Overview of Business, Society and the Economy
The Business, Society and Economy program prepares students for the challenges of tomorrow by learning business and economic fundamentals.
The BSE program is the perfect complement to any major and is appropriate for all who have an interest in learning about business. BSE is a four-semester living and learning program. Students engage with business school faculty and interact with business professionals. Students actively participate in community service activities. The BSE program is closely aligned with the University’s four strategic priorities: 1) Student opportunity and achievement; 2) Innovation and entrepreneurship; 3) Internationalization; and 4) Service to the State of Maryland.
The BSE program transforms lives through meaningful learning experiences including engaging exercises, simulations, and customized content to ensure a memorable learning experiences. Examples include the Iliad leadership assessment, the Mount Everest Leadership and Team simulation and the global business strategy competition. The Iliad exercise is modeled after talent development programs used by organizations to identify top talent in their workforce. The Iliad assessment provides students with and insights into their areas for future career development. The assessment is an innovative and proven way to develop effective leaders for future career success. Below you can see an example of a reflection:
The BSE program is the perfect complement to any major and is appropriate for all who have an interest in learning about business. BSE is a four-semester living and learning program. Students engage with business school faculty and interact with business professionals. Students actively participate in community service activities. The BSE program is closely aligned with the University’s four strategic priorities: 1) Student opportunity and achievement; 2) Innovation and entrepreneurship; 3) Internationalization; and 4) Service to the State of Maryland.
The BSE program transforms lives through meaningful learning experiences including engaging exercises, simulations, and customized content to ensure a memorable learning experiences. Examples include the Iliad leadership assessment, the Mount Everest Leadership and Team simulation and the global business strategy competition. The Iliad exercise is modeled after talent development programs used by organizations to identify top talent in their workforce. The Iliad assessment provides students with and insights into their areas for future career development. The assessment is an innovative and proven way to develop effective leaders for future career success. Below you can see an example of a reflection:
Active Learning
The BSE program has been a campus leader in implementing experiential learning classes. During the first semester of the program students complete the course, “How Do Innovators Think?” Innovation skills are increasingly being recognized as the skills that separate students who are prepared for increasingly complex life and work environments in the 21st century, and those who are not. A focus on creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration is essential to prepare students for the future.
During the second semester of the program students develop a broad understanding of what a business is, how to run a business, and the vital role of business in society by completing introduction to the business value chain course.
The Fall semester of the second year involves completing a business communications course that provides the communication principles that are so critical for today’s managerial leader. In the final semester students enroll in the capstone requirement that involves completing an internship, service project, undergraduate research project, or international experience.
The BSE program has been a campus leader in offering education abroad opportunities. The global immersion experiences provide opportunities for student to develop an international business perspective by understanding the similarities and differences in the business environment across countries and how heterogeneity in the business environment across countries affects international business practices and strategies. Past short term education abroad experiences have included Australia, United Arab Emirates, and Southeast Asia.
The BSE program also offers an innovation immersion experience to Silicon Valley and Seattle. The course involves some extensive interactions with a significant number of executives, entrepreneurs, and venture partners (many sessions are led by successful UMD alumni). Past company visits have included Amazon, Google, Facebook, Tesla, Microsoft, Nike, Electronic Arts, Twitter, Starbucks, LinkedIn, Pixar, Intel, and Boeing.
The BSE program is sponsored by the Robert H. Smith School of Business. Students in the BSE program reside in newly renovated Cambridge Hall.
During the second semester of the program students develop a broad understanding of what a business is, how to run a business, and the vital role of business in society by completing introduction to the business value chain course.
The Fall semester of the second year involves completing a business communications course that provides the communication principles that are so critical for today’s managerial leader. In the final semester students enroll in the capstone requirement that involves completing an internship, service project, undergraduate research project, or international experience.
The BSE program has been a campus leader in offering education abroad opportunities. The global immersion experiences provide opportunities for student to develop an international business perspective by understanding the similarities and differences in the business environment across countries and how heterogeneity in the business environment across countries affects international business practices and strategies. Past short term education abroad experiences have included Australia, United Arab Emirates, and Southeast Asia.
The BSE program also offers an innovation immersion experience to Silicon Valley and Seattle. The course involves some extensive interactions with a significant number of executives, entrepreneurs, and venture partners (many sessions are led by successful UMD alumni). Past company visits have included Amazon, Google, Facebook, Tesla, Microsoft, Nike, Electronic Arts, Twitter, Starbucks, LinkedIn, Pixar, Intel, and Boeing.
The BSE program is sponsored by the Robert H. Smith School of Business. Students in the BSE program reside in newly renovated Cambridge Hall.