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The Graduate Program Committee of Business Administration has recommended 

some changes to the structure of the Day MBA Program. Most of these changes 

have to do with the coursework requirements for the degree. In addition, 

some small wording changes were felt to be in order with respect to admis- 

sion and financial, assistance. 

Please refer to pages 258 and 259 of the 1988/89 University Calendar for 

the original structure. The changes we are requesting are attached in the 

following (i) to (v) pages. 

The rationale for these changes are detailed below. 

a.

FIELD OF CONCENTRATION 

In terms of field of 

vs. supporting fields, it was felt 

that the previous structure was too restrictive. Some students, with 

a good background from their previous Commerce degree, have the neces- 

. sary breadth, and their academic supervisor(s) wish them to devote 

more time to an indepth study of their field of 

Hence, 

the desire to allow one additional course in their field. 

On the other hand, it was felt that many students, particularly those 

who enter the program via the qualifying route are better served via 

the old structure. That is, to take only three courses in their field 

of

and devote more time to gaining breadth. (Typically, 

qualifying students enter the 

program from a discipline other than 

Commerce and hence the desire to ensure more breadth). 

b.

SUPPORTING COURSES 

It follows that the number of supporting courses must be adjusted to 

maintain the overall requirements of 8 courses for the project option 

and 6 for the thesis option. 

c.

RESEARCH COURSES 

Experience indicates that too much of the students time i being de- 

voted to research courses and research methodology for an 

program. 

The Graduate Committe felt that one course in research methods is suf- 

ficient preparation for their research project. 

In order to provide flexibility however, to the academic supervisor 

.

?

in

the course of study for a student, we have maintained the 

option of up to three courses in research (the previous requirement). 

For their thesis option, students should be required to take Bus. 900 

(Research Methodology'). 

ADMISSION 

The change in the Admission statement is to be clear on our expectations 

regarding the length of time to take the program. Because we will continue 

to require thesis students to take Bus. 900, and this course is scheduled 

only once per year, it is realistic to expect this extra semester from these 

students. 

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 

The previous calendar understates, we believe, the demand on the students' 

time when holding a TA/ship. 

As

a consequence, students believe that they 

should be able to hold a TA/ship and also complete in three semesters. 

This creates the 'difficult situation that either their program or their 

TA/ship could suffer. 

EL: lm 

--

Degree Requirements ? 

(page 259 1 ) ? 

-

(change to): 

To qualify for the MBA degree 

,

under this program, the candidate must 

complete the requirements under one of two available options: the 

Project Option (Option I) or the Thesis Option (Option II). In addi- 

tion, the student must choose a Field of 

one of 

Accounting; Policy Analysis; Finance; Management Science and Informa- 

tion Systems; Marketing; or Organizational Behaviour. The student's 

academic advisor, taking into consideration the student's background, 

program and desires, will specify the supporting courses and the re- 

search courses necessary. 

Admission: (page 258) 

(4th paragraph changed to): 

The program is designed for students to enter in the Fall semester. Courses 

are sequenced through the three semesters: 

?

Fall, Spring and Summer. 

?

The

normal course load is three courses per semester. 

?

In this manner, it is 

?

possible to complete the program in one calendar year; although a typical 

student will require four semesters to finalize the project. 

?

Students ? 

granted entrance to the thesis option may expect to take one additional 

semester in order to take Bus. 900. 

?

Students holding TA/ships will 

'

take 

two courses per semester as a normal workload. Thus, the completion time 

for a student holding a TA/ship over their whole program is typically five 

or six semesters. In certain cases, students may be admitted to the program 

in other semesters. 

ii Course work Requirements (page 259) (Changed to): 

.

COURSE WORK REQUIREMEN 

For the Project Option the student must complete a minimum of 3 courses 

in a field of concentration and a minimum of at least one course in a 

supporting field and one course in research techniques. A total of eight 

courses are required for the project option. Of these, four must be taken 

as supporting or research courses. In addition, the student must complete 

a written research project equivalent to one course. 

For the Thesis Option, the student must complete a minimum of three courses 

in a field of concentration as well as taking at least one course in research 

techniques and Bus 900, Research Jthodology. A total of six courses are 

required in the thesis option. In addition, the student must complete a 

written research project equivalent to four courses. 

Financial Assistance (page 259) 

(1st paragraph changed to): 

The Faculty of Business Administration is able to offer to qualified 

graduate students Teaching Assistantships in Business Administration. 

Annual remuneration is normally $3100 per semester. For students holding 

a TA/ship it is expected two courses will constitute a full load. In 

addition to TA/ships, members of faculty from time to time, have funding 

available to hire Research Assistants. 

(Page 259) (change to): 

B. SUPPORTING COURSES 

The academic supervisor will select supporting courses in consultation 

with the student. The selections may be either from Business 

Administration or from other fields of study (e.g. Economics, Resource 

Management, Computing Science, Psychology). 

C. RESEARCH COURSES 

Project option students must take at least one course in research 

techniques (Bus. 801 or equivalent). Thesis option students are required 

to take Bus. 900 in addition to a minimum one course in research 

techniques. 

The academic supervisor will select the research courses in consultation 

with the student. Students taking Bus. 900 should complete their other 

research courses first. 

.