Graduate Electives

When: Fall and Spring Terms

Credits: 2 credits

Location: Online

Description:

This course explores elements of technology strategy including portfolio management, development of product and technology roadmaps, new product development, phase gate processes, and the management of product life cycles. The focus is on disruptive, incremental, sustaining, and breakthrough innovations across multiple sectors.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

Note: While this course is part of the MSEM Core Curriculum, it's currently also available for outside students via University College.

When: Fall and Spring Terms

Credits: 2 credits

Location: Online

Description:

This course is the first on a student’s journey to leading effective teams and organizations. It is aimed at helping students develop themselves as individual leaders by focusing on personal growth and leadership styles.  The course will utilize assessments and other tools to explore leadership styles and techniques for leading with and without authority in a variety of settings.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

Note: While this course is part of the MSEM Core Curriculum, it's currently also available for outside students via University College.

When: Fall and Spring Terms

Credits: 2 credits

Location: Online

Description:

This course will teach students to develop, analyze, and communicate the financial aspects of a company’s product or service. Students will learn to understand and evaluate the impact of decisions on the financial health and competitiveness of the firm.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

Note: While this course is part of the MSEM Core Curriculum, it's currently also available for outside students via University College.

When: Fall and Spring Terms

Credits: 2 credits

Location: Online

Description:

This course is a human-centered customer discovery course focused on research, analysis, brainstorming, and ideation methods to inform product and business solutions.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

Note: While this course is part of the MSEM Core Curriculum, it's currently also available for outside students via University College.

When: Fall and Spring Terms

Credits: 2 credits

Location: Online

Description:

Students learn to gather, analyze, and interpret data to drive strategic and operational success in technology-based companies. Develop skills to make data-based decisions with uncertain or ambiguous conditions, and develop models for decision-making in a business setting.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

Note: While this course is part of the MSEM Core Curriculum, it's currently also available for outside students via University College.

When: Fall and Spring Terms

Credits: 2 credits

Location: Online

Description:

Within this course, students will learn to:

• Examine connected complex systems that impact technology projects while taking into account human, political, community, resource, environmental, and social processes.
• Leverage insights from structural influences to maximize impact and solve problems in increasingly complex and high-tech environments

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

Note: While this course is part of the MSEM Core Curriculum, it's currently also available for outside students via University College.

When: Fall and Spring Terms

Credits: 2 credits

Location: Online

Description:

In today’s unpredictable, fast-moving business environment, project management can make or break a product launch. Additionally, a program of interrelated projects can have a profound impact on the success or failure of a company. This course is a learning-in-action experience that gives you the tools, techniques, and confidence to keep large-scale programs and time-sensitive projects on track and on schedule. You also will learn how to implement agile methodologies to manage projects with complex requirements and high levels of change.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

Note: While this course is part of the MSEM Core Curriculum, it's currently also available for outside students via University College.

When: Fall and Spring Terms

Credits: 2 credits

Description:

Experience research and design as applied to the process of user-centered product development. In-depth study of users leading to innovative product concepts. Use of personas, data collection methods, journey maps, and storytelling in hands-on projects related to product development.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

When: Fall and Spring Terms

Credits: 2 credits

Location: Online

Description:

This course teaches techniques on approaches to managing uncertainty and dealing with complex and constant change. Students will learn to manage large and diverse groups through changing internal and external force using conflict management and negotiation tools.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

When: Spring Term

Credits: 2 credits

Location: Online

Description:

The course is designed for those students who aspire to influence strategic decisions of an organization directly or indirectly through analytics-driven insights and imaginative reasoning. Based on a deep understanding of the emerging geo-economic, environmental, geopolitical, technological, and demographic trends, the course will examine how through intelligent use of a full range of analytical techniques including game & option(s) theories, businesses must innovate and implement strategies in the context of a globalized economy.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

Note: While this course is part of the MSEM Core Curriculum, it's currently also available for outside students via University College.

When: Spring Term

Credits: 2 credits

Location: Online

Description:

Discussing values, moral legitimacy, professionalism, plus quiet and emergent leadership, in this literature and film-based course, students are encouraged to look outward and expand their understanding of leadership, the world, and their place in it as future transformational leaders with purpose.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

Note: While this course is part of the MSEM Core Curriculum, it's currently also available for outside students via University College.

When: Spring Term

Credits: 3 credits

Location: On-Campus

Description:

This course provides foundational skills for data science practice in business.

