Electronic Forum: M-Track Feedback on Current Core Curriculum

MBAS

Strengths: Corporate strategy and ability to waive and test out. Area for Improvement: The commitment of faculty to teach and not assume that students know something coming in (i.e. Finance).

Joy Wilverson, MBA1

I believe we have some very strong professors teaching the core. Unfortunately, the criticisms of not-so-strong profs often ring much louder than praise of those who deserve it. I'd like to see us recognize outstanding teaching in the core more regularly and more visibly.

I also believe one strength is the willingness of professors to receive feedback from students. Two of our core profs in particular transformed their courses dramatically from the first term to the second and won tremendous praise for their efforts.

Geetika Lizardi, MBA1

Core courses are connected quite well. I didn't expect to find such awareness of interdepartmental issues. Attention to soft issues is also good. I like the option to work in groups or alone, and that option is usually offered in the core (that is, groups are not usually required, but are allowed).

The core has big weaknesses in quantitative areas. One professor had to explain that y=mx+b is the equation of a line. We should have plenty of mathematical ability here, since we all had to pass calculus before coming to MBS, but I sometimes wonder if that requirement is a firm one. At any rate, the very low level of quantitative ability that is required in the core should be addressed. Not at the expense of the softer issues, but in addition to the excellent coverage of soft issues that we have now.

John Pilch, MBA1

The best classes and the ones I felt were most worthwhile were -- Econ, Corp. Strat, Accounting, Cost Accounting, and OB.

I would definitely include more opportunity for electives.

Bert Du Mars, MBA1

Communications should replace the second corporate strategy class. It's a growing need for future business leaders, both oral & written. In fact, senior executives say that communications is of greatest help and significance in their work.

In fact, I'm semi-working with communications regarding this need. Some top ten schools have already incorporated this as a core class.

Teyra Hurtt, MBA2

Strengths: There was a good amount of overlap in course concepts. This helped us apply concepts to other functions (e.g. stats) and breakdown the functional barriers between departments. In addition, professors collaborated well to avoid overlapping deadlines for major projects.

Weaknesses: Since concepts were taught at an overview level, the coursework was not very mentally challenging. Finance was not taught early enough for students to realize they might like an internship in finance. Stats should have been two terms because it applies to both marketing and finance in great detail. CIS, IB, and OM were almost worthless classes. I'm not sure if it was because of the professors or the curriculum.

Sarah Kneisel, MBA2

Strengths of current core: Not a bad overview of many different subjects. Some integration and some good teaching.

What to improve: Chop one financial accounting class (masochists can

always get their fix through electives). More fully integrated, different core classes. Offer various levels of each course (similar to last term's CIS core) and allow students to pick the appropriately challenging section. There is a place for bad teachers, but it certainly shouldn't be the core. And finally, if the administration is serious about students really learning, drop the present grading system. A forced curve is often a joke and employers shouldn't be able to ask grades.

Toby Janson-Smith, MBA1

One of the strengths that I noticed at first was that some of the professors tried to relate issues in one class to those simultaneously being taught in others. This worked well. Also, the wide range of functional areas is a good approach, especially for non-business undergrad students. It seems like it would be more beneficial to have the finance class in one semester, not split up. Also, I think that a communications class (oral or written) should be required.

Brad Frink, MBA2

Strengths: Sections -- it's nice to learn the core stuff with a group of people that you are familiar with. It is also good to apply everything in the MAP experience. Even if it's frustrating and hard for some, it's real stuff. I have worked on teams since leaving college. They are not always easy. MAP is a major plus.

Weaknesses: Make the computer class a series of seminars. It is not worth the

credit points. I would, in retrospect rather have had financial accounting pounded further into my skull.

Suggestion: People learn in different ways -- some learn via systems thinking and

some learn by memorizing. Some of the core curriculum -- finance and financial accounting -- might be better taught to each group in a different way. The sections could be coordinated to separate the incoming students into sections that will be taught in a way more tailored to their learning styles.

David Thorpe, MBA2

Strengths -- Very well-rounded approach to management issues (full breadth of core classes. Good emphasis on specific issues we will be dealing with in the real world in some classes without really making us do the full nitty-gritty work (ie, accounting, OM, and finance). Forces students to take classes they would not otherwise take because it would not fit with their area of concentration

Weaknesses -- CIS and OB were too detailed. These should either be taught in other classes in a few cases, or become an elective instead. The school should STRESS incoming students to WAIVE as many core classes as possible. The material is so general for the subjects that they have already taken that the courses would be a WASTE of money.

Carlos Ribas, MBA1

We should use cases as Wharton does: Use a case to illustrate each and

every area in management. Take one case from class to class and learn all aspects of it.

Frank Goldsmith, MBA2

It seems to me that BBA core classes are either hit or miss. Some are very organized, with excellent professors, meaningful readings, and a balance between theory and cases. Other classes, however, have lacked focus and are viewed by most students as a waste or "busy work."

The way to improve BBA classes is to reward professors who earn high evaluations from students. As customers of the school, our voices should be the driving force for change. This does not seem to be the current policy. It amazes me that professors like Scott Moore (CIS Dept.) who are committed to teaching are fired, while dead-weight professors and administrators stick around year after year.

BBAS

Michael Blank, BBA2

The marketing department needs some fixing. The 300 course had problems getting speakers they scheduled to show up, and of the ones who did, some of them stunk. The marketing game needs to be made more of a learning experience and worth less of the grade.

David Koch, BBA1

The best class I've had so far is Finance 314, with Professor Foster. This program illustrates that there is something going right in the BBA program, contrary to my other beliefs. This course makes you work hard, but you truly learn a style of thinking necessary to critically analyze financial situations -- a tough item to find.

What's not right in the BBA program? Clearly not enough analytical work. We learn how to read Systat output, not how to develop statistics. The BBA program, while full of work, is not filled with rigorous or challenging projects. Example -- Finance 300. The curriculum is simplistic, and hardly introduces you to finance. Few people in there know HOW TO SOLVE a cash flow problem without an equation or an HP calculator.

Second, Michigan Business School focuses on the soft sciences (OB, Marketing), doesn't allow set curriculums or majors, and requires too many courses to be taken the first year. While I believe these changes can be beneficial, they must also be balanced with traditional education.

Finally (I've said a lot), MBS should promote its BBA program to attract MBAs. Everyone knows the MBA program, as rated by the current business press, is second rate. The BBA program, in the few ratings I've seen, remains in the top two. Sounds like a good marketing ploy to leap from.

Rob Lowe, BBA1

Those classes would be a lot better if they didn't give out homework... and they should put pop in the water fountains too ...

Steve Zvonek, BBA2