Courses
BANA 310. Data Visualization for Business (3)
Prerequisite: SOM 120 or MATH 140 (Business Analytics majors and minors must attain a grade of “C” or higher). (MATH 140 is cross-listed with MATH 140BUS, MATH 140SCI, and MATH 141/L.) This course covers the concepts and methods in data mining and analysis relating to exploration and visualization of business data, leading to knowledge discovery from large data sets and better managerial decision making. This course examines a comprehensive set of ways useful in understanding and presenting data using the latest data visualization software and tools. Major topics of this course will include summarizing data using tables and plots. Students will learn through a combination of lectures and hands-on short case studies. Ethics is one of the integral parts of this course since charts and tables can lead the users to a particular direction and action that the analyst wants. Students will learn how to responsibly visualize data.
BANA 320. Predictive Analytics for Business (3)
Prerequisite: SOM 307 (Business Analytics majors must attain a grade of “C” or higher). An introduction to some of the most widely used predictive modeling techniques and relevant core principles. This course covers a solid foundation of predictive analytics, which refers to tools and techniques for building statistical or machine learning models to make predictions based on data. Students will learn how to carry out exploratory data analysis to gain insights and prepare data for predictive modeling, one of the essential skills valued in the business.
BANA 410. Machine Learning for Business (3)
Prerequisite: SOM 307 (Business Analytics majors must attain a grade of “C” or higher). BUS 302 and BUS 302L are prerequisites for Business majors. This course covers machine learning approaches to discover patterns hidden in large datasets. What can we predict about the future, given the data from the past? What kind of models can we construct with this information, and how can we assess these models’ behavior and reliability? Finally, how can we represent the data and devise tools for discovering these models efficiently and effectively? This course focuses on tools for data analytics. Furthermore, it covers the mathematical formulations underlying statistical processing, and the development and analysis of learning algorithms.
BANA 420. Prescriptive Analytics for Business (3)
Prerequisite: SOM 307 (Business Analytics majors must attain a grade of “C” or higher). BUS 302 and BUS 302L are prerequisites for Business majors. Prescriptive analytics uses both descriptive analytics and predictive analytics as input to models that prescribe preferred courses of action or decisions. Prescriptive analytics answers the question, what should happen? BANA 420 is a modeling course. Students will learn how to develop mathematical models in business, and especially in operations management and strategy, financial management, and marketing management, the three key functions of all business systems. The primary focus is on model building and applications. Solution procedures have a secondary role. Students also learn how to interpret the solutions and effectively communicate the results. The course will focus on understanding prescriptive models and how to implement or embed them in organizations and the decision-making process.
BANA 430. Text Mining and Analytics for Business (3)
Prerequisite: SOM 307 (Business Analytics majors must attain a grade of “C” or higher). BUS 302 and BUS 302L are prerequisites for Business majors. In addition to books and news, the general public creates considerable content on social media platforms and applications as well as other websites expressing product reviews. Advances in text mining and social media analytics now play an important role in today’s business decision making. This course will introduce concepts and methods used in text mining and analytics to drive information from text. Students will learn how to process unstructured data, such as information that is not organized in a uniform format, images, videos, and audio. These types of data are heterogeneous, non-compliant with standard schema and often high-dimensional making pattern discovery challenging. Students will learn how to use natural language processing to transform the unstructured text in documents and databases into normalized, structured data suitable for analysis. Students will learn through a combination of lectures and hands-on examples using R and Python.
BANA 440. Supply Chain Analytics (3)
Prerequisite: SOM 307 (Business Analytics majors must attain a grade of “C” or higher). BUS 302 and BUS 302L are prerequisites for Business majors. Corequisites: BANA 320 and BANA 420. Managing supply chains is a complex and challenging task, given the current business trends of expanding product variety, short product life cycles, increasing outsourcing, globalization of business, and continuous advances in information technology. Many companies are aggressively investing in data analytics tools to generate insights that can help them make well-informed business decisions. This course is offered to help students understand the analytical tools and techniques that are useful in designing and managing supply chains. The emphasis will be on how the models can be used in some fundamental supply chain applications such as transportation, capacity allocation, production planning, network flow, aggregate planning, sales and operations planning, and network design.
