Bachelor of Commerce

SOAR 098 (0) - Student Orientation and Academic Readiness

Through this orientation students come to understand their academic expectations, requirements, and rights and responsibilities at University Canada West. Students will learn how to access the university services and systems that they need to be successful in their studies. Orientation includes practices of information literacy, academic integrity, critical thinking, and academic writing. All students will be assessed for academic writing proficiency. 

Tier 1 courses are your entry into the BCom program. They establish the basic university skills of research and writing whilst introducing you to the knowledge needed for each program. The instructors of these courses know they are your entry point and work hard on all the basics to ensure you successfully complete your degree.

ACCT 101 - Principles of Accounting

Accounting is the “language of business.” This course will explore accounting processes and formulas to evaluate the economic health of a company. Students will learn how to apply Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). They will be introduced to the accounting cycle, accrual accounting concepts, and the asset side of the balance sheet, including cash, receivables, inventory, and long-lived assets.

Students may not receive credit for more than two of ACCT 101, ACCT 103, and ACCT 140.

BUSI 100 - Introduction to Business

Students will study subjects including the different forms of business organizations, operational divisions, business processes and corporate responsibilities to shareholders and employees. They will also examine typical business functions and the role of managers in production, marketing and human resources. Going on to study accounting and finance in a Canadian context, including a consideration of Canadian business law and ethics.

COMM 102 - Mass Media and Society

Contemporary culture is developed and transmitted through mass communication. This course is an overview of mass communication's vital role in society, with discussion of media institutions, theories, practices, professional fields, and effects on society, groups and individuals. Students will learn to observe and critique the impact of mass communications on society. 

ECOL 100 - Introduction to Ecology

An introduction to principles of ecology: biotic and abiotic conditions, population, community and ecosystem structure, human impacts on these systems, and basic concepts of conservation and preservation of ecosystems.

ECON 102 - Principles of Microeconomics

An introduction to microeconomic concepts: the market system; price determination; demand and utility; competitive supply; cost analysis; market structures; equilibrium of the firm; pricing of factor inputs; land rents; wages; interest and capital.

ECON 104 - Principles of Macroeconomics

An introduction to macroeconomic concepts: circular flow of income and product; national income; equilibrium level of domestic income; fiscal policy; money and banking; international trade; inflation and unemployment.

PHIL 102 - Moral Philosophy

Every decision has an ethical and moral component. This course explores prominent theoretical approaches to ethics that attempt to answer questions about the morality of human conduct. Students will develop critical skills of analysis that enable them to identify differing applications of ethics and the cultural sources of morality.

ENGL 100 - Academic Writing

In order to succeed in an academic environment, students must be able to communicate effectively in writing. Students will learn to apply principles of rhetoric and critical thinking to readings drawn from a variety of academic disciplines. They will learn to read closely and analyze different types of essays (e.g. narrative, expository, cause and effect, comparison and contrast, persuasive) in terms of how each best engages different types of audiences and contexts. They will develop sound writing skills through a recursive approach that employs pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing and proofreading. Practice with essential research strategies will complete the course. This is a writing intensive course and must be taken in a student’s first 24 credit hours of study.

ENGL 105 - Contemporary Literature: Drama and Narrative

Literature is a window into human reality through the imagination. This course is an introduction to contemporary drama and the novel, including screenplays and works by Canadian authors. Students will learn to interpret a range of works in terms of theme, plot, character, and context. This is a writing intensive course.

MATH 101 - Foundation Mathematics

Students will learn methods, procedures and applications of business mathematics, including the mathematics of merchandising, simple interest, and compound interest. Applications include discounts and mark-ups, cost-volume-profit, short-term and long-term loans, credit card debt, savings and payment plan annuities, mortgages, bonds and investment decisions. Must be taken in a student’s first 24 credit hours of study.

Our Tier 2 courses are more advanced than the level of study during Tier 1. Expect to find the standards more rigorous and the work more intense. These courses are taken concurrently with your Tier 3 courses.

BUSI 201 - Business Environment

This course introduces students to the ins-and-outs of the international marketplace and the many forces and interest groups that influence business decisions. These include government policies, globalization, and ecological issues. Students will learn to assess stakeholder interests and identify ethical issues.

CMPT 201 - Information Systems for Managers

Key management functions take place through computer-assisted processes. Understanding how computers operate in the workplace and integrate with organizational strategy and human limitations is an essential managerial knowledge set. Students will learn the range of computer based process tools and their appropriate work applications. 

COMM 200 - Communications Theory

There are many perspectives on the nature of communication and how it functions in human groups and organizations. This course is a survey of contemporary social, scientific, and humanistic theories of mediated communication. Students will learn various theories of communication and their relationship with society.

MRKT 201 - Marketing Management 

Students will learn the fundamentals of marketing and explore the relationships between companies, their customers, and their competition. They will examine concepts that are integral to the field of marketing including customer behaviour, market research, product analysis, pricing and promotion strategies.

MATH 200 - Statistics

Students will learn statistical concepts, methods and procedures used in business, including descriptive statistics--graphics and numerical presentations, probability theory and linear regression. The use of statistical software applications will form part of the course. Students will be expected to know basic Excel skills.

