IF0BUS: Principles of Business Studies

Module code: IF0BUS

Module provider: International Study and Language Institute

Credits: 20

Level: Foundation Level

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Ms Nurul Akmar Asmi, email: n.a.asmi@reading.edu.my

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE IF0MKT (Compulsory)

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded: IN TAKING THIS MODULE YOU CANNOT TAKE IF0IBM OR TAKE IF0IBJ (Compulsory)

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 2 October 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to provide a foundation for the study of business and management. Through this module, students will be able to develop their ability to think critically, to organise their thoughts logically, and to argue persuasively in business contexts. Students will learn basic business practices and apply them into real world cases and examples.ÌýÌý

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:Ìý

1. Understand a basic knowledge of business operations.Ìý
2. Demonstrate good knowledge of the key principles and concepts on which business and finance practices are based.Ìý
3. Propose creative solutions to business problems by evaluating theory and practices.

Module content

• Introduction to business and size of businessÌý
• Business structureÌý
• Business objectives and business strategyÌý
• StakeholdersÌý
• Organisational structureÌý
• Business finance and cash flowÌý
• Costs and budgetsÌý
• Financial statement

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will be taught through a combination of in class lectures and seminars (discussions or presentations). Seminars allow students to work through examples at their own pace and through group discussion.ÌýÌý

In addition to the hours listed below, you will be required to complete an additional 40 hours of study, taking the total number of study hours to 240 for this module. This is to comply with the Malaysian QualificationsÌýAgency (MQA).

Study hours

At least 44 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Tasks completed in the seminar sessions will result in peer and tutor feedback.Ìý

Reassessment

Additional costs