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School of Management
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
BA 4308.002 ▪ FALL 2010
Instructor: Ms. Erin Pleggenkuhle-Miles Class Meeting: MW 1:30-2:45 PM
Office: SOM 4.407 Classroom: SOM 1.217
Office Hours: Wed 12:00-1:15 PM (or by appointment)
Cell/Office: (972) 838-8083; (972) 883-6041
Email: erinmiles@utdallas.edu*
*During times outside of office hours, the preferred method of contact for this course is through eLearning. I will
check eLearning regularly and will reply to any questions or concerns that may arise.
Please use email and phone contact only under urgent circumstances.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides a broad-based introduction to entrepreneurship. Course activities will include
evaluating commercial potential of business ideas and opportunities; researching markets and competition;
managing patents and copyrights, valuing a business opportunity developing a business plan, acquiring
resources, avoiding pitfalls, and financing the start-up. Participants in the course will explore the mindset,
considerations, realities, and real-world methods associated with the process of launching a new
enterprise. Whether you simply wish to learn more about entrepreneurship or desire to launch an
enterprise, the course will provide the know-how and the tools to be more effective in the entrepreneurial
process.
This is an interactive, team-based course that will permit groups of students to develop portions of a
business plan piece by piece. Both team and individual assignments will be required, with the team project
assignment comprising over half of the final grade. A team project focused on the creation of a business
plan for a new business opportunity will comprise a major part of the course.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
Hisrich, Peters & Shepherd, Entrepreneurship. 8th Edition. ISBN 0-07-321056-0. McGraw-Hill
Irwin. (Available at UTD Bookstore and Off-Campus Books).
Wyly, Entrepreneur to Billionaire. 1st Edition. ISBN 978-1-55704-848-6. Newmarket Press.
(Available at UTD Bookstore and Off-Campus Books).
Exams: 30%
There are two examinations in this course. Exams cover materials from lectures, the text, cases, videos and
any other supplementary materials pertinent to the course. The exams will not be cumulative, but some
overlap is inevitable.
The assignments, their due dates, and their relative weight in determining your final grade are summarized
in the table below:
Team or Grading
Assignment Due Date Form
Individual Weight
Self-introduction 8/23 Individual Form N/A
WA#1: Individual opportunity analysis, business ideas Bulleted
8/30 Individual 5%
description submitted to team and instructor Outline
Team selected and rosters submitted to instructor 8/30 Team Memo N/A
WA#2: Teams submit business ideas for approval 9/6 Team Memo N/A
Grading Scale:
A+ = 100+ A = 94-99 A- = 90-93
B+ = 87-89 B = 84-86 B- = 80-83
C+ = 77-79 C = 74-76 C- = 70-73
D+ = 67-69 D = 64-66 D- = 60-63
F = Below 60
COURSE OUTLINE**
CHAPTER ASSIGNMENTS/
WEEK TOPIC
READINGS DELIVERABLES
4 Entrepreneurial Strategy
M: 9/13 Identifying Opportunities Chapters 3, 5, 7 ----------------
W: 9/15 The Business Plan
5 Guest Speaker: Andrew Ehmke, Haynes & Boone
M: 9/20 Chapter 6 ----------------
W: 9/22 Intellectual Property & Legal Issues
6
M: 9/27 Organizational Plan Chapter 9 ----------------
W: 9/29
7 Review, Team Time
M: 10/4 CH: 1-3, 5-7, 9, 13 ----------------
W: 10/6 WEDNESDAY: MIDTERM EXAM
11 Sources of Capital
M: 11/1 Guest Speakers: Jackie Kimzey, Sevin Rosen Chapters 11-12 ----------------
W: 11/3 Funds
12 Ending the Venture
M: 11/8 Chapter 15 ----------------
W: 11/10 Personal Vision and Ethics
**This course schedule is not absolute. While every effort will be made to follow the schedule as listed, changes
may be made as needed. It is the student’s responsibility to track changes that are announced.
COURSE GUIDELINES
SELF-INTRODUCTION
Each student should post a Self-Introduction in the Discussion area of eLearning prior to or directly
following the first class. Guidelines are provided on the eLearning Discussion page. This information will
assist in the formation of groups for the course.
TEAM FORMATION
Much of the work in this course will be performed in teams (4-5 members). The team members will be
collectively responsible for completing each of the Team Project assignments listed in this syllabus. The
grades earned on Team Projects will be assigned equally to each group member, subject to adjustment
based on peer evaluation (see peer evaluation information below).
