Courses

This course is replaced by course 101-165-IO Cross-Cultural Experience

Academic Level: 400

Online lecture with guest lecturers, group work and "inverted classroom" with digital learning materials (videos, articles, external content)

8 ECTS Credits (200 hours per semester), 5 hours per week (58 hours per semester)

NGU reserves the right to cancel this course if it has not enrolled enough students before the beginning of the course's instruction.

offered in spring/summer

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Marc Ringel

This module consists of the following parts:

Sustainable Development Governance (interactive lecture):

• SDG7 – Clean and affordable energy (renewable energies and energy efficiency)
• SDG 17 – Partnerships for Sustainability: Transition management strategies
• SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities & Communities

European Affairs (interactive lecture) – SDG 16:

• Understanding “governance”: Policy strategies and measures
• Lobbying at EU level
• EU institutions and their role in the political process
• Political decision making process and possibilities to influence them

Climate Change Policies (online learning module and seminar) – SDG 13:

• International climate policies
• European and international emission trading schemes
• Economic instruments for mitigating greenhouse gases and adapt to global warming

Students in this module will be able to:

• Analyse and explain international sustainability and climate change policies
• Use lobbying methods to strategically interact real life with decision-makers
• Actively participate in on-going debates and exchanges on energy and climate matters
• Contribute to decision making in the climate, energy and resource fields at European and international level
• Take up job assignments with industry associations and NGOs at international level and work effectively in a multi-cultural surrounding

Literature: United Nations (2020): Take Action for the Sustainable Development Goals. UN: New York
Hardacre, A., (2021): How the EU Institutions Work and How to Work with the EU Institutions, 2nd ed., John Harper, London
Ringel, M; Pittel, K.; Rübbelke, D; Vögele, S.; Ball, C.; Stahlke, T. (2021): International Climate Policy and Economic Perspectives. In: Dirk Rübbelke (Eds.): Handbook of Climate Change Mitigation. Cham: Springer

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisite: Economics (intermediate level)
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 400

Seminar, 6 ECTS, 250 hours per semester

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Dr. Christian Carstensen, NN

In a world that is growing ever closer together, it is becoming more and more important for young professionals to qualify themselves through intercultural competence. Besides the positive aspect for the career, participation in this module enables students to get to know other cultures as well as to become sensitive to other cultural groups combined with social sciences topics and the acquisition of important key qualifications.

The module Cross-Cultural Experience consists of three components, i.e. an Intercultural Competence seminar, a course on Social Sciences, and participation in one of the programs listed below:

• Tandem and School Program
• Service Learning Program, or
• Intercultural Training Program (only available in spring/summer)

In the Intercultural Competence seminar, various culture concepts are introduced (Hofstede, Schein, Hall, Trompenaars, etc.). The concepts of intercultural conflict and intercultural communication will be analyzed. Students will then play through the concepts by applying them to their own experiences (e.g., while studying abroad). In addition, students will explore the cultures of different regions and countries and their impact on business. Students will become aware of the impact of country and corporate cultures on international business activities. They will recognize that business activities are often culturally bound and will be able to apply their knowledge to practical examples. By participating in one of the above mentioned programs, students will be able to reflect on their experiences there and will be able to make connections to the content learned in the Intercultural Competence seminar and the content learned in the Social Sciences course. The Social Sciences course takes place in interculturally mixed groups and is designed to provide a first insight into the topics, methods and theories of the social sciences. Topics such as social change, modern family development, social action, social stratification, and inequality will be examined from the perspective of sociology. Global social inequality will be analyzed in more detail. Students will learn how to use common statistical indices and reports. The seminar is based on texts by modern sociologist Anthony Giddens, but students will also learn about classical theorists such as Weber and Marx. To connect the course with their intercultural experiences in service learning, with their tandem partners and within the school program, or in the Intercultural Training students will give a presentation about their engagement with the German or foreign partner.

Assessment: Coursework project (presentation, seminar paper)
Prerequisite: a good level of English is required (at least B2)
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 300

Seminar, 3 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

should not be taken together with 203-017-IO-01 Market Research and 203-017 Marketing and Market Research

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Iris Ramme, Lisa Mögle

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisite: Introductory class in Marketing or as corequisite
Undergraduate students

Academic Level: 300

Seminar, 3 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Robin Wankerl, Pablo Weiß

The learning objectives of  this hybrid module "Digital Agency" are to get to know digital creation and collaboration, learn analyzing user needs and problems, understand Deisgn Thinking principles and excercise idea generation and prototyping techniques. In its current format the online module is graded as passed or failed and is split into two distinct thematic parts:
101-102-IO-01 Digital Business & Marketing Basics: The first part focuses on digital disruption and digital business models, the Lean-Start-Up approach, Growth Hacking, digital marketing and sales, and e-commerce.
101-102-IO-02 Digital Collaboration: The second part focuses on aspects of design thinking introduction & customer group analysis, problem derivation & formulation, user needs & research, idea generation & validation, prototype development & testing. This course is based on the Digital Business & Marketing Basics in terms of content and project work.

Assessment: Coursework project (presentations, paper)
Prerequisite: Introductory class in Marketing or as corequisite, good working knowledge of English (oral and written)
Undergraduate students
Important note: Very limited number of participants!

Academic Level: 400

Lecture, 6 ECTS Credits (150 hours per semester), 4 hours per week (45 hours per semester)

offered in fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Dirk Funck

This course offers an introduction to the strategic, operational and organizational challenges entailed in B2B sales management. We focus on the following aspects: Fundamental of B2B-Sales, B2B-Customer-Journey and Buying-Center, Key Account Management (KAM) and Custormer Relationsship-Management (CRM), Negotiation Management (Harvard Concept), Sales and Ethics. The learnings are summarized and also tested in case studies. We will especially discuss challenges and questions regarding the Ethics of B2B-Sales.

Assessment: Coursework project (presentation, paper)
Prerequisite: Introductory class in Marketing
Undergraduate students

Academic Level: 400

Lecture, 6 ECTS Credits (150 hours per semester), 4 hours per week (45 hours per semester)

offered in fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Iris Ramme, Prof. Dr. Carsten Herbes, Prof. Dr. Robert Gabriel

This course cannot be taken together with the following courses: 101-118-IO-01 Sustainability Performance Management & Reporting and 204-035-IO-01 Sustainability Management

Sustainability has become a key influencing factor for business success. This is especially relevant for the marketing function of organisations, due to the changing awareness and preferences of consumers, businesses and the society in general. In this module, the students understand how the megatrend sustainability impacts marketing strategy and execution. They learn about the sustainability drivers that impact business performance today, and how sustainability needs to be integrated in the corporate strategy & business model in order to enable credible and sustainable market success. Further, the course provides knowledge and skills in consumer preferences, decision making of corporate customers and market research in the context of sustainable products, services and brands. The students understand how companies can successfully integrate the sustainability dimension in the 4 Ps of Marketing - Product, Placement, Pricing, Promotion - and what guidance companies should follow to execute their marketing activities in a sustainable manner. The industry experience of the lecturers is complemented by guest speakers from industry, field trips and case studies, to ensure that the students acquire knowledge and methods with high practical relevance and applicability. At the end of the course, the students are capable to design and implement a marketing approach in companies that allows for sustainable - meaning future-proof as well as responsible - business success. Part I: Why sustainability? Sustainability drivers and their impact on marketing and business, supported by the learning project "Climate interactive" (simulation and roleplay). Part II: Strategies and business model, How sustainability and corporate strategy must be aligned for sustainable business models in order for sustainability marketing strategies to deliver their value (instead of creating a greenwashing risk) Part III: Preferences and market research, understanding customer preferences as well as other specific issues of market research in the context of sustainability Part IV: Sustainable marketing execution (4 Ps), What it means to integrate the sustainability dimension in marketing execution, across the areas product, placement, pricing and promotion. This includes a part about sustainability in marketing operations.

Assessment: Written exam, coursework project (presentation,paper)
Prerequisite: Basic knowledge in Marketing
Undergraduate students

Academic Level: 400

Lecture, 6 ECTS Credits (150 hours per semester), 4 hours per week (45 hours per semester)

offered in fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Carsten Herbes

This course will give students an in-depth induction to the major issues, techniques, and challenges of developing, formulating and implementing strategies in a MNC. Students will learn how to analyze the corporation’s environment in foreign market, become aware of risks and opportunities and how they influence internationalization strategies. They are familiarized with the most important market entry strategies including partnering strategies such as JV and M&A. A comprehensive case will give students the opportunity of applying their market entry strategy know-how. Moreover, this module will help students understand the requirements that international business activities pose to organization, sales & marketing, as well as business ethics. Students will be assigned research tasks on a regular basis and will present and discuss their results with the class. Presentations by international business practitioners will offer ample opportunity for getting insights into the methods and practices of leading companies. Part of the course (2 hours) will be held as a compact course (not weekly), most probably on one or two weekends. This allows evoking the feeling of a real life consulting project.