Topics include:

• Using data and systematic methods to generate business value.
• Shaping data practices within organizations.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

When: Summer, Fall, and Spring Terms

Credits: 2 credits

Location: Online

Description:

This course builds on topics learned in EM 206 (Introduction to Data Analytics), including more complex data modeling techniques and tools. 

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

When: Spring Term

Credits: 2 credits

Location: Online

Description:

Understanding Operations and Supply Chain Risk Management is a must for any leader in the technology field. From the shop floor to suppliers and markets on the other side of the world, any business involves a continuum with a spectrum of risks to manage. Whether you have an early-stage invention you hope to get to market, are engaged in social entrepreneurship in the U.S. or overseas, or are part of a global supply chain currently, nothing really happens until you can get your product or service from concept into the hands of customers, and understand the risks inherent in managing that supply chain. We will leverage our more than half-a-century of combined experience in global supply chain management to make you a player in building a world-class end-to-end enterprise.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

When: Fall Term

Credits: 1 credit

Location: On-Campus

Description:

This course offers an overview of both macro and microeconomics and provides students with the background required for the Globalization and Multinational Strategies module. Students learn to (i) analyze current global economic issues that are related to trade balance, government budgets, unemployment, the competitiveness of innovation and manufacturing processes, (ii) assess how fiscal and monetary discipline impact economic growth and social & political stability (iii) examine how different economic philosophies shape individual and collective behaviors (iv) analyze market behaviors and (v) develop an understanding of the basics of game theory. 

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

When: Spring Term

Credits: 2 credits

Location: On-Campus

Description:

Students develop a full understanding of the forces behind globalization and the evolution of multinational companies from different regions of the world. The module examines the strategic, organizational, and operational implications of working and leading in the global environment both in a large multinational organization and in a start-up and discusses how different globalization models work across various industries. 

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

When: Fall Term

Credits: 2 credits

Location: Online

Description:

This course reviews what makes brands successful and provides a deep dive into proven “Brand Building Frameworks” used by several Fortune 50 corporations.  It reinforces the learning through applying the framework to real brands.  Students will learn how to develop key elements needed to write strong brand positioning statements and pragmatic skills to market products and/or services in corporate environments.   The course will also discuss marketing experiences and competencies identified to pursue a successful marketing career in established corporations.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

When: Spring Term

Credits: 2 credits

Location: Online

Description:

The course, at the fundamental level, will help students:

• (i) become familiar with the art & science of management consulting
• (ii) develop the confidence to define & address complex strategic issues based on deep understanding of emerging trends (such as emerging geo-economic, environmental, geo-political, technological, and demographic trends), and creative problem-solving techniques 
• (iii) learn how to influence outcomes through analytics-driven insights & imaginative reasoning and in crafting innovative communication processes

Students will learn different problem-solving frameworks and analytical techniques to make more calculated strategic choices between different business models, technologies with different risk profiles.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

When: Spring Term

Credits: 2 credits

Location: Online

Description:

Data Visualization is a core component of the Data Analytics skillset. In this course, you will be introduced to the main concepts of visual analytics such as visual reports and dashboards with a hands-on tutorial to Tableau, which is a leading self-service business intelligence and data visualization tool. Through hands-on exercises, you will learn to identify datasets to connect to, explore, analyze, filter, and structure your data to create and communicate your desired visualizations.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

When: Spring Term

Credits: 2 credits

Location: Online

Description:

Being an effective, inclusive communicator is an essential part of being a successful scientist, engineer, or technical professional. Effective communication is the only way to share the results of your work, to collaborate, to innovate, and to meet your ethical obligations as a practicing professional. You will learn to apply principles of effective, inclusive written communication for different purposes and different audiences in the workplace. You will practice different ways to improve your tone, focus, clarity, and organization to get better results from both day-to-day and formal writing.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

When: Spring Term

Credits: 2 credits

Location: Online

Description:

Being an effective, inclusive communicator is an essential part of being a successful scientist, engineer, or technical professional. Effective communication is the only way to share the results of your work, to collaborate, to innovate, and to meet your ethical obligations as a practicing professional. You will learn methods to plan and deliver effective business presentations for diverse audiences, including creating clear, engaging slides and data graphics. You will practice and gain confidence in public speaking for in-person and virtual formats.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

When: Spring Term

Credits: 2 credits

Location: Online

Description:

