2008-2009 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2008-2009 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived]

Analytical


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Chairperson: Dr. Steven W. Lamb
Department Office: College of Business, room 621

ISU’s Analytical Department oversees the administration of four business programs: accounting, finance, insurance and risk management, and operations management and analysis.


ACCOUNTING PROGRAM

Program Coordinator: Dr. Joseph Sanders

The practice of accounting is of growing importance in the creation and use of information for planning, controlling, and evaluating the activities of all businesses and organizations. ISU’s Accounting Program offers students preparation for these growing careers through a foundation of study in general knowledge, business, and accounting principles. Completion of the 124 semester hour accounting major at ISU prepares students for positions in business, industry, government, or the not-for-profit sector as accountants, auditors, tax specialists, or management accountants. In Indiana, however, anyone wanting to become a certified public accountant must have completed 150 semester hours of college credit and passed the CPA Examination. Indiana State University offers the following options to meet this additional credit hour requirement:

  1. Completion of a dual major in an area that complements the accounting major such as management information systems, finance, or insurance and risk management; completion of two minors from these complementary areas; or completion of additional courses to meet the total 150 hours in courses that meet the student’s interests.
  2. Completion of the master of business administration degree.

    All accounting majors must meet the following requirements for graduation:

    1. Earn a “C” or better grade in all accounting courses.
    2. Earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.4 or higher in all required accounting courses including Business 201 and 202.


ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Degrees Offered

Both a major and minor are offered in accounting.


Program Opportunities

Accounting students at ISU may be invited to become members of the accounting honorary, Beta Alpha Psi, by meeting specified criteria including high academic achievement in their accounting courses. As students in the College of Business, accounting majors also may be invited to join the business honorary Beta Gamma Sigma, or the professional business fraternities Delta Sigma Pi and Alpha Kappa Psi. These organizations provide both professional learning and networking opportunities, as well as social opportunities to meet other accounting and business students and faculty.

Students in ISU’s business programs have numerous opportunities to gain practical experience in their fields through internships and cooperative work experiences. Accounting students have recently completed internships with a variety of public accounting firms, in private industry, in not-for-profit firms, and with governmental agencies.


FINANCE PROGRAM

Program Coordinator: Dr. Tarek Zaher

The understanding and management of the financial interests of businesses, non-profit organizations, and individual investments is fundamental to the growth and success of the world’s economy. Students interested in financial careers receive an excellent professional financial education through the College of Business’ Finance Program. Study in the finance program provides the knowledge and training financial experts need to make and implement decisions regarding managing, investing, and distributing financial resources within businesses and on individual levels. Students in the Finance Program study the financial principles, theories, and practices of corporations, financial institutions, and international businesses. Graduates are qualified for entry-level positions in business leading to advanced positions such as financial officers, bankers, financial analysts, and portfolio managers.

By completing a degree in the Financial Services Program, the student builds upon the foundation provided by General Education requirements coupled with the business core and 27 hours of course work defining the financial services major. The major requires all students to complete an overview of financial services with specific course work in the areas of financial institutions (banking), investments, and insurance with a focus on ethical decision making. Sources of return and risk in domestic and international financial markets and institutions are also studied. Students in the major then declare a track in one of the four areas associated with financial services: accounting, financial institutions, investments, or insurance and risk management.


ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Degrees Offered

Students may complete either a major or minor in finance or a major or minor in financial services.


Program Opportunities

The Financial Management Association and Investment Club are open to any student interested in the field of finance. These organizations sponsor professional, academic, and social activities. As students in the College of Business, finance majors also may be invited to join the business honorary Beta Gamma Sigma, or the professional business fraternities Delta Sigma Pi and Alpha Kappa Psi. These organizations provide both professional learning and networking opportunities and social opportunities to meet other finance majors and business students and faculty. Also, students have the opportunity to gain practical field experiences in finance through internships. Among other companies, finance majors recently completed internships with Conseco, Eli Lilly and Company, Northwest Airlines, Crane Naval Base, and Lockheed Martin. Students interested in insurance may be eligible to join Gamma Iota Sigma; likewise, students interested in accounting may be eligible to join Beta Alpha Psi.


INSURANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Program Coordinator: Dr. Mary Ann Boose

Among the most successful businesses of the last century, the fields of insurance and risk management will continue to grow and change to meet the needs of society. A highly recognized program, ISU’s insurance and risk management major provides students with both professional and theoretical knowledge in this fast-growing field. ISU’s program provides students with a broad understanding of the role of companies that bear the risk of insuring both public and private interests. Studies focus on all major aspects of insurance, risk management, and financial planning. ISU’s courses also serve as the foundation for professional designations and licenses. Students who complete the program find careers as risk analysts and managers in large firms, government and regulatory agencies, and in consulting. Other career opportunities include positions as agents, brokers, underwriters, claims adjusters, financial planners, and employee benefits specialists.


ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Degrees Offered

A major and minor are offered in insurance and risk management. Each is also available through a degree completion program via distance learning.


Program Opportunities


Program majors and minors are encouraged to complete internships to gain practical experience. ISU students have completed insurance or risk management internships in a variety of companies including State Farm, Eli Lilly and Company, One America Insurance, Farmers Insurance Group, Farm Bureau, Lockton, and St. Vincent’s Hospital.

The Insurance and Risk Management Program at ISU is privileged to be the site of The Gongaware Center for Insurance Management Development. Funds to establish the center were donated to Indiana State University by retired insurance executive Donald and Patricia Gongaware to encourage leadership development at the University. The center provides scholarships to undergraduate students, brings industry leaders to the University to serve as executives-in-residence, and encourages faculty-led research in critical industry matters.

Insurance and risk management majors and minors may join Gamma Iota Sigma, an organization that promotes professional, academic, and social activities among insurance faculty, professionals, and students. Majors and minors who earn and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.6 are eligible for induction into the Insurance and Risk Management Honors Corps, which recognizes them each semester at a dinner hosted by industry executives. Delta Sigma Pi and Alpha Kappa Psi are school-wide business fraternities that business majors may join after meeting specified requirements. Insurance and risk management majors also may be invited to become members in Beta Gamma Sigma, a national business honorary, when that organization’s academic and achievement standards have been met.


OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS PROGRAM

Program Coordinator: Dr. Constance H. McLaren

All organizations (including both manufacturing and service organizations) have an operations function that finds the most efficient ways to produce a product or to deliver a service. The complexity of the global supply chain demands that businesses deliver better quality products and services—with the best customer service, in the fastest time, and with a high degree of customization. These expectations make the operations function not only important, but critical to an organization’s success. ISU’s Operations Management and Analysis Program prepares professionals who can make a substantial difference in a company’s profitability. Students learn the analytical, problem solving, and behavioral management skills necessary not only to diagnose problems and improve current operating systems, but also to communicate and gather support for the required changes. Operations management and analysis major courses include advanced study in operations management, statistics, decision modeling, computer applications, and supply chain management. Elective choices include forecasting, decision analysis, simulation, quality, an internship, and other related courses. Graduates enter positions such as production planner, supply chain manager, procurement/forecasting manager, project manager, lean coordinator, director of inventory control, retail services manager, distribution center manager, quality manager, and materials manager, just to name a few.


ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Degrees Offered

Students interested in careers in operations management, supply chain management, or the analysis of business processes may choose from either a major or minor in operations management and analysis.


Program Opportunities

Two organizations specifically for students in the field of operations management and analysis are offered to ISU students. Membership in the ISU student chapter of APICS—The Association for Operations Management, sponsored by the Central Indiana professional chapter, allows students to meet other students and interact with professionals in the field. Alpha Iota Delta is the national honorary for students in the decision sciences. Beta Gamma Sigma, open to all business majors, is the premier international business honor society. Students wanting to become members of these two honorary organizations must meet specific standards and be invited to join. Operations management and analysis students may also join the two business fraternities, Delta Sigma Pi and Alpha Kappa Psi, which are open to all business majors. Operations management and analysis students have the opportunity to work with faculty in international professional organizations such as APICS—The Association for Operations Management; ASQ—the American Society for Quality; POMS—the Production and Operations Management Society; and INFORMS—the Institute for Operations Research and Management Science.

Through internship positions, operations management and analysis students receive opportunities to put into practice the skills and knowledge they learn in the classroom. Organizations in which students have completed internships include Remy International, Crown Equipment, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Great Dane Trailers, and Columbia House.

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