Students will have the opportunity to select their teams up to 5 members and those without teams will be
assigned to teams by the instructor. The projects require a wide range of knowledge including some
knowledge of finance and accounting. Therefore, it is important that you select your teams to include a
diverse set of skills. A typed list of the members, including the designated team captain, contact
information for each group member (with name, email and telephone) should be submitted to the
instructor at the end of class on August 30th.
LECTURE NOTES
The PowerPoint slides used in lectures and certain other course materials will be available on eLearning
(http://eLearning.utdallas.edu) under course ID BA 4308. You should be able to access eLearning with
your UTD ID and password. Call computer services at (972) 883-2911 if you need assistance.
CLASS COMMUNICATION:
eLearning: Class notes, the syllabus, and other relevant course-related materials will be posted on
eLearning. You may download this material from the website. In addition, you are advised to check your
messages on eLearning frequently, and prior to each class session. This will be the main way of
disseminating any messages or instructions relating to the course.
Contacting the Instructor: Faculty has been requested to state in their syllabi that a new university policy
to protect student privacy has been established. This policy states that faculty is not required to answer
student emails unless they come from a UTD email account. Therefore, you are advised to contact me via
eLearning email from your own eLearning account. This is the best way to get in touch.
Common Courtesy: You are expected to be courteous during class time. Please respect your fellow
students by turning off cell phones and beepers before class, refraining from talking with others when
someone is speaking, and arriving punctually to class.
TEAM PROJECTS
As mentioned above, a team project focused on the identification and analysis of a new business
opportunity will comprise a major part of the course. This project is intended to a preliminary business
plan for a venture and is detailed below.
WA#4a: Paper—Complete business plan including the addition of marketing & financial plan
This paper should improve upon the first assignment (WA#3a). All previously submitted information
about the company and market should be refined and included in the final paper. To clarify: in addition
to a refinement of the first paper, in which product/service information and industry analysis was
provided, the team will add two major segments to the plan:
1) The marketing plan. This segment of the plan should be 3 to 6 pages and include a brief analysis
(reiteration) of the target market(s). The segment of the paper and presentation should include a detailed
marketing plan including the general marketing strategy (including business model), target customers,
positioning of the firm (relative to competition), advertising and promotional activities, pricing strategy,
sales and distribution strategy, sales forecasts, service and support, and detailed marketing budget.
2) Resources, risk assessment and financial plan (including timeline). This segment of the paper
should be 3 to 6 pages in length and should include: (a) resource requirements of the firm until company
becomes self-sustaining (how much capital is needed for start-up and operations (e.g., capital
expenditures, personnel, facilities and equipment) summarized in a budget table; (b) funding sources; (c)
the investment deal (how much equity for investment and projected returns); (d) pro-forma Income
Statement for 3 years (monthly for the first 12 months and quarterly for years 2 and 3—See examples in
textbook) and a break-even analysis; (e) critical risk factors; and (f) a timeline chart of events and
milestones to be achieved over the next year.
*NOTE: In the presentation, provide a very simple, brief and legible summary of key financial
information (e.g., a summary table of the budget (use of proceeds, including capital expenditures), a
summary table of the income statement (with revenue projections, costs, profit and Income for next 3
years), and a break-even chart. Do not include a full spreadsheet of data. The paper and presentation
materials (WA#4a/b) will be due at the beginning of class on November 29th and ready for
presentation in class.
Team member participation in group projects (individual peer evaluation by team members)
A peer evaluation of the respective individual team members will be utilized to adjust individual
grades on all group assignments (maximum range of +/- 30% of the group grade). The peer evaluation
form attached to this syllabus will be completed individually and turned in by each team member as
part of each team project assignment. Two individual peer evaluation forms will be turned in during
the semester (associated with BP#2&3). Peer evaluations should also include attendance in class and
at team meetings.
ALL groups will multiply the number of people in their group by 100 points and assign the total
points among the members. All members must receive between 80 and 120 (per evaluator) points.
Each member's individual grade on the assignment will be determined by multiplying the group
grade on the assignment by their total peer points (including their own rating) divided by 100 times
the number of people in their group.
EXAMPLE:
Group Grade = 80/100, four students
Student A - total peer ratings = 440
Individual Grade = 80 X 1.1 = 88
Student B - total peer ratings = 360
Individual Grade = 80 X.9 = 72
Students C and D - total peer ratings = 400
Individual Grade = 80 X 1.0 = 80
All of us have been on teams where someone did not contribute fully but expected the same grade as
those making strong contributors. Fairness will prevail. Individual grades for each group project and
presentation will be computed based on the team score for each project with allowances for team peer
evaluations that each team member receives. Therefore, strong contribution to projects, regular
attendance in class and at team meetings, and collaborative, cooperative and friendly attitudes
are essential for optimal grading. See the attached student peer evaluation form with example form.