Prescriptive Analytics, also known as optimization, is one of the primary pillars of Data Analytics. This course aims to enhance students’ ability to build quantitative models for effective and efficient decision-making. Students will be exposed to a variety of practical business problems in various fields such as operations, supply chain, marketing, human resource, and finance. In each situation, students will identify decision variables, the objective function, and the constraints the optimal solution must satisfy. Then, students will apply various modeling skills and efficient solution methods with a proper selection of software. Once a solution is found from models, students will analyze solutions applying sensitivity analysis to look beyond the solutions. Excel Solver® and Python will be used.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

When: Fall Term

Credits: 3 credits

Location: On-Campus

Description:

This course focuses on the development of self-awareness and skills necessary for leadership, involving 360-degree assessment tools and extensive experiential learning. Topics include: oral communication, systems thinking, high-performance teams, fostering creativity, team decision making, leading change, influence without authority.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

When: Spring Term

Credits: 2 credits

Location: On-Campus

Description:

This course introduces conceptual frameworks, tools, and skills to effectively manage conflict and negotiate win/win solutions in the workplace.  The course will involve lectures, cases, and role-plays to simulate real on-the-job conflicts. 

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

Note: This course is also part of the MSIM Core Curriculum.

When: Spring Term

Credits: 2 credit

Location: Online

Description:

The course is designed for those students who aspire to directly experience problem-solving/consulting skills by working with a company for a period of 12 to 14 weeks. During the project students (organized in a team of 3 to 4) will act as consultants and make recommendations to a company by solving specific strategic and operational problems or developing new opportunities, through analytics-driven insights and imaginative reasoning.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

Note: This course is only available as an elective for students enrolled in the MSEM program.

When: Summer Term

Credits: 1 credit

Location: On-Campus

Description:

This one-credit elective course is an immersive synchronous experience that will be held over one weekend. The course will consist of a series of lectures, discussions, and workshops with an overarching theme of Innovation across multiple disciplines and industries with an emphasis on future trends in technology. This deep-dive educational experience will also offer networking and social engagement opportunities for students, faculty, and staff. There will be team-building activities including business case analysis, role-playing, scenario planning, and other group work.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

Note: This course is only available as an elective for students enrolled in the MSEM program.

When: Spring Term

Credits: 1 credit

Location: On-Campus

Description:

This one-credit elective course is an immersive synchronous experience that will be held over one weekend. The course will consist of a series of lectures, discussions, and workshops with an overarching theme of Leadership across multiple disciplines and industries with an emphasis on future trends in technology. This deep-dive educational experience will also offer networking and social engagement opportunities for students, faculty, and staff. There will be team-building activities including business case analysis, role-playing, scenario planning, and other group work.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

Note: This course is only available as an elective for students enrolled in the MSEM program.

When: Fall Term

Credits: 1 credit

Location: On-Campus

Description:

This one-credit elective course is an immersive synchronous experience that will be held over one weekend. The course will consist of a series of lectures, discussions, and workshops with an overarching theme of Product Management across multiple disciplines and industries with an emphasis on future trends in technology. This deep-dive educational experience will also offer networking and social engagement opportunities for students, faculty, and staff. There will be team-building activities including business case analysis, role-playing, scenario planning, and other group work.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

Note: This course is only available as an elective for students enrolled in the MSEM program.

When: Spring Term

Credits: 3 credits

Location: Online

Description:

In this course, films, novels, and short stories are used to examine the complexities and subtleties of responsible leadership. In order to succeed externally, leaders need to develop an ability to understand themselves - their energy, priorities, beliefs, core values, etc. Introspection and self-exploration will be encouraged in order to increase students’ personal effectiveness, self-awareness, and self-confidence. Students will apply all these concepts and insights into their own growth as leaders. This course also offers some intellectual tools and depth of understanding to assess various moral issues that leaders face in their personal and professional lives. Students learn what constitutes a situation with moral stakes, how such situations develop, and how leaders think through these challenges. Topics discussed include different types of moral challenges, moral leadership, professionalism, and moral reasoning.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

When: Spring Term

Credits: 2 credits

Location: Online

Description:

The course is designed for those students who aspire to influence strategic decisions of an organization directly or indirectly through analytics-driven insights and imaginative reasoning. Based on a deep understanding of the emerging geo-economic, environmental, geopolitical, technological, and demographic trends, the course will examine how through intelligent use of a full range of analytical techniques including game & options theories, businesses must innovate and implement differentiated strategies. At the fundamental level, the course will help the students develop the confidence to address complex strategic issues based on creative problem-solving frameworks and practical techniques - irrespective of where they may work – large or small enterprises (process or discrete industry) in developed or developing economies to make more calculated strategic choices between different business models, technologies with different risk profiles.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

