Introductory Core Courses

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Core courses provide you with the fundamental language, knowledge, leadership, and communication skills related to entrepreneurship and innovation. These required core courses are offered solely by the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program.

1st required Intro Core Course

Credit Hours: 3
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer
Prerequisite: none
Overview:
 ENTR 20000 introduces students to the process of turning ideas, inventions, and innovations into new business ventures.

ENTR 20000 introduces students to the process of turning ideas, inventions, and innovations into new business ventures. It covers foundational entrepreneurial concepts and practices, as well as the leadership, teamwork, and communication skills required of individuals who choose to become entrepreneurs or to act entrepreneurially in established organizations. It serves as the first required core course for the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Students develop the knowledge and skills to:

  • Explain how innovation and entrepreneurship drive economic growth.
  • Use creativity and ideation techniques to identify market opportunities.
  • Evaluate the feasibility of new venture opportunities using secondary market research.
  • Interpret financial statements, profit and loss, and breakeven analysis.
  • Identify sources of funding for new ventures.
  • Understand how to prepare a proper legal and ethical foundation for a new venture.
  • Describe the role of intellectual property protection in the venture development process.
  • Define the roles of diverse individuals on an entrepreneurial team.
  • Prepare and deliver persuasive business presentations.

Required textbook:

Title: Entrepreneurship: Successfully Launching New Ventures
Seventh Edition
Author: Barringer, B.
Publisher: Pearson Learning Solutions
ISBN: 9780138287696 (digital), 9780138091828 (print)

2nd required intro core course
choose between:

Credit Hours: 3
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer
Prerequisite: ENTR 20000
Overview:
ENTR 31000 builds on the foundational skills developed in ENTR 20000 (prerequisite course) to bring students through the steps involved in evaluating and launching a new venture.

ENTR 31000 builds on the foundational skills developed in ENTR 20000 (prerequisite course) to bring students through the process of launching a new venture. Students work in teams to develop and validate business models for potential startups. This occurs through experiential activities including gathering feedback from potential customers, creating forecasts, developing a go-to-market strategy, and pitching to investors. Students can choose ENTR 31000, ENTR 31500, or ENTR 32500 to serve as the second required core course for the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Students develop the knowledge and skills to:

  • Validate new business concepts and business models.
  • Conduct primary market research with prospective customers.
  • Apply the financial knowledge necessary for sales forecasting and cash flow management.
  • Evaluate methods to acquire and manage financial resources for a proposed venture.
  • Persuade investors and partners to support an entrepreneurial venture.
  • Identify and recruit talent for an entrepreneurial team.
  • Participate effectively as a team member or leader.

Required Textbook

Title: Disciplined Entrepreneurship Workbook
Authors: Aulet, Bill
Publisher: Harper Business
ISBN: 9781119365792

Additional Materials Varies by Sections

Credit Hours: 3
Semesters Offered: Fall & Spring
Prerequisite: ENTR 20000
Overview:
ENTR 31500 builds on the foundational skills developed in ENTR 20000 (prerequisite course) to bring students through the steps involved in evaluating and launching a social impact venture.

ENTR 31500 builds on entrepreneurship concepts and skills developed in ENTR 20000 (prerequisite course) to understand the differences, benefits, and opportunities associated with social impact business models. Students work in teams on experiential activities including gathering customer feedback, creating forecasts, developing a strategy, and pitching to stakeholders and investors. Students can choose ENTR 31000, ENTR 31500, or ENTR 32500 to serve as
the second required core course for the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Students develop the knowledge and skills to:

  • Develop convincing social enterprise business models.
  • Conduct feasibility analysis.
  • Create pro-forma financial statements.
  • Understand legal, regulatory, and ethical issues social entrepreneurs face.
  • Understand the process of recruiting, hiring and developing a new venture team.
  • Identify sources of funding and investor needs.
  • Persuade potential investors to support a social impact venture.
  • Participate effectively as a team member or leader.

Reading assignments found within Brightspace.

Credit Hours: 3
Semesters Offered: Fall & Spring
Prerequisite: ENTR 20000
Overview:
ENTR 32500 builds on the foundational skills developed in ENTR 20000 (prerequisite course) to provide
students with a comprehensive understanding of entrepreneurship in a global context.

ENTR 32500 builds on the foundational skills developed in ENTR 20000 (prerequisite course), to provide
students with a comprehensive understanding of entrepreneurship in a global context. It explores the
differences, challenges, and opportunities associated with developing international ventures and
expanding into overseas markets. Through topic lectures, case studies, and experiential team projects,
students will gain insight into global trends, cultural nuances, business models, strategies, and pitching to
stakeholders and investors. Students can choose ENTR 31000, ENTR 31500, or ENTR 32500 to serve as
the second required core course for the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Students develop the knowledge and skills to:

  • Identify economic, political, technological, ethical, and cultural factors influencing entrepreneurship in global settings.
  • Develop cross-cultural awareness to navigate diverse business environments.
  • Conduct feasibility analysis for international new venture expansion.
  • Recognize the critical aspects of global supply chains and its business implications.
  • Describe international funding sources and currency considerations.
  • Identify sources of funding and investor needs and persuasion of potential investors to support a global venture.
  • Explore global entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems as scalability engines.
  • Understand the process of recruiting, hiring, and developing a global team.
  • Participate effectively as a team member or leader.

Reading assignments found in Brightspace.