BANA 607. Introduction to Business Analytics (3)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing. This course introduces the methods and tools which help to systematically extract not only information but also insights from the data in various business functions, such as operations, supply chain, marketing, and finance. The course consists of four distinct parts: (1) foundations of business analytics: decision making, definition and categories of business analytics, big data, (2) descriptive analytics: descriptive statistics, data visualization, statistical inference, (3) predictive analytics: regression, time series analysis, forecasting, data mining, spreadsheet modeling, and (4) prescriptive analytics: linear optimization, integer optimization, simulation, decision analysis.
BANA 610. Visualization and Communication for Business (3)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing. This course helps students link the various facets of business and provides them with an intuitive way to better understand data. Data visualization consists of tools and techniques to generate insights from data and convey them to others. It is also essential in identifying data errors and reducing the size of data by highlighting important relationships and trends. More specifically, in this course, students learn how to design tables and charts. Furthermore, it presents an overview of more advanced charts, tables, and data dashboards. Students learn how to work with state-of-the-art visualization computer software packages. The course puts an emphasis on how to responsibly visualize data and communicate findings with others.
BANA 614. Database Management for Business (3)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing. The primary goal of this course is to understand principles and practices of database management and design. Students learn the principles of database design, implementation, as well as data querying and processing. Database administration (including security, concurrency control, performance monitoring and tuning, resource sharing, and recovery) is also covered. Students learn and practice the fundamentals of the Structured Query Language (SQL), entity-relationship diagrams, dependencies and normalization. The emerging issues of data governance and related risk management are also studied. Projects require students to design and develop a database application for a business situation by utilizing design tools and a major database management systems (DBMS) package.
BANA 620. Data Mining and Predictive Analytics for Business (3)
Prerequisite: BANA 607. This course provides a comprehensive coverage of the most widely used classical and modern predictive business modeling techniques, such as logistic regression, k-nearest neighbor, naïve Bayes, clustering, neural network, regularization, etc. This course also provides a strong theoretical foundation of predictive analytics in making both classifications and predictions based on big data. Using realistic business examples, students learn how to implement the solutions using state of the art business analytics software.
BANA 622. Programming for Business Analytics (3)
Prerequisite: BANA 607. This course focuses on the state-of-the-art data science programming languages. Students learn to build algorithms and apply programming languages to discover patterns hidden in datasets. The course enables students to use interdisciplinary machine learning techniques to create algorithms, which can efficiently manage large volumes of data to quickly make real time decisions. It also covers a broad cross-section of programming techniques and prepares students in the application of machine learning techniques. This course emphasizes on building tools using programming languages.
BANA 630. Prescriptive Analytics for Business (3)
Prerequisite: BANA 607. This course aims to enhance students’ ability to make actionable data-driven decisions using optimization modeling techniques to achieve business goals. It will train students how to transform data into action using modeling with logical thinking and ultimately help them develop critical thinking in decision makings. Students will learn how to ask the right questions, define business objectives, understand and capture constraints, and optimize for success of their business. The emphasis will be on the formulation of different optimization problems and the use of the appropriate quantitative techniques, including heuristics and optimization. The course will also examine a variety of practical business analytics applications, including financial planning, human resources, marketing strategies, logistics, production planning, inventory management, and revenue maximization.
BANA 640. Supply Chain Analytics (3)
Prerequisite: BANA 607. Corequisites: BANA 620 and BANA 630. This course explores predictive and prescriptive modeling and analytical tools for design, analysis, execution and integration of supply chains. Students will learn how to formulate and solve supply chain problems using business analytics techniques. The emphasis will be on how these models can be used in fundamental supply chain applications, such as transportation, forecasting, capacity allocation, production planning, sales and operations planning, facility location and distribution network design. This course also provides an example-driven approach to learn about important supply chain models, problems, and solution methodologies. This course is designed to help students master the analytical tools and techniques that they can appreciate and use effectively, as well as reinforce their understanding of supply chain theories, principles, and concepts studied previously in foundation courses.
BANA 650. Healthcare Analytics (3)
Prerequisite: BANA 607. This course prepares students to understand the process of analyzing electronic health records (EHRs) to improve patient care and to achieve greater efficiencies in healthcare systems. The course enables students to understand the characteristics of the clinical data to derive data-driven solutions. The course covers handling of real-world EHRs, cleansing data, imputing data, and using existing methods to solve major clinical problems, such as readmission, mortality prediction, etc. The key focus is on the interpretation and presentation of the results to practitioners or physicians. The course covers both clinical and administrative aspects of healthcare.
