NUS Business School

1
WELCOME NUS Business School MBA Orientation 2007
Profess Nitin Pangarkar Academic Director, MBA
2
My Job

• As the Academic Director, I oversee all academic
  aspects of the MBA program
• For all academic matters, you can consult me
• I work closely with Yue Wen, Celia the MBA
  Office

3
Agenda

1. Calendar
2. Curriculum
3. Academic performance requirements
4. Specializations
5. Ground rulesin class behavior and academic
   integrity/ honesty
6. Exchange programs
7. Questions??

4
Calendar

• The calendar consists of two regular semesters
  and two special terms
• Special terms are half the duration of normal, so
  the classes are twice as frequent (2 classes per
  week)
• Schedule for 2007-2008
• Semester 113th August to 8th December, 2007
• Semester 2 14th Jan-11th May 2, 2008
• Special term I12th May- 21st June, 2008
• Special term II23rd June-2nd August, 2008
• Every semester or term has its own
  add/drop/withdrawal dates (refer to the student
  handbook)

5
Curriculum (1)

• You need to complete the equivalent of 17 full
  modules (total of 68 Modular Credits (MCs)) to
  complete the degree
• Most modules are either 2 MCs or 4 MCs each
• To provide you great flexibility, the curriculum
  consists of 32 MCs of core modules and 36 MCs
  worth of electives
• You can determine your own pace at which you
  advance through the program
• 12 months, 16 months or longer
• Maximum period of candidature4 years (FT) and 6
  years (PT)

6
Curriculum (2)Full Time only

• You will complete 24 MCs of core modules by the
  end of semester 1
• 4 MCs worth before the semester begins
  (intensive)
• Leadership and Management and Organization
• 20 MCs worth of modules during Semester 1
• Financial Accounting (BMA 5003), Operations
  Management (BMA 5010A), Statistics (BMA 5002A),
  Financial management (BMA 5008), Marketing
  Management (BMA 5009) and Managerial Economics
  (BMA 5001)
• Remaining 8 MCs of core modules can be taken
  anytime later
• Corporate Strategy (BMA 5013), Asia Pacific
  Business (BMA 5112)
• The cohort design (3 groups of about 45 students
  each) means that you will be a fixed group of
  peers in the first semester
• Stronger bonds/ friendships
• Better class dynamics based on understanding

7
Curriculum (3)Part Time

• Program requirements are identical
• You can determine your pace of study
• Minimum of 2 MCs per semester
• Special terms are optional
• You may enroll in day classes if work permits
• All resources and options in the program are
  availabel to you, including Career Services,
  exchange program, overseas visits, etc.

8
16 month schedule Full Time only
Exchange?
Internship
9
12 months schedule Full Time only
10
Academic performance

• Throughout the program, you must maintain minimum
  academic performance
• Cumulative Average Point (CAP) of 2.5 or higher
  for two consecutive semesters
• CAP of 3.0 or higher for three consecutive
  semesters
• A CAP of less than 3.0 in any semester will
  result in a warning
• To graduate, you must have a CAP of 3.0
• Students cannot receive a F grade in modules
  worth more than 8MCs (two full modules)

11
Specializations

• You can pursue any one of the following
  specializations
• Finance
• Marketing
• Strategy and Organization
• Specializations will not be recorded on the
  degree scroll but will be recorded on the
  transcript
• Specialisations are optional
• To complete a specialization, you need to
  complete 24 MCs in the subject area (including
  core modules) with a minimum GPA of 3.5 in those
  modules
• Failure to attain the CAP? no specialization
  recorded

12
Cross faculty modules

• You may choose graduate electives offered by
  other faculties/Schools in NUS
• Actual enrolment will depend on the spaces
  available satisfaction of pre-requisites
• Maximum outside BIZ is 8 MCs
• Provided that these electives are relevant, you
  will receive credit towards your degree
  requirements

13
Class etiquette

• NUS MBA admits only mature students with a
  clear thinking that this maturity will be
  reflected in the learning environment
• Remember, you are managers
• In terms of classroom behavior
• Be punctual
• Turn off your handphones
• Dont bring any food drinks are ok
• Dont surf the web/ chat on the web while
  discussions are going on
• Behave professionally as a guide, as you would
  in your job
• But do focus on your learning

