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Entrepreneurial Studies
Faculty
Instructors Aukers, 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-050,150; 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.
Courses
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-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.