Guides to the university

2023-2024 A.Y.

World Bachelor Business (3-y)



2. PROGRAM STRUCTURE WBB

Program Director:
Alessandra Casarico

Field of study:
Management (no. L-18, Ministerial Decree 16 March 2007)


Last change 03/07/2023 12:36


2.1. Educational Objectives

The World Bachelor in Business is taught entirely in English and has been jointly designed by Bocconi University, USC University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business (Los Angeles) and HKUST Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Upon completion of studies, students will earn a degree from each institution (triple degree).
The program covers four years of study: the Italian degree is three-year-long, while the foreign degrees last four years.
WBB aims to develop a business and management curriculum through real-world experience on three continents, rather than dealing with global content through a local experience.
Nowadays, Asia, Europe and North America are the major players in the world in terms of economic, cultural and social openings, and connections are likely to be closer and closer in the forthcoming years.
Future managers and business people are expected to have a deep understanding of the economy, society and culture of these crucial regions, in order to find the best job opportunities at global level.
WBB graduates will be highly acquainted with the global market and capable of innovations, thus meeting the demand for young managers with international training, emerging from the business world.


The World Bachelor in Business (WBB) has the following specific objectives:

1. Provide solid multidisciplinary foundations in:

  • management, in line with world’s best standards
  • economics, law and quantitative sciences, integrating the management core towards the most effective application of business skills
     

2. Develop competencies aimed at mastering IT tools and two EU languages, for effective and efficient operation in a professional context.

3. Distinguish the educational path with:

  • a broad preparation focused on business-government relations, international relations and country-specific cultural themes
  • courses dealing with business ethics, social responsibility, respect for diversity and multiculturalism
  • seminars on doing business in Asia, Europe and the US
  • basics of Chinese language.

4. Integrate the educational path with:
 

  • General education courses and seminars (among the mandatory requirements for foreign degrees), dealing with country-specific topics such as culture, traditions, language, social issues
  • seminars aimed at developing soft skills needed to meet the global job market demands
  • workshops and field trips designed to favor the acquaintance with business environment in the US, Europe and Asia.

 

The WBB program will be multidisciplinary, international, multi-comprehensive and comparative, and the student experience will be enriched by exposure to cultural, historical, social and linguistic aspects, key factors for professional success in a globalized world.


Last change 13/07/2023 10:13


2.2. Professional Opportunities for Graduates

WBB graduates are expected to enter the job market soon after graduation; indeed, the program aims to offer a prompt and full immersion in all the main topics related to business with a comparative and comprehensive approach. Graduates will be awarded three degrees, officially accepted in the home country as well as in the other two countries.
After their first work experiences, graduates may also apply to post-graduate/MBA programs.

Thanks to their management curriculum and the wide-ranging international experience, WBB graduates will typically access the labor market working as top manager assistants in the main areas of multinational corporations or global-oriented companies (managerial accounting, finance and control, marketing, sales and acquisitions, organization).


Last change 01/06/2023 08:00


2.3. Description of the Educational Path

The World Bachelor in Business is an international program, entirely taught in English, which provides student’s attendance of the first, second and third year respectively at USC, HKUST and Bocconi.
The last year can be attended by the student in one of three universities in order to allow the choice of the labor market (the US, Europe and Asia) in which the student prefers to start his/her own career path.
The program is focused on business and economics, with the possibility of examining specific issues depending on the location of study. The program also provides a well-rounded education, giving an opportunity for students, especially during the first two years of the program, to integrate business studies with humanities subjects.

The first year at USC is introductory: training activities are planned for the achievement of foreign qualifications (General Education and activities for the development of the main soft skills) and basic activities for the achievement of the Italian title (knowledge of mathematics and economics).

During the second year of studies, in Hong Kong, students come into contact with the Asian market context; most of the courses provided (in the fields of economic, business, quantitative studies) is aimed at achieving all three academic qualifications and only some training activities are linked with the fulfillment of the requirements of the partner universities (General Education).

The third year, at Bocconi, is characterized by courses of business, financial, economic and legal field (aimed at achieving all three academic qualifications) with a focus on the Italian and European context.

The fourth year, attended the university chosen by the student, includes majors in parallel with the three universities. There are compulsory courses in business and legal fields, aimed at achieving all three qualifications.