When: Spring Term

Credits: 1 credit

Location: On-Campus

Description:

This course will address the technology policy and workforce/labor issues emerging as key drivers of success in organizations that are technology-focused in the modern era. Building on management theory and practice, legal frameworks, cultural and societal changes, and rapid technology evolution, this module will allow students to understand the multi-dimensional management challenges that are now critical elements of innovation in all industries.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

When: Fall Term

Credits: 2 credits

Location: On-Campus

Description:

Theory and practice of leadership. Development and application of leadership skills across a range of contexts including startups, corporations, and nonprofits. Focus placed on developing self-awareness in preparation for the initial leadership position.

Restrictions on Enrollment: None

Notes: Cross-listed as ENT 193.20

When: Fall Term (First Half)

Credits: 2 credits

Location: On-Campus

Description:

Introduction to sound money management in personal and professional finance. Creation of greater financial awareness, and development of financial vocabulary. Financial requirements across life stages including student finances, purchasing the first home planning, and investing for life events and a comfortable retirement. Basic business finances, such as budgeting, accounting statements, and taxation.

Restrictions on Enrollment: None

Notes: Cross-listed as ENT 193.21

When: Spring Term

Credits: 2 credits

Location: On-campus

Description:

Practical examination of marketing from startups to nonprofits, including opportunities to gain hands-on, applicable experience, emphasizing the mindset and skillset to apply marketing principles. Consumer behavior, market research, audience targeting and segmentation, positioning, digital marketing, and the elements of the marketing mix. Importance of personal branding and the application of marketing principles in professional settings.

Restrictions on Enrollment: None

When: Fall Term

Credits: 3 credits

Location: On-Campus

Description:

Exploring the skills and knowledge needed across an individual's career. Planning for internships and placements, preparing for a job search and gaining the skills and confidence for interviewing and starting a job. Students will develop the skills and knowledge needed to plan for a successful and fulfilling career.

Restrictions on Enrollment: None

Notes: Cross-listed as ENT 193.24

When: Spring Term

Credits: 2 credits

Location: On-campus

Description:

Holistic view of a human life. Work-life balance, mindfulness, personal ethics, physical and mental health, setting achievable and meaningful goals, and developing the skills of personal effectiveness. How to contribute to global society with an ethical mindset and cultural sensitivity.

Restrictions on Enrollment: None

When: Spring Term

Credits: 2 credits

Location: On-campus

Description:

Development of effective communications skills across a range of personal and professional scenarios, interpersonal communication, networking, and best practices in both verbal and non-verbal communications. Written communication skills for developing formal reports, drafting emails, and using social media.

Restrictions on Enrollment: None

When: Summer and Spring Terms

Credits: 2 credits

Location: Online

Description:

What is the future of leadership in the world of Industry 4.0? How will the growing diffusion of technologies throughout society and the workplace - such as digital, AI, and robotics - impact the dynamics of leadership and the approach of leaders? Are the fundamentals of leadership still relevant today, or does the Age of Technology require something different from the leaders of tomorrow? Emerging from the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, this course explores how leaders need to confront change and embrace the technologies of Industry 4.0 in a world that is increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. Tomorrow’s leaders will require the human-centered soft skills to lead teams that are increasingly remote and global, while still channeling the hard skills to plan and organize in a way that is timeless. These transformational leaders, however, should be guided by a sense of purpose and a set of values that help them navigate the ethical and moral dilemmas inherent in balancing the needs of people, planet, and profit. Students will gain a better understanding of the forces shaping the theory and practice of leadership and evolve their thinking about their own leadership style in the Age of Technology.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

When: Summer and Spring Terms

Credits: 2 credits

Location: Online

Description:

This course lays the foundation for creativity and innovation by reminding students that deliberate creative thinking can be enhanced beyond its current state. The uniqueness of this course is that it focuses on YOU as the practitioner of creativity and innovation. We ask: What skills do YOU have now? What skills do YOU still require? What behaviors in YOU will have to change to be better at your craft?  As students, you will embrace their inner core of your own personal creativity and build on it.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