BANA 690A-Z. Selected Topics for Business Analytics (3-3)
Prerequisite: BANA 607. This course focuses on advanced topics in business analytics and relevant applications. It will combine academic rigor and real-world relevance and insight. Students will demonstrate mastery of such topics by putting business analytics knowledge, tools and techniques into practice. Topics will be specified in the Schedule of Classes. This course may be repeated once for credit, provided the topic is different.
BANA 698. Graduate Project (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of all required courses and program director’s consent. This is a culminating graduate project in which small teams of graduate business analytics students demonstrate mastery of the program learning goals through a project in business analytics. Under faculty supervision, graduate business analytics students collaborate with a business partner, including a potential client, faculty advisor, program director, and/or subject matter expert, to determine the scope of work to address a business problem related to a business analytics. Students systematically analyze the business problem by collecting and analyzing business data, using the tools and techniques learned in the graduate business analytics program. They apply research to make evidence-based and well-informed decisions and provide business recommendations to effectively address the problem. They will develop and submit a written report with business recommendations. An oral presentation is also required.
IS 212. Information Systems for Business Users (3)
Introduction of business information systems from a user perspective. This course covers information technology hardware, software, networks, security and information competency at the user level. Careers in information systems and emerging trends in the field will be covered. Students are required to complete individual assignments and projects involving hands-on problem solving with spreadsheet and information management tools. (Available for General Education, E Lifelong Learning.) (IC)
IS 312. Systems and Technologies for Managers (3)
Prerequisites: ACCT 220 and a grade of “C” or higher in IS 212, or CIT 101/L and CIT 160/L. A survey of business information systems concepts including organizational information systems responses to business environments; systems enabling business strategies and business models; business processes, functional areas, and enterprise architecture/enterprise systems. Covers foundation of systems analysis, systems development and management with technology advancements such as cloud computing, data analytics, the Internet of Things, and blockchain, as well as the ever-increasing threats and demands related to cybersecurity and information privacy.
IS 335. Building Enterprise Architecture (3)
Prerequisites: Grade of “C” or higher in COMP 110/L and Grade of “C” or higher in IS 212. A survey of cloud-based systems, platforms and infrastructure used in enterprise architecture, with an emphasis on the services that cloud providers offer. An introduction to the design, development and operation of enterprise architecture. The course will include hands-on projects using cloud-based tools.
IS 355. Application Development (3)
Prerequisites: Grade of “C” or higher in COMP 110/L and Grade of “C” or higher in IS 212. Advanced application development emphasizing mobile platforms for the enterprise. Topics include: media, location services, phone sensors, networking, web services, data persistence, and cloud computing. The course will include hands-on projects using advanced application development tools.
IS 431. Systems Analysis and Design (3)
Prerequisites: Grade of “C” or higher in IS 312; a grade of “C” or higher in BUS 302; a grade of “CR” in BUS 302L. This course covers the systems development life cycle. Topics include standard tools and techniques to analyze and design an information system from a structured as well as an object-oriented perspective. A Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE) tool is used to facilitate the study. Required class work includes a group project on developing an information system in a business case.
IS 435. Business Data Networks and Cybersecurity (3)
Prerequisites: Grade of “C” or higher in IS 312; a grade of “C” or higher in BUS 302; a grade of “CR” in BUS 302L. An introduction to digital data networks and cybersecurity in a business environment. Topics include telecommunications standards and protocols, local and wide area networks, wireless networks, the Internet, and the technologies and processes of information security management. By completing a variety of hands-on assignments and projects, students will learn to apply conceptual knowledge to practice in understanding, configuring, managing, and securing business data networks.
IS 441. Database Management Systems (3)
Prerequisites: Grade of “C” or higher in IS 312; a grade of “C” or higher in BUS 302; a grade of “CR” in BUS 302L. The design and implementation of computerized databases. Provides background for the selection and use of database management systems. Topics include types of available systems, functions of database administration, conceptual database design, data independence, integrity, privacy and query. The student will design and implement a database utilizing a commercial database management system.