ORGB 201 - Organizational Behaviour

Organizations have distinct characteristics based on their culture, composition, and history. Students will learn how the behaviour of individuals and groups in work environments affect organizational performance and the dynamics of organizational relationships. Topics will include individual attributes, motivation theories and strategies, group dynamics, teamwork, organizational structure, job design, leadership, organizational culture and politics, communication, conflict, stress and change management. Diversity, cross-cultural issues and ethical conduct in organizations will also be examined.  

One of the following 2 courses:

COMM 201 - Writing for Specific Audiences

This course explores the range of audiences found in the contemporary world—public, private, and organizational. Students will learn to assess audiences and design writing targeted to a particular group.  

MRKT 302 - Advertising

Marketing communication is a key part of business and society. The course examines how the various forms of marketing communications are used to help fulfill the overall strategy of the enterprise. Integrated marketing communications role in marketing is explored in a practical way and the relationship among the planning process, creative strategies, and media selection are examined. Students will analyze the social and economic roles that integrated marketing communications play in profit and non-profit organizations. Prerequisite: MRKT 201 

Tier 2 BCom students are also required to take THREE electives from the Tier 2 elective pool.

Tier 3 courses develop your core skills and understanding in business. Taught by instructors who are both experts in their fields and experienced professionals, you will acquire the knowledge necessary to make you an excellent practitioner in the world of commerce.

ACCT 301 - Managerial Accounting

Management decisions are often based on internal accounting information. Students will explore the systems used by organizations to measure the cost and profitability of products and services. Financial reports are evaluated within the context of their effects on managerial judgment. Students will learn how to undertake budgeting, profit planning, variance analysis, and ethically responsible accounting.

BUSI 325 - Business Law

All businesses function in legal contexts. This course examines the essential role that law plays in business decisions, how it facilitates personal and commercial transactions, and how its knowledge builds a competitive advantage. The course will provide a practical analysis of various areas of law such at contracts, torts, environmental, property, employment, selling goods and services, import/export, financing and insurance. As well, the selection and use of various forms of business organization will be examined. 

COMM 312 - Professional Communications –Written and Oral

Communication is a leadership skill. With an emphasis on interpersonal relations, team-building, and leadership, students will learn to develop, manage, and deliver complex communication products designed for diverse audiences and contexts. They will become familiar with the theories, principles, and practices for designing, developing, and delivering both individual and collaborative projects. Coursework will include the research and writing of correspondence, reports, proposals, project plans, social media communications, and technical descriptions as well as the preparation and performance of oral presentations.

FNCE 303 - Finance

This course will introduce concepts of financial techniques necessary to assist the organization obtain capital and manage it effectively. Models of evaluating various returns will be based on accounting inputs. Underlying most analysis will be net present value theory. Students will develop their decision-making skills in relation to the cost and availability of funds, and maximizing economic returns.

RSCH 300 - Research Methodology

An examination of research methodologies including attributes of a good research topic, critical literature reviews, formulating the research design, primary vs. secondary data, research ethics and writing and presenting results.

HRMT 301 - Human Resource Management

Human resources is a strategic function in business and organizations. This course is designed to provide a basic understanding of the various HR functions including recruitment and selection, training and development, compensation and benefits, performance management, health and safety; and employee and labour relations. Students will explore how external influences such as the legal system and demographics impact the practice of HR management. 

OPMT 301 - Operations Management 

This course investigates the development and administration of activities that are involved in transforming financial, human, physical, and natural resources into products and services. Quality and productivity are critical outcomes of logistical operating systems. Students will learn system-wide methods of integrating efficient processes, both technical and human. 

Tier 3 BCom students are also required to take THREE electives from the Tier 3 and Tier 4 elective pool.

Tier 4 courses are the final step in your program. They provide the opportunity to integrate and refine your knowledge. You will complete your program alongside your GRES 400/401 research project. This final six credit course allows you to put your energies into a project of your choice that highlights the depth of your education.

BUSI 401 - Strategy and Decision Making

Decision making takes place in the context of organizational strategy. In this course students will apply their knowledge to developing an organizational strategy integrating contextual factors, ethics, and core organizational components. On the basis of this knowledge they will outline a decision making strategy.

BUSI 497 - Business Capstone 1

Research is a critical business skill. Students will outline and research the strategic and contextual components of a significant project or program related to an organizational strategy. This will be a team-based exercise and will produce an exhaustive report of the current status of business issues relevant to the project or program. Teams will produce and present a professional quality research report. This course is normally completed in a student’s second last term.

BUSI 498 - Business Capstone 2

Proposals are the basis of organizational development, from business plans, to operational plans to sales. Students will craft a proposal for a significant project or program in a business related area. This will be a team based exercise where students will produce a full business proposal including a financial forecast or budget. This course is normally completed in a student’s last term.

Tier 4 BCom students are also required to take SEVEN electives from the Tier 3 and Tier 4 elective pool, TWO of which must be 400 level management courses.