When: Summer, Fall, and Spring Terms

Credits: 3 credits

Location: Online

Description:

With the option to earn a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certificate, this course provides principles and methods for process improvement by eliminating non-value-added work and by reducing output variability. Tools include the define-measure-analyze-improve-control problem-solving methodology, statistical process control, statistically designed experiments, and risk identification and mitigation strategies.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

When: Summer, Fall, and Spring Terms

Credits: 2 credits

Location: Online

Description:

Product Management is always a “tweener” role within an organization.  The exact role can span a range of responsibilities depending on the type and needs of the business, the maturity of the product or technology and the style of the management team.  Additionally, the scope, impact and focus of product management shifts dramatically thru the different growth stages of a business.  This seven class online course brings clarity to the practical impacts that a good Product Management process has to business from the earliest “ideation” stage thru building and launching the product.  This will help attendees better understand the product management role and skills, and how it changes based on various conditions of the business and its stage of growth.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

When: Fall and Spring Terms

Credits: 2 credits

Location: Online

Description:

With the rapid changes in technology, business models, and market conditions, the role and processes of product management are constantly shifting.  This course provides classes that cover some of the most pressing topics in the product process. Some areas that will be covered include Pricing, Go-to-Market acceleration, Building an Ecosystem, and Product Lifecycle management.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

When: Spring Term

Credits: 3 credits

Location: On-Campus

Description:

Do you have an idea for a business or innovation that you would like to develop? Is there a social or environmental problem you would like to help solve? This course provides a dynamic and supportive atmosphere in which you will work with other students, the instructor and outside experts to examine complex problems and then develop new or existing innovations or social impact initiatives.
 
Sometimes, a world-changing innovation can evolve when an existing invention or idea is strategically introduced to meet a real need. In other cases, an invention or idea doesn’t exist at the early stages of the innovation process, but rather, is developed to meet a specific need following a deep analysis of a system and complex set of problems. Both innovation pathways are valid and require thoughtful and iterative analysis in order to develop workable and marketable solutions. An examination of these approaches is highly relevant to students interested in driving technical or social impact innovations into the world.  For example, students, and the labs they work in, often have specific innovations that show promise but their exact application, customers and pathways to markets are not clear. In other cases, students have “wicked” problems they want to solve or positive change they want to see happen, but do not yet know what to do.
 
In this course, you will become familiar with tools, skills and approaches that can help innovators map complex problems and develop strategic innovations. They apply to both for-profit and non-profit ventures and will give students the foundation and community to become lifelong innovators. Your engagement with outside speakers and panelists will give you a chance to learn from experienced innovators through an examination of their work as well as get their feedback on your designs.

Restrictions on Enrollment: Must have an undergraduate degree

When:  Fall, Section B

Credits:  2

Enrollment Restrictions:  No enrollment restrictions. Freshmen are welcome.

Description:

There is not one path to entrepreneurship. In this course, students learn and unlearn what it means to be an entrepreneur and the various paths one can take towards entrepreneurship. Whether starting in a traditional corporate job, joining a startup or monetizing your side hustle, students will learn from experts in the field how to leverage their experiences at Tufts and beyond to progress towards their ultimate goals. Students will engage in discussions and workshops to understand their narrative and envision their entrepreneurial future.

When:  Fall and Spring

Credits:  3

Enrollment Restrictions:  None - all are welcome

Description:

This introductory course is designed for students curious about how to unleash their creative spirits to solve big problems with innovative solutions. You will learn a variety of skills, including ideation techniques, design thinking and more to help stimulate brainstorming and creativity. You will apply these skills in rapid ideation workshops, where you will repeatedly challenge your brain to come up with out-of-the-box solutions to real world problems in startup, corporate, non-profit and government settings. You will develop creative problem-solving capabilities that can help you succeed in personal and professional settings.

Along the way, you will meet innovators and entrepreneurs, hear their stories, and learn how they apply these mindsets and skillsets to their work.

When:  Fall and Spring

Credits:  3

Enrollment Restrictions:  Sophomore standing is required.

