Innovative Curriculum

An integrated curriculum exploring Business, Society, and AI 

The Endeavor RSB curriculum is built around the program theme of Business, Society, and AI. It includes the pre-business courses students need to declare and pursue an advanced course of study toward a Business School major, plus a distinctive Applied Business course that develops skills in generative AI, Excel, and professional development. In the sophomore year, students continue together as a cohort in additional business courses.

Coursework Overview

First Year – Fall Semester

  • Business Essentials (BUAD 100) – 0.5 unit
  • Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 101)
  • Calculus I (Math 211)*

First Year – Spring Semester

  • Business, Society, and AI (BUAD 100) – 0.5 unit
  • Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON 102)**
  • Fundamentals of Financial Accounting (ACCT 201)**

Sophomore Year – Fall Semester

  • Business Statistics (BUAD 202)***
  • Business Communications (BUAD 205)*** – 0.5 unit

* Students with AP credit for Calculus I should contact Dr. Mehkari (smehkari@richmond.edu) to discuss the option to opt out of MATH 211.

** In Spring 2027, students can opt to take ECON 102 and/or ACCT 201.

*** In Fall 2027, students can opt to take BUAD 202 and/or BUAD 205.

General education notes:

  • ECON 101 satisfies the social inquiry (AISO) area.
  • MATH 211 satisfies the symbolic reasoning inquiry (AISR) area.
  • BUAD 202 satisfies the quantitative data literacy (IFQD) area.
  • BUAD 205 satisfies the embodied communication (IFEB) area.
  • ECON 101, ECON 102, ACCT 201, MATH 211, and BUAD 202 are all requirements toward the major or minor in Business Administration. 

Course Specific Information

Fundamentals of Financial Accounting (ACCT 201):

Students in the introductory financial accounting course will be introduced to the language of accounting. They will learn all about financial statements so that they can manage their own and organizational finances, invest wisely, help companies develop financial strategies, and be knowledgeable stewards of financial resources. 

Applied Business Topics (BUAD 100):

BUAD 100 offers students opportunities for professional development and active learning beyond the classroom. Past activities have included pitch competitions, training and discussion on using generative AI effectively, examinations of the impact of AI on business and society, team consulting projects, résumé and LinkedIn workshops, career development conversations, and a series of applied Excel sessions. The course also brings in speakers and includes field trips to area businesses.

Statistics for Business and Economics (BUAD 202):

BUAD 202, Statistics for Business and Economics, will introduce students to the fundamental tools of statistical analysis. We will examine a variety of real-world applications, considering how to interpret quantitative information and develop quantitative approaches to problem-solving.

Business Communications (BUAD 205):

In BComm, the slang name for BUAD 205, students take a practical (yes, this means practice is involved!) approach to learning successful verbal, non-verbal, and written business communication techniques. While the content focuses on use in professional settings, past students report that the course has also enhanced their personal communication.

Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 101):

Principles of Microeconomics is devoted to how we as a society allocate our resources. Shall our factories produce more passenger sedans or more battleships? Should high-quality health care be available freely or only to those able to pay for it? When do unfettered markets deliver the greatest good for the greatest number, and when do markets fail? By equipping students with the analytical tools to answer these questions, this course will help them become more informed decision-makers, both in business and in their personal and civic lives.

Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON 102):

In this course, students will learn how businesses and households make decisions, how macroeconomic data can be used to measure the impact of these decisions, and how policy-making can be used to encourage households and businesses to alter their decision-making towards the goal of increasing society's economic welfare.

Calculus I (MATH 211):

Calculus is the mathematical language that allows humans to understand and describe change. To prepare for the future workforce, Forbes recommends gaining familiarity and prowess with change. In this semester of calculus, you will learn the two key concepts that model instantaneous and total change: the derivative and the integral. These powerful tools can be used to explore a wide array of problems, including modeling the spread of a virus or measuring income distribution.

First Field-Specific Class

For Sophomore Fall, advisors will work with you to choose your first field-specific class based on individual interests. Fields include Accounting, Business Analytics, Economics, Finance, International Business, Management-Entrepreneurship, Management-Consulting, and Marketing.