Entrepreneurial Studies

Courses

310
Elements of Technology-Based Business Careers
4 credits

Introduction to technology-based businesses and the skills necessary to succeed in a career. This coursewill introduce business and career topics such as business formation and incorporation, business structures and cultures, business economics, personal and business budgeting, oral and written communications skills for business, interviewing and resume reviews, and other topics appropriate for career development.

Opportunities to meet with business leaders and other outside speakers will be provided. ESNS 310 is generally offered as a team-taught Carthage Symposium.

Prerequisite: Permission of the ESNS Program Director.
320
Development and Operation of Technology-Based Business
4 credits

A comprehensive course covering all of the major aspects of operating a business. Included among the topics are management skills, legal and regulatory issues, business ethics, financial planning, business finance, investing and retirement planning, accounting and taxation, and intellectual property. Students will work in teams to develop business plans.

Prerequisite: ESNS 310.
325
Commercial Technologies in Business
4 credits

A January-term course designed around student teams engaging in week-long projects through which they learn how to develop and produce new products and services. The course emphasizes fact-finding and on-the-fly design and systems integration. The course includes field trips to regional industries.

Prerequisite:
350
Field Placement
2-8 credits
A field placement in entrepreneurial studies enables the student to explore a possible technology business career and to work in an individual, academically-oriented position designed to supplement or complement the student's academic experience. All field placements require faculty supervision and regular meetings between the student and the instructor.
Prerequisite: Permission of the ESNS Program Director
355
Internship
4-8 credits
Instructor: Staff
An internship enables students to gain practical experience in technology business. Such internships are longer in duration than field placements. All internships require faculty supervision and regular meetings between the student and the instructor.
Prerequisite: Permission of the ESNS Program Director.
410
Technology Based Business Project Development
4 credits

Students will develop a business concept in concert with an outside organization and industry mentor. Students will work directly with an industry mentor and College faculty to develop a product or business concept. Product design and market research form the core of the course activities. Students will present their projects and findings before the ScienceWorks Advisory Board.

Prerequisite: ESNS 320.
430
Business Plan Development and Presentations
4 credits

Students will develop business plans and other business documents for their core project. Students will work directly with an industry mentor and College faculty to develop a complete and detailed business plan. Students will defend their business plans before the ScienceWorks Advisory Board and a public audience. In addition, students are strongly urged to participate in an internship or work experience following completion of ESNS 320 and prior to enrolling in ESNS 410. Students must select a suitable business plan project and identify an industry mentor/partner prior to the start of ESNS 410. While this is best accomplished through an internship, students may elect to conduct projects with other organizations or companies. It is the student's responsibility to make arrangements for the project. Students can elect to enroll in a Carthage Symposium consisting of ESNS 310, 325, and 320. ESNS 325 may be taken out-of-sequence, but ESNS 310 and 320 must be taken consecutively. Students enrolled as majors in the Division of Natural Sciences will have priority in enrolling in ScienceWorks courses. In addition to the above courses that constitute the ESNS Minor, additional elective courses may be offered. These will not generally serve for completion of the minor.

Prerequisite: ESNS 410.
450
Independent Study
2-4 credits
A student can conduct independent study in a topic of interest in entrepreneurial studies. It is understood that this course will not duplicate any other course regularly offered in the curriculum, and that the student will work in this course as independently as the instructor believes possible.
Prerequisite: Permission of the ESNS Program Director.
490
Independent Research
2-4 credits
Independent research is an opportunity for students to develop and study an original or new idea within the Entrepreneurial Studies Program. Suitable topics are those that require substantial library and/or laboratory research, reading, and in-depth study, and will result in new knowledge or understanding.
Prerequisite: Permission of the ESNS Program Director