Description:

There is no better way to understand how to create, plan and run a business than to learn how to start one. In this course we will introduce the core mindset and skillset behind new venture creation. Students will learn how to systematically explore their own passions and desire for impact to find problems worth solving, team up with other students with similar industry or sector interests, and learn how to build a new, standalone venture by building and pitching one during the semester. Students will learn tools and frameworks from practicing entrepreneurs. The mindset and skillset you will learn will form a strong foundation for you to further explore additional topics in innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

Upon completion of the course, students will have learned to speak the language of business. Specifically, they will:

• Learn to be nimble, agile, iterative, and know how to “fail fast”
• Understand the basic principles behind innovation and new venture creation, including but not limited to:
  • Exploring their own sense of purpose, and finding problems that are important and worth solving, with the potential for significant impact
  • Analyzing market opportunities and selecting a target market segment
  • Understanding your market and customer
  • Building a solution that is different and better than the alternative
  • Developing a go-to-market strategy and business model
  • Building a marketing plan to raise awareness & generate leads
  • Learning how to make money and build a financially sustainable venture
  • Understanding what it takes to build and contribute to a high performing team, and the logistics around building a company
  • Effective presentation skills

When:  Fall and Spring

Credits:  4

Enrollment Restrictions:  Must have at least Sophomore standing. Recommended prerequisite: ENT 101

Description:

This course focuses on developing and applying the financial skills that are needed to successfully manage commercial and social enterprises. Students will learn how to construct a financial business plan for a startup, analyze and contrast the financial statements of existing companies, and evaluate business opportunities to optimize financial outcomes and avoid financial peril. Students will also learn about the different forms of company financing and how professional investors and lenders evaluate companies. By the end of the course students will understand how to financially position a company to maximize its potential of raising appropriate capital. The course is taught through a variety of readings, problem sets, case studies and team exercises. It is hands-on.

This course has a rigorous workload, yet is often mentioned in senior surveys as the most informative and relevant course they have taken at Tufts. This includes the numerous problem sets and Harvard Business School cases previously mentioned, as well as a capstone term project where each student will create a fully vetted financial plan for a startup or existing company. After taking the course students will gain a mastery of how to:

1. analyze the financial statements of a company
2. build pro forma financial statements for new product (or service) initiatives, department budgets within a company, or a simple business
3. quantify and apply core financial return concepts such as net present value, internal rate of return, multiple on investment, payback, ROI, leveraged versus unleveraged return, dilution, and break-even analysis to vital business applications
4. apply the financial principles to evaluate a new product or business idea, and its impact on the financial health and performance of the business
5. complete a simple valuation of a business and construct its enterprise value, market value of equity, post-money value and pre-money value

When:  Fall, Spring

Credits:  3

Enrollment Restrictions:  Must have at least Sophomore standing. Recommended prerequisite: ENT 101

Description:

This course focuses on institutional and product marketing methods used by start-up to medium-sized companies. After an overview of basic marketing principles, the course will cover the spectrum from day-to-day marketing activities of the entrepreneurial business to positioning and strategy. Students will learn to analyze, formulate, and implement marketing strategies, explore concepts for understanding customer behavior and creating an entrepreneurial marketing strategy, and learn the fundamentals of market research, pricing, and reaching and selling to customers.

When:  Spring

Credits:  3

Enrollment Restrictions:  Must have at least Sophomore standing. Recommended Pre-requisite: ENT101

Description:

Marketing isn’t Sales, and Sales isn’t Marketing, but they are both joined at the hip since every product, every service and job needs to “sold” in order to close any deal. Our “Science of Sales” course explores process, tools, technology, metrics and most importantly, the people that are required to actually sell, close orders and bring in revenue.

When:  Fall, Spring

Credits:  3

Enrollment Restrictions:  Must have sophomore standing.

Description:

This course is designed to help students develop the knowledge, confidence, skills, and self-image necessary to pursue entrepreneurial ventures in such domains as business, government, and public service. It provides a foundation in the fundamentals of entrepreneurial leadership, as well as a source of inspiration and energy in the art and science of taking visions and bringing them to reality.

When:  Fall

Credits:  3

Enrollment Restrictions:  None

Description:

Multi-disciplinary perspective of innovative technology-based design process for societal and community influence. Elements and principles of design from product development process, thought and emotion, ethics and responsibility. Experiments to explore failure and iteration, reflection for self-discovery and innovation. Articulation and expression via written, oral and pre-recorded audio and video presentations showing measurable impact of solutions as societal benefits.

When:  Spring

Credits:  3

Enrollment Restrictions:  Must have at least Sophomore standing.

