PhD Courses

The coursework of the VSB PhD program ensures candidates are prepared for the rigor and intensity of research required to build on the management sciences. The Core/Foundation Courses, accomplished upon completion of Breadth Courses, provide comprehensive fundamental structure to understanding business theory. The Field Courses impress the need to expose the candidate to sciences and studies outside the realm of business and management, to deepen the candidates' understanding prior to dissertation research.

BA 302 - MICROECONOMIC ANALYSIS

Consumer choice; choice under uncertainty; analysis of firm behavior; market structure; principal-agent problem; general equilibrium, public goods & externalities. Prerequisite: None

BA 303 - MACROECONOMIC ANALYSIS

Macroeconomic theory; schools of thought in macroeconomics; growth theory; financial market systems. Prerequisite: None

BA 311 - MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 1

Deterministic and stochastic models applied to business. Prerequisite: None

BA 312 - MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2

Multivariate statistical models. Prerequisite: None

BA 313 - ECONOMETRIC ANALYSIS

Single and simultaneous equation regression estimation using time series data, cross-section data and panel data; estimation with qualitative dependent variables; generalized method of moments. Prerequisites: BA 302, 311, and 312

BA 320 - FINANCIAL THEORY

Basic portfolio theory; static and dynamic asset pricing theories; analysis of financial markets. Prerequisites: BA 302, 311, and 312

BA 321 - RISK ANALYSIS

Risk measurement and modeling including value at risk; options and other financial derivatives; credit, market, operational and integrated risk management strategies. Prerequisites: BA 302, 311, and 312

BA 322 - INTERNATIONAL FINANCE

Open-economy macroeconomics; exchange rate regimes; International capital markets Prerequisites: BA 302, 311, 312

BA 323 - CORPORATE FINANCE

Capital budgeting; theory of capital structure; corporate governance, corporate control and capital restructuring. Prerequisites: BA 302, 311, and 312

BA 324 - EMPIRICAL METHODS IN FINANCE

Empirical testing of CAPM, APT, CCAPM, and other asset pricing models; market volatility and market microstructure studies; interest rate models; advanced financial econometric issues. Prerequisites: BA 313

BA 330 - MARKETING DECISION MODELS

Empirical models of consumer behavior and markets. Prerequisites: BA 302, 311, and 312

BA 350 - ORGANIZATION THEORY

Behavioral concepts as applied to organizations. Prerequisite: BA 302, 311, and 312

BA 390 - BUSINESS POLICY

Strategy formulation and implementation at the firm level. Prerequisites: BA 302, 311, and 312

BA 391 - INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATION

Exercise of monopoly power; degrees of price discrimination; Short-run price competition; dynamic price competition; price and non-price competition through product differentiation; information and strategic behavior. Prerequisites: BA 302, 311, and 312

BA 392 - REGULATION AND PUBLIC POLICY

Economic, political, and legal foundation of public regulation; benefits and costs of regulation, effects of regulation, alternatives to regulation, and the issues of regulatory reform and deregulation. Prerequisites: BA 302, 311, and 312

BA 394 - EMPIRICAL METHODS IN BUSINESS POLICY

The interaction of the firm with the macro-environment; research concepts and scientific methods; formulation of hypotheses, measurement concepts and multivariate analytical tools. Blend of behavioral science and quantitative approaches in the research applications. Prerequisites: BA 313

For a list of Master's level courses used to satisfy breadth requirements, click here. Breadth courses are offered on a trimestral basis. One trimester is 13 weeks. Each course is 3 hours per week and gives 2 credit units to the student.