Assessment: Written exam, presentation
Prerequisites: Background in Business / Economics and Management (intermediate level) and a good knowledge of English is required. The professor reserves the right to refuse students whose English is not sufficient to pass the course and/or whose participation is less than 80%.
Undergraduate students

Academic Level: 400

Lecture, 3 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

This course cannot be taken together with the following courses: 204-035-IO-01 Sustainability Management and 101-115-IO Marketing and Sustainability

offered in spring/summer

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Robert Gabriel

This class deals with the following topics:
Chapter 1 Introduction: Companies & Sustainability
(Sustainability drivers, business impact, value chain perspective)
Chapter 2 Sustainability Reporting
(GRI Standard, Credibility of Reports / Greenwashing, Materiality)
Chapter 3 Sustainability Performance Management
(Corporate Sustainability, Software Tools, Supply Chain Sustainability)

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 400

Lecture, 4,5 ECTS Credits (112,5 hours per semester), 3 hours per week (35 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Robert Gabriel

The students understand the relevance and the challenges of innovation management. They learn basic approaches and methods that are typically applied, and are enabled to apply some of the concepts in smaller exercises. The students see how companies implement innovation management in practice, and further understand methods and approaches to develop more sustainable products and process technologies, including a broad number of examples and case studies. This course deals with the following topics:
-    Defintions and some key statistics
-    Influence of strategy and culture
-    Life cycles and innovation management models
-    Innovation management process
-    Sustainable innovation

Students will have to decide whether they take the class 101-120-IO-01 or the class 102-040-IO-02. Students cannot take both classes.

Assessment: written exam, coursework project (presenation, paper)
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 400

Lecture, 1,5 ECTS Credits (37,5 hours per semester), 1 hour per week (15 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Matthias Schulz

This course deals with the following topics:
1. Sustainability – the bigger picture: Overview of current environmental issues; Sustainability: what does it mean and essential perspectives; Economic growth and sustainable development – an irresolvable conflict? Transformation steps to a postgrowth economy
2. and 3. Measurement and communication of products‘ environmental performance: Life cycle thinking and life cycle management, Introduction to life cycle assessment (the methodology and a case study), Communicating the environmental performance of products with the help of eco-labels

Assessment: written exam

Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 400

Lecture, 6 ECTS Credits (150 hours per semester), 4 hours per week (45 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Stefan Detscher, Michael Heimrich

This module consists of the two parts Digital Business Model Management and Digital Business Model Transformation. It deals with the following contents: categorization and case studies of digital business models, management and analysis tools for digital business models, value and growth of digital business models, success control in digital business models through Unit Economics

Assessment: Coursework project (presentation, paper)
Prerequisite: Introductory class in Marketing
Undergraduate students (at least in the 3^rd year)

Academic Level: 400

Lecture, 3 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Iris Ramme

This module is designed as an advanced course in marketing research (but not in statistics). The students will learn about marketing research from a supplier’s and buyer’s point of view. In their later career, they may not be the generator of market research - but they will most certainly be a user of market research results. This course will provide the students with the requisite knowledge and skills to either conduct their own market research (primary research) or to competently evaluate the research results of others (secondary research). A very important learning objective is critical thinking, application of the suitable method and communication of the findings to a selected audience.

This module is designed as an applied class with own data collection (project-based learning). The students will work together with a project partner that gives the students the opportunity to apply their knowledge of carrying out their own primary research or using secondary research. An important feature is integrated learning in the group with coaching by the teachers.

In summer 2023 the project partner will be freenet AG, a Digital-Lifestyle-Provider. The topic will be young people's consumption behavior regarding mobile devices. We will explore current trends and use the results of our research project "Young people in the transformation process towards sustainable consumption - what role does engagement with Fridays for Future (FFF) play?". More details about the research project can be found at https://www.hfwu.com/research/isr/standard-titel/.

Assessment: Coursework project (paper, presentation)
Prerequisite: Basic knowledge in Marketing and Marketing Research
Undergraduate students

Academic Level: 400

Lecture, 6 ECTS Credits (150 hours per semester), 4 hours per week (45 hours per semester)

offered in fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Iris Ramme, Dennis Köhler

The field of international marketing is linked to many different disciplines like international trade or cross-cultural management. This module will provide a comprehensive, lively, contemporary and practical introduction to international marketing. It will cover the diversity of global values, popular culture, lifestyles and industries and their role and relationship in formulating marketing and communication strategies in detail. The lecture will cover the following topics: Motives for Internationalization, Cultural Differences, Segmentation in International Marketing, Market Entry Strategies, Product Policy, Pricing, Distribution and Communication in International Marketing, International Marketing Plan. The global orientation will be accomplished by collaboration with an international partner.In winter 23/24 we will quite probably work together with our partner universities UP in Mexico, CSUMB in USA, and UniPi in Pisa. In mixed teams the students will work on a real life case in the Fashion industry considering a market entry in Mexico.

Assessment: Coursework project (paper, presentations)
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics, Academic/Business Writing and introductory classes in Marketing and Management
Undergraduate students, Graduate students with special permission

Academic Level: 100

Lecture, 4 ECTS Credits (100 hours per semester), 4 hours per week (45 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Daniela Fischer

This course deals with the follwing topics:
Chapter 1: Introduction to Cost Terms and Purposes
Chapter 2: Determining How Costs Behave
Chapter 3: Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis
Chapter 4: Job Costing vs. Process Costing
Chapter 5: Allocation of Support-Department Costs & Common Costs
Chapter 6: Activity-Based Costing
Chapter 7: Decision Making and Pricing
Chapter 8: Cost Allocation: Joint Products

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisites: Background in Business/Economics,
basic knowledge of Financial Accounting is helpful
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 200

Lecture, 5 ECTS Credits (125 hours per semester), 4 hours per week (45 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Andreas Schittenhelm

This module deals with the follwing topics: Basics of dynamic financial planning, forms of financing, financing decisions, debt financing, equity financing, inclusion of taxation in investment and financing decisions (tax planning), Arbitrage, foreign trade financing; Financial planning: The Percentage of Sales Approach, The Cash Flow Identity; Investment Criteria: The NPV Criterion, The Internal Rate of Return, The Annuity Method, The Discounted Payback Rule; Project Analysis and Evaluation: Weighted Average Cost of Capital, Risk Measures. The module consists of the courses 102-004-IO-01 Finance and 102-004-IO-02 Investments

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisites: Background in Business/Economics
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 400

5 Lectures, 24 ECTS Credits (600 hours per semester), 16 hours per week (180 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturers: Dr. Wolfgang Schroter, Prof. Dr. Robert Gabriel, Prof. Dr. Andreas Schittenhelm, Prof. Dr. Serge Ragotzky, Prof. Dr. Graf, Süleyman Torasan, M.Sc.

This program covers the following parts: 102-040-IO-01 Entrepreneurship, 102-040-IO-02 Innovation Management, 102-053 Business Creation-Start-up, 102-042 Business Concept, 102-043 Financial Business Planning. Students become familiar with the various tasks involved in starting a business. They know how to deal with the respective complexity and are able to comprehend the phases of a growing company. The students learn how to deal with critical situations. They are able to understand sustainable management as an important corporate goal. Upon successful completion of all 5 graded parts, students will receive a participation certificate at the end.

Assessment: Oral exams, coursework project, presentation, paper
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 400

Lecture, 3 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Arturo Morales Reyes (M.Sc), Julia Enzinger

Students will become familiar with various tasks involved in founding a company. They know how to deal with the respective complexity. They are able to comprehend the stages of a growing company. Students learn how to deal with critical situations. They can understand Sustainable Management as an important corporate goal. The development of a company is illustrated with a concrete example:
-    Tasks and challenges during the foundation phase
-    Orientation towards corporate goals
-    Ensuring healthy growth
-    Internationalization and competition
-    Dealing with internal and external crisis
-    Responsibility for company and employees

This course is held in form of a case study with discussions and group work.

Assessment: Oral exam
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 400

Lecture, 3 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Robert Gabriel

The students understand the relevance and the challenges of innovation management. They learn basic approaches and methods that are typically applied, and are enabled to apply some of the concepts in smaller exercises. The students see how companies implement innovation management in practice, and further understand methods and approaches to develop more sustainable products and process technologies, including a broad number of examples and case studies. This course deals with the following topics:
-    Defintions and some key statistics
-    Influence of strategy and culture
-    Life cycles and innovation management models
-    Innovation management process
-    Sustainable innovation

Students will have to decide whether they take the class 101-120-IO-01 or the class 102-040-IO-02. Students cannot take both classes.

Assessment: Oral exam
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 400

Lecture, 6 ECTS Credits (150 hours per semester), 4 hours per week (45 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Erskin Blunck, Prof. Dr. Christian Arndt

Learn - Create - Change: Create and develop startup-ready concepts - from innovative ideas to a sustainable Business Model Canvas.
Develop - Test - Implement: Be inspired by the opportunity to take action for sustainable development with future-oriented startups. Contribute effective innovations and transform existing products and services. You will learn to create and develop your own ideas into a feasible and sustainable business model. By actively going through the business creation process you will apply key techniques and develop the necessary skills to create a sucessful and sustainable business. The focus is thereby on critical and creative thinking techniques, customer discovery and rapid evaluation of business potential of technologies and ideas. Finally, the business model canvas will be formulated and presented to a professional audience at a final pitch event. Benefit from professional mentoring by our experts, individual feedback and hands-on activities. In this module, teams will learn and work in small and diverse startup groups with students from all faculties. Zukunft.Gründen is a new startup supporting project of HfWU and is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy under the scheme of EXIST, and collaborates with Contact-AS and G-INNO. Contents:
• Problem definition: need for transformation, SDGs
• Idea creation: creativity techniques
• Startup Know-How: Entrepreneurship, Design Thinking, Foresight thinking, Risk Management
• Idea validation: market potential, customer discovery, financing strategies, Business Model Canvas

Assessment: Coursework project (Business model prototype, presentations, final pitch)
Prerequisite: Background in Business / Economics, Management (intermediate level), willingness to co-create and interact with other purpose-driven participants
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 400

Lecture, 6 ECTS Credits (150 hours per semester), 4 hours per week (45 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Andreas Schittenhelm, Leonardo Minoia MSc., Mario Nicoliello

Students in this class are able to develop a financial business plan in Excel and are able to judge the profitability of an own venture. This course includes aspects of sustainable entrepreneurship and deals with the following topics: Business Planning, Financial Planning, Cash Flows, Profitability, Risk Management.

