MBA PROGRAM (Day & Evening)
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is a professional graduate program for individuals who plan managerial careers in business, government and industry. The objective of the program is to develop skills and judgment in an individual for effective management. The emphasis is on the developing a student’s ability to evaluate business and organizational situations so as to enable him to make informed and creative judgment about policy and operations. Central to this approach is the development of creativity and judgment in students, so essential to every manager regardless of functional area or level within an organization.
The MBA program begins with a sequence of fundamental management courses, and is followed by a range of elective courses, which provide opportunities for focusing in particular disciplinary areas. This is given in two separate modes, full-time in the day and part-time in the evening. Full-time students normally complete the course work, followed by an internship program, in a maximum of six successive semesters. Part-time students complete the course, followed by an internship, in an average of eleven regular semesters.
3. Academic Rules and Regulations:
3.1 Degree Requirements
The MBA degree requirements are:
- Completion of 20 courses and internship program (equivalent to 63 credit hours)
- Passing of the Comprehensive Examination with a minimum grade of ‘C’,
- Passing of all courses individually and maintaining a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50.
3.2 Class Attendance
Each student is required to attend all classes held during each semester. Only three absences in one semester in each course may be excused. Unexcused absences may result in reducing the course grade of the student or in dismissal of the student from the program.
3.3 Class Hours and Course Load
The minimum number of class hours for each course in a semester will be approximately 40. For full time day section students the number of courses taken during each semester is 4 or 5. In a maximum of 5 semesters the day-students are to complete 20 courses. In the part-time or evening section the minimum number of courses taken in a semester is 2. However, a student may take more than 2 courses if these are available. The course offering will ultimately be decided by Institute Committee.
3.4 Methods of Instruction
The lecture method of teaching is followed in the Institute. It is supplemented by project work, case presentation, group discussions, seminars, business games, audiovisual aids and plant visits. Cases used in the courses relate to actual business problems including those developed by the Institute’s faculty relating to Bangladeshi business. Students are required to prepare daily work assignments, participate in class discussions and sit for periodical quizzes and tests. Arrangements are also made to hold lectures by prominent business executives on subjects of current business interest. The medium of instruction is English.
3.5 Grading System
Letter grades are used to evaluate the course performance and other works of a student in a course of which A+, A, A–, B+, B, B– C+, C, and D are considered passing grades. ‘F’ is the failing grade. The numerical equivalence of the grades as used by the Institute in calculating CGPA is as follows:
Range | Letter Grades | Grade Point |
80% and above | A+ | 4.0 |
75% to less than 80% | A | 3.75 |
70% to less than 75% | A - | 3.5 |
65% to less than 70% | B+ | 3.25 |
60% to less than 65% | B | 3.0 |
55% to less than 60% | B - | 2.75 |
50% to less than 55% | C+ | 2.5 |
45% to less than 50% | C | 2.25 |
40% to less than 45% | D | 2.0 |
Less than 40% | F | 0.0 |
3.6 Basis of Grading
The grade in a course will be based on an overall evaluation of a student’s performance in assignments, class test, mid-term examination, quizzes, term papers, project work, class participation, class attendance and semester final examination. Weightage will be fixed up by the Institute Committee. Grades will be determined by the teacher responsible for the course. In each semester, CGPA will be computed to determine the academic standing of the student in the program.
3.7 Repeating Course
A course may be taken only once for a grade, except when a student received a failing grade, which is recorded as ‘F’. Since passing of all courses individually is a degree requirement, the student must retake a failing course when offered, and must successfully complete the course. The grade earned on the retake will be shown in the transcript along with ‘F’ grade earned in the first time the course was taken. But the grade earned on the course(s) repeated will be substituted for ‘F’ in computing the CGPA. A course can be retaken only once.
3.8 Course Load for BBA Graduates
A BBA graduate who has completed 40 courses equivalent to 120 credit hours from an institution having curriculum and grading system equivalent to that of this Institute may qualify for waiver of a maximum of 8 foundation courses provided that (i) he/she has obtained at least ‘B+’ grade (s) in similar course (s). (ii) at 70% of the course materials are similar. (iii) passing a qualifying test for each such course. The situation will be examined by a Waiver Committee.
3.9 Academic Standing of the Students
An MBA student to remain in good standing must maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.50 out of 4.00 on the basis of courses taken. If a student fails to maintain a CGPA of 2.50 at the end of a semester, but obtains 2.00 or more, the student will be placed on probation. A student obtaining a CGPA of less than 2.00 shall be a dismissed from the program. Failure to raise the CGPA to 2.50 in the next semester by a student placed on probation will result in dismissal of the student from the program. A student failing to maintain a CGPA of 2.50 at the end of the final semester shall be dismissed from the program.
