WELCOME TO The NUS Business School

MBA Orientation 2008

Professor Nitin PangarkarAcademic Director, MBA Program

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

Agenda

1. Calendar2. Curriculum3. Academic performance requirements4. Specializations 5. Ground rules—in class behavior and

academic integrity/ honesty6. Exchange programs 7. Questions??

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 1—11th August to 6th December, 2008 • Semester 2– 12th Jan to 9th May, 2009• Special term I—11th May to 20th June, 2009 • Special term II—22nd June to 1st August, 2009

• Every semester or special term has its own add/drop/withdrawal dates (refer to the student handbook)

• Please adhere to those since exceptions won’t be made unless there are medical type of reasons

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, 17 months or longer • Maximum period of candidature—4 years (FT) and 6 years

(PT)

Curriculum (2)Full Time only

• You (FT) will complete 22 MCs of core modules by the end of semester 1 – 2 MCs worth before the semester begins (intensive)– 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)

– Another 2 MCs on an intensive basis before semester 2.– 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’

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 available to you, including Career Services, exchange program, overseas visits, etc.

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)

Pace of study

• Many of you are eager to finish the program in the shortest possible time

• FT—12 months versus 17 months • PT—2 modules per semester versus more than 3 modules

• Be aware that rapid pace gives you less time to digest the material and gain from the other aspects of the program (networking, internships etc.)

• For students wishing to switch industries/ careers, accelerated pace is not recommended

• FT students will be asked to choose between 12 versus 17 months program in Semester 1 Course planning will be based on these choices

Specializations

• You can pursue any one of the following specializations • Finance • Marketing• Strategy and Organization• Healthcare • Real Estate

– Specializations will not be recorded on the degree scroll but will be recorded on the transcript

– Specializations 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

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

Etiquette

• NUS MBA admits only ‘mature’ students with a clear thinking that this maturity will be reflected in the learning environment

• Remember, you already have served in responsible corporate roles (managers)

• In terms of classroom behavior:1. Be punctual 2. Turn off your handphones 3. Don’t bring any food; drinks are ok4. Don’t surf the web/ chat while discussions are going on5. Behave professionally – as a guide, as you would in your job6. Be culturally sensitive and tolerant—unprofessional behavior cannot be

excused on cultural grounds, though!7. But do focus on your learning, interaction and participation

• Maintain professionalism while interacting with alumni/ similar parties

An interesting quote

• Gary Lineker—a professional soccer player who captained England and scored 48 goals for England, on his first coach Jock Wallace

• “He taught me a lot about living properly, giving myself the best chance at succeeding at sport, not wasting my talent.”

• Jock: “Whatever you do, give it your best shot and do it properly. Never look back with any regrets.”

• Our rules about etiquette are similar in spirit to Jock Wallace’s rules for Lineker

My First Job, Reader’s Digest, August 2008

Exams

• We are very serious about tests and examinations and have zero tolerance for breach of rules

• Make sure that you observe all the rules specified by the invigilator (examination administrator) – Bring your own calculators and notes/ handouts (for

open book exams)• Details are in the Student Handbook.

• Report any behavior that breaches rules—peer 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

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 plagiarism—

claiming somebody else’s 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

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)

Other Options

• An MBA is more than classes, so explore all options on campus– School events, overseas visits, local and overseas

case competitions, industry visits and talks, and seminars

• 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 Clubs• Beyond your academic hard work, exploit the

other opportunities in Singapore!

Other Issues

• You may need to make many adjustments to ease into the MBA program, NUS and Singapore.– Understanding the environment & institutions in

Singapore will be an excellent first step for you– We will try our best to help you make the transition

• But we do need to adhere to a set of rules that are designed to ensure fairness & equal opportunity to all students, on a merit basis. This may constrain us from responding to all individual circumstances

– Please work with us• As a first guide, refer to the Student Handbook,

and to mba.nus.edu

Invaluable resources

Marketing specialization

courses

Marketing

Four MC modules Two MC modulesBMA5501 Competitive Marketing Strategy BMA5514 Selected

Topics in MarketingBMA5502 Consumer BehaviorBMA5503 Promotional ManagementBMA5505 Services MarketingBMA5506 Product and Brand ManagementBMA5515 Marketing ResearchBMA5523 Customer Relationship ManagementBMA5511 Channels and Pricing Strategies BMA550 Database Marketing and Consumer AnalyticsBMA5526 Seminars in Marketing

Finance specialization

courses

Four MC modules Two MC modulesBMA5301 International Financial Management

BMA5307 Options and Futures

BMA5302 Investment Analysis and Management*

BMA5310 Corporate Governance

BMA5303 Financial Statement Analysis BMA5313 Private EquityBMA5308 Fixed Income Securities BMA5313A Bank Risk

ManagementBMA5309 Fund Management BMA5314 Selected

Topics in FinanceBMA5312 Advanced Corporate FinanceBMA5317 Managerial AccountingBMA5315 Seminars in Finance

Strategy and organizations specialization

coursesOffered by Business Policy Department:BMA5102 Legal Issues in Business BMA5011 Macro &

International Economics BMA5104 Global Strategic Management BMA5118 Selected Topics in

Business PolicyBMA5108 TechnopreneurshipBMA5251 Management of Technological InnovationSeminars in Business PolicyOffered by Management & Organizations Department:BMA5405 Managing Change BMA5406 NegotiationsBMA5407 Managing Human Capital in Organizations

BMA5015 Managerial Communications

BMA5409 Seminars in Management & Organization

BMA5410 Selected Topics in Management & Organization

Grades and corresponding average points

Grade Points earnedA/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

16 month schedule

Full Time only

22 22

0

24

0

5

10

15

20

25

Sem 1 Sem 2 Special Terms Sem 3

MCs completed

Internship

Exchange?

12 months schedule

Full Time only

22

26

20

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Sem 1 Sem 2 Special Terms

MCs completed