Assessment: Paper
Prerequisites: Intermediate level in Business/Finance/Economics, Excel
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 400

Lecture, 6 ECTS Credits (150 hours per semester), 4 hours per week (45 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Graf, Alan Riefert, Lukas Adams

The module Business Concept includes aspects of sustainable entrepreneurship and deals with the following topics:
Sources of early stage financing: Individuals / Founders, retained earnings, bank borrowing, government sources, stock market (methods of new issues, types of underwriting), Venture Capital (VC), crowdfunding, innovation financing
Forms of venture capital: Business angels, venture capital funds, corporate venturing, incubators: key considerations in choosing a venture capitalist, evaluation activities carried out by venture capitalists
Financing Process: Process steps, obstacles
Evaluation Process: Business and company evaluation.
In addition to the classroom lecture experts and practitioners from industry present real life cases and best practices. Different industries, tasks and financing volumes shall help to prepare for the own case. Furthermore, students are expected to bring their own business idea forward and prepare for financing options.

Assessment: Presentation
Prerequisites: Intermediate level in Business/Finance/Economics
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 400

Lecture, 6 ECTS Credits (150 hours per semester), 4 hours per week (45 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Holger Graf

Data science in finance plays a growing role, in particular regarding sustainability. Valuation and screening of financial instruments according to ESG-criteria (ecological, social and governancerelated criteria) relies on the analysis of large and fragmented data sets, a growing effort in view of current regulatory initiatives. This module consists of the two parts:
102-050-01 Data Science in Finance: Financial Analytics: Introduction to R and importing of financial data; Introduction to basic methods of data analysis (big data analysis, clustering, classification and covariance analysis, natural language processing) and the applications of these to financial data; Development and implementation of algorithms for automated risk management, portfolio optimizing, securities selection and valuation, simulation of financial markets and trading strategies
102-050-02 Financial Econometrics: Basics on properties of financial returns; Non-predictability of financinal returns; Stylized facts, in particular: heavy-tailed distributions, stochastic volatilities, volatility clustering, averaging of volatilities, etc.; GARCH-models and extensions; Copula-models, in particular pair-copula-constructions; Simulations of financial econometrics with R; Applications to risk- and portfolio-management

Assessment: Oral exam
Prerequisites: Intermediate level in Business/Finance/Economics, Excel
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 400

Seminar, 6 ECTS Credits (150 hours per semester), 4 hours per week (45 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Andreas Schittenhelm/Süleyman Torasan, M.Sc.

Students are able to carry out innovation projects independently. They know the essential contents and can transfer them to concrete issues and apply them to new practical problems. The topics of innovation management, business planning and project management will be a concrete project.
- Basic terms, characteristics, types and goals of innovation management
- Innovation strategy and implementation of innovations
- Innovation processes as the core of innovation management
- Influencing factors and control options for innovation success
- Financial planning and profitability calculation

Assessment: Coursework project
Prerequisites: Intermediate level in Business/Finance/Economics, Excel
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 2 ECTS Credits (50 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Dr. Dietmar Ernst

Why are spread sheet modeling skills so important? Spread Sheet Modeling skills are fundamental for a successful career in finance.The spread sheet modeler knows how the central tasks in financial practice can be professionally solved using Excel and VBA.
Which skills does a spread sheet modeler have? A spread sheet modeler can … efficiently and transparently prepare decisions, model practical problems clearly and in a well-structured way, use Excel and VBA programming to efficiently simplify complex subjects, present results in a professional manner, apply financial modeling to any question in finance
Will I be able to work without basic knowledge in spread sheet modeling? On an international level, leading universities have added the subject spread sheet modeling to their curricula in order to respond to the requirements in financial practice. We assume that in the medium-term, the principles of orderly spread sheet modeling will be the cornerstones of finance that everyone will have to respect.
Who needs well-founded knowledge in spread sheet modeling? All graduates and practitioners in finance should have a well-founded knowledge in spread sheet modeling. However, experience shows that the majority of financial experts does not have or only have rudimentary financial modeling skills. Currently, many banks, financial service providers and other companies are looking desperately for people with in-depth Excel modeling and VBA skills. Financial modeling knowledge is a sort of unique selling point offering the best opportunities to enter the professional financial world and to climb the career ladder.
Course content: Based on a very basic investment case study students learn the broad variety of professional spread sheet modeling. Prerequisite for that course is that each student works with his /her own laptop in class. Excel 2010 is appreciated.

Assessment: Paper
Prerequisites: Background in Business/Economics, Finance and Investment, Excel
Undergraduate students with special permission, Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 2 ECTS Credits (50 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in fall/winter

Lecturer: Marco Koch

1. Concept of International Accounting: Capital market based history of US GAAP and IFRS, Standard setting bodies, Framework of international accounting (objective basic principles, Elements of F/S, Accounting policies, Subsequent events), 2. Presentation and disclosure of financial statements: Balance sheet, Income statement, Statement of changes in Eequity, Statement of cash flows , Notes to the financial statements (incl. Segment reporting), Interim financial reporting, Related Parties disclosures, 3. Recognition, measurement and valuation of financial statement positions 10 Modul 103-001 (Version1) Tangible assets (PPE, impairment, investment property, leases, non-current assets held for sale, discontinued operations) Goodwill and Intangible assets (R&D) Financial assets (business combinations, associates, joint ventures, financial instruments) Inventories, construction contracts, revenue recognition (POC method etc.) Cash Provisions, contingent liabilities Employee benefits, stock compensation Income taxes (incl. Deferred taxes) Earnings per share, 4. Conversion process of a company to international GAAP (first time adoption of IFRS / USGAAP), 5. The audit approach of an international accounting firm, 6. The impact of Sarbanes Oxley and Corporate Governance on international accounting and auditing, 7. Summary: IFRS / US-GAAP comparison, 8. Recent developments ( i.e. analysis of financial statement restatements, international accounting for SME, development of IFRS / US GAAP)

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics, Finance and Accounting (intermediate level)
Undergraduate students with special permission, Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 2 ECTS Credits (50 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Andreas Schittenhelm

1. Bonds: Features of a Bond, Valuation, Real World Factors
2. Risk Measures: Duration, Convexity
3. Bond Strategies: 18 Modul 103-002 (Version1), Cash Flow Matching, Barbell Strategy Duration Matching, Duration-gap Analysis, Riding the Yield Curve, Arbitrage Strategies

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics, Finance and Accounting (intermediate level)
Undergraduate students with special permission, Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 2 ECTS Credits (50 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Serge Ragotzky

This lecture deals with the following topics:
1. The Purpose of Equity Analysis
2. Financial Statement Analysis 2.1. The basics: financial analysis as a prerequisite for financial planning 2.2. Liquidity 2.3. Operating performance 2.4. Risk analysis 2.5. Adjustments to corporate accounts 2.6. Derivation of free cash flow (FCF)
3. Financial Planning and Forecasting 3.1. Technical aspects of the planning process - top-down planning - closed-loop planning using spreadsheet models 3.2. Industry analysis and sales planning - Determinants of industry unit sales and price levels - The industry life cycle - Competition analysis 3.3. External factors and longer-term growth - External factors affecting longer-term growth perspectives - Modelling consistent long-term growth estimates: the DuPont system
4. Valuation 4.1. Valuation approaches 4.2. Discounted cash flow valuation - one-stage, two-stage, three-stage models - approaches to modelling the terminal value - comparison of dividend-discount, FCF-to-equity, and FCF-to-firm models - determining the discount rate 4.3. Relative valuation - Earnings-based, book value-based, revenue based, and sector specific multiples - Definitional, descriptional, analytical and application tests of multiples
5. Macroeconomic Aspects of Equity Analysis 5.1. Business cycle and asset allocation 5.2. Impact of macroeconomic factors on stock prices

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics, Finance and Accounting (intermediate level)
Undergraduate students with special permission, Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 2 ECTS Credits (100 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Dr. Dietmar Ernst

This class enables students
...to explain the difference between the value of a company and its price and to apply this knowledge to methods in Corporate Finance.
...to work out similarities and differences in the application of stock exchange and transaction multiples and to apply this knowledge to data collection and model development.
...to obtain and process the necessary data for a multiplier valuation from information providers such as Bloomberg or Thomson Reuters.
...to know criteria for the creation of a peer group of comparable companies and to apply these criteria when creating a peer group.
...to interpret the results of the multiplier valuation, to compare them with the results of the DCF company valuation and to independently draw conclusions for Corporate Finance transactions.
...to manage a project in the field of company valuation and to develop own solutions in a group of valuation specialists.
...to handle the theoretical and empirical challenges of multiplier valuation.
...to apply the knowledge to provided valuation projects and to adapt it to real valuation situations.
...to critically evaluate the assumptions, algorithms and results of each valuation approach.
...to prepare the results of the multiplier valuation in professional presentations.