Students will not directly grade (A, B, etc.) one another but will provide the instructor with feedback
(with peer evaluation forms) as to the percentage of contribution of each member on a base of 100%.
Individual grades may be lowered by the instructor given poor peer evaluations.
As mentioned, peer evaluations are due with each major project or report. Failure to complete a peer
evaluation can result in reduction in grade. Evaluations will be kept confidential. The team is
accountable for warning any student who is in danger of receiving a failing peer evaluation. Failure of
a team to warn a team member in a timely manner as described may invalidate negative ratings.
Interim evaluations may be completed at any time during the semester and submitted to the instructor
as a means of identifying a problem with a team member. At that time, the instructor will talk with all
parties involved to determine what course of action may need to be taken. Please do not be afraid to
discuss these problems with the instructor early on. Warnings as to failure on peer evaluations most
often reverses a negative course of action on the part of a team member. Please handle individual team
member issues with proper care, courtesy and diplomacy.
Students dropped from teams, with approval from the instructor, will be required to complete a group project
on their own. Other options include dropping or failing the course.
UNIVERSITY POLICIES
E-mail Policy
Email Use The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication between faculty/staff and students
through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some issues concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email
exchange. The university encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a student‟s U.T. Dallas email address and that
faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it originates from a UTD student account. This allows the university to
maintain a high degree of confidence in the identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted information.
UTD furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in all communication with university personnel. The Department of
Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts.
Disability Services
The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities equal to those of their non-disabled peers.
Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and
Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is: The
University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22 PO Box 830688 Richardson, Texas 75083-0688 (972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY).
Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable adjustments necessary to eliminate discrimination on the
basis of disability. For example, it may be necessary to remove classroom prohibitions against tape recorders or animals (in the case of dog
guides) for students who are blind. Occasionally an assignment requirement may be substituted (for example, a research paper versus an
oral presentation for a student who is hearing impaired). Classes enrolled students with mobility impairments may have to be rescheduled in
accessible facilities. The college or university may need to provide special services such as registration, note-taking, or mobility assistance.
It is the student‟s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an accommodation. Disability Services provides students
with letters to present to faculty members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals requiring special
accommodation should contact the professor after class or during office hours.
Student Conduct & Discipline
The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of
their business. It is the responsibility of each student and each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations
which govern student conduct and activities. General information on student conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD publication, A
to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered students each academic year.
The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of recognized and established due process.
Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI,
Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of
Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391).
A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship. He or she is expected to obey federal, state,
and local laws as well as the Regents‟ Rules, university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating
the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such
conduct.
Academic Integrity
The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty. Because the value of an academic degree depends
upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of
individual honor in his or her scholastic work.
Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related to applications for enrollment or the award of a
degree, and/or the submission as one‟s own work or material that is not one‟s own.
As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying academic
records. Students suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary proceedings. Plagiarism, especially from the web, from
portions of papers for other classes, and from any other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university‟s policy on
plagiarism (see general catalog for details). This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible
plagiarism.
Withdrawal from Class
The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level courses. These dates and times are published in
that semester‟s course catalog. Administration procedures must be followed. It is the student‟s responsibility to handle withdrawal
requirements from any class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw any student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you
will not receive a final grade of ”F” in a course if you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled.
Student Grievance Procedures
Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities, of the university‟s Handbook of Operating
Procedures. In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments of academic responsibility, it
is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee
with whom the grievance originates (hereafter called ”the respondent”). Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for
assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent
with a copy of the respondent‟s School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the respondent, the student
may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not resolved by the School Dean‟s decision, the student may make a
written appeal to the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an Academic Appeals Panel.
The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.
Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to
assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations.
Use this form to evaluate the level of contribution of yourself and group members on the team project. First, write
each team member’s name in the space provided (please do so alphabetically, last name fist). Second, assign a
score between 80 and 120 for each team member that reflects your perception as to the grade they should receive on
this project. And finally, offer comments (if desired) to explain your reasoning of the grade you assigned (and
because self-evaluation is important in the learning process – make sure to place an * next to your name and
assign yourself a letter grade as well). As a guideline, suggested comment topics are provided below.
Finally, you should know that this document will be held in strict confidence by the instructor but if need be, some
evaluation comments may be referred to in student-instructor conferences (with evaluator’s name withheld).
Suggested comment topics: level of labor / thinking contribution, attitude toward the assignment/each other, would
like to work with this person again, pulled their own weight, etc.
2) _____________________________
Project Grade _____
3) _____________________________
Project Grade _____
4) _______________________________
Project Grade _____
5) _______________________________
Project Grade _____
6) _______________________________
Project Grade _____