IS 451. Enterprise Systems and Project Management (3)
Prerequisites: Grade of “C” or higher in IS 431 and IS 435; a grade of “C” or higher in BUS 302; a grade of “CR” in BUS 302L. An introduction to enterprise-level cloud-based system development concepts, principles and practices. Evaluate and set up comprehensive system development projects for enterprises from services that cloud providers offer. Student teams will analyze, design and plan systems of moderate complexity, using current technologies and the appropriate project management methods in the solution.
IS 457. Advanced Telecommunications and Networking (3)
Prerequisites: Grade of “C” or higher in IS 431, IS 435 and IS 441; a grade of “C” or higher in BUS 302; a grade of “CR” in BUS 302L. An advanced course in telecommunications and networks emphasizing enterprise networking topics such as: network operating systems, network analysis and design, network security, virtual private networks, collaboration, wireless networks, VLAN, multiplatform integration, voice-over Internet protocol, web server strategies and storage area networks. This course will include hands-on projects involving network design and implementation.
IS 497A-Z. Special Topics – Information Systems (1-4)
Prerequisites: Grade of “C” or higher in IS 431, IS 435 and IS 441; a grade of “C” or higher in BUS 302; a grade of “CR” in BUS 302L. Innovative course of study. Topics to be specified in the Schedule of Classes. Different topics may be taken for credit.
IS 498A-C. Field Assignments and Reports Information Systems (1-3)
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor; Approval of program chair. For students capable of independent work and in need of advanced and specialized study. May be repeated for a total of 6 units.
IS 499A-C. Independent Study (1-3)
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor; Approval of program chair. For students capable of independent work and in need of advanced and specialized study. May be repeated for a total of 6 units.
IS 530. Accounting Information Systems (3)
Prerequisites: IS 312; ACCT 352, ACCT 460 or equivalents; Approval of department chair or designee. Provides an understanding of requirements, design and control of major business processes/accounting cycles integrated in an enterprise system. Topics include Systems Analysis and Design methodologies and techniques for Accounting Information System development, issues in control and audit of systems fraud and abuse, and controls for systems reliability.
IS 531. Healthcare Information Systems Analysis and Design (3)
Gain a well rounded understanding of requirements, design, and control of major business processes that are integral within a healthcare enterprise system. Topics include systems analysis and design methodologies and techniques for healthcare information system development, issues of privacy and confidentiality, fraud and abuse, as well as controls for systems reliability.
IS 551. Managing Projects in Healthcare Informatics (3)
Students will gain a well rounded understanding of enterprise-level system development concepts, principal and practices. Students will evaluate and setup comprehensive system development projects for departments and/or enterprises. Student teams will analyze, design and plan healthcare systems of moderate complexity, using current technologies and the appropriate project management methods in the solution. Also students will gain a balanced understanding of management issues related privacy and confidentiality and learn about common system implementation pitfalls as well as benchmarks for evaluating the cost and benefits of implementing new information systems.
IS 599A-C. Independent Study (1-3)
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor; Approval of program chair. For students capable of independent work and in need of advanced and specialized study. May be repeated for a total of 6 units.
IS 628. Business Systems and Technology Management (3)
Prerequisite: ACCT 501 or one year of undergraduate accounting. An introduction to computer-based information systems at a fairly sophisticated level. Emphasis will be on the understanding of computer concepts, computer applications in an organizational environment and the analysis and design of information systems.
IS 656. Information Systems Audit and Control (3)
Prerequisite: IS 530 or IS 628. Examines concepts, standards and frameworks associated with IS auditing. Topics include the post-Sarbanes Oxley IS audit environment, assessment of risks and controls, computer fraud, legal and ethical issues, and audit of the systems development process. Students work through audit simulations to develop IS audit expertise.
IS 657. IS Governance and Risk Management (3)
Prerequisite: IS 530 or IS 628. Provides an overview of information systems (IS) governance and information risk management. The course stresses the importance of the alignment of IS governance to business objectives and the role of IS in achievement of organizational strategy. Topics discussed include contemporary compliance initiatives; strategic IS decision making; IS performance assessment, control structure and accountability; IS project management; IS policy definition and enforcement; risk analysis and mitigation; and IS security management (i.e., security planning, policy and controls). Established frameworks and standards for IS governance and control are discussed.