Assessment: Presentation, graded case study
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics, Finance and Accounting (intermediate level)
Undergraduate students with special permission, Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 4 ECTS Credits (50 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Dr. Dietmar Ernst

How works an Asset Management Company? What is the business model? Case study: “beautycontest” / Q&A with Christop Eibl (founder of Tiberius Asset Management). What is an investment approach? Different approaches of different companies, case study:“manager selection” / Q&A with Michael Wimmer (fund analyst). This course deals with all these topics and the questions will be answered.

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics, Finance and Accounting (intermediate level)
Undergraduate students with special permission, Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 2 ECTS Credits (50 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Dr. Dietmar Ernst

This lecture offers a broad Introduction to Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A). The professor explains the Initial Phase and how to contact the interested Parties. The students get an insight into the financial aspects of M&A and the Legal Aspects in M&A Sales Processes

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisites: Background in Business/Economics, Finance and Accounting (intermediate level)
Undergraduate students with special permission, Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 3 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer

Lecturer: Schwendemann, Kofler

This course consists of two parts: Initial Public Offering (IPO) and Investor Relations. Part IPO deals with the following topics: Why Initial Public Offering (IPO)?: Definition, reasons, global IPO market, history, pros and cons, case study; Key factors of a successful IPO: Pre-IPO strategy, business plan, equity story, time table, governance, financial reporting, issue concept, excursus ICO; Valuation: Peergroup, multiples; Placement process I: Syndicate, structure, research, marketing; Placement process II: Pricing, allocation, fees, designation, stabilization; Documentation: Beauty contest, consultants, advisors, due dilligence, prospectus, comfort letter, agreements; Post IPO obligations and Investor Relations activities Part Investor Relations deals with the following topics: What is Investor Relations? Role and Target of Investor Relations, IR Environment, Managing Expectations, Objetives of Investor Relations, Target Groups Communication Tools, Do we need IR?

Assessment: Written exam, presentation
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics, Finance and Accounting (at least intermediate level)
Undergraduate students with special permission, Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture + Tutorial (mandatory), 5 ECTS Credits (125 hours per semester), 4 hours per week (45 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Dr. Dietmar Ernst

In the class “Practice of Company Valuation” students forecast and value a DAX listed company.
1. Financial Analysis of a Dax Listed Company a. Analysis of the annual reports of the past five years b. Financial statement analysis of the annual reports with financial ratios
2. Financial Planning a. Application of the principles of financial modeling b. Set up of an integrated five year income statement and balance sheet plan
3. Calculation of the Cash Flows of a Dax Listed Company a. Operating free cash flows b. Cash flows to equity 4. Calculation of Cost of Capital of a Dax Listed Company a. Cost of equity b. Cost of debt c. Weighted average cost of capital
5. Valuation of a Dax Listed Company a. WACC approach b. Equity approach c. APV approach d. Periodic WACC

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics, Finance and Accounting (intermediate level)
Undergraduate students with special permission, Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 3 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer

Lecturer: Michael Bloss, Senator E. h.

This course deals with the following topics:
Derivatives Exchanges
Clearing and Margining
Risk Controlling
Derivatives Instruments and valuation
Interest Rate Derivatives of Fixed Income Solutions
Equity Derivatives and Structuring Techniques
Credit Derivatives and Related Instruments
Pricing of Derivatives
Forecast models, GARCH, ARCH, Short rate models, Geometrical Brownian Motion and Ornstein Uhlenbeck process
Greeks
Strategies with Options and Futures
FX Derivatives
Commodity Derivatives
SWAP and Swaptions
IRG and FRA
Cap, Floors and Collars
Exotic Options
Derivatives Used in Financial Engineering
Case studies for strategic applications of tailor made financial solutions in asset and liability problems

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics, Finance and Accounting (intermediate level)
Undergraduate students with special permission, Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 4 ECTS Credits (100 hours per semester), 3 hours per week (35 hours per semester)

offered in fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Daniela Fischer

This course deals with the following topics:
Controlling with SAP
Introduction to SAP ERP
Introduction to GBI – Global Bike Inc.
Navigation in SAP
Case study Sales & Distribution (SD)
Case study Materials Management (MM)
Case study Production Planning & Execution (PP)
Case study Financial Accounting (FI)
Case study Controlling (CO)
Controlling with Excel
Helpful basics for data analysis with Excel
Financial mathematics
Data Analysis
Optimization
Diagrams and tables for Powerpoint presentations
Automatization of Presentations

Assessment: Written electronic exam
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics, Finance/Accounting/Management (at least intermediate level)
Undergraduate students with special permission (number of Undergraduates is limited to 10), Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 1 ECTS Credits (25 hours per semester), 1 hours per week (15 hours per semester)

offered in fall/winter

Lecturer:  Patrick Kersting

This class deals with the following topics:
Basics of Knowledge Management, History of Data Analysis and Business Intelligence (BI), Concept of Data Analysis and Business Intelligence (BI) - Type of Tools, Technical Basics and Implementation Strategy for BI Tool in Companies, Case Studies and Examples, Overview of Business Intelligence (BI) Tools on the Market
This class will introduce the basic concept of Business Intelligence. The main goal of this class is to provide an understanding of the different data types from systems and their interrelationships. Real-life examples complete the class. An integrated view of all decision-relevant information for the future is becoming increasingly important for decision-making in companies. Business Intelligence (BI) refers to strategies, methods and technologies for extracting information about the status, potential and prospects of a company from heterogeneous, distributed data and critical company knowledge. The associated functions are performed by different tools, seamless interaction is the key feature of a BI landscape. Data warehouse systems and their processes are central concepts for the integration of data and ensuring high data quality. Data mining methods also provide insights into previously unknown relationships in business data.

Assessment: Written electronic exam
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics, Finance/Accounting/Management (at least intermediate level)
Undergraduate students with special permission (number of Undergraduates is limited to 10), Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 3 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Daniela Fischer

This course deals with the following topics:
Group of companies and tasks of a group controller
Group statement of financial position
Group statement of profit or loss
Traditional and value based Key Performance Indicators
Group Budgets
Transfer prices in groups of companies

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics, Finance/Accounting/Management (at least intermediate level)
Undergraduate students with special permission (number of Undergraduates is limited to 10), Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 3 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in fall/winter

Lecturer: Thomas Schommers

The course introduces theories and concepts of cultures and intercultural management. It enables students to evaluate theories and do further research on theories beyond those introduced in class. The class will introduce different concepts of culture (Hofstede, Schein, Hall, Trompenaars etc.). Concepts of intercultural conflict and intercultural communication will be analyzed. Students will then test the concepts by applying them to their own experience (e.g. gathered while studying abroad). Moreover, we will look at the cultures of various regions / countries in detail and their implications for doing business. Students become aware of the implications of national and corporate cultures for international business activities. They recognize that activities of companies are often culturally bound and can apply their knowledge on practical examples.

Assessment: Written exam, presentation
Prerequisites: Business/Economics, Management (intermediate level) and a good knowledge of English is required. The professor reserves the right to refuse students whose English is not sufficient to pass the course and/or whose participation is less than 80%.
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Online lecture + Community Project, 6 ECTS Credits (150 hours per semester), 4 hours per week (45 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Dr. Ellen Fetzer

Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship is a programme offered by a 4-University Consortium in cooperation with relevant NGOs. The goal is to empower future changemakers through an interdisciplinary, problem-based learning environment that enhances the innovative competencies needed for addressing social, cultural and environmental challenges. A social entrepreneur applies business tools for solving social and environmental problems. Success in social entrepreneurship is primarily measured by degree of social impact, not only monetary profit. Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship includes live sessions on the internet available to the wider global community, as well as interdisciplinary and international group work with students from Romania, Estonia, the Netherlands and other European countries. The programme offers students the possibility to receive an attractive travel grant to attend 10-day workshops in Romania or Estonia. The online module consists of twelve 90-minute sessions of lectures, reading materials, collaborative group work and other diverse active and passive learning tools. The thematic elements of the course are designed to give students core knowledge for developing community-based social innovation. The online course will built up theoretical knowledge around community-based innovation, social entrepreneurship, and its European and global context. In parallel, the Nürtingen students will follow a collaboration process with citizens and stakeholders. Together with the Nürtingen community, we will build social business ideas in response to local challenges and needs. Registration link and further information: http://www.localchange.eu

Assessment: Coursework project (paper + presentation)
Prerequisite: a good level of English is required
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 300

Lecture, 5 ECTS Credits (125 hours per semester), 4 hours per week (45 hours per semester)

This module consists of the two classes 209-019-IO-02 Marketing and
209-019-IO-01 Market Research.

Should not be taken together with 101-023-IO-01 Marketing Research and 204-005-IO-02 Marketing Management

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. André Bühler, Lisa Mögle

The aim of this module is to get to know and apply central elements of market-oriented corporate management and to understand the basic concepts and methods of the market research required for this. The aim is to impart technical and interdisciplinary knowledge about marketing and market research. Whereby great emphasis is placed on the application orientation. The competences in statistics and empirical work acquired during the course of study can be applied to practice-relevant issues in marketing, sales and empirical research.

Assessment: Presentations
Prerequisite: Introductory class in Marketing or as corequisite
Undergraduate students

Academic Level: 300

Lecture, 4 ECTS Credits (100 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Philipp Paulus

This course covers major theories of international economics as well as key sources of international economic data. Major current world economic problems (of the given semester) as well as major problems of previous decades are discussed as case studies. Findings from the lecture will be reflected upon in order to prepare a country report (with practice sessions).

