Class of 2009 MBA Program Academic Overview Peggy Bishop Lane Naomi Tschoegl MBA Program Office

Academic Overview Introducing the MBA Program Office Wharton Curriculum International Programs Pre-Term Important Mailings

What makes a Wharton MBA? Leadership is expected in knowledge through academic excellence by challenging yourself in a rigorous environment –Rigor is evident in quantitative and qualitative subjects in our world class faculty – and not just in finance in your teams – through assignments and out of class experiences in making responsible waiver choices – learning new things and contributing to your classmates even when you are having fun!

Structure of Your MBA Program Who? –Class of approximately 800 students –12 Cohorts of approximately 65 students –Learning teams of 5-6 students –210 standing faculty across 11 departments What? –Core Curriculum – essential for any business –Elective Curriculum – depth and exploration –Other – international study, independent study

Core Curriculum Analytical Tools Accounting Finance Statistics Economics Decision Science Operations Marketing Management Management Tools Strategy Managing People Marketing Strategy Legal Environment Supply Chain Management Ethics Mgmt. Communications Teamwork and Leadership Cohort based your cohort and learning team help get you through it … and vice versa! Core Curriculum is 10 credit units if no waivers

Waivers Philosophy: –Attempt waiver if you feel the material will be redundant –Trade-off between expanding individual knowledge base and being with/contributing to the cohort Warning! Rules for each course differ –See Waiver Information Guide (in 1 st mailing) Credentials due in August Exams given in August/September Waiving is not earning credit –Replace core with elective credits –No need to replace in the same term if <= 1cu waived Most core classes can be waived by credential or by exam

Elective Courses and Majors What is a major? –Typically 5 credit units, one from the core –Ensures depth in one area –A signal of interest and significant knowledge Other Electives: –Wharton electives in addition to major –Penn Graduate level courses (up to 4 credit units) –2 additional electives may be graduate or undergraduate Graduation = 19 credit units

International Programs Global Immersion Program (GIP) –Month after spring semester – a combination of lectures, meetings, and travel –Five current locations - Southeast Asia, China, South America, India and Africa Global Consulting Practicum (GCP) –First or second year –Consulting in Peru, Israel, Chile, China, India, and Colombia Exchange Programs –14 different exchanges, including INSEAD –Options for semester, quarter or summer term

Academics Outside the Curriculum Learning teams/ Leadership fellows Leadership Ventures Wharton Leadership Lecture Series Wharton Teaching and Research Assistants Case Competitions Conferences Club Activities Faculty Liaison Activities

Pre-Term: Summer 2007 Re-orientation to academic life and opportunity to get acquainted with your classmates, the campus, and Philadelphia Academic: –Learn basic skills –Prepare for fall core courses –Enrich your knowledge base for the future –Try to waive courses for which you know the material Social: –Meet classmates, administration and faculty –Begin developing relationships that help shape your Wharton experience

Pre-Term 2007 Schedule Week of July 30 –International Student Orientation –Welcome and Cohort Orientations/Welcome to Philly –Math camp –Waiver/placement classes begin –Convocation Week of August 6 –Economics, Statistics and Accounting classes begin –Other “fun” classes begin –Career Management Orientation Weeks of August 13 & 20 –Math test and waiver exams –Phillies baseball game, Art Museum tour Aug : Learning Team Retreat / Diversity Workshop September 4: Case Day September 5: Fall classes begin

Important Information 1 st Mailing (late-May) –Get Started –Waiver Information Guide –MBA Resource Guide 2 nd Mailing (mid-June) – MBA Bulletin #1 (includes schedule, Cluster Assignment) MBAPO (bi-weekly) – Information about the upcoming weeks – Answers to frequently asked questions – Introduction to the MBA Program Office PennKey Codes! – Sent from the University upon matriculation – Expire in 60 days, so activate immediately

MBA Program Office 300 Jon M. Huntsman Hall