REGULATIONS FOR THE BACHELOR OF COMMERCE HONOURS DEGREE IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT (BS05)

 

Duration                                                   4 years

Minimum Credit Load                      480

Maximum Credit Load                     540

Maximum MBKs Credit Load      384

ZNQF                                                        Level 8

1. OBJECTIVES (PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME)

• The Departmental Regulations shall be read in conjunction with the Faculty Regulations and the General Academic Regulations for Undergraduate degrees herein referred to as General Regulations.
• The degree will be awarded to candidates who have successfully completed the programme and passed examinations in accordance with the Faculty
• The duration of the degree program shall normally be a minimum of 4 levels including a period of Work-RelatedLearning in a relevant industrial/commercial setting during the third

1. PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME

The programme provides knowledge which develops the students’ intellectual and critical thinking ability as well their managerial and entrepreneurial skills. It fosters ability to behaviour, analyse and interpret information for decision-making while instilling and indicating high moral standards of personal and professional behaviour which are consistent with positions of trust and leadership in society and ever-changing environment.

2. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

1. Normal Entry

English and Mathematics at ‘O’ Level, must have obtained at least two passes at ‘A’ level in Management of Business, Accounting, Economics, Mathematics and Geography.

2. Visiting School Programme

Diploma (Institute of Bankers), ND in Business Studies, Accountancy, Purchasing, Diploma in Education, Institute of Administration and Commerce (IAC), Institute of Personnel Management (IPMZ), Diploma in Business Administration (ZIM), Diploma in Marketing and any other relevant tertiary qualifications deemed to an equivalent or passes in relevant ‘A’ Level subjects, and must be at least 22 years old with 2 years relevant working experience and proof of employment.

3.3 Mature Entry

Refer to faculty regulations.

3.4 Special Entry

3.4.1 This applies to students who may wish to transfer from other universities while undertaking Business Management related degree programme.

3.4.2 An applicant may be exempted from certain level modules and shall be required to register additional modules to make up for the full component of that level.

3.4.3 Successful completion of the Work-Related Learning component at Level 3 is compulsory for all candidates.

3. PROGRAMME CHARACTERISTICS

1. Areas of study:Business research, investment management, mercantile law, entrepreneurship, small business management, taxation corporate governance
2. Specialist Focus: Marketing, finance, business management and entrepreneurship
3. Orientation: Training people with potential to get into Operations positions and leadership
4. Distinctive Features: The programme builds on enterprising student and focuses on knowledge development and application of concepts.
5. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND FURTHER EDUCATION
   1. Employability: Careers in small business, large organisation listed and non-listed in marketing, finance, academia, and research
   2. Further Studies: Masters and doctoral studies in strategic management and corporate governance, marketing, entrepreneurship, financial engineering
6. PROGRAMME DELIVERY
   1. Teaching and Learning Methods: Lectures (face to face and online), tutorials, seminars, group work, industrial visits, industrial attachment, research project, individual independent study.
   2. Assessment Methods:Written, practical and oral examinations, in-class tests, assignments, presentations, Work-Related learning report, final year research project report.
7. LEARNING OUTCOMES
   • Use relevant research methods to create new insights into the field of business.
   • Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Business Management fundamentals.
   • Ability to apply principles of Business Management to solve problems in business and commerce.
   • Create new businesses
   • Produce a holistic graduate able to integrate in any business form.

7. GENERALPROVISIONS

Refer to faculty and general regulations

8. FAILURE TO SATISFY THE

Refer to General Regulations

9. WORK-RELATED LEARNING GENERAL GUIDELINES

Refer to the Faculty Regulations

10. DEGREE WEIGHTING

Refer to the Faculty Regulations

11. GRADING AND DEGREE CLASSIFICATION

Refer to the Faculty Regulations.

12. PROVISIONFORPROGRESSION

Refer to the Faculty Regulations.

1. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Level 1 Semester 1

Code Module Descriptions Prerequisites Credits

HCS135          Introduction to Information Technology 12

CS131 Basic Communication Skills 12

GSB211 Gender Studies for Business 12

EC131 Economic Principles 1   12

BM133     Financial Accounting for Business 1A 12

CMI131 Principles of Marketing 1 12

BM131 Principles of Management 12

Level 1 Semester 2

Code Module Description Credits

BM135 Commercial Law 12

BM136 Financial Accounting for Business1B 12

BM138 E-Commerce 12

BM132 Business Communication 12

BM134 Business Ethics 12

BM137 Quantitative Analysis for Business 12

EC134               Macroeconomics                                                                 12

Level 2 Semester 1

Code Module Description Credits

BM231 Human Resource Management 12

BM233 Company Law and Practice 12

ENT131 Principles of Entrepreneurship 12

BM235 Financial Accounting IIA 12

BM240            Management Appreciation of Taxation 12

BM249      Quality Management                         12

Level 2 Semester 2

Code Module Description Credits

BM239 Industrial and Labour Relations 12

BM246 Digital Marketing 12

BM238 Business Research Methods 12

BM236 Business Investment Analysis 12

BM241 Financial Accounting for Business IIB 12

ACC145           Practical Accounting Data Processing     12

LEVEL 3 SEMESTER 1 WORK-RELATED LEARNING

BM 340 Work-Related Learning Preliminary Report 40

LEVEL 3 SEMESTER 2 Work-Related Learning

Code Module Description Credits

BM341 Work-Related Learning Continuous Assessment 40

BM342 Work-Related Learning Report 40

Level 4 Semester 1

Code Module Description Credits

BM432            Project Management 12

BM434 Organisational Behaviour 12

BM445 Public Relations Management 12

BM431 Change Management 12

BM435 Financial Management 12

BM436 Management Accounting 12

Level 4 Semester 2

Code Module Description Credits

BM437 Production and Operations Management 12

BM438 Strategic Management 12

BM439 Corporate Governance 12

BM440 Research project 12

BM440 Research project 12

BM446             Strategic Sourcing 12

 

13. MODULE SYNOPSES

BM131 Principles of Management

The module is intended towards giving the students a sound grounding in the history and development of management thought and functions of management. Emphasis is given to leadership, change management, decision-making and all the other aspects of managing in an agile environment.

BM132 Business Communication

The objective of the module is to expose students to concepts and theories of business communication and to assist them in developing into good and competent communicators. It focuses on the development of a student’s ability to communicate effectively and concisely in written, oral and any other forms of communication. It also considers different styles in the use of English in business settings, communication skills, letter writing, business reports, notetaking, meetings, minutes, summarizing and referencing.

BM133 Financial Accounting for Business IA

This module is designed to introduce students with no accounting background to accounting principles and basics. The module is intended to develop the learner’s awareness, skills and understanding of the principles of double entry book-keeping and how these principles are applied to produce the financial information required in business.

BM134 Business Ethics

The module examines the history and development of business Ethics by highlighting some models of moral behaviour and how they could be related to various situations in the business world. It explores the variant ethical theories such as utilitarianism, deontological ethics, and egoism. The Module also seeks to expose students to critical thinking necessary in resolving moral dilemmas vis-àvis the most pressing ethical issues in business such as fraud, insider trading, whistle blowing and many others.

BM135 Commercial Law

The module is designed to equip students with basic but concise legal knowledge to enable students to make legally sound and informed business decisions at work or managers. The module is an introduction to general principles of law and its interpretation, law of contract, purchase and sales, agency, negotiable instruments, insurance, partnership, law of derelict, insolvency and consumer protection.

BM136 Financial Accounting for Business IB

This module is a follow up to Financial Accounting for Business 1A. It introduces students to the following areas: incomplete records, control accounts, not-for-profit making organisations, manufacturing entities, departmental and partnership accounts. It prepares students for more advanced accounting studies in Financial accounting for business 2A and 2B. The module is meant for non-accounting students who should appreciate key accounting issues that they will interface with in the world of business.  

BM137 Quantitative Analysis for Business

This module introduces students to the fundamental concepts of data presentation and analysis  in management decision-making. The approach will emphasize practical management problem-solving approach using quantitative reasoning skills rather than the theoretical development of statistics. Students should develop quantitative research techniques for research writing.

BM138 E-Commerce

The module considers the benefits of the Internet, Website creation and Management, business-to-business transactions, e-banking, electronic order purchasing, Automated Teller Machines, Point of Sales, management information systems, electronic transfer of funds, and data security.

GSB211 Gender Studies for Business

The module empowers students with knowledge and skills that enable them to be gender sensitive in the university, workplace and in all social interactions. Topics covered include understanding gender, theories of gender inequalities, historical development of gender, gender analysis, gender issues in society, redressing gender imbalances, empowerment and strategies for creating a gender-responsive environment. Every student has to pass the module to graduate.

HCS135 Introduction to Information Technology

Refer to the Department of Information and Marketing Sciences for module synopsis.

CS131 Basic Communication Skills

Refer to the Faculty of Arts for the module synopsis.

EC131 Economic Principles 1  

Refer to the Department of Economics for the module synopsis.

EC134 Macroeconomics

Refer to the Department of Economics for the module synopsis.

CMI131 Principles of Marketing 1

Refer to the Department of Information and Marketing Sciences for module synopsis.

BM231 Human Resource Management

The module covers the evolution of the Human Resources Management function; the emergence of the Human Resources Management philosophy; similarities and differences between traditional Personnel Management and Human Resources Management; approaches to Human Resources Management; Human Resources models and human resources Management inaction focusing on strategic integration, commitment, quality, flexibility and team working.

BM233 Company Law and Practice

This module gives a thorough grounding in the regulation of companies by law including statutes and case law. It covers knowledge of the application of statutory and other provisions including a grasp of the administration procedures relating to meetings, registration of companies, flotation of shares, duties of directors and auditors, judicial management winding up and liquidation.

BM235 Financial Accounting IIA

The module intends to equip learners with the necessary knowledge and skills which enable them to understand the preparation of financial statements of partnership as well as introduce them to accounting by companies. This will additionally equip students with necessary competencies for the preparation of financial statements according to the requirements of International Financial Reporting (IFRS) and understanding of the preparation of the statement of cash flow as well as interpretation of financial statements.

BM236 Investment Analysis

The module aims to develop an understanding of the financial theory of investment as well as its use in the practical world. The module shall revolve around the distinctive themes of information efficiency in financial markets, asset allocation, derivative security markets, elements of investments, portfolio theory, fixed-income securities, security analysis, derivative assets and active asset management.

ENT131 Entrepreneurship 1

The aim of this module is to develop entrepreneurial acumen in students, to appreciate the importance of entrepreneurship to the individual and in nation-building, to analyse and explain how PESTLEG factors affect the entrepreneur, design a bankable business plan, and evaluate various options available to the entrepreneur to go global. The emphasis of this module is to define entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship and innovation; understand the nature and importance of entrepreneurship for economic development; identify business opportunities and generate business ideas; develop a bankable business plan; understand the characteristics of a successful entrepreneur; identify the challenges being faced by entrepreneurs.

BM239 Industrial and Labour Relations

This module is targeted to equip students with the following: understanding of employment relationships, an understanding and appreciation of the origins of industrial relations and the worker problem, understanding of theoretical issues behind the collective bargaining role of trade unions. The course will endeavour to build on the basic knowledge and background needed to prepare you for a career in the dynamic field of Labour Relations.

BM240 Management Appreciation of Taxation

This module aims at equipping students with basic knowledge, skills and understanding of the Zimbabwe Tax system and its administration on individuals and companies. Taxation of individuals and companies, the basic laws governing taxation and tax payments, make up this module.

BM241 Financial Accounting for Business IIB

The module intends to equip the learners with the skills and knowledge which enable them to understand the preparation of consolidation accounts, consignment accounts, royalty accounts, branch accounts and joint venture accounts. This will equip students with the necessary competencies for the preparation and presentation of accounts in line with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

AC145 Practical Accounting for Data Processing

Refer to the Department of Accounting Sciences for the module synopsis

BM246 Digital Marketing

The module goes beyond e-commerce to explore the marketing process in the online arena. It assists students in understanding how to use digital channels to create valuable online market spaces, how dynamic technology allows firms to connect with customers through electronic platforms, and how digital marketing can be used to augment traditional marketing.