14
Exams

• We are very serious about tests and examinations
• In the recent past, there have been some
  instances of cheating? strengthened our resolve
  to avoid these instances in the future
• Make sure that you observe all the rules
  specified by the invigilator (examination
  administrator) in terms of materials that can be
  brought in, usage of communication equipment
  (handphones/ PDAs) and cross-talk
• Details are in the Student Handbook.
• Report any behavior that breaches rulespeer
  policing is one of the best means to ensure that
  the rules are followed
• The minimum punishment for cheating is a 0 grade
  in the particular assessment the maximum is
  expulsion from the program

15
Academic honesty

• Academic integrity is becoming a key concern with
  the emergence of internet
• Lots of information available on the web?
  temptations
• Note the stiff penalties at NUS for
  plagiarismclaiming somebody elses work as your
  own (aka cut and paste)
• All students must complete an online module that
  clearly defines the rules about Academic
  Integrity
• www.emodule.nus.edu.sg/ac/
• Please treat the honor code you will sign with
  the utmost seriousness

16
Exchange programs

• We have a large portfolio of exchange partners
  around the world
• Going on exchange is one of the most enriching
  experience in the program
• There is a competitive process for awarding
  exchange places
• You should plan on an exchange in the next
  semester
• It is possible to have exchanges in Semester 1 of
  your second year, but this may hinder placements
• Look out for summer exchanges, during Special
  terms
• While on exchange, you are ambassadors of the NUS
  Business School? onus on you to enhance the
  reputation (academically as well as otherwise)

17
Other Options

• An MBA is more than classes, so explore all
  options on campus
• Within the school, overseas visits, local and
  overseas case competitions, industry visits and
  talks, and seminars are among many options
• Many opportunities to meet and work with alumni
  industry leaders. Note the Management practicum.
  (More details later)
• Take on a leadership role in the MBA Club
• Many options in Singapore (beyond clubbing!)

18
Other Issues

• There will be many adjustments to the MBA
  program, NUS and Singapore.
• Our rules are designed to ensure fairness equal
  opportunity to all students, on a merit basis.
  This may constrain us from responding to all
  individual circumstances
• Understand the environment institutions in
  Singapore
• We will try to help, but please work with us
• As a first guide, refer to the Student Handbook,
  and to mba.nus.edu

19
Questions?
20
Marketing specialization courses
Marketing
Four MC modules Two MC modules
BMA5501 Competitive Marketing Strategy BMA5514 Selected Topics in Marketing
BMA5502 Consumer Behavior
BMA5503 Promotional Management
BMA5505 Services Marketing
BMA5506 Product and Brand Management
BMA5515 Marketing Research
BMA5523 Customer Relationship Management
BMA5511 Channels and Pricing Strategies
BMA550 Database Marketing and Consumer Analytics
BMA5526 Seminars in Marketing
21
Finance specialization courses
Four MC modules Two MC modules
BMA5301 International Financial Management BMA5307 Options and Futures
BMA5302 Investment Analysis and Management BMA5310 Corporate Governance
BMA5303 Financial Statement Analysis BMA5313 Private Equity
BMA5308 Fixed Income Securities BMA5313A Bank Risk Management
BMA5309 Fund Management BMA5314 Selected Topics in Finance
BMA5312 Advanced Corporate Finance
BMA5317 Managerial Accounting
BMA5315 Seminars in Finance
22
Strategy and organizations specialization courses
Offered by Business Policy Department Offered by Business Policy Department
BMA5102 Legal Issues in Business BMA5011 Macro International Economics
BMA5104 Global Strategic Management BMA5118 Selected Topics in Business Policy
BMA5108 Technopreneurship
BMA5251 Management of Technological Innovation
Seminars in Business Policy
Offered by Management Organizations Department Offered by Management Organizations Department
BMA5405 Managing Change BMA5406 Negotiations
BMA5407 Managing Human Capital in Organizations BMA5015 Managerial Communications
BMA5409 Seminars in Management Organization BMA5410 Selected Topics in Management Organization
23
Grades and corresponding average points
Grade Points earned
A/A 5.0
A- 4.5
B 4.0
B 3.5
B- 3.0
C 2.5
C 2.0
D 1.5
D 1
F 0