First Year Commerce Orientation 2012/2013

1. First Year Commerce Orientation 2012/2013 Welcome to the J.E Cairnes School of Business & Economics Dr. Gerard Turley| September 2012 J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics

2. Bachelor of Commerce Degree: First Year • Lectures commence on Monday September 10th as per timetables • Semester One (12 weeks): Teaching ends Friday 30th November • Study Week beginning 3rd December with Examinations 10 – 18th December. There will be five exams, with the possibility of more than one exam on one day • Semester Two (11.5 weeks): Teaching begins 7th January and ends 27th March • Exams begin 16th April 2013. 2

3. B. Comm. Degree Students are required to take six modules per semester: • Introduction to Accounting (AY) 5 + 5 ECTS • Economics, Principles of (EC) 5 + 5 ECTS • Business Information Systems & Management (MS) 5 + 5 ECTS • Mathematics & Statistics for Business (MA) 5 + 5 ECTS • Introduction to Management / Marketing (MG/MK) 5 + 5 ECTS 6. Skills to Succeed + Business Law I or Spanish or German 5 + 5 or 10 ECTS Total: 60 ECTS 3

4. Semester One (Sept - Dec) Intro to Management Accounting Principles of Microeconomics Business Information Systems Mathematics for Business Introduction to Management Semester Two (Jan – Apr/May) Intro to Financial Accounting Principles of Macroeconomics Business Information Management Statistics for Business Introduction to Marketing B. Comm. Degree: Compulsory Modules

5. B. Comm. Degree: Optional Modules Skills to Succeed – new module focusing on work life skills such as writing and presenting, planning, research skills etc. 100% continuous assessment and Business Law I - important for Accounting Exemptions at the end of your degree Or Spanish or German • Available as an alternative to Skills to Succeed+Business Law I • Beginners or Advanced Level available. No previous knowledge of these languages is necessary for the Beginners course. • If demand exceeds supply: selection based on aggregate Leaving Cert points and HC3 in a continental language • To apply: complete application form in handbook and return to School Office (Room 355 or 359, top floor of Cairnes building) • End of Year: you may be eligible for transfer to 2nd yr. of B. Comm. International 5

6. Lectures and Tutorials • All are Obligatory • Lectures – Concepts and Ideas, Tools and Techniques • Tutorials – apply tools and techniques, ask questions • Self Study – readings, practice, application 6

7. First Year Modules Accounting and Economics – start from beginning but moves quickly Many modules have continuous assessment / coursework Descriptive subjects: Marketing, Management, Business Law I - Do not underestimate difficulty and approach to exams Skills to Succeed – a skills-based module, with 100% attendance, events and coursework Language – Small classes Your attendance and engagement is required from Week 1 through to Week 12 7

8. Tutorials, Skills to Succeed and Learning Communities – A New Initiative Lectures – have 250 plus students in attendance Tutorials – small classes, fewer than 50 in number Skills to Succeed – new module designed to develop skills for students that are necessary for success in university life and subsequently in their working lives. Learning Communities – tutorials with the same group of students for each module, where students come together, engage together and learn together Timetables – look out for lectures (begin in Week 1) and tutorials (begin in Week 1-2). There will be two separate timetables. Both are compulsory 8

9. Peer Assisted Learning • Part of the Skills to Succeed Module, on Friday mornings • Requirement – course marks awarded • Excellent feedback • Second Years pass on the benefit of their experience and help you work together • More next week …………Michael Campion 9

10. Skills Development • Transferrable Skills – Start Now • Group work • Presentation • IT – ECDL • Get Involved • Clubs and Societies • Business Society (Biz Soc) • Volunteering (Alive Programme) 10

11. Opportunities – open to you as you progress • Peer Assisted Learning Leadership Roles and Training (second year) • Career Mentoring in second year. • Study Abroad Possibilities - after second year • THREE week Management Summer School in Austria • Full year of study abroad • One semester of study abroad and one semester internship • Tuition is paid. You pay for accommodation, travel and subsistence. • All will be available on basis - ACADEMIC merit and those who have made an effort with personal and skills development 11

