Business Course Descriptions
BUS 100
English for the Professional
3 Units
Prerequisite: ENGRD 110 and ENGWR 51 with grades of "C" or better; or ESLR 320 and ESLW 320.
Advisory: BUSTEC 302 and 303
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course is designed to prepare the student for business communication. It presents principles of correct and effective English usage as applied in business. Included are skills and techniques of written communication, sentence structure, word usage, punctuation, spelling, business vocabulary, and business document-formatting. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking and effective writing techniques through analyzing written communication and composing and organizing paragraphs into effective business documents. Computer skills are needed to format business documents and search the Internet for information. Proofreading skills are stressed throughout the course. The course is recommended for all business majors during their first semester.
BUS 105
Business Mathematics
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course is a review of basic mathematical skills and introduces equations and formulas in solving for unknowns. Applications of mathematics in business include such areas as banking, commercial discounts, retail and wholesale markup-markdown, payroll computations, simple and compound interest, bank discount, present value, taxes, insurance, depreciation, and financial statements. This course is recommended for every major in business.
BUS 170
Introduction to Insurance: Life Agents
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This introductory course gives an overview of the insurance industry with specific coverage in risk and risk management, structure of the insurance industry, legal concerns, life, health disability, income, and ethics. Course content satisfies State of California Life Agent requirements.
BUS 171
Introduction to Insurance: Fire & Casualty
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This introductory course gives an overview of the insurance industry with specific coverage in risk and risk management, structure of the insurance industry, legal concerns, personal fire and casualty, commercial property and casualty, worker's compensation, health insurance, and ethics. Course content satisfies State of California Fire and Casualty examination requirements.
BUS 210
The Business Plan
1 Unit
Prerequisite: None
Hours: 18 hours LEC
This course offers an organized, step-by-step approach to preparing a business plan. The plan will enable the students to solve problems "on paper" before they become operational or money problems. Every business should have a business plan. Students will create one in this course.
BUS 212
Marketing for Small Business
1 Unit
Prerequisite: None
Hours: 18 hours LEC
This course emphasizes how a small business or non-profit organization can market its service or product to the consumer. The student will learn about ways to improve market mix, identify target markets, and develop a marketing plan.
BUS 214
Financing a Small Business
1 Unit
Prerequisite: None
Hours: 18 hours LEC
This course covers sources and ways of raising capital for small businesses. How much money is needed and where it can be obtained, start-up costs, and projecting monthly and yearly costs are the focus of this course. Financial ratios and key financial statements are covered.
BUS 216
Essential Records for the Small Business
1 Unit
Prerequisite: None
Hours: 18 hours LEC
This course emphasizes the various types of records that small businesses must keep. The focus will be upon financial, employment, and tax records. Simple, easy-to-use recordkeeping systems will be covered.
BUS 218
Management Skills for the Small Business
1 Unit
Prerequisite: None
Hours: 18 hours LEC
A small business owner must understand and motivate others to help the business reach its objectives. This course covers such functions as planning and organizing work flow, delegating responsibilities, understanding leadership styles, decision making, stress and time management, and working with employee organizations.
BUS 220
Retailing and Merchandising for the Small Business
1 Unit
Prerequisite: None
Hours: 18 hours LEC
This course will emphasize retailing concepts, such as inventory control and turnover rates, selecting merchandise sources, using trade and cash discounts, pricing, markup and markdown, and shrinkage control. Students will also learn how to develop a merchandising plan, inventory control system, and assess consumer behavior and demographics.
BUS 222
Going International
1 Unit
Prerequisite: None.
Hours: 18 hours LEC
This intensive course overviews the following topics for the small business entrepreneur who is considering going international: the international business environment, strategic considerations, and managing in a multinational environment.
BUS 224
Customer Service
1 Unit
Prerequisite: None
Hours: 18 hours LEC
This course is a study of the principles involved in building an effective customer service team. Customer service activities in business, government, and other service industries will be examined in terms of the value added to the organization. Improved customer services will be emphasized.
BUS 230
QuickBooks (R) for Small Business
1 Unit
Prerequisite: None
Hours: 18 hours LEC
This class will emphasize the use of QuickBooks for Windows to aid the small business operator in creating financial statements and other financial reports. The system is computer based and presented in a user friendly method.
BUS 295
Independent Studies in Business
1-3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Hours: 54 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
An independent studies project involves an individual student or small group of students in study, research, or activities beyond the scope of regularly offered courses. See the current catalog section of "Special Studies" for full details of Independent Studies.
BUS 299
Experimental Offering in Business
.5-4 Units
Prerequisite: None
Hours: 18 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
BUS 300
Introduction to Business
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course provides a survey of all business areas, including Accounting, Law, Computer Information Science, Management, Marketing, Economics and Finance. The course is designed to be taken by all beginning students interested in business. It is a core requirement for business majors. This course provides an overview often very helpful in assisting students' selection of a specific career in the field of business.
BUS 310
Business Communications
3 Units
Prerequisite: BUS 100 with a grade of "C" or better
Advisory: Ability to key 30 or more words a minute and use a current office-level word processing program.
General Education: AA/AS Area II (a)
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course is designed to emphasize the use of communication theory in planning and composing various types of effective business letters and reports. The course stresses style, appearance, grammar, punctuation, tone, vocabulary and reader appeal. Interpersonal communication and listening, cross-cultural communication, electronic communication technology, and ethical and legal guidelines are included. A formal report with graphics is required.