BM238 Business Research Methods

Business research concepts and methods, the traditional and scientific methods, the research process, problem definition, research design, questionnaire construction and administration, sampling basis, sources of research data, collection and interpretation, research application and uses, data presentation and analysis, ethics, and research proposal will be covered.

BM249 Quality Management

The module introduces the student to quality management and the quest for business practices in changing environment. Students are guided on how they may assist an organisation embrace quality management as a competitive advantage in the business world where product and service excellence is shifting from mere position of proprietary knowledge, access to raw material to a culture of conformance to specifications, value chain management and employment and employee training and empowerment. Issues covered include inspection quality control, quality assurance, total quality management and international standards association. Attention will also be paid to quality function Deployment, benchmarking, quality gaps, management commitment, education and training, employee empowerment, teamwork, and management of change and the search for excellence. Business processes reengineering, quality costs, scatter diagrams, Parato analysis, Fishbone diagrams, histogram, control charts, check sheets, Stratification service surveys.

BM431 Change Management

The module focuses on deepening the understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with managing change and to equip students with the knowledge of how the process and implantation of change management unfolds within companies. It will dwell more on why organisations change, models of change, resistance to change and organisational development.

BM432 Project Management

The module involves a detailed study of network analysis and project scheduling techniques, project structuring, project finance, hiring and management of personnel, control of materials, monitoring the project, budgeting and project completion.

BM434 Organisational Behaviour

This module covers behavioural theory and research, human resources administration, models relating to human productivity, satisfaction, retention, earning in the organisational setting, organisational structures and leadership styles.

BM435 Financial Management

The module seeks to provide students with knowledge on the determination of financial objectives of business organisations, analysis of financial statements, and overview of financial planning, value, risk and return (share, debentures and options), the management of working capital, cash, debtors and inventories, investment decisions, financing decisions, optimal capital budgets and dividend theory.

BM436 Management Accounting

The module is an overview of the necessity of managerial accounting for management process, evaluation of the influence of globalization on management, managerial accounting systems and application to managerial operations, managerial accounting for management purposes, managerial accounting systems, techniques for application in managerial decisions, analysis of business situations and solving problems.

BM437 Production and Operations Management

Topics covered in the module include developing production/operations management strategies, the strategic role and objectives of production/operations, production/ operations management strategies – designing, planning and controlling the production/operations management system, process technology, materials requirements planning, JIT planning and control, quality planning and control and project planning.

BM438 Strategic Management

The module seeks to examine the nature and value of strategic management, the business environment, strategic planning, functional goals and strategies. It also examines strategy implementation, the role of leadership in implementing strategy, resource deployment in implementing strategy, designing organization to implement strategy effectively as well as factors influencing strategy implementation.

BM439 Corporate Governance

The module seeks to develop an understanding and appreciation of significant corporate governance concepts and issues in the contemporary business world, definition of corporate governance, key concepts associated with best practices, powers and rights of, and relations between directors and shareholders, history of corporate governance etc.

BM 440 Research Project/Dissertation

Students carry out an independent research project under the supervision of a tutor /supervisor. The length of the dissertation should be 10000 words.

BM445 Public Relations Management

The module is designed to guide the student in examining the scope, importance and characteristics of public relations in both private and public sectors. The student is shown how to study the elements of public relations, how to develop a Public Relations plan and the role of public relation in crisis and event management, the module will give the students an opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge to practical situations.

BM446 Strategic Sourcing

The module is designed to create a managerial perspectiveof the core tasks and challenges required to effectively manage logistical operations and supply chains. It deals with the integration of information and material flows across multiple organisations in the supply chain. By managing functional areas of logistics such as customer service, transportation and order processing as an integrated unit, a firm can gain a strategic advantage in logistics competency and be a strong contributor to successful supply chain management.

BM340, BM341, BM342: Work-Related Learning

The modules are meant to enable the student to integrate theory and practice through exposure to an actual working environment.