In addition to the basic courses, characteristic and related courses, the study plan to achieve the Italian degree includes the following educational activities:

  • Courses chosen by the student (in the last year of studies)
  • For the knowledge of two languages of the European Union (first language in the 1st year at USC, second language in the 3rd year at Bocconi)
  • For developing skills for entering the world of work:
    • Computer skills and Chinese language and culture (2nd year HKUST)
    • Seminars to understand the European, American and Asian markets (1st, 2nd and 3rd year)
  • For writing the final paper (last year).

Last change 03/07/2023 14:30


2.4. Program Structure

   

Last change 01/06/2023 08:00


2.4.1. Program Structure of the First, Second and Third Year of Studies

 

First year of studies - University of Southern California (a.y. 2021/2022) 

I semester

       

Educational activities

Bocconi course equivalent

Language of instruction

Local credit points

ECTS

Marketing Fundamentals

30015 Marketing

ENG

4

6

Fundamental Principles of the Calculus or
Calculus I or
Calculus II or
Elementary Probability and Statistics or
Calculus III
 30374 - Mathematics - Module 1 (General) ENG  4  6

II semester

       

Educational activities

Bocconi course equivalent

Language of instruction

Local credit points

ECTS

Microeconomics for Business

30386 - Microeconomics for Business

ENG

 

4

8

Advanced Writing

30301 English (First language)

ENG

4

6

Other courses

-

-

16

-

Total credit points for the first year of studies

32

26


Second year of studies - Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (a.y. 2022/2023)

I semester

       

Educational activities

Bocconi course equivalent

 

Language of instruction

Local credit points

ECTS

Macroeconomics

30354 - Macroeconomics for Business

ENG

 

3

6

Principles of Accounting I

30363 - Accounting - Module 1 (Financial Accounting)

ENG

 

3

6

Effective Communications in Business

30584 - Marketing Communication

ENG

3

6

Chinese Communications

30356 - Chinese Communications

CHINESE

3

6

II semester

       

Educational activities

 

Bocconi course equivalent

Language of instruction

Local credit points

ECTS

Understanding Business in Asia

30355 - Understanding Business in Asia

ENG

 

3

4

Intro to Information Systems

30357 - Computer Skills for Management

ENG

 

3

4

Business Statistics

30358 - Statistics

ENG

3

6

1 General Education course in Humanities or
Deal Making in Asia

30360 - Humanities (Global Culture and Traditions)

ENG

 

3

6

Other courses

    7  

Total credit points for the second year of studies

31

44

 

 Third year of studies - Bocconi (a.y. 2023/2024) 

I semester

     

Educational activities

 

Language of instruction

ECTS

30375 - Mathematics - Module 2 (Applied)

ENG

6

30430 - Law - Module 1 (Public Law)

ENG

6

30364 - Accounting - Module 2 (Managerial Accounting)

ENG

6

30372 - Global History

ENG

6

30367 - Finance - Module 1 (Financial Markets and Institutions)

ENG

6

II semester 

     

Educational activities

Language of instruction

 

ECTS  

30431 - Law - Module 2 (Private Law)

ENG

6

30366 - Finance - Module 2 (Corporate Finance)

ENG

6

30056 - European Economic Policy

ENG

6

30444 - Public Management (Business Government Relations)

ENG

6

30361 - Doing business in Europe (seminar)

ENG

2

Second language

 

6

Total credit points for the third year of studies

62

Total foreign credits equivalent

31

Notes


Modules:

 

  • code 30374 ‘Mathematics - Module 1 (General)’ and code 30375 ‘Mathematics - Module 2 (Applied)’ are respectively the first and the second module of the course code 30373 ‘Mathematics’;
  • code 30363 ‘Accounting - Module 1 (Financial Accounting)’ and code 30364 ‘Accounting - Module 2 (Managerial Accounting)’ are respectively the first and the second module of the course code 30362 ‘Accounting’;
  • code 30430 ‘Law - Module 1 (Public Law)’ and code 30431 ‘Law - Module 2 (Private Law)’ are respectively the first and the second module of the course code 30429 ‘Law’;
  • code 30367 ‘Finance - Module 1 (Financial Market Institution)’ and code 30366 ‘Finance - Module 2 (Corporate Finance)’ are respectively the first and the second module of the course code 30365 ‘Finance’.