3.10 Comprehensive Examination
The comprehensive examination is given to evaluate the academic competence of the student in the chosen area of concentration. A student must take this examination to become eligible for the MBA degree. The comprehensive examination is graded and the student must secure a ‘C’ grade. The grade earned in the comprehensive examination is reported in the grade sheet of the student but it is not included in CGPA.
The comprehensive examination is usually given two weeks before the end of the semester in which the student is to complete the twentieth course. Failure in comprehensive examination calls for a retake, which is allowed only once, unless otherwise decided by the Institute Committee. Such retake will not be given until the expiry of one semester after the graduation of the batch to which the student belongs.
3.11 Internship
The internship is a part of the MBA degree requirement. A student must pass the comprehensive examination before placement in the internship program. The internship constitutes a practical for a student and is a preparatory step towards placement. The primary goal of internship is to provide an on-the-job exposure to the student and an opportunity for translation of theoretical conceptions into real life situation. Students are placed in enterprises in the public and private sectors, research institutions as well as development projects. The program covers a semester equivalent of 16 weeks involving 12 weeks of organizational attachment and 4 weeks of report finalization. The internship program for a student is usually organized to match the area of concentration and supervised by a faculty member and the students have to present their internship reports before the defence committee.
In all cases, a student is required to prepare an internship report within the time specified. The internship report of a student will be graded as per normal grading system of IBA. The passing grade in the internship is ‘C’. Failure to obtain a passing grade will call for a retake of internship program. Such retake will be allowed only once. The grade earned on the internship report will be reported in the grade sheet of the student.
3.12 Transfer of Credit Hours
Transfer of credit hours from equivalent institution to a maximum of 9 credit hours with grades not lower than ‘B’ may be considered. If transfer is accepted, a student may be allowed to take an alternative for the course in lieu of the exempted course. Courses taken before five years will not be accepted for transfer of credits. All applications for transfer of credit will be considered by Institute Committee.
3.13 Transfer between Sections
Application for a transfer from the day section to the evening section and vice-versa is to be considered on individual basis. Students seeking transfer shall carry the onus of matching course offerings and in no case the sequence of course offering can be altered. Application for transfers must reach the office within one week of starting of the semester.
3.14 Withdrawal from the Program
Withdrawal from the program must be with permission after completion of the first semester. Student with good standing only will be allowed to apply for withdrawal from the program. Those who have incomplete grades will not be permitted withdrawal. A student withdrawing from the program must complete the program within a period of 8 academic years from the date of initial registration. Upon re-entry the student must complete the required courses of the program remaining in force. The student can only be accommodated within the courses offered for the regular students, otherwise application for re-entry may not be considered. Withdrawal from a course may be allowed to student with good standing during a semester but four weeks before the end of a semester.
3.15 Unfair Means
- Students are strictly forbidden from adopting unfair means in class assignments, class tests, mid-term examination, project work, term paper, semester final examination and report writing.
- The following would be considered as adoption of unfair means during examinations and other contexts:
- communicating with fellow students for obtaining help;
- copying from another student’s script/report /paper;
- copying from desk or palm of a hand or from other incriminating documents;
- Possession of any incriminating document whether used or not;
- any approach in direct or indirect form to influence a teacher concerning grade; and
- Unruly behavior which disrupts academic program.
- If a student is detected by the instructor in adopting unfair means, the student may be given an ‘F’ grade at the discretion of the instructor for the assignment, class test, quiz, term paper, report of that course.
- Adoption of unfair means may result in the dismissal of the student from the program and expulsion of the student from the Institute and as such from the University of Rajshahi. However, the punishment for adopting unfair means will be decided by Institute Committee.
3.16 Grievance Regarding Grades
If a student is aggrieved by the evaluation and grading of academic work by his/her teacher he/she may file a grievance application.
4.1 MBA Program Office
The academic and administrative matters of the students of the program are looked after by the MBA Program Office. The services rendered by this office include admission processing, registration of students, implementing class schedules, publication of results, processing applications of students for various purposes, students’ record maintenance, counseling students on academic matters etc.
The office is administered by the Chairman, MBA Program with the assistance of an Officer and a Program Assistant.
4.2 Counseling and Guidance
A significant feature of the education system at the Institute is the close contact between the student and the faculty members. Each student, on enrolment, is assigned to a faculty advisor. The faculty advisor works with the students on problems pertaining to academic program. The counseling and guidance is a part of the larger university system.
