Finance & Marketing

Introduction

The Department of Finance and Marketing provides the opportunity for study of business administration relating to financial and marketing management. These fields cover a variety of responsibilities in both public and private organizations. An emphasis on breadth, general knowledge and analytical skills pervades all levels of the undergraduate curriculum. Graduates from the finance and marketing department will have completed a broad business program plus a wide range of nonbusiness subjects, reflecting the department’s belief that education should prepare students for satisfying achievements in life as well as business.

Program Objectives

Departmental programs have been designed to prepare students for leadership roles in business and the community.

The educational objectives of the department are to:

Encourage intellectual inquiry
Provide students with the perceptual and analytical skills necessary in making decisions and evaluating policy in business
Develop student understanding of the social, economic and regulatory environment of business
Enhance educational opportunities through research activities of faculty and students

The program is designed for students with a variety of career goals including opportunities with financial institutions, manufacturing and retail firms, service industries and the public sector.

Faculty

SANDRA MOTTNER (2001) Chair and Associate Professor. BA, Mary Baldwin College; MBA, The College of William and Mary; PhD, Old Dominion University.
EARL D. BENSON (1980) Professor. BS, University of Idaho; MA, Pennsylvania State University; PhD, University of Oregon.
DAVID R. FEWINGS (1985) Associate Professor. BSc, University of Manitoba; MBA, PhD, University of Toronto.
PAMELA L. HALL (1990) Associate Professor. BS, MPA, DBA, Louisiana Tech University.
SOPHIE X. KONG (2006) Assistant Professor. BA, Nanjing University of China; MS, PhD, Florida State University.
EDWIN A. LOVE (2008) Assistant Professor, BA, Evergreen State College; MBA, University of Arizona; Ph.D, University of Washington
THOMAS J. OLNEY (1986) Associate Professor. AB, Cornell University; MBA, PhD, Columbia University.
DAVID S. RYSTROM (1983) Associate Professor. BS, UCLA; MS, California State University, Northridge; PhD, University of Oregon.
FARROKH SAFAVI (1969) Professor. BA, BS, MBA, University of Teheran; MBA, DBA, University of Southern California.
WENDY J. WILHELM (1986) Professor. BA, MS, Tufts University; MBA, Cornell University; PhD, University of Washington.
NICHOLAS X. WONDER (2002) Assistant Professor. BA, University of Washington; PhD, University of California-Berkeley.

Departmental Mission

The department contributes core courses to the undergraduate majors in business and the MBA program. In addition, we maintain a diverse set of specialty courses, both domestic and global in orientation, necessary to service the department’s undergraduate concentrations and provide a variety of electives for MBA students. Course work is offered by a predominantly doctorally qualified faculty who pride themselves in their availability and personal attention to students in teaching and advising. Our educational philosophy encourages intellectual inquiry and involves students in their own education through internships, projects, case studies and presentations. The department views scholarly activity as an integral part of its instructional mission. This scholarship, both theoretical and applied, helps to maintain the currency of faculty and provides opportunities for assistance from students. Also, we provide service to our professional organizations, the University, and the community.

Declaration Process

See the College of Business and Economics introductory section of this catalog for complete procedures regarding major declaration. Applicants who have completed the college foundation courses and have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA in all college-level course work or at least a 2.75 GPA in the equivalent of the foundation courses will be assured of admission.

Other Departmental Information

The Curriculum

Development of the department’s curriculum has been guided by the standards of the AACSB International–The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Students normally devote most of the freshman and sophomore years of study to completion of the General University Requirements (GURs) and the business administration major foundation courses. Several foundation courses satisfy GURs, and careful planning can save time for additional elective course work. Electives that emphasize oral and written communication skills are particularly recommended.

The junior and senior years are devoted primarily to upper-division core requirements and elective course work. The department offers concentrations in finance and marketing. Students who wish to complete a concentration must pay close attention to class scheduling because of prerequisites and limited offerings of some courses. Additional specific information can be found at the department website, www.cbe.wwu.edu/deptHome.asp?dept=FMKT.

Business Applications Software

The use of personal computer systems to assist in data management, analysis and reporting of results is widespread in the curriculum of the finance and marketing department. Students are expected to have some proficiency in word processing and spreadsheet software at the time they enter upper-division finance and marketing department classes. The proficiency can be gained through several means, including formal class work at a university or community college, work experience or commercially offered classes. Students who have not otherwise gained these skills are expected to test out of or register for MIS 220 prior to their registration in DSCI 305, MIS 320, and FIN 341D. Additional specific information can be found at www.cbe.wwu.edu/deptHome.asp?dept=FMKT.

Communications Requirements

All business majors are required to take one communication focus (CF) course and a minimum of three writing proficiency points in approved upper-division writing proficiency courses at WWU with a minimum grade of C-, all taken within the College of Business and Economics (CBE). Consult the online Timetable of Classes for the specific course sections that fulfill the CF and WP requirements. The requirements may normally be met by taking designated sections of concentration courses, but may be met by taking any other designated CBE course as well.

Student Advising

For answers to routine questions concerning preparation and progress through the major, students should consult the finance and marketing department Planning Guide available in the finance and marketing department office and the department website. Nonroutine questions should be directed to the department chair or the department’s administrative services manager. Questions concerning individual areas of study should be directed to faculty who teach in that area.

After the declaration of a major, a student will be assigned a faculty advisor with whom the student must consult concerning mandatory and elective courses in the chosen major and concentration. The faculty advisor may also be a source of information concerning career objectives and opportunities.

Enrollment Priorities

Because of high student demand for many business administration program courses, the department must give enrollment priority to students for whom those courses are requirements rather than electives. Priority is given to majors in CBE and other declared majors for whom the classes are required.

Undergraduate Degrees and Programs

Business Administration, BA (Finance or Marketing)

Business Administration — Finance Concentration, BA

Business Administration — Marketing Concentration, BA

Finance and Marketing Courses

Click here to view a list of courses.