Courses divided into modules are officially passed (and can be recorded in the student academic career and certified) only after passing both modules’ examinations. The final grade is the grade point average of the two marks, which is the credit points for the course. The average is rounded up if decimals are equal or higher than 5, rounded down if they are lower than 5.  
 

Languages

Detailed information on how to choose the second language can be found in "Languages".
The educational activities referred to years of studies taught at partner universities can be subject to possible changes.


Last change 13/07/2023 10:15


2.4.2. Program Structure of the Fourth Year of Studies

    


Last change 01/06/2023 08:00


2.4.2.1. Program Structure of the Fourth Year of Studies (2023-2024 a.y.)

  

Fourth year of studies option 1 University of Southern California

I semester

 

 

 

 

Academic activities

 

Bocconi course equivalent

 

Language of instruction

Local credit points

ECTS

Social and Ethical Issues in Business or Ethics and 
Professional Communication

30296 - Global Sustainability Strategy

ENG

4

6

Introduction to the Legal Environment of Business or
International Business Law

30058 - Comparative Business and European Law

ENG

4

6

Operations Management

30214 - Sustainable Operations Management

ENG

4

6

Elective 1

Elective 1

 

4

6

II semester

 

 

 

 

Academic activities

Bocconi course equivalent

Language of instruction

Local credit points

ECTS

Strategic Management

30012 - Business Strategy

ENG

4

8

Elective 2

Elective 2

 

4

6

Elective 3 or Directed Internship as an alternative

Elective 3 or Directed Internship as an alternative

 

4

6

Data analysis for decision making

Final paper

 

2

 

4

Directed Research

 

 

2

Total of credit points provided for the fourth year (USC)

32

48


Fourth year of studies option 2 Hong Kong University of Science and Technology 

I semester

 

 

 

 

Academic activities

Bocconi course equivalent

Language of instruction

Local credit points

ECTS

Corporate Strategy

30012 - Business Strategy

ENG

4

8

Operations Management

30214 - Sustainable Operations Management

ENG

4

6

Elective 1

Elective 1

 

4

6

II semester

 

 

 

 

Academic activities

Bocconi course equivalent

Language of instruction

Local credit points

ECTS

Function of Law in Society and Business or Intellectual Property Law

30058 - Comparative Business and European Law

ENG

3

6

Business Ethics and Policy

30296 - Global Sustainability Strategy

ENG

2

6

Elective 2

Elective 2

 

4

6

Elective 3 or Directed Internship as an alternative

Elective 3 or Directed Internship as an alternative

 

4

6

Capstone project

Final paper

 

4

4

Total of credit points provided for the fourth year  (HKUST)

29

48


Fourth year of studies option 3: Bocconi

I semester

 

 

 

Academic activities

Language of instruction

ECTS

30296 - Global Sustainability Strategy

ENG

6

Elective 1

ENG

/ITA

6

Elective 2

ENG/ITA

6

II semester

 

 

 

Academic activities

Language of instruction

ECTS

30012 - Business Strategy

ENG

8

30058 - Comparative Business and European Law

ENG

6

30214 - Sustainable Operations Management

ENG

6

Elective 3 or Directed Internship as an alternative

ENG

/ITA

6

Final Paper

 

4

Total of credit points provided for the fourth year (Bocconi)

48

Total of local credit points

24


Electives

The positioning of elective courses in the first or second semesters is merely a suggestion. Students can choose how to allocate these activities along the two semesters.
The educational activities referring to the years of studies at the partner universities can be subject to any possible variations.
In accordance with the program’s qualifying goals and the ministerial tables (field of study: Management), the program structure may be subject to variations decided by the Academic Bodies


Last change 03/07/2023 12:47


2.4.3. Track of the Fourth Year (2023-2024 a.y.)

Students who decide to attend the last year at Bocconi must enter 3 elective courses in their study plan, for a total of 18 credit points, upon selecting them in one of the 6 following tracks:

  1. Strategy and Entrepreneurship
  2. Technology and Operations Management
  3. Marketing
  4. Accounting and Finance
  5. Public Management and Policy
  6. Economics


As an alternative, it is possible to choose the free track, which allows students to choose the elective courses from among all elective courses on offer.