4.3 Placement
The Placement Office also arranges Internship Program for the students after completion of course work.
The Institute operates a Placement Office for the benefit of its graduates and their prospective employers. The placement office of the Institute arranges interviews for the graduates and prospective employers to meet and discuss each other’s interest. The Placement Office maintains records of current students and alumni of the Institute and these records are made available to the prospective employers.
The Placement Office publishes in a volume, profiles of all students who would be completing their degree and makes it available to all prospective employers and the graduates.
5.1 Course Curriculum:
Course Category | No. of Courses | Credit per hour | Total credit |
Foundation | 8 | 3 | 24 |
Core | 7 | 3 | 21 |
Capstone | 1 | 3 | 3 |
Major | 4 | 3 | 12 |
Internship | 1 | 3 | 3 |
Total | 21 | - | 63 |
A. Foundation Courses:
F 501 Business Communication
F 502 Business Mathematics & Decision Making
F 505 Business Statistics and Research Methodology
F 510 Management Information Systems
F 515 Legal and Ethical Environment of Business
F 520 Financial Accounting & Analysis
F 525 Management of Organizations
F 530 Business Economics
B. Core Courses:
C 601 Organizational Behavior
C 605 Marketing Theory and Practices
C 610 Managing Human Resource in Organization
C 615 Managerial Accounting and Control
C 620 Financial Theory and Practices
C 625 Managing Operations
C 628 International Business
C. Capstone Course:
I 680 Strategic Management
5.2 Pre-Requisite Courses
The following courses, before being taken, will require completion of one or more prerequisite course(s). It is the responsibility of students to ensure that these sequential requirements are met in their course selection in every semester.
Courses Pre-requisite Courses
F 530 Business Economics F 502
C 605 Marketing Theory and Practices F 525, C 601
C 620 Financial Theory and Practices F 502, F 505, F 520
C 615 Managerial Accounting and Control F 520
C 610 Managing Human Resource in Organization C 601
C 625 Managing Operations F 502, F 505, F 525
I 680 Strategic Management all Courses
5.3 Concentration and Elective Courses:
A student will be required to choose four elective courses to concentrate in a specific area. An elective is offered, subject to the availability of faculty, if a minimum of six students sign up for a course. However, the offering of an elective course in a semester is decided by the Committee of the Institute on the basis of faculty availability and number of applicants.
Students may concentrate on any of the following areas:
Accounting
ACT 701 Advanced Accounting
AcT 702 Advanced Cost Accounting
AcT 703 Auditing and Taxation
AcT 704 Accounting Theory
AcT 705 Government Accounting
AcT 706 Intermediate Accounting
ACT 707 Corporate Financial Reporting
AcT 708 Financial Analysis & Control
ACT 709 Accounting Information System
ACT 710 Corporate Governance
Finance
Fin 701 Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management
Fin 702 Financial Markets & Institutions
Fin 703 Bank Management
Fin 704 International Financial Management
Fin 705 Project Appraisal
Fin 706 Corporate Finance
Fin 707 Financial Derivatives
Fin 708 Insurance and Risk Management
Fin 709 Real Estate Finance
Fin 712 Financial Information Analysis
ACT 710 Corporate Governance
Human Resources Management
HRM 701 Human Resource Planning and Staffing
HRM 702 Industrial Relations
HRM 703 Training and Development
HRM 704 Conflict Management
HRM 705 Compensation Management
HRM 706 Performance Management
HRM 707 Human Resource Management in Global Organization
HRM 708 Strategic Human Resource Management
Management
Mgt 701 Project Management
Mgt 702 Organizational Development and Change
Mgt 703 Information and Knowledge Management
Mgt 704 Comparative Management Systems
Mgt 705 Entrepreneurship
Mgt 706 Management of Innovation and Technology
Mgt 707 Management of service Organization
Mgt 708 Environment Management
Mgt 709 Total Quality Management
Mgt 712 Small Business Management
Mgt 714 Business Ethics
Marketing
Mkt 701 Relationship Marketing
Mkt 702 Buyer Behavior
Mkt 703 Service Marketing
Mkt 704 Industrial Marketing
Mkt 705 Marketing Channels Management
Mkt 706 Export & Import Management
Mkt 707 Promotional Management
Mkt 708 Marketing Strategy
Mkt 709 Brand Management
Mkt 710 E-Marketing
Management Information systems
MIS 705 System Design and Development
Operations Management
OMG 705 Total Quality Management
OMG 706 Services Operations