WELCOME TO The NUS Business School MBA Orientation 2008 Professor Nitin Pangarkar

1. WELCOME TO The NUS Business School MBA Orientation 2008 Professor Nitin Pangarkar Academic Director, MBA Program

2. My Job As the Academic Director, I oversee all academic aspects of the MBA program For all academic matters, you can consult me I work closely with Yue Wen, Celia & the MBA Office

3. Agenda • Calendar • Curriculum • Academic performance requirements • Specializations • Ground rules—in class behavior and academic integrity/ honesty • Exchange programs • Questions??

4. Calendar • The calendar consists of two ‘regular’ semesters and two ‘special’ terms • Special terms are half the duration of normal, so the classes are twice as frequent (2 classes per week) • Schedule for 2007-2008 • Semester 1—11th August to 6th December, 2008 • Semester 2– 12th Jan to 9th May, 2009 • Special term I—11th May to 20th June, 2009 • Special term II—22nd June to 1st August, 2009 • Every semester or special term has its own add/drop/withdrawal dates (refer to the student handbook) • Please adhere to those since exceptions won’t be made unless there are medical type of reasons

5. Curriculum (1) • You need to complete the equivalent of 17 full modules (total of 68 Modular Credits (MCs)) to complete the degree • Most modules are either 2 MCs or 4 MCs each • To provide you great flexibility, the curriculum consists of 32 MCs of core modules and 36 MCs worth of electives • You can determine your own pace at which you advance through the program • 12 months, 17 months or longer • Maximum period of candidature—4 years (FT) and 6 years (PT)

6. Curriculum (2)Full Time only • You (FT) will complete 22 MCs of core modules by the end of semester 1 • 2 MCs worth before the semester begins (intensive) • 20 MCs worth of modules during Semester 1 • Financial Accounting (BMA 5003), Operations Management (BMA 5010A), Statistics (BMA 5002A), Financial management (BMA 5008), Marketing Management (BMA 5009) and Managerial Economics (BMA 5001) • Another 2 MCs on an intensive basis before semester 2. • Remaining 8 MCs of core modules can be taken anytime later • Corporate Strategy (BMA 5013), Asia Pacific Business (BMA 5112) • The cohort design (3 groups of about 45 students each) means that you will be a fixed group of peers in the first semester • Stronger bonds/ friendships • Better class dynamics based on ‘understanding’

7. Curriculum (3)Part Time • Program requirements are identical • You can determine your pace of study • Minimum of 2 MCs per semester • Special terms are optional • You may enroll in day classes if work permits • All resources and options in the program are available to you, including Career Services, exchange program, overseas visits, etc.

8. Academic performance • Throughout the program, you must maintain minimum academic performance • Cumulative Average Point (CAP) of 2.5 or higher for two consecutive semesters • CAP of 3.0 or higher for three consecutive semesters • A CAP of less than 3.0 in any semester will result in a warning • To graduate, you must have a CAP of 3.0 • Students cannot receive a F grade in modules worth more than 8MCs (two full modules)

9. Pace of study • Many of you are eager to finish the program in the shortest possible time • FT—12 months versus 17 months • PT—2 modules per semester versus more than 3 modules • Be aware that rapid pace gives you less time to digest the material and gain from the other aspects of the program (networking, internships etc.) • For students wishing to switch industries/ careers, accelerated pace is not recommended • FT students will be asked to choose between 12 versus 17 months program in Semester 1 Course planning will be based on these choices

10. Specializations • You can pursue any one of the following specializations • Finance • Marketing • Strategy and Organization • Healthcare • Real Estate • Specializations will not be recorded on the degree scroll but will be recorded on the transcript • Specializations are optional • To complete a specialization, you need to complete 24 MCs in the subject area (including core modules) with a minimum GPA of 3.5 in those modules • Failure to attain the CAP no specialization recorded

11. Cross faculty modules • You may choose graduate electives offered by other faculties/Schools in NUS • Actual enrolment will depend on the spaces available & satisfaction of pre-requisites • Maximum outside BIZ is 8 MCs • Provided that these electives are relevant, you will receive credit towards your degree requirements

12. Etiquette • NUS MBA admits only ‘mature’ students with a clear thinking that this maturity will be reflected in the learning environment • Remember, you already have served in responsible corporate roles (managers) • In terms of classroom behavior: • Be punctual • Turn off your handphones • Don’t bring any food; drinks are ok • Don’t surf the web/ chat while discussions are going on • Behave professionally – as a guide, as you would in your job • Be culturally sensitive and tolerant—unprofessional behavior cannot be excused on cultural grounds, though! • But do focus on your learning, interaction and participation • Maintain professionalism while interacting with alumni/ similar parties

13. An interesting quote • Gary Lineker—a professional soccer player who captained England and scored 48 goals for England, on his first coach Jock Wallace • “He taught me a lot about living properly, giving myself the best chance at succeeding at sport, not wasting my talent.” • Jock: “Whatever you do, give it your best shot and do it properly. Never look back with any regrets.” • Our rules about etiquette are similar in spirit to Jock Wallace’s rules for Lineker My First Job, Reader’s Digest, August 2008

14. Exams • We are very serious about tests and examinations and have zero tolerance for breach of rules • Make sure that you observe all the rules specified by the invigilator (examination administrator) • Bring your own calculators and notes/ handouts (for open book exams) • Details are in the Student Handbook. • Report any behavior that breaches rules—peer policing is one of the best means to ensure that the rules are followed • The minimum punishment for cheating is a 0 grade in the particular assessment; the maximum is expulsion from the program

15. Academic honesty • Academic integrity is becoming a key concern with the emergence of internet • Lots of information available on the web temptations • Note the stiff penalties at NUS for plagiarism—claiming somebody else’s work as your own (aka cut and paste) • All students must complete an online module that clearly defines the rules about Academic Integrity • www.emodule.nus.edu.sg/ac/ • Please treat the honor code you will sign with the utmost seriousness

16. Exchange programs • We have a large portfolio of exchange partners around the world • Going on exchange is one of the most enriching experience in the program • There is a competitive process for awarding exchange places • You should plan on an exchange in the next semester • It is possible to have exchanges in Semester 1 of your second year, but this may hinder placements • Look out for “summer” exchanges, during Special terms • While on exchange, you are ambassadors of the NUS Business School onus on you to enhance the reputation (academically as well as otherwise)

17. Other Options • An MBA is more than classes, so explore all options on campus • School events, overseas visits, local and overseas case competitions, industry visits and talks, and seminars • Many opportunities to meet and work with alumni & industry leaders. Note the Management practicum. (More details later) • Take on a leadership role in the MBA Clubs • Beyond your academic hard work, exploit the other opportunities in Singapore!

18. Other Issues • You may need to make many adjustments to ease into the MBA program, NUS and Singapore. • Understanding the environment & institutions in Singapore will be an excellent first step for you • We will try our best to help you make the transition • But we do need to adhere to a set of rules that are designed to ensure fairness & equal opportunity to all students, on a merit basis. This may constrain us from responding to all individual circumstances • Please work with us • As a first guide, refer to the Student Handbook, and to mba.nus.edu

19. Invaluable resources

20. Questions?

21. Marketing specialization courses Marketing

22. Finance specialization courses

23. Strategy and organizations specialization courses

24. Grades and corresponding average points

26. 16 month scheduleFull Time only Exchange? Internship

27. 12 months scheduleFull Time only