Before selecting the elective courses, students are recommended to view the course profiles, class timetable and the table of incompatible courses, specifying the courses which cannot be simultaneously included in the study plan as the program is fully or in part the same.

Students attending the last year at Bocconi and who select the Direted Internship as an alternative to the elective no.3, the Program Director can allow the final validation of the experience only after having checks that such experience is coherent with the selected track; if it is not coherent, the track will be automatically changed into free track.

Below please find the 6 tracks with the relating courses.


Last change 12/07/2023 17:25


2.4.3.1. Strategy and Entrepreneurship

 Students must choose 3 courses from among the following elective courses of 6 credit points

Code

Course title

 

Language of instruction

Semester

 

30574

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT IN CHINA

ENG

I

 

30219

BUSINESS PLAN

ENG

II

 

30388

ECONOMIA E MANAGEMENT DEI MEDIA

ITA

I

 

  30492

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND NEW BUSINESS STARTUP

ENG

 I

 

30529

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND STRATEGIC INNOVATION IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY

ENG

II

 

30276

FAMILY BUSINESS STRATEGIES

ENG

II

 

30215

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT

ENG

II

 

30208

MANAGEMENT DELLE ISTITUZIONI CULTURALI E ARTISTICHE

ITA

II

 

30221

MANAGEMENT OF FASHION COMPANIES

ENG

I and II

 

30297

MANAGING CREATIVITY

ENG

II

 

30153

ORGANIZATION THEORY

ENG

II

 

30213

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

ENG

I

 

30587

DATA-DRIVEN ANALYSIS AND DECISION-MAKING IN BUSINESS

ENG

II

 


Last change 01/06/2023 08:00


2.4.3.2. Technology and Operations Management

Students must choose 3 courses from among the following elective courses of 6 credit points

Code

Course title

Language of instruction

Semester

30515

APPLIED STOCHASTIC PROCESSES

ENG

II

30514

BIG DATA FOR BUSINESS ANALYTICS

ENG

II

30525

DIGITAL STRATEGY

ITA

II

30206

INTRODUCTION TO MANAGEMENT CONSULTING

ENG

II

30262

LEADERSHIP SKILLS

ENG

I

30211

LEAN MANAGEMENT

ENG

I

30222

NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND OPEN INNOVATION

ENG

I

30590

ADVANCED PYTHON PROGRAMMING FOR ECONOMICS, MANAGEMENT AND FINANCE

ENG

I

30154

TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION MANAGEMENT

ENG

I

30601

COMPUTATIONAL APPLICATIONS IN MANAGEMENT

ENG

I

30652

COMPETITING IN THE METAVERSE

ENG

I


Last change 03/07/2023 12:50


2.4.3.3. Marketing

Students must choose 3 courses from among the following elective courses of 6 credit points:

Code

Course title

Language of instruction

Semester

30228

MARKETING RESEARCH

ENG

I

30498

PRINCIPLES OF E-MARKETING AND E-COMMERCE

ENG

I and II

30439

GREEN MARKETING

ENG

II

 30230

PERSONAL SELLING

ENG

II

30225

MARKETING DELLE PICCOLE E MEDIE IMPRESE

ITA

II

30229

MARKETING E CITTADINO CLIENTE

ITA

II

30259

NEW PRODUCTS AND PRODUCT MANAGEMENT

ENG

II

30295

PSYCHOLOGY OF MARKETING

ENG

II

30602

CONSUMER INSIGHTS

ENG

II

30603

COMPUTATIONAL APPLICATIONS IN MARKETING

ENG

I


Last change 01/06/2023 08:00


2.4.3.4. Accounting and Finance

Students must choose 3 courses from among the following elective courses of 6 credit points: 

Code

Course title

Language of instruction

Semester

 

30187

ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS

ENG

I

 

30185

BUSINESS VALUATION / VALUTAZIONE DELLE AZIENDE

ENG/ITA

II

 

30257

CORPORATE VALUATION

ENG

I

 

30174

ECONOMIA E GESTIONE DELLE ASSICURAZIONI VITA E DEI FONDI PENSIONE

ITA