Lecture notes will be provided as PDF

Recommended literature:
Krugman, Paul, Maurice Obstfeld und Marc J. Melitz (2018): International Economics – Theory & Policy, London et al.: Pearson, 11th, Global Edition
Reinert, Kenneth A. (2022): An introduction to international economics – new perspectives
on the world economy, 2nd edition, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2ndedition

Data and up-to-date analysis sources (regular dates of publication):
IMF Global Economic Outlook (April and October)
OECD Economic Outlook (June and December)
BIS Annual Report (June), Quarterly Reviews (Mar/Jun/Sep/Dec)
World Trade Organisation (WTO) and UNCTAD publications

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisite: Background in Business / Economics
Undergraduate students

Academic Level: 300

Seminar, 1 ECTS Credits (25 hours per semester), 1 hours per week (15 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Christian Arndt

NGU reserves the right to cancel this course if it has not enrolled enough students before the beginning of the course's instruction.

This course deals with the following topics: Hints and language for a successful presentation; Management: tasks and qualities of managers; Marketing: advertising and promotional tools; Recruitment and job applications; Business cycles, trade cycles and economic developments; Planning and organizing meetings
Used literature in this course: MacKenzie, I.: English for Business Studies. 3rd ed. Cambridge 2010; selected articles from Business Spotlight (Magazine); other English language sources freely chosen by the students

Assessment: Presentation

Prerequisites: Background in Business / Economics is advantageous
Undergraduate students

Academic Level: 400

Lecture, 6 ECTS Credits (150 hours per semester), 4 hours per week (45 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Philipp Paulus

This module is structured into two lectures that will run parallel to each other, with each lecture comprising half of the module (lecture length, workload and exam). The first lecture of the module (“Theory and Policy”) is about the structure and use of major international economic models, both for theory and policy. The second lecture (“European Integration and International Economic Challenges”) will show how to apply the models to current international economics issues with a focus on European issues (e.g. the Euro and the European Central Bank, European integration, European Economic Policy, migration). Students must register for both parts.

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisites: Background in Business / Economics (intermediate level)
Undergraduate students

Academic Level: 400

Lecture, 6 ECTS Credits (150 hours per semester), 4 hours per week (45 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Philipp Paulus

This module deals with the following topics: Sustainability of global growth, theories of global governance, nationalism, subsidiarity and globalisation, global crises, international monetary system, economic development and development policies, role of natural resources and agriculture in globalization, the economics of climate change and global economic policy responses, migration and demographic changes, EU economics and regional economic integration, the international dimension of the German economy and its economic policy

Assessment: Written exam, presentation
Prerequisites: Background in Business / Economics (intermediate level)
Undergraduate students

Academic Level: 300

Lecture, 1 ECTS Credits (25 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Dr. Michael Geiger

The course helps students to understand the different dimensions of culture. They will explore the difference between national and organizational cultures, the relationships and rules, managing time, and they will analyze different case studies.

Assessment: Presentation
Prerequisites: Academic/Business Writing
Undergraduate students

Academic Level: 500

Seminar, 3 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Benjamin Höhl, B.Sc.

This course is offered as a simulation game. It requires direct participation of the students and involves them directly in the process of taking management decisions in an interactive style. The students receive a short introduction into the related knowledge areas. From then on they work together in teams. Each team acts as a management board of a company. The teams have to take various decisions according to different developments and situations that occur in successive decision cycles. The simulation provides an inside look in the interdependency of management decisions, as well as the insight that success of a company does not only depend on own decisions but also on the strategy and activity of its competitors.

Assessment: Written exam, coursework project (presentation)
Prerequisite: Background in Business / Economics
Undergraduate students with special permission (number of Undergraduates is limited to 6), Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Seminar, 2 ECTS Credits (50 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Erskin Blunck

The students will get an introduction to Business Administration and get an overview about selected management theories and concepts. The course will introduce to the Business Environment, Business Ownership and Entrepreneurship as well as Management and Organization. Basic principles of Human Resources and Marketing and will be put into the context of General Management. The course will enable the students to set-up strategic plan with its specific components. Participants will understand the opportunities and limitations of planning and management techniques. Students will be able to apply management techniques. They learn how to express a well-founded and independent opinion regarding general management issues. Students will develop an answer for the corporate responsibility for society and environment.Students will understand the interdependencies between various functions of a company, e.g. marketing, sales, controlling and finance. This leads to a comprehensive understanding of the functioning of a company as a whole.The course aims at a comprehensive understanding of management on company level and general principles of business administration. Concept General Management has a focus on key concepts of business administration with respect to general management.

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisite: Background in Business / Economics
Undergraduate students with special permission (number of Undergraduates is limited to 6), Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 2 ECTS Credits (50 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Sebastian H.D. Fiedler

This lecture provides basic knowledge on Organizational Theories and structures, Information Management and Human Resource Management. It enables the students to manage changes in organizations. Broad overview on the impact of IT.

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisite: Management (intermediate level)
Undergraduate students with special permission (number of Undergraduates is limited to 6), Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 3 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Friedemann Baisch

This course offers training in project management skills. Students will receive training of project management methods, following the IPMA-Model (methods for initiating, planning, executing, controlling and closing projects). In a second step the course focuses on the training of their soft skills (personal vision, motivation, communication) and leadership.

Assessment: Coursework project (presentation)
Prerequisite: Background in Business / Economics, Management (intermediate level)
Undergraduate students with special permission (number of Undergraduates is limited to 6), Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Seminar, 3 ECTS Credits (50 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Uwe Jankowiak

The course provides a structured and comprehensive approach to the fundamental principles and practice of Supply Chain Management and Purchasing: Students will know the challenges leading to the integrated approach of SCM, Information systems and technology in SCM. They learn the models and methods of Supply Chain Management. They get familiar with the managing processes and the role of Purchasing in Supply Chains.

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisite: Background in Business / Economics, Introductory class in Management
Undergraduate students with special permission (number of Undergraduates is limited to 6), Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 3 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

This course cannot be taken concurrently with 102-009-IO-02 Marketing and International Business and 203-017 Marketing and Market Research

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. André Bühler

The course offers a comprehensive introduction to marketing by delivering an answer to the basic question: What is marketing? The students learn about marketing orientations, the concept of marketing management, consumer behavior, customer relationship management, marketing strategy, marketing planning, marketing process, marketing mix, and marketing audit. The students will apply the theoretical concepts to a continuous case study including class room presentations.

Assessment: Written exam, presentation
Undergraduate students with special permission (number of Undergraduates is limited to 6), Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 4 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 3 hours per week (35 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Ludger Hinners

The students will get an introduction to Financial Mathematics and Business Finance, including selected theories and concepts. Knowledge of central terminology and basic numerical facts are expected e.g.: What do we mean with capital? How much capital do enterprises and the economy need in Germany and the EU? Total borrowings in Germany and the EU. Current and historical interest rates of financial products. Key figures of liquidity. Source of information with respect to financial issues. The main learning content is the instruction of financial method skills e.g.: Basic concepts of Financial Mathematics, comparison of investment alternatives (static and dynamic methods), uncertainty of Investment Planning, calculation of the need of capital, Financing , Funding, Financing scheme. Students who have successfully completed this module, will have extensive knowledge of financial matters that are the basis of Corporate Decision Making. Furthermore, they will have developed an understanding of financial forms and regulations in business and are familiar with financing and investment procedures as well as terms of periodic in- and outpayments. They acquire the skills to adequately apply common methods of static and dynamic investment calculation in business critical situations while using standard PC software. The knowledge of the respective requirements and applications enables the students to recognize the advantages of certain investments and financing alternatives. They can apply their knowledge and skills in order to develop solutions for new challenges while making use of data processing, in particular spreadsheet analysis.

Assessment: Oral exam
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics, Finance, Mathematics and Statistics (intermediate level)
Undergraduate studens with special permission (number of Undergraduates is limited to 6), Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 4 ECTS Credits (100 hours per semester), 3 hours per week (35 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Andreas Schittenhelm, Prof. Dr. Mario Nicoliello

This course deals with the following topics:
Financial Statements: Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Double Entry System, Cash Flow Statement  Specific Balance Sheet Items: Inventory, Fixed Assets, Provisions and Accruals
Financial Analysis: Balance Sheet Analysis, Income Statement Analysis, Cash Flow Statement Analysis Consolidated Financial Statement: Business Combinations, Consolidated Statements
International Accounting: Importance of International Accounting, International Accounting Systems

Assessment: Written exam
Undergraduate students - not recommended for Business/Economics students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 3 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: NN

Students in this course are able to describe and explain quantitative questions using basic mathematical methods. They develop the ability to solve simple mathematical problems common in business practice. After completing the course, students will be able to learn more sophisticated methods independently.The course deals with the following topics: Basic rules of calculation; Potency, root and logarithms calculation; Equations and systems of equations; Sequences and series; Functions; Differential calculus

Assessment: Written exam
Undergraduate students with special permission (number of Undergraduates is limited to 6), Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 2 ECTS Credits (50 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Philipp Paulus, Dipl. Oec. Daniel Aichinger

Students in this class will learn to understand basic microeconomic principles and methods used in economic analyses. They receive basic knowledge of theories of consumer and firm behavior as well as first insights into different forms of market competition. When the market outcome is not optimal from a social welfare perspective, possible strategies that governments can undertake to achieve socially more desirable market outcomes are discussed.