IS 692A-Z. Selected Topics in Information Systems (3)
Prerequisites: IS 530 or IS 628. The exploration of a topic currently being debated by the information systems profession or the study of information systems through alternative means (e.g., cognitive science, language and communication, literature/film). Topics to be specified in the Schedule of Classes. Different topics may be taken for credit.
IS 699A-C. Independent Study (1-3)
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and approval of program chair. For students capable of independent work and in need of advanced and specialized study. May be repeated for a total of 6 units.
SCM 416. Supply Chain Management (3)
Prerequisite: SOM 306. BUS 302 and BUS 302L are prerequisites for Business majors. This course covers the fundamental concepts, principles and tools associated with supply chain management. Topics include supply chain integration, logistics network configuration, inventory management, strategic alliances, procurement and outsourcing, warehousing, quality management, global logistics and the impact of information technology on supply chain management. Global implications will be discussed throughout the course. This course involves case studies, a simulation game and a culminating term project. (Cross-listed with SOM 416.)
SCM 442. Business to Business Marketing (3)
Prerequisite: MKT 304 (Marketing majors must attain a grade of “C” or higher) or consent of instructor. BUS 302 and BUS 302L are prerequisites for Business majors. Analysis of the marketing structure for industrial products, including raw materials, installations, operating supplies, accessory equipment and fabricating materials. Buying motives and buying habits for industrial goods, major trade channels, research, pricing, advertising and legal aspects. The purchasing function. Buying by governmental agencies. Governmental regulation. (Cross-listed with MKT 442.)
SCM 447. Logistics and Transportation Management (3)
Prerequisite: MKT 304 (Marketing majors just attain a grade of “C” or higher). BUS 302 and BUS 302L are prerequisites for Business majors. Introduction to the management of firms that market transportation services; the managerial implications of the legal, economic and social environment. (Cross-listed with MKT 447.)
SCM 492. Supply Chain Management Strategy (3)
Prerequisites: SCM 416 or equivalent. BUS 302 and BUS 302L are prerequisites for Business majors. Corequisites: SCM 442; SCM 447. This is a capstone course that integrates various aspects of supply chain management. Students will use their previous work in transportation, purchasing and quality processes to study current practices, which should lead to higher levels of customer satisfaction and lower delivery costs. Designed to give students more practice in standard business skills, especially communication skills, analytic problem solving and cross-disciplinary integration.
SOM 120. Basic Business Statistics (3)
Prerequisite: MATH 103 or a higher-level mathematics course with a grade of “C” or higher. Basic elements of statistics for students in business and economics. Descriptive statistics, elements of probability, probability distributions (including normal), sampling distributions, statistical inference for means and proportions (including estimation and hypothesis testing), simple linear regression and correlation. Applications of these topics in business and economics are emphasized. The course requires assignments in which students are required to explain the results of statistical computations using personal computer software.
SOM 306. Operations Management (3)
Prerequisites: MATH 103; SOM 120 or MATH 140. BUS 302 and BUS 302L are co/prerequisites for Business majors. Discusses operational issues facing organizations and introduces operations management concepts and techniques. Students develop skills necessary to improve productivity and quality of operations in both manufacturing and service organizations. Topics include international competitiveness, quality assurance, forecasting, design and control of operations systems, creating value for the customer, project management and supply chain and inventory management.
SOM 307. Data Analysis and Modeling for Business (3)
Prerequisites: MATH 103; SOM 120 or
SOM 416. Supply Chain Management (3)
Prerequisite: SOM 306. BUS 302 and BUS 302L are prerequisites for Business majors. This course covers the fundamental concepts, principles and tools associated with supply chain management. Topics include supply chain integration, logistics network configuration, inventory management, strategic alliances, procurement and outsourcing, warehousing, quality management, global logistics and the impacts of information technology on supply chain management. Global implications will be discussed throughout the course. This course involves case studies, a simulation game and a culminating term project. (Cross-listed with SCM 416.)
SOM 464. Manufacturing Resource Planning (3)
Prerequisite: SOM 306 or MSE 304. BUS 302 and BUS 302L are prerequisites for Business majors. Planning and control systems for the management of production and operations. Topics include demand management and forecasting, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), supply chain management, inventory management, master production scheduling, Material Requirements Planning (MRP), capacity planning, just-in-time (JIT) production, activity sequencing and other current topics. Includes a term project as well as an in-depth case study using integrated manufacturing planning and control software such as Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP II) or Enterprise Resource Planning.