Description:

Innovative Social Enterprises is structured to provide students a highly interactive exploration of core skills vital to social entrepreneurs. We start with awareness (self, context, relationships) and move quickly to practicing requisite disciplines (asking questions; testing and reframing assumptions; forming teams and other alliances; identifying opportunities, risks, and resources; giving and critiquing pitches; making go / no-go decisions). We will practice an iterative rhythm of weekly information gathering, sensing, assessment, and reframing, with emphasis on creating compelling value for multiple stakeholders. Students will engage in individual reflection, individual and team pitching, and active discussion. This course is designed to equip students with a practical discipline of asking effective questions. Whether students aim to found social enterprises, join social enterprises, or possibly fund, regulate, or incubate social enterprises, they will come away with sharpened agency and actionable practices for innovative leadership in the social enterprise sphere.

When:  Spring

Credits:  3

Enrollment Restrictions:  Must have at least Sophomore standing. This course requires department consent (Computer Science major or minor). Pre-requites include: Computer science or data science majors and minors with junior or senior standing OR completion of a Computer Science undergraduate degree prior to enrollment.

Description:

This is an introductory entrepreneurship course for Computer Science students. The course provides an overview of entrepreneurship, develops an entrepreneurial perspective, and provides a framework for learning the fundamentals of the essential elements of entrepreneurial ventures. This course is specifically directed toward software-related industries and products. Students learn how to develop their technical ideas into potential business opportunities, and to explore their likelihood of becoming viable businesses. They learn how to do market research, to develop go-to-market strategies, value propositions, and to differentiate their products or services from actual or potential competitors. The course consists of a balance of lectures, projects, case studies, and interaction with entrepreneurs and computer scientists who participate in entrepreneurial organizations.

When:  Fall

Credits:  3

Enrollment Restrictions:  Must have at least Sophomore standing. This course satisfies the Foundational Course requirement for the ENT Minor.

Description:

This course covers the entrepreneurial process from conception to commercialization or launch of a new venture focused on a consumer product. It looks at both process and people involved in assessing ideas, exploiting opportunities, gathering resources, and converting concepts into financially and technically viable businesses. We will pay particular attention to the ways in which students can apply their different skill sets and abilities to enter and succeed in business. The course seeks to help students think through the career path that makes the most sense for them given their particular backgrounds and aspirations in both an entrepreneurial or corporate environments.

When:  Spring

Credits:  3

Enrollment Restrictions:  Must have at least Sophomore standing.

Description:

“Bringing a Product to Market” covers the design process of a consumer product from ideation to pre-production of a new product.

The course teaches the consumer centered design process through lectures and the creation, engineering, and prototyping of a novel product. Students learn to identify and evaluate a problem (opportunity), create, develop, test (with consumers), and
select best prototyping strategies for their product.

Basic project and risk management, engineering, and analysis skills are used to deliver a robust working product on time and on budget. Students are assumed to be competent in basic problem solving skills.

When:  Fall

Credits:  3

Enrollment Restrictions:  Must have sophomore standing.

Description:

Entrepreneurial Business Law is an interactive class featuring speakers from the private equity, venture capital, and investment banking worlds as well as executives who have exited through a public offering or sale of their company. We will explore legal issues and considerations that are common to businesses as they are formed and throughout their business life cycle. The course will focus on several aspects relating to formation and seed and venture capital financing, mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings and securities laws considerations, as well as employment and intellectual property matters and governance considerations. There will also be opportunities to negotiate various financing and other transactions.

When:  Spring

Credits:  3

Enrollment Restrictions:  Must have sophomore standing.

Description:

Team and Talent Management is a course focused on the most critical success factor in creating not just young startups and emerging companies, but also any business of any size. This course focuses on the entire chain of team building and talent management from building high-performing teams, recruiting, hiring, and onboarding new employees to the overall personnel management of the business. This course outlines the strategic planning surrounding building the organizational structure while exploring the tactics of objective setting, hiring and firing decision making, compensation structures and reviews, and employee development. This course is open to undergraduates and graduate students who are interested in bringing an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset to both startups and corporate jobs early in their careers.

When: Spring Term

Credits: 3 credits

Location: Boston Campus

Description:

Please note that the location for this in-person course is the Friedman School in Boston (not Medford).

This is a cross-listed, Level 200 graduate course. Undergraduate students who wish to take this course will need to reach out to Professor Jimmy Edgerton for permission to enroll.

