Business Management

A University of Plymouth Undergraduate Programme.

Programme Modules

Stage 1

Management

Module Description
The role of the manager has developed significantly over the past twenty-five years. Not just a person who gives orders and sees that they are applied, the modern manager must be aware of business strategy and understand how that can become reality through effective business policy. Modern managers understand how personnel is motivated, how policy is communicated and how market awareness is vital to survival in a competitive free-market economy.

Introduction to Accounting

Module Description
A business manager who neglects a proper control of finances will soon encounter difficulties. Good accounting methods are essential both to budgetary control and to forward planning.Whilst the module does not attempt to deliver the skills associated with a fully qualified accountant, course members will become familiar with the principles of creating records of profit and loss, cash flow and balance sheet analysis.

Introduction to Computing

Module Description
Computer systems have become a familiar feature of the modern business environment. However, the effective use of this tool depends upon an understanding of data collection and retrieval techniques as well as the theories underlying the analysis of statistical data. Successful analysis will assist in the development of reliable predictive skills and, therefore, better decision making.

Study Skills

Module Description
The Study Skills module is intended to provide the foundations for undertaking undergraduate studies. Some students are unsure about what is expected of them as they enter higher education; often the transition is difficult to negotiate. This module attempts to address any potential problem by providing the development for good academic practice. It is important to make explicit the criteria and standards applied in assessing students’ work and accordingly this module aims to initiate an understanding of what is required.

Business Economics

Module Description
Economic theory assists the modern manager to understand the ways in which the scale of operations may impact upon cost savings, as well as the influence of world economic trends upon individual business strategy. In this way, managers utilise micro and macro-economic data to improve decision making about future policy.

Business Law

Module Description
An understanding of the legal environment within which business can thrive is of vital importance to a business manager. Apart from the intricacies of contract law, managers must be aware of EU legislation in respect of employment, exports and business development. In addition the entrepreneur, who may wish to establish a new business, should understand the benefits of incorporation as well as the advantages of other forms of company identity.

Stage 2

Human Resource Management

Module Description
This module complements the study of Employee Resourcing and considers, amongst others, theories of human motivation as an important area of understanding for all managers. In their efforts to obtain the best efficiencies from the human resource, managers will find the study of social scientific theories very helpful.This is especially so when a business is faced with the task of implementing necessary changes brought about by company mergers or the deployment of new systems.

Marketing

Module Description
It has been argued that a market-led business will survive most challenges. Such a business ensures that every member of the organisation accepts the importance of delivering the best possible product/service to every customer. Understanding customers’ needs and responding appropriately is a fundamental pre-requisite of a market-led business.The module will explain how this might be achieved.

Management Accounting

Module Description
This Module Complements the study of Introduction to Accounting in which course members gain an understanding of the principle methods used to record business financial data. In this study, course members will appreciate a range of accepted methods used in the interpretation of that data. By the close analysis of financial data, managers are able to respond to business needs such as future investment and cost savings.

Logistics and Operations Management

Module Description
The study of logistics and operations management is of particular importance in the context of manufacturing industry, although it may be adapted for almost any context.The theories and principles explored in this module assist managers to make the best use of time and resources and to affect change in processes in order to create greater efficiency.

Business Organisation and Policy

Module Description
Managers are continuously under pressure to adapt their policies and organisational structure to the changing environment together with the opportunities and threats presented.We need to understand the benefits of alternative policies in the face of change and how organisations ought to adapt to meet their business aims. Managers should, therefore, be aware of the nature of external and internal pressures and the ways in which these might influence short-term objectives.

Information Technology

Module Description
Management decisions are based on both qualitative and quantitative information relating to the company and its environment. Particularly in respect of storage and retrieval of information, computers have taken over from more traditional methods and it is vital for managers to be fully aware of the technology of handling information. This module dwells on the variety of hardware and software available to the modern manager in achieving the aim of making informed decisions.

Stage 3

International Marketing

Module Description
The opportunities for companies to develop an international business enterprise are greater now than they have ever been. Managers should be aware of certain principles which need to be observed when engaged in international marketing.The module seeks to develop an awareness of these principles by exploring the challenges of cultural differences, the legal environments of other countries and the various methods which could be employed to penetrate a new market.

Total Quality Management

Module Description
The concept of total quality management (TQM) is, perhaps, one of the most exciting in a contemporary study of efficient management practices. Modern managers are well advised to appreciate the advantages of employing TQM principles. Significant benefits may be derived from the ways in which TQM encourages empowerment and ownership within the human resource of any organisation so that greater efficiencies may be promoted.

Information Systems Management

Module Description
Management forecasting and effective decision making relies heavily upon the nature and quality of the data available.The management of modern information systems offers the possible benefits of better informed strategic decisions.This module explores the most effective ways in which data may be captured, stored retrieved and interpreted.

Strategic Management

Module Description
The module explores the ways in which the overall aims and objectives of a business might interact with the need to institute changes in response to external challenges. Management structures within organisations must accommodate these changes and adapt according to the business environment.

Project and Project Management

Module Description

A major skill relevant to business organisations is that of managing projects. It frequently entails using teams in which individual responsibilities need to be coordinated to ensure that objectives are met. The module explores the basis of an effective planning process through the appropriate scheduling of resources and offers the opportunity to final year undergraduates to demonstrate their skills in the preparation of a research project.The project should focus upon a particular business problem or opportunity.Typically, course members will choose a case study and make a critical appraisal in the light of related business theories.The benefit of this study is that it provides a real possibility that the conclusions of the project could make a contribution to business efficiency.

Mode of attendance
This course can be studied full time only which comprises of 6 semesters over 24 months

Starting Dates
This course has enrolment dates in February, June and October each year.

Objectives:

• to increase the student’s knowledge of the organisation and structure of businesses, their interaction with the environment and the techniques of management and problem solving.The structure of the programmes is designed to achieve this objective through the programme of lectures, tutorials and programmework
• to develop the student’s personal skills of analysis and communication and to foster a spirit of enquiry and motivation.These skills are enhanced through programmework and tutorials in which students are given the opportunity to express views, to have their assumptions questioned, and to exercise the logic of the connection between cause and effect.
• to provide an understanding of how to work fruitfully and cooperatively with others on business problems of great complexity and to organise teamwork effectively.This is achieved through project work, which is designed also to emphasise the interdisciplinary nature of business.