BUS 320
Concepts in Personal Finance
3 Units
Same As: ECON 320
Prerequisite: None.
Advisory: BUS 105
General Education: AA/AS Area V (b)
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course is designed to assist individuals in analyzing their financial affairs. Elements and conceptual basis of financial planning, analysis, and decision making in areas of budgeting, taxes, borrowing, money management, insurance, investments, and retirement will be examined with an emphasis on principles to develop students' economic decision making. Students will be using mathematical concepts as well as reading and interpreting written and oral instructions. The course provides a solid base for a career in financial planning services. This course is the same as ECON 320, and only one may be taken for credit. See "Cross-Listed Courses" in the catalog.
BUS 330
Managing Diversity in the Workplace
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
General Education: AA/AS Area V (b); AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D7
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course examines the leadership skills and abilities needed to manage a multicultural workforce. A primary focus is placed upon the workplace impact of various historical, social, and cultural experiences/perspectives related to gender, age, ethnicity, and disability. Workforce issues related to the diversity of the American consumer and global consumer impact on the United States are analyzed.
BUS 340
Business Law
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
See UC Limitations & Counselor
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course is an introductory coverage of the law in its relationship to the environment of business. The course covers the American legal system as an instrument of economic, social, and political control. It stresses basic business torts, crime and business, contracts and sales transactions, agency, legal structures of business, government regulation and property rights.
BUS 345
Law and Society
3 Units
Same As: SOCSC 360
Prerequisite: None
General Education: AA/AS Area V (b); CSU Area D2; IGETC Area 4
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course is an introduction to the American legal system emphasizing the nature, purpose, sources and functioning of American law but including some comparative analysis of other historical and contemporary legal systems. It stresses the evolution of legal concepts as a reflection of the social environment and the role of the judiciary. A theoretical rather than practical viewpoint is used through analysis of selected cases and legislation in the areas of individualism, socioeconomic groups, the family, the economy, crime, criminal procedure and punishment, church and state separation, the environment, and torts. This course should not be taken in place of BUS 340 when required. This course is the same as SOCSC 360, and only one may be taken for credit. See Cross-Listed Courses in the catalog.
BUS 350
Small Business Management/Entrepreneurship
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This class provides an overview of the various elements involved in starting and operating a small business. It introduces such topics as developing a business plan, finding financial resources, developing personal and business goals, meeting legal requirements, understanding marketing concepts, and other topics of interest to the entrepreneur.
BUS 354
Students in Free Enterprise
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course provides students with an overview of what it takes to be successful in business through implementation of group projects and business leadership practices. Students will complete community-based business projects, focusing on business and project planning, team building, communications, preparing and processing information, and leadership. Students will plan, implement, and evaluate each project and then compose an annual report and deliver a professional presentation that will be evaluated by a selection of industry and business leaders at a regional competition, Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE). Students receive instruction in the areas of entrepreneurship, small business management, business planning, project management, oral and written presentation skills. This course emphasizes activities and techniques that develop competencies needed to become a successful business leader. There may be a material fee for this course. This course may be taken four times for credit.
BUS 365
Selecting Integrated Business Software
2 Units
Prerequisite: BUS 300 with a grade of "C" or better
Advisory: CISC 310.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 36 hours LEC
This course introduces students to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software systems. It helps decision makers select the appropriate software to improve business processes in diverse organizations, and it addresses hardware and network requirements for implementing ERP systems. This course provides managers with the ability to better manage change within their organizations while providing an overview of best practices integrated into ERP systems. It is designed to help business decision makers integrate ERP technology with a minimal technical background.
BUS 480
Honors Seminars in Business
1 Unit
Same As: HONOR 320
Prerequisite: None
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 18 hours LEC
Honors Seminars in Business are special one-unit intensive courses for academically accomplished students or those with the potential for high academic achievement. In these seminars, students will study topics in the movements, trends and philosophies found in the business. Enrollment is limited to Honors Program students. This course is the same as HONOR 320. This course, under either name, may be taken a total of four times for credit on different topics. See Cross-Listed Courses in the catalog.
BUS 490
Individualized Projects in Business
1-4 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Advisory: At least two semesters of successful work leading to an Associate Degree or Certificate in Accounting, Business, Computer Information Science, Finance, Management, Marketing, Office Administration or other related field.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 36 hours LEC; 108 hours LAB
This course is designed to help the student focus skills previously learned in an area of business. The student, with the help of the instructor, will produce a project that utilizes a variety of skills. The student will describe a problem, plan a process to arrive at a solution, work with the instructor to secure those resources necessary to complete the project, submit progress reports on a regular basis, and present a finished product.
BUS 495
Independent Studies in Business
.5-4 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
An independent studies project involves an individual student or small group of students in study, research, or activities beyond the scope of regularly offered courses. See the current catalog section of "Special Studies" for full details of Independent Studies.
BUS 498
Work Experience in Business
1-4 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 300 hours LAB
This course provides students with opportunities to develop marketable skills in preparation for employment or advancement within their current job. Course content will include understanding the application of education to the workforce; completion of required forms, which document the student's progress and hours spent at the work site; and developing workplace skills and competencies. During the course of the semester, the student is required to fulfill an 18 hour orientation and 75 hours of related paid work experience, or 60 hours of unpaid work experience for one unit. An additional 75 or 60 hours of related work experience is required for each additional unit. The course may be taken again when there is new or expanded learning on the job for a maximum of 16 units.
BUS 499
Experimental Offering in Business
.5-4 Units
Prerequisite: None
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 18 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB