Students examine the character and importance of the marketing process, its essential functions, and the institutions exercising these functions. Course content focuses on the major policies that underlie the activities of marketing institutions and the social, economic, and political implications of such policies.

The student examines the application of statistical analysis to marketing decisions. Descriptive statistics, probability theory, sampling theory, statistical inference, and techniques of statistical analysis are included, especially as they apply to real-life marketing decisions in business. M.B.A. students should take MRKT 5890. Students who have completed BUSN 5760 may not enroll in MRKT 5890. M.B.A. students who are taking an emphasis in marketing and who take BUSN 5760 can substitute that course for MRKT 5890. Prerequisite: MRKT 5000.

The student studies distribution processes and institutional structures as subsystems of marketing strategy. Focus is on channel structure, product assortment considerations, promotional activities, pricing strategies, and physical logistics necessary to achieve channel objectives. Governmental, economic, and competitive aspects affecting channel management are included. Prerequisite: MRKT 5000.

Students examine the use of all available promotional vehicles to communicate to potential customers the messages that support the objectives of the marketing plan. Each of the four elements of the promotion mix is covered: advertising, publicity, sales promotion, and personal selling. Specific focus is applied to building differentiated value perceptions in the customers in relation to competitors' products. Students who intend to take MRKT 5950 as an elective should take it before MRKT 5940. Prerequisite: MRKT 5000.

The student examines the life cycle management of a product from inception to the point where it is no longer offered. Specific topics covered in the course include the product development cycle, product assortment decisions, branding, pricing, and others that make up the marketing mix and that are dynamic throughout the product life cycle. Specific emphasis is placed on identifying marketing problems, investigating alternative solutions, and rendering appropriate strategies and decisions. Techniques associated with situational analysis of problems are stressed. Prerequisites: MRKT 5000, MRKT 5920, MRKT 5940, and MRKT 5970.

Students examine the application of research in gathering and analyzing information to forecast and control marketing activities. Problem formulation, procedures of research techniques, and application of tools and models to improve marketing decisions are covered in depth. Attention is given to techniques and criteria for identifying and selecting markets, and the usefulness of marketing research information to marketing managers is evaluated. The course is presented from the viewpoint of a consumer of marketing research rather than a practitioner of marketing research. Prerequisites: MRKT 5000 and either BUSN 5760 or MRKT 5890.

Students are exposed to several aspects of international marketing. This includes the international marketing environment and the international marketing mixùproduct, pricing, distribution, promotionùas well as emerging issues in international trade such as trading blocs, trade barriers, and standardization/ adaptation. Prerequisite: MRKT 5000 or permission of the instructor.

The student is expected to synthesize and integrate the learning experiences acquired in marketing and to evaluate the research and current topics relative to this major. Techniques used to accomplish these goals may vary. Prerequisite: completion of all other required courses in this major.