Assistant Professor Aukers; Instructor Cumpstone (Coordinator); Instructor, Visiting Cooper

The Entrepreneurial Studies minor is a course of study designed for students who have an interest in entrepreneurial thought and action. Students are inspired to be problem solvers, creative members of innovative teams, change agents, and mission-driven leaders. Entrepreneurship is a process used to recognize opportunities and identify, refine and implement impactful solutions in business, social, technological, artistic, environmental, and scientific realms. The process offers students a framework and competencies to make positive contributions in these areas. Students develop an understanding of the entrepreneurial mindset through a variety of courses and experiential learning. The Entrepreneurial Studies minor asks students to consider the questions, “What will I do?” and, “How can we live together?”

Requirements for Entrepreneurial Studies Minor

The Entrepreneurial Studies Minor consists of 24 credits and a not-for-credit practicum. The requirements and key components are listed below.

• ENTR-101 and 102 (two credits each)
• ACCT-140
• MGT-200
• MKT-250
• MGT-330
• Four credits from the following list: ACCT-241; BIO-220; BIO/ENV-234; DATA-201; DIGS-200, 250; ECON-231; ENG-104W; ENTR-050, 120, 150; ENV-332; HIST/ENG-212; IDS-055; MCS-201; MGT-300 (Leadership); PSYC-250.
  
  
• ENTR-200, a learning experience in which students put the ideas studied in the minor into practice.

ENTR-050. Topics in Entrepreneurship

An occasional course focusing on a special topic in entrepreneurship. Prerequisites will vary. Two hours per week. Two semester hours.

ENTR-101. Entrepreneurial Mindset

This course is designed to introduce the concepts of entrepreneurship as they relate to the continuing processes of creativity and innovation. Students will develop oral and written communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication. Class discussion will focus on the entrepreneurial process and leadership. A variety of instructional and learning techniques will be used, including group projects that apply theory to practice. Open to all students but content will be especially relevant to students planning to enter the BEAR Innovation Competition. Two hours per week. Two semester hours. (LINQ if concurrently enrolled in DIGS-250.)

Students may not enroll in ENTR-101 if they had previously completed IDS-050 in the fall semester.

ENTR-102. The Lean Startup

The course focuses on an entrepreneurial model of value creation. Value creation is assessed as students develop and test their ideas. Students from all disciplines create, map, and evaluate their assumptions with stakeholders and outside partners, using an iterative model (act, measure, learn) to determine the potential for market or social value. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills are used to develop insights from data and iterate project plans. Two hours per week. Two semester hours. (LINQ if concurrently enrolled in DIGS-250.)

Students may not enroll in ENTR-102 if they had previously completed IDS-050 in the fall semester.

ENTR-120. Start-ups and the Scientific Method

This is an entrepreneurial course for scientific minds aimed to bridge the gap between scientific and entrepreneurial thought in order to equip students with the skills needed to create and implement novel solutions that bring value to themselves and others. The intersection of science and entrepreneurship has become a catalyst for groundbreaking discoveries and technological advancements. This course intends to foster innovation, cultivate business insight, and empower students to transform scientific knowledge into real-world solutions. Through a comprehensive curriculum, students will gain a deep understanding of the entrepreneurial process, from ideation to commercialization, while leveraging their scientific knowledge to identify and capitalize on market opportunities. Students will contribute to solving environmental, social and other problems by bringing innovative solutions to all types of sectors, for both for-profit and non-profit. There are no prerequisites for this course. Students of all levels and backgrounds are encouraged to take the course. Creation of student teams will occur mid-course, pairing students based on background and expertise to ensure good working diverse teams. Teams will be paired with a faculty mentor or community partner in their field of interest. Design thinking, problem solving and ideation activities will be built into the curriculum to encourage and promote student innovation. Four semester hours.

ENTR-150. Topics in Entrepreneurship

An occasional course focusing on a special topic in entrepreneurship. Prerequisites will vary. Three hours per week. Four semester hours.

ENTR-200. Entrepreneurship Practicum

A learning experience in which students put ideas they study in the Entrepreneurial Studies minor into practice. Participation in one of the following programs, subject to approval by the Entrepreneurial Studies coordinator, will satisfy the requirements for this course:

• A presentation in the BEAR Innovation
• Digital Spark
• Media on Main
• Internship at a startup
• A presentation at an external venture development competition
• Participation in an external entrepreneurship incubator
• Completion of an independent study courses that serves as an on-campus idea incubator

Prerequisites: ENTR-101 or ENTR-102; Instructor Approval. Zero semester hours.