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisites: Background in Business / Economics
Undergraduate students with special permission (number of Undergraduates is limited to 6), Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 3 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Gerhard Pfister

In this lecture students get an Introduction to Macroeconomics and they get familiar with the fundamental terms of national accounting. They learn the difference between Keynesian versus Neoclassical Macroeconomics: The course explains general economic aspects and terms like Monetary, Capital and Labour Markets, Inflation, Economic Policy, Introduction to Business Cycles and Growth.

Assessment: Written exam, presentation
Prerequisites: Microeconomics (intermediate level)
Undergraduate students with special permission (number of Undergraduates is limited to 6), Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 2 ECTS Credits (50 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Thomas Bartz

In this course we will think about all the topics HR is responsible for. This means, we will not only talk about HR as an “administrative” function, but try to grasp what value HR can add to the “business”. We will also link every topic to the ledership skills and abilities of Managers. Lectures, classroom discussions, and exercises/cases will center around: Contemporary leadership discussions involving transactional vs. transformational leadership approaches on the basis of motivation theories, Fundamentals of Labor Relations (Workers Councils, Unions, Collective Agreements), Equality and Diversity, International HR, Discipline, Grievance and HR Planning, Personnel Development and Talent Management Programs, Recruitment and Selection, Performance Management (from objective setting to performance rating), Rewarding (Compensation & Benefits), including bonus and incentive scheme.

Assessment: Written exam, presentations
Prerequisites: Background in Business/Economics and a basic understanding of business processes
Undergraduate students (number of Undergraduates is limited to 6), Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 2 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Dipl.-Kfm. Lars Hauschild

This course is offered as a mix between lecture and case study discussion. It provides theory and case studies of international management. The students deal with the impact of the cultural, economic, political and legal environment on management of multinational enterprises. They learn to consider the specifics of international trade. Furthermore, the influence of regional economic integrations like NAFTA and EU on organisation's success in business will be studied. The consequences of factor mobility and foreign direct investments for international trade will be discussed. The course concludes with international business strategy.

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisites: Background in Business/Economics and introductory classes in Marketing and Management
Undergraduate students (number of Undergraduates is limited to 6), Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 2 ECTS Credits (50 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Olubukola Olanrewaju

Students will acquire basic knowledge about the meaning and structure of international financial markets. The investment and financing instruments issued and traded on the financial markets are presented and explained in detail. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of foreign exchange markets, as well as to the transactions and practices observed on them. Based on this, the methods for hedging currency risk are discussed. An important topic in this context is the use of modern derivative financial instruments. The application of the instruments shown and the functional areas of international corporate finance management are practiced on the basis of case studies and in group work.

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics
Undergraduate students with special permission (number of Undergraduates is limited to 6),
Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 3 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Dipl.-Kfm. Robert Jacob, Sven Kossyk

Students in this finance class will be exposed to the theory and practice of Accounting and Reporting in an international environment. They will obtain an understanding how financial resources of international corporations are accounted for and reported according to US GAAP. They will understand how to measure and control financial resources in theory and practice.

Assessment: Written exam, presentation
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics, Finance and Accounting (at least intermediate level)
Undergraduate students with special permission (number of Undergraduates is limited to 6), Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 2 ECTS Credits (50 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in fall/winter, spring/summer

Lecturer: Cristina Bardelli

The purpose of this intercultural competence lecture is to gain a better understanding of cultures. It provides an overview of themes and issues in German culture and communication style as well as in foreign cultures. Finally provides help dealing with the different way-of-life’s and integrating in case in the different way-of-life’s. Another focus of the lecture is global strategy and global management and the intercultural challenges associated with it. Finally, current megatrends are highlighted and discussed to find out, which intercultural competencies are necessary to deal with these megatrends successfully today and in the futur.

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisites: Business/Economics, Management (intermediate level)
Undergraduate students with special permission (number of Undergraduates is limited to 6), Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 3 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Erskin Blunck

This course covers the concepts and cases to international marketing. The students explore the specifics of international marketing in the context of the international marketing environment. The challenges of international market research and segmentation will be studied to prepare for international marketing planning. The course has a special focus on market selection and prioritization methods as well as on foreign market entry modes. The challenges of globalization and its impact on the international marketing mix will be studied between the demand for standardization and adaptation. The students will prepare in teams solutions for a comprehensive case study and present their findings in class room.

Assessment: Written exam, presentation
Prerequisites: Introductory classes in Marketing and Management
Undergraduate students with special permission (number of Undergraduates is limited to 6), Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 2 ECTS Credits (50 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Christian Arndt

In this course the students will get to know important stylized facts of globalization. Students will get insights into the patterns and determinants of foreign trade, FDI and migration with applications. The course covers basic principles as well as current developments. The chapter on International Trade Policy introduces the instruments of trade policy and the political economy of trade policy. The final aspects of the lecture provide knowledge on exchange rates and open-economy macroeconomics: The international flows of capital and goods and exchange rates.

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisites: Background in Business / Economics (intermediate level)
Undergraduate students with special permission (number of Undergraduates is limited to 6), Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 3 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in fall/winter, spring/summer

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Christian Arndt

The students identify challenges of the climate crisis on the backdrop of global demographics, income growth, and trade. They acknowledge pathways towards the defossilisation of the economy. Students study the role of inequality and cumulative emission paths as burdens for global, multilateral climate action. They understand companies as boon or bane for transformation and explore economic tools for steering eco-scarcities and a new economic paradigm for a 'full world' (Daly 2015)

Assessment: Coursework project
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics
Undergraduate students with special permission (number of Undergraduates is limited to 6), Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 2 ECTS Credits (50 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in fall/winter, spring/summer

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Daniela Fischer

This course deals with the following topics:
Part 1: Focus on Decision Making
Chapter 1: Managerial Accounting, the Business Organization, and Profesional Ehtics
Chapter 2: Introduction to Cost Behavior and Cost-Volume-Profit Relationships
Chapter 3: Measurement of Cost Behavior
Chapter 4: Cost Management Systems and Activity-Based Costing
Chapter 5: Relevant Information for Decision Making with a Focus on Pricing Decisions
Chapter 6: Relevant Information for Decision Making with a Focus on Operational Decisions
Part 3: Product Costing
Chapter 12: Cost Allocation
Chapter 13: Accounting for Overhead Costs

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics
Undergraduate students with special permission (number of Undergraduates is limited to 6), Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 5 ECTS Credits (125 hours per semester), 3 hours per week (35 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Erskin Blunck

This course offers the students a detailed definition of „Strategic Direction, Business Transformation“. This term includes aspects like “Strategy Process”, “Strategy Content” and “Strategy Context” that are carefully distinguished in the lecture. To expand the theoretical frame the course explores the issues of “Organizational Purpose” and “Strategic change management”. The students will analyze certain case studies in which the constituent parts of the lecture will be applied. Case Studies from the current business environment complete the coursework. Based on short original readings, the students will present opposing views about the mentioned strategy perspectives and discuss in class room.

Assessment: Written exam, presentation
Prerequisite: Background in Business / Economics, Management (intermediate level)
Undergraduate students with special permission (number of Undergraduates is limited to 6), Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 6 ECTS Credits (150 hours per semester), 4 hours per week (45 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Erskin Blunck, Prof. Dr. Christian Arndt

The goal of this Business Challenge Module is to develop a successful business model for a real life challenge for a company or other organization using methods of open innovation. Each year, the challenge will be defined in cooperation with a local organization prior to the start of the module. Students will set up and use a Design Thinking process (problem understanding, solution, and value proposition). They will acquire competencies in the necessary methodologies, such as tools for project management, the business model canvas, co-working, co-creation, and, if feasible, a high level business plan. Finally, students will work together with innovation experts from the organization and pitch their business model in front of experienced business managers.

Assessment: Coursework project (presentation, paper)
Prerequisites: Background in Business/Economics and introductory class in Management
Undergraduate students (number of Undergraduates is limited to 6), Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 3 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Dr. Ulrich Schnelle

Different sections will introduce the students to the crucial aspects of International Commercial Law. The Section “Doing Business Abroad” offers the Choice of the appropriate marketing mode; The second section deals with “Negotiating and Drafting International Contracts”. The third section explores the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG); the Special Features of E-Commerce are content of the last section.

Assessment: Oral exam
Prerequisites: Introductory class in Business Law
Undergraduate students (number of Undergraduates is limited to 6), Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 2 ECTS Credits (50 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Aleksandar Savanovic

Entry into foreign markets, typical contracts in the international commerce (distribution, agency, licensing, cooperation), typical commercial terms (Incoterms, negotiable instruments), dispute resolution, relationship between Civil and Common Law exemplified by the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, International Trade and Customs Law (WTO) and the Law of Supranational or Free Trade Organisations (European Union, Mercosur, APEC)

Assessment: Oral exam
Prerequisites: Introductory class in Business Law
Undergraduate students (number of Undergraduates is limited to 6), Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 6 ECTS Credits (150 hours per semester), 4 hours per week (45 hours per semester)

This module consists of two courses: 1. Sustainable Business Management and 2. Business Ethics and Sustainability Structures

This course cannot be taken together with the following courses: 101-115-IO Marketing and Sustainability and 101-118-IO-01 Sustainability Performance Management & Reporting

offered in fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Robert Gabriel, Matthias Kerr

Sustainable Business Management: The course offers a broad overview of all aspects that relate to sustainable business management, from a very practice-oriented perspective. Starting with sustainability drivers and sustainability leaderhip, the students learn about stakeholder dialogue and apply a method to identify the most material sustainability aspects for the sustainability strategy of an organisation. This section concludes with the question how sustainability can create value for businesses. In further classes, the students learn how sustainability must always look at a corporation’s value chain, and how the value chain can be broken down in three perspectives, in order to operationalize sustainability for the different corporate functions: product view, corporate view and supply chain view. The students learn about the different tools and methods typically applied for these perspectives, and see a number of case studies and practical examples for a deeper learning experience. The last part of the course deals with sustainability reporting – objective, standards and critical review of its importance – and with sustainability ratings, used by investors to select the most sustainable assets for the investement portfolio.
Business Ethics and Sustainability Structures: coming soon.

