MBA

While the University of Michigan Business School as a whole has enjoyed success in the rankings recently, the Business Information Technology (BIT) program has also been doing well. This is a result of both the strength of the school as a whole and the department's offerings in particular. The MBS offers several exciting and relevant classes in this program. These classes range from those that build applied skills with today’s computer-based analytical tools to those that introduce the student to new ways of doing business electronically to those that introduce the student to the problems of managing complex information resources demanded by progressive firms — and everything in between.

The Graduate program in BIT offers a range of classes.  Up to 80% of all MAP projects have an IS component so BIT classes provide valuable tools for this important component of the MBA student’s Michigan experience.  Following are brief descriptions of some of our newer classes.

Leveraging Information Technology in Business Strategy (BIT514) provides insights into the nature of business information systems and their ability to leverage human and capital assets as part of business strategy.  The goal is to understand both the business opportunities that motivate large I/T investments and the organizational issues and management actions that determine their strategic success.

Enterprise Network Strategy (BIT581) covers business and technology issues in managing value creation through network infrastructure. The course addresses the perspective of the managers of enterprises that use the technology  as well as that of    technology vendors  such  large telecom and data service providers and equipment makers. The goal is to provide a basic technical background that will aid managers in understanding both the nature of competition in the network industry and the business implications of these technologies for the evolution of a technology strategy in large companies.

Enterprise Systems Strategy (BIT582) covers business and technology issues in managing the various pieces in enterprise systems architecture to create value for customers and shareholders. The course addresses the perspectives of both the line of business managers who are the primary users of these systems and creators of these systems.  The goal is to provide an understanding of the challenges posed in synchronizing systems architecture with business strategy for operational efficiency and innovation.

In addition, classes in decision analysis (BIT512 & 513) are also exceedingly popular. These classes introduce the MBA to the spreadsheet and its use as a decision support tool for the analyst, consultant, and general manager.  Other classes that have proven popular in recent years include the classes on human-computer interaction (BIT578) and databases (BIT577).