This course is designed to introduce students to the theory and practice of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial theory and practice relevant to the nutrition/food space will be discussed from the perspectives of a stand-alone start-up company and within larger organizations. This course is designed for students interested in exploring how entrepreneurship can be incorporated into food and nutrition and who may wish to begin to build an entrepreneurial skill set. Course topics will include ideation, finding potential investors, pitch development and pitching skills, competitive analysis, market sizing, business plan development, basic entrepreneurial finance and legal issues, entrepreneurial ethics, and management skills needed to run an entrepreneurial venture. Final products of the course will be a pitch presentation and a written business plan.

Restrictions on Enrollment: By Permission of Instructor

When:  Fall

Credits:  3

Enrollment Restrictions:  Must have sophomore standing.

Description:

Introduction to Making is an exploratory course that gives you the practical, hands-on skills to make working prototypes of your products. You will learn to make physical things, make them work, and integrate them with electronics/software.  Common fabrication techniques including foamboard, 3D printing, laser cutting, electronics, and  Arduino programming. You will be demonstrating your hands-on skills as well as your entrepreneurial spirit in an individual final project.

When:  Fall

Credits:  3

Enrollment Restrictions:  Must have sophomore standing.

Description:

Nonprofits are a valued engine for community engagement and innovation across the country. They play a highly visible and essential role meeting community needs, and they serve as laboratories for experimental, innovative strategies supporting individual opportunity, expression, and community equity objectives. This increasingly complex sector is built on the desire to do good through scalable, sustainable organizational strategies that deliver impact.

You will learn about what it takes to be a successful nonprofit: vision, resources, leadership, and execution. Through case analysis, press analysis, group discussions, and interactions with nonprofit leaders, you will learn how entrepreneurship and philanthropy are deeply intertwined in healthy, high-performing organizations. You will also develop the skills to assess the connection between nonprofits, social change and justice through direct conversation with grant makers and nonprofit leaders, and will devise a grantmaking strategy awarding $25,000 in grant funding to local nonprofits through support from former Tufts trustee Nathan Gantcher.

When: Spring Term

Credits: 2 credits

Location: On-campus

Description:

At times navigating your life can be confounding if not terrifying. You may ask yourself… Who am I? Where have I come from? What is my future? Approach life challenges like a designer: through experimentation, wayfinding, prototyping and constant iterations. Students embrace their creativity, curiosity, bias to action, reframing, awareness, and radical collaboration.  Students learn to design a guidance system that will help them to steer them through work, play, and life. Designed for undergraduate students, particularly Freshmen and Sophomores, who have not taken an ENT foundational course and are interested in learning more about innovation and entrepreneurship.

Restrictions on Enrollment: None

When:  Spring

Credits:  3

Enrollment Restrictions:  Must have at least Sophomore standing.

Description:

The Entrepreneurial Internship course allows students to earn credits while working as an intern for their company sponsor during the semester. Under the guidance of a faculty member serving as an entrepreneurial advisor, students have a chance to apply concepts learned in the classroom and acquire new skills as they address real life challenges.

In this course, the student assumes an employee role in the company. Internships typically involve students serving in a functional role with an entrepreneurial focus, such as product management, entrepreneurial marketing and sales.

This internship will be graded (see syllabus for details on requirements and enrollment process).

When:  Fall, Spring

Credits:  3

Enrollment Restrictions:  Must have at least Sophomore standing. Registration requires department consent. Having taken the course you are proposing to support and earned an "A" grade is a prerequisite.

Description:

“Inside the Classroom” allows students to serve as Classroom Operating Officers (COO), where they receive course credit for providing leadership, mentorship and student support for Entrepreneurship courses. By taking Inside the Classroom, you will assist in coaching peers, organizing course work, attendance tracking, and observing group work.

When:  Fall, Spring

Credits:  3

Enrollment Restrictions:  Must have at least Sophomore standing. Registration requires department consent.

Description:

This immersive course enables students to apply the learning and skills acquired by other courses on Entrepreneurship to the creation and development of their own new venture. Under the guidance of a faculty member serving as an entrepreneurial advisor, students have a chance to apply concepts learned in the classroom and acquire new skills as they address real life challenges.

In this course, the student assumes a co-founder role in the venture. The student will operate with the mindset of a business owner (responsible for overall strategy and operations for all aspects of the venture), not a functional leader (responsible for one department such as marketing, sales, engineering or the like).

The new venture that the student is building can be for-profit, not-for-profit or in the context of a government agency or university or association.

This field study will be graded (see Syllabus for rubric, restrictions and enrollment process).