etc. that suit the objectives of different types of investors. Methods of measuring portfolio performance, the risk of return trade off and the efficient diversification of risk are also examined. The course also highlights the issues surrounding investment of large pools of institutional funds such as pension funds, mutual funds, endowments, and capital holdings of insurance companies.

The objective of this course is to provide students with a thorough understanding of the major risks confronting financial institutions, and the techniques used to manage these risks. Specific topics to be covered include: types of risk; basic concepts and models of operational risks; credit risk analysis and valuation for financial institutions; loan portfolio management; and compliance programs and internal audits to reduce risks and exposure.

This course is about the study of Operations Research (OR) and Management Science (MS) approaches in organisations. Students will gain an understanding of modelling and rational approaches to decision-making and their contribution to organisational effectiveness. Analysis and communication are emphasized using real world applications and cases. Topics include linear programming, network (project management) problems, decision analysis applied to tactical and strategic business decisions in functional areas and interfaces among these areas. Implementation will involve using existing software packages of decision models to solve various managerial problems.

The course MGMT 2021 focuses primarily on contract law since contract law is the basis of commercial law. However, in order to situate commercial law in its broader context, this course also exposes students to elements of criminal law which deals with public wrongs as well as fundamental aspects of tort law that encompasses civil wrongs. The overarching framework however begins with an in-depth exploration of our legal system which lays the foundations for understanding the origin and sources of law, as well as the functioning of the legal infrastructure such as the court system. Finally, students are exposed to consumer law and aspects on Internet law, as these are becoming increasingly important in understanding commercial relationships in the digital age.

In Production & Operations Management, students will examine the resources that are required in the production of goods and services; illustrate the method of their acquisition, utilisation and upkeep functions (i.e. replenishment, maintenance, etc.), as well as their relationship with one another in the smooth and efficient operating of the enterprise by the optimisation of productivity.

Thiscourse introducesstudentstophilosophical perspectives,principles,and processes for designing qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research. It aims to particularly expose students to the use of theory in research designs, knowledge of the main components of a research framework - problem definition, research design, data collection & analysis, and ethical considerations in conducting research. The course highlights the importance of the key role that research plays in decision-making process of businesses.

This course seeks to introduce students to the fundamentals of organisational behaviour and human resource management. The course introduces the students to some of the factors that shape behaviour in organisations, the types of options and strategies managers use to shape behaviour, and the responses of individuals and groups to these strategies. This course also examines the role of the HR professional. Students will learn about the evolution of human resource management with emphasis on the importance of HRM in today’s world.

This course is intended to provide students with a conceptual framework and analytical skills necessary for the analysis of markets and marketing activities of firms in a dynamic environment. It will introduce students to some of the basic concepts and principles of marketing and to some real-world marketing situations. It also takes into consideration the unique business culture of the Caribbean.

This course is designed to give you an understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects relating to how organizations in the public and private sectors operate in an environment where it is critical to develop and implement strategies in order to gain and or maintain competitive advantage. The course requires also that you reflect on the knowledge gained from previous courses. Some of the major concepts that will be covered include, SWOT analysis, vision and mission, competitive analysis, corporate, competitive and global strategies, value chain analysis, competitive advantage and successful strategy execution, among others.

Credits: 3

This course is designed to develop the main skills needed by a senior financial officer with respect to short term financial operations (capital structure, financing options) and introduces some international finance issues and their effect on management decisions, which are applicable internationally. Learners will apply their learning through the use of real world examples aligned with the current trends and issues in the field of finance. The learner is expected to develop and apply skills in financial management with both expertise and diligence.

Credits: 3

Assessment: 40% coursework and 60% Exam (face-to-face)

Assessment: 40% coursework and 60% Exam (face-to-face)