SOM 466. Project Management (3)
Prerequisites: SOM 120, SOM 391 or MATH 140. BUS 302 and BUS 302L are prerequisites for Business majors. Introduction to the operations management of small, intermediate and large projects. The course surveys project organization, staffing, planning and scheduling (PERT/CPM), control, budgeting and quality. The project environments, including international issues, are explored. Various project management software packages are utilized.
SOM 467. Quality Management and Control (3)
Prerequisite: SOM 306 or MSE 304. BUS 302 and BUS 302L are prerequisites for Business majors. Application of total quality control for improvement of products and services, including both statistical techniques and managerial approaches. Control charts, quality costs, responsibility for quality, quality at the source, ethical issues and ISO 9000. International differences in philosophy of quality.
SOM 468. Managing for Service Excellence (3)
Prerequisite: SOM 306. BUS 302 and BUS 302L are prerequisites for Business majors. Techniques learned will benefit service managers and entrepreneurs by improving skills in managing efficiency and quality. Students will learn concepts and tools useful for service management. Topics include service assessment, improvement and innovation, yield management, service technologies (including management of Internet businesses), quality and productivity and new service development. The course involves case studies as well as software applications.
SOM 485. Decision Support Systems (3)
Prerequisites: SOM 306 and IS 312. BUS 302 and BUS 302L are prerequisites for Business majors. Concepts, development and application of Decision Support Systems (DSS) and related management support systems (Executive Information Systems and Expert Systems). Design framework and Management Science models for DSS. DSS development process and tools, user interface, evaluation and implementation. Study of recent development in model-based DSS applications with knowledge base enhancement. Class project designing prototype management support systems will be required.
SOM 496A-Z. Experimental Courses (3)
Prerequisites: BUS 302 and BUS 302L for Business majors. Course content to be determined. (See Schedule of Classes and Enrollment Guide.)
SOM 498A-C. Field Assignments and Reports—Systems and Operations Management (1-3)
Prerequisites: BUS 302 and BUS 302L for Business majors. Individual study pertaining to present or future career. Student must obtain approved employment. Consultation with employer and instructor determines program. A maximum of 12 units may be earned by combining Field Assignments and Reports (SOM 498) and Independent Study (SOM 499). This is an Academic Internship course.
SOM 499A-C. Independent Study (1-3)
Prerequisites: Consent of department chair and consent of an instructor to act as sponsor. BUS 302 and BUS 302L are prerequisites for Business majors. In order to do an Independent Study assignment in the College of Business and Economics, students must have at least a 3.0 overall GPA, a 2.0 GPA in all major courses and a 2.0 GPA in their option courses. Students who do not meet these requirements will not receive credit for any SOM 499 that they may take. Admission is based on evidence of ability to pursue Independent Study in-depth and on approval of a project submitted at the time of registration. Regular progress meetings and reports are required throughout the semester. Completion of the project is required before credit may be received. Enrollment in Independent Study is not allowed for the purpose of substitution for an existing course.
SOM 591. Business Analytics Foundation (3)
Prerequisite: Permission of the director of Nazarian Graduate Programs. Statistical methods and stochastic models to support decision making by managers. Topics include: exploratory data analysis, probability distributions and assessment, expected value, variation, estimation of means and proportions, hypothesis testing for one and several populations, F test, chi square test, simple and multiple regression and correlation, time series and forecasting, decision trees, waiting lines and simulation. Applications in service organizations and small businesses are provided along with applications for production organizations and large businesses. A key element is a group project involving the application of one or more course topics to a current business problem.
SOM 686. Operations Management (3)
Prerequisites: SOM 591, or both SOM 306 and SOM 307. This course focuses on managerial issues arising in the design, operation and improvement of the systems that create and deliver goods and services. The main objective of the course is to introduce the concepts, principles, models and analytical techniques applied to operations and supply chain management.
SOM 699. Independent Study—Systems and Operations Management (3)
Prerequisites: Permission of graduate advisor and department chair. No more than 6 units of Independent Study may be taken in any one department, and no more than 6 units may be taken in the College of Business without prior approval of the dean. Only those graduate students who have a current 3.0 or higher GPA may register in a 600-level Independent Study course. Note: See Graduate Business Interdepartmental Courses for GBUS 696D, GBUS 697D and GBUS 698D.