Business Options for Non-Business Students
Note: Students enrolled in programs outside the John Molson School of Business may register for a maximum of six credits per term, up to a maximum of 30 credits offered by the School of Business.
Add a business component to your degree
The following interdisciplinary programs are designed for non-business students seeking insight into the exciting world of business. Basic business knowledge is an excellent complement to any area of study. Courses offered within John Molson are available to non-business students up to a maximum of six credits per term, 30 credits total.
- BA/BSc in Actuarial Mathematics
- Minor in Business Studies
- Marketing Elective Group*
- Basics of Business Elective Group*
- Management Elective Group*
* Students choosing to add an elective group have the opportunity to add a business-oriented component to their arts, science, engineering or fine arts degrees. The 15-credit elective groups are available to students registered in undergraduate program outside the John Molson School of Business.
Popular business electives
Program: MBA
Students provide in-depth consulting for credit under the guidance of faculty. The Coordinator of the Community Service Initiative (CSI) builds relationships with representatives of the host organizations, determines their specific needs and develops a course outline to address them. Approved projects focus on providing a relevant service to the organization and experiential learning and credit for the students. Component(s): Practicum/Internship/Work Term
Prerequisites & notes
Prerequisite/Corequisite: Students must have completed 24 credits in the MBA program prior to enrolling. Written permission of the Graduate Program Director after a selection process is required.
Students who have received credit for the topic JMSB/MBA Community Services Initiative under an MBA 695 number may not take this course for credit.
Program: MBA
The subject matter for this course will vary from term to term and students may take this course more than once, provided that course content has changed.
This course provides an overview of financial management and introduces the basic terms as well as the role finance plays in the firm and in markets. Specifically, this course covers the following topics: the importance of a working knowledge of finance to non-business students; the role of the financial manager; the differences between accounting income and cash flow, and between book value and market value; the role of interest rates in our economy; the interpretation of financial ratios; the concept of time value of money; and making financial decisions.
NOTE: John Molson students may not take this course for credit.
NOTE: This course does not count towards the requirements for the Minor in Business Studies.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for this course under a COMM 299 number may not take this course for credit.
Program: Undergraduate
This course introduces students to the basic principles of management within a contemporary business context. The managerial process (e.g. planning, organizing, controlling, motivating) is explored in relation to issues such as ethical behaviour, the environment, global and economic forces as well as political, legal, and cultural changes. In addition to using basic readings in management, the course also relies on contemporary text from the newspaper and business publications to raise students' awareness of contemporary issues in business and develop the business knowledge and skills that will be applicable in their career.
Prerequisites & notes
NOTE: JMSB students may not take this course for credit.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for MANA 266 or COMM 210 may not take this course for credit.
Program: Undergraduate
This course seeks to give students an understanding of behaviour in the workplace from an individual, group, and organizational perspective. Conceptual frameworks, case discussions, and self-assessment tools complement the course material. Topics include motivation, personality, job satisfaction, group dynamics, leadership skills, power and influence, managing change, diversity, and organizational culture.
Prerequisites & notes
NOTE: JMSB students may not take this course for credit.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for MANA 213 or COMM 222 may not take this course for credit.
Program: Undergraduate
This course focuses on the emerging business environment, and how organizations implement ecologically, socially, and economically sustainable management. Sustainable strategies are explored within the context of global economic development, to develop organizational vision, products and processes for achieving long-term sustainable prosperity.
Prerequisites & notes
NOTE: Students who have received credit for this course under a COMM 299 number may not take this course for credit.
Program: Undergraduate
This course focuses on the emerging business environment, and how organizations implement ecologically, socially, and economically sustainable management. Sustainable strategies are explored within the context of global economic development, to develop organizational vision, products and processes for achieving long-term sustainable prosperity.
Prerequisites & notes
Students who have received credit for this course under MANA 299 or a COMM 299 number may not take this course for credit.
Program: Undergraduate
This final-year course offers students the opportunity to learn how to capitalize on their domain-specific knowledge and recognize opportunities for self-employment or new venture creation. The course assumes no background courses in business, but it presumes that students have already developed an interest in entrepreneurial careers within their respective fields of study. The first phase of the course exposes the fundamental concepts and issues in entrepreneurship and related business fields. The second phase introduces students to the elements of business planning in the context of entrepreneurial projects, followed by the third phase where students formulate their own business plans.
Prerequisites & notes
Prerequisite: ADMI 201 or ADMI 202 or MANA 201;
NOTE: JMSB students may not take this course for credit.
NOTE: This course does not count toward the requirements of the Minor in Business Studies.
For complete course descriptions, please browse the Undergraduate Calendar. For dates and times offered please visit the Class schedule.
To explore program options for non-business students, please consult the Undergraduate Calendar.
Please note that since non-business students can only register for a maximum of 30 credits within the John Molson School of Business, students registered in the Minor in Business Studies, the BCompSc Information Systems Option, or the BSc Specialization in Physics/Marketing cannot register for the Basics of Business elective group. It is not open to BComm or BAdmin students, and not all elective-group credits are transferable to the BComm or BAdmin programs.
Transfer students
Find out about the requirements for degree transfer or reserve your seat at the next Degree Transfer Information Session.
Visiting or independent students
If you study at another university but would like to take courses at John Molson, find out our requirements for visiting students coming from inside or outside Quebec, or how you can join us as an independent student.