Assessment: Written exam, presentation
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics
Undergraduate students with special permission (number of Undergraduates is limited to 6), Graduate students

Academic Level: 100

Lecture, 4 ECTS Credits (100 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Petra Velten

In addition to the internet based German language courses we offer classroom based language courses that complement each other very well. This course is for students who have no knowledge of the German language. This course should take them up to A1.1 Level (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages CEFR). Students in this class will gain a basic ability to communicate and exchange information in a simple way. Participants need to buy a textbook: A1 Kurs- und Übungsbuch mit MP3-CD, 168 pages. ISBN: 978-3-12-676313-4, Klett Verlag

Assessment: Written exam
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 100

Lecture, 4 ECTS Credits (100 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Petra Velten

In addition to the internet based German language courses we offer classroom based language courses that complement each other very well. This course is for students who have some knowledge of the German language A1.1 level (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages CEFR). This course should take them up to A1.2 level (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages CEFR). Students in this class will gain a basic ability to communicate and exchange information in a simple way. Participants need to buy a textbook: A1 Kurs- und Übungsbuch mit MP3-CD, 168 pages. ISBN: 978-3-12-676313-4, Klett Verlag

Assessment: Written exam
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 100

Lecture, 4 ECTS Credits (100 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

HFWU reserves the right to cancel this course if it has not enrolled enough students before the beginning of the course's instruction.

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Petra Velten

In addition to the internet based German language courses we offer classroom based language courses that complement each other very well. This course is for students who have some basic knowledge of the German language. This course should take them up to A2.1 Level (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages CEFR). Students in this class will gain an ability to deal with simple, straightforward information and begin to express oneself in familiar contexts. Participants need to buy a textbook: A2 Kurs- und Übungsbuch mit MP3-CD, 212 pages. ISBN: 978-3-12-676314-1, Klett Verlag

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisite: Some basic knowledge of German
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 100

Lecture, 4 ECTS Credits (100 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

HFWU reserves the right to cancel this course if it has not enrolled enough students before the beginning of the course's instruction.

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Petra Velten

This course is designed to provide foreign students with basic prior background in German with a chance to further their knowledge (alongside their mainstream studies). The aim of this course is to introduce the students to the basic linguistics encountered in everyday situations. Instructional emphasis will be placed on the development of basic vocabulary as well as grammatical forms. A range of themes relevant to everyday life in Germany will be covered – examples from the “Family and Work” topic include searching for accommodation, health care, and the educational system. Participants need to buy a textbook: Klett-Verlag, B1 Kurs- und Übungsbuch mit MP3-CD, 256 pages. ISBN: 978-3-12-676315-8

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of German
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 100

Lecture, 4 ECTS Credits (100 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

HFWU reserves the right to cancel this course if it has not enrolled enough students before the beginning of the course's instruction.

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Irmi Baumann

Deutsch Kreativ 1 – Online is a German language course for beginners with no previous knowledge.The focus of the course is on the creative use of language and culture and the improvement of communication skills. Speaking, listening and seeing comprehension are primarily trained by means of interactive tasks, and reading and writing strategies are taught and applied. 80% attendance needed to receive credits. The German language course Deutsch Kreativ 1 – Online complies with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages CEFR https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/level-descriptions

Assessment: written exam, oral presentation
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 100

Lecture, 4 ECTS Credits (100 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

HFWU reserves the right to cancel this course if it has not enrolled enough students before the beginning of the course's instruction.

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Irmi Baumann

Deutsch Kreativ 2 - Online is a German language course for beginners with little knowledge. The focus of the course is on the creative use of language and culture and the improvement of communication skills. Speaking, listening and seeing comprehension are primarily trained by means of interactive tasks, and reading and writing strategies are taught and applied. 80% attendance needed to receive credits. The German language course Deutsch Kreativ 2 – Online complies with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages CEFR https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/level-descriptions

Assessment: Written exam, oral presentation
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 100

Lecture, 4 ECTS Credits (100 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

HFWU reserves the right to cancel this course if it has not enrolled enough students before the beginning of the course's instruction.

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Irmi Baumann

Deutsch Kreativ 3 - Online is a German language course for intermediate learner with basic knowledge.The focus of the course is on the creative use of language and culture and the improvement of communication skills. Speaking, listening and seeing comprehension are primarily trained by means of interactive tasks, and reading and writing strategies are taught and applied. 80% attendance needed to receive credits. The German language course Deutsch Kreativ 3 – Online complies with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages CEFR https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/level-descriptions

Assessment: Written exam, oral presentation
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 100

Lecture, 3 ECTS Credits (100 hours per semester), 1 hour per week (15 hours per semester)

5 days intensive online class offered in two groups starting end of February/beginning of March respectively September

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Irmi Baumann

In this language course you will learn important topics from everyday life such as introducing yourself, numbers, reading times, how to use public transportation, ordering food in a restaurant, shopping in a supermarket and a lot more. This course is for participants without knowledge of German. 80% attendance is needed to receive the credits.

Assessment: oral presentation, oral exam
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 100

Lecture, 4 ECTS Credits (100 hours per semester), 3 hours per week (35 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Udo Renner

This course introduces students to German history, geography, politics and the cultural legacy of the country. The focus is on historical events in medieval and early modern times, such as the German Reformation and the Thirty Years War, the main focus is on the nineteenth and twentieth century. In particular, the course will involve the study of the German Confederation, the formation of the Prusso-German nation-state and the imperial era, the period of the World Wars, and the history of the two Germanys after the end of the Third Reich and their path to the reunification. Moreover, students will be familiar with basics in German geography, the political, media and health care system as well as cultural traditions.

Assessment: Written exam, participation in class and excursions (three field trips)
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 100

Lecture, 3 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester), offered in two groups

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Steven Kerns

As there will be some lectures and the possibility to write term papers in English during your complete studies, it is recommended to keep up your level of English. This course is designed to help you improve your spoken and written English as well as dealing with some tricky grammar issues. The content is business oriented, such as Products and Brands, Financial Issues, Mergers and Acquisitions and Human Resources. There will be a written examination at the end, which will be rewarded with a Certificate on passing the examination for the students who have attended the required number of lectures.
Applicants should have a good command of English to be able to follow lectures without difficulties (at least B1 or B2).

Assessment: Written exam
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 100

Lecture, 3 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester), offered in two groups

Not recommended for English native speakers

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Steven Kerns

This is a general purpose English course designed expressly for university students in order to bridge the gap between B1 and B2 level language skills. The focus will be on reviewing key areas of grammar, vocabulary expansion, improving reading and listening skills, and will cover such topics as communication, travel and globalisation.

Assessment: Written exam
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Seminar, 10 ECTS Credits (250 hours per semester), 5 hours per week ( 60 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Roman Lenz

Current issues and tasks of landscape architecture from the areas of planning and design are taken up in a project work. The topics and planning areas thus change with each study cycle. The spectrum of tasks in this project covers spaces with multiple use requirements, which have lead to functional, ecological and aesthetic conflicts. They may also be regions, which are in the process of losing their present importance due to post-industrial and social change.The project itself involves the formulation of solutions for typical regions and spaces in which these problems are most apparent. This includes the following processes and activities:
• Use of different methods of landscape analysis and assessment using the example of a regional landscape area
• Integration of GIS technology in landscape assessment and planning
• Development and evaluation of future scenarios for the landscape area, taking various factors into account (dealing with complexity and dynamics)
• Detailing of the scenario at the local level (planning and design interventions)
• Visualization, communication and documentation of the planning steps and results
• Application of project management methods in relation to the work team and the spatial context of the planning task
• If necessary, basic methods from planning and design are repeated and practiced in order to balance different levels of knowledge of the interdisciplinary study group

Assessment: Coursework project (presentations, paper)
Prerequisite: Basics in Landscape Architecture
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Seminar, 5 ECTS Credits (125 hours per semester), 5 hours per week (60 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer

Lecturer: Jan Gittinger

Students will learn how to plan and execute projects successfully through collaborative thinking, team work and suitable development and practice of methods. Significant emphasis is placed on self-evaluation and the student’s reflection on their own position in the team.

Assessment: Presentation, written/graphic work
Prerequisite: Basics in Landscape Architecture
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Seminar, 5 ECTS Credits (125 hours per semester), 5 hours per week (60 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer

Lecturer: Werner Rolf, Prof. Dr. Olaf Schroth

In the courses on Geographical Information Systems (GIS; GIS 1, GIS2), students learn how to solve landscape planning and landscape architecture exercises with digital tools. This will then be used to analyse facets of the main project. Questions of data transfer and workflow between the programs are dealt with.

