Integrated Core Experience (Fall Term)
An Integrated Core Experience (ICE) is one of the McIntire School of Commerce’s signature innovations. The opportunity to learn fundamentals through an enterprise-wide view of business, rather than through separate core courses, means that students are better prepared to deal with complexities they will encounter in the workplace. In addition to course content, integrative projects and case studies help students understand real-world business problems and opportunities.
ICE course content includes:
- Financial Accounting
- Financial Management
- Global Strategy & Systems
- Marketing & Quantitative Analysis
- Organizational Behavior & Communication
- Strategic Cost Management
ICE Broken Down
Students engage in a coherent series of integrative topics across functional areas. In addition to individual exercises, students work in small groups to solve actual business problems and present and defend their solutions to classmates, faculty and, in some cases, corporate leaders.
Professors team-teach and interact with one another and with students in a rigorous yet informal seminar atmosphere. Course material is presented in a cross-functional manner that provides students with a working knowledge of how different subject areas relate to one another.
Because course material is presented in a cross-functional manner, students find it easier to apply their learning to complex business problems in the classroom—and in the real world.
Most important, ICE prepares McIntire students to “hit the ground running.”
Management & Leadership Development Seminar
During the fall term, students begin the first part of a two-semester course titled "Seeking Authenticity and Thinking as a Leader" (2+1 credit hours) designed to help students to better understand and further develop their unique personal narrative. Through readings, debates, and discussions with executives, students examine the communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving styles of leaders who have effected positive change. In addition, students participate in a business simulation, reflective exercises, and personal journaling to help them synthesize lessons learned and how they might relate to their own strengths and career aspirations.