12. B. Comm. (International Experience) Degree • During second year – opportunity to apply to transfer to: • B. Comm. (International Experience) Degree • Study abroad one year, or • Work in Ireland (1 semester) + Study Abroad (1 semester) • Internships this year and in 2010/11 • Failte Ireland, Boston Scientific, Brothers of Charity, Delphi Mountain Resort, NUI Galway, Medtronic, Kenny’s Bookstore, Marine Institute, Creganna, Connacht Tribune, Alkermes, Accenture, GDSI, ESB, Simon Community, DHKN, Grant Thornton, G Hotel, Rooney Auctioneers • Study Abroad – Austria, Holland, Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, USA, Hong Kong 12

13. Importance of First Year • Skills Development • Personal Growth • Second Year Opportunities – first year results and semester one of second year. • Third Year Interviews - first and second year results 13

14. Progression to Second Year • Must pass ALL modules in First Year to progress to second year • Pass = 40% in all modules • “The 35% Rule” Must obtain 35% or more in written exam for year’s work (continuous assessment) to be included 14

15. Progression to Second Year (ctd.) • Pass by Compensation – what does it mean? You are allowed to pass by compensation in modules up to 15 ECTS credits in range 35% - 39% provided - The aggregate mark for all modules of the year is at least 40% - No mark is below 35% • You may not repeat a module you have passed. 15

16. Examinations Honours • 70% First Class Honours (H1) • 60% Second Class Honours Grade 1 (H 2.1) • 50% Second Class Honours Grade 2 (H 2.2) • 40% Third Class Honours (H 3) First Year Examinations • Students must present for the initial exam in a module • To defer for serious personal/medical reasons, you must seek permission from the School Office. Supporting documentation required. 16

17. Autumn (Repeat Examinations) • Fail in Sem I or Sem II: repeat failed modules in August • Fail in autumn: get exemptions in all modules passed; repeat any failed modules at Sem I, Sem II or autumn sessions of next academic year • Two year rule: First BComm must be passed within two academic years from the date of entering the BComm programme. • Must pass ALL modules in First Year to progress to second year 17

18. Module Registration Students must register online by 21st September www.nuigalway.ie/reg Change of mind dates for optional module - 27th / 28th September You may not change your mind after this date 18

19. What is required for success? Ability and Aptitude Interest and Enthusiasm Dedication, Engagement and Hard Work 19

20. Class Representatives • If any of you wish to volunteer to act as Class Representative please contact Mairead McKeon, School Office by Wednesday, 12th September. mairead.mckeon@nuigalway.ie Room 355, Top Floor, Cairnes Building. Tel: (091) 492612 20

21. B.Comm. Director Dr. Gerard Turley Room 205, First Floor, St. Anthony’s Building (beside Cairnes building) Tel: 091-493095 Email: gerard.turley@nuigalway.ie For an appointment with Dr. Turley please ring me on ext. 3095 or email me at gerard.turley@nuigalway.ie. 21

22. School Office If you have any queries please contact the School Office, located on the top floor, Cairnes Building. Details as follows: Martina Huban Room 359, Top Floor, Cairnes Building Tel: 091-493617 Email: suzann.murray@nuigalway.ie 22

23. Languages as an Option German, Spanish – available at Beginners and Advanced/Intermediate Level Continue a language you have already studied or take up a new one Why? 23

24. IBEC Press Release The business arguments to support improved language skills are obvious. The Irish market for goods and services is extremely small and companies must look further afield for new customers and clients. Irish companies need staff that that have the language skills required to develop their markets abroad’. The report by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, noted that: ‘the availability of an internal supply of foreign language skills will enhance the attractiveness of Ireland for foreign multi-nationals wishing to establish such activities.’ 24

25. Informal meetings GERMAN:MON 10th September, 4.00 pm in AM 204 (first floor, Arts Millennium building) Ms. Doris Devilly, Arts Millennium Building 318 doris.devilly@nuigalway.ie SPANISH: MON 10th September, 11.00 am in AM117 (SH140 Spanish Intermediate) and 12:00 in Concourse 215 (SH102 Spanish Beginners)   Programme Coordinator (Spanish): Ms. Begoña Sangrador-Vegas, Arts Millennium Building 317 begona.sangrador-vegas@nuigalway.ie First Year Coordinator (Spanish): Ms. Pilar Alderete, Arts Millennium Building 342 pilar.alderete@nuigalway.ie 25

26. Finally: Welcome again and have a wonderful Year We’ll go the extra mile – excellent university experience You only have to travel with us 26