Assessment: Presentation, written/graphic work
Prerequisite: Basics in Landscape Architecture
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Seminar, 5 ECTS Credits (125 hours per semester), 5 hours per week (60 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer

Lecturer: Different Professors

Planning and design Methods are taught and compared. Students are taught to reflect on systems analysis and problem-oriented basics.The landscape democracy course focusses on participatory approaches to planning and design.

Assessment: Written/graphic work
Prerequisite: Basics in Landscape Architecture
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Seminar, 5 ECTS Credits (125 hours per semester), 5 hours per week (60 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Lenz and others

The aim of this module is to provide students with adequate knowledge and to understand the basic element which are shaping the landscape. Information about the quality of the nature as well as managed and designed environment (landscape ecology, soils, water, vegetation, planting design). Knowledge can then referred and applied in the design and management of the landscape.

Assessment:
Prerequisite: Some basics in Landscape Architecture
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Seminar, 5 ECTS Credits (125 hours per semester), 5 hours per week (60 hours per semester)

offered in fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Ingrid Schegk, Jan Gittinger

Students learn how to conceptualize organizational procedures and communicate appropriately within the teams.

Assessment: Presentations, written/graphic work
Prerequisite: Basics in Landscape Architecture or Urban Planning
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Seminar, 5 ECTS Credits (125 hours per semester), 5 hours per week (60 hours per semester)

offered in fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Olaf Schroth

In this course, students learn how to solve landscape planning and landscape architecture exercises with digital tools. This will then be used to analyse facets of the main project. Questions of data transfer and workflow between the programs are dealt with. Course 1 of this module deals with Digital Elevation Models (DGM) and Visualisation; course 2 is an IT seminar, usually analyzing some open source software for planning and design.

Assessment: Presentations, paper
Prerequisite: Basics in Landscape Architecture
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Seminar, 5 ECTS Credits (125 hours per semester), 5 hours per week (60 hours per semester)

offered in fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Ingrid Schegk, Prof. Dr. Michael Roth, Dr.-Ing. Ellen Fetzer

Students learn the basics of models and strategies of concept development and analysis. Creative perspectives on planning and design will be demonstrated with concrete examples. Students design, implement and document a self-directed research during the module. This module consists of the two courses Landscape Architecture Research and Monitoring and Evaluation.

Assessment: Presentations, paper
Prerequisite: Basics in Landscape Architecture or Urban Planning
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Seminar, 5 ECTS Credits (125 hours per semester), 5 hours per week (60 hours per semester)

offered in fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Markus Reinke, Prof. Dr. Sabrina Wilk

Students learn how to manage international and cross-border planning and organization. They are exposed to present and prospective work environments and concepts of landscape architecture in other countries. A particular focus is on European law, which influences building practice. This module consists of the two courses: Planning systems and International Approach to Planning and Design.

Assessment: Presentations, paper
Prerequisite: Basics in Landscape Architecture
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 400

Lecture, 2 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Horst Blumenstock

This course deals with the following topics: Introduction in strategy and strategic management, Corporate values and goals, Internal analysis: core competencies and business flexibility, External analysis: the competitive environment, Competitive advantage: generic strategy and strategy directions, Strategic implementation and management, International and global strategies

Assessment: Written exam, presentations, paper
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics, Introductory class in Management
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 400

Lecture, 3 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Dr. Rudi Holz

This course delivers aspects on internationalization strategies like: Market Entry Strategies, Timing Strategies,  Export Strategies, Licensing, Internationalization Strategies, Country Risks with a focus on the automotive industry

Assessment: Written exam, presentations, paperPrerequisite: Background in Business/Economics, Introductory class in Marketing and Management Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 400

Seminar, 2 ECTS Credits (50 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

Not recommended for English native speakers

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Sylvia Best

The main focus in this course is the spoken language, the students will get to discuss, present and report various topics from the international business world in class. This way they can broaden their vocabulary and train idiomatic phrases used in Business English

Assessment: Written exam, oral exam, presentations
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 400

Lecture, 3 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Wolfram Sopha

Students will be introduced to strategies and skills of intercultural communication enabling them to better understand and overcome cultural differences needed for conducting international business. They will gain insight into the communicative requirements for doing business abroad by: assessing own cultural themes and patterns, examining various geographic regions, identifying cultural themes and patterns of other geographical regions, identifying business conduct and business practices as well as the protocol of greetings, and titles/forms of address in other countries, understanding where potential obstacles may lie in intercultural communication

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisite: Introductory class in Management
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 400

Lecture, 3 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Wolfram Sopha

Students in this course get comprehensive English language training for different business purposes. They learn how to negotiate in English across different cultures, applying the method of the Harvard Concept and use negotiating terms, phrases, and expressions. The students learn and practise the organisation and communication skills required in an environment with international business partners in different role plays. The course emphasises on cultural sensitivity in business and communicating across cultures with the help of rhetoric, style and body language. The students read articles on selected topics from relevant periodicals to evaluate and discuss the content. The goal is to improve the English language skills to enable students to negotiate in English, improve their non-verbal communication and to make them familiar with international business etiquette.

Assessment: Written exam, presentations
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics, introductory class in Management
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 3 ECTS Credits (62,5 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Reinhold Bopp M.S.

This course is offered within the Master Degree Program “Automotive Management”. The following subject areas will be covered by the lecture: Framework of Product Development in the Automotive Industry, Innovation and R&D-Management, Creativity and Knowledge Management, Project Management, Product Development Organization, Vehicle Development and Product Evolution Process, Phases of the Product Evolution Process, Virtual Car Process, Integration Processes, Target Management, Release and Change Management, Quality Management, Primary and Secondary Complete Vehicle Characteristics, Integration of Partners and Suppliers, Development Controlling, Lean Development

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics, Marketing, Management, Finance and Accounting (all intermediate level)
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 200

Lecture, 2,5 ECTS Credits (62,5 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

Not recommended for English native speakers

offered in spring/summer, fall/winter

Lecturer: Karen Lehle

There are three Business Engish courses offered at different levels, Busines English I, Business English II and Business English III. Students will learn English for Business which is used in business and economics. Through a combination of reading, writing, listening and speaking tasks, the students focus on topics such as company structure, business travel, company results and communication at work. Students must have a high level of competence in English, as the course is held entirely in English at different levels.

Assessment: Written exam
Prerequisite: Background in Business/Economics
Undergraduate students

Academic Level: 500

Seminar, 3 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in spring/summer

Lecturer: Gisela Francis Vogt

Students learn and practice specialized vocabulary on the following topics: Real estate technical terms, Market and location analyzes, building descriptions, real estate transactions, contracts, building descriptions and standards, rents and leases, project development, asset and real estate management. This course will be held either in Geislingen or Cambridge/UK. The decision on the location will be made in December. For Cambridge you have to pay travel expenses and accommodation. This course is combined with International Property Markets. You can choose one or both together.

Assessment: Presentations, paper
Prerequisite: Background in Real Estate Management
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Lecture, 8 ECTS Credits (200 hours per semester), 6 hours per week (70 hours per semester)

offered in fall/winter, 2 weeks in January

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Dieter Rebitzer

The International Real Estate Challenge (IREC) is an annual student competition. Universities from several countries participate. The students develop in teamwork a project idea for a fictional task. The objective is to produce a project that can be implemented in real terms, which is judged by an expert jury. Over a two-week period, students apply their knowledge in mixed international groups by assessing the client's needs and analyzing potential properties in multiple cities. Students visit properties, interview local agents, and carry out fieldwork in these cities. This provides each group with decision-relevant, real-world data. Each group, which is accompanied professionally and methodically by professors as tutors, produces a report and a professional presentation. By the way, the students gain practical experience in international teamwork. This competition will take place in several European cities. You have to pay travel expenses, accommodation, and other costs. Registration deadline is end of October.

Assessment: Written exam, presentations
Prerequisite: Background in Real Estate Management
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Seminar, 6 ECTS Credits (150 hours per semester), 4 hours per week (45 hours per semester)

offered in fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Dieter Rebitzer

Students work on a practice-oriented case study covering one of the following topics: Real Estate Economics, Location and Market Analysis, Building Analysis, Real Estate Markets, Real Estate Valuation, Real Estate Transactions, Real Estate Investment, Housing Economics, Asset Management, Brownfield Development.

Assessment: Presentations, paper
Prerequisite: Background in Real Estate Management
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Seminar, 6 ECTS Credits (150 hours per semester), 4 hours per week (45 hours per semester)

offered in fall/winter

Lecture: Prof. Dr. Dieter Rebitzer

Students get an insight into a current topic, which is currently being discussed in the industry. Examples of past courses: digitalization of business processes, building information modelling, modular and serial construction, affordable housing, reconstruction after natural disasters or new asset classes.

Assessment: Presentations, paper
Prerequisite: Background in Real Estate Management
Undergraduate students, Graduate students

Academic Level: 500

Seminar, 3 ECTS Credits (75 hours per semester), 2 hours per week (25 hours per semester)

offered in fall/winter

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Dieter Rebitzer

Students get an insight into current topics of international real estate markets. The course will cover features and characteristics of selected countries such as market structures, business environment, innovation, investment, valuation, financing, project development, law and taxation. This course will be held either in Geislingen or Cambridge/UK. The decision on the location will be made in December. For Cambridge you have to pay travel expenses and accommodation. This course is combined with Real Estate English. You can choose one or both together.

Assessment: Presentations, paper
Prerequisite: Background in Real Estate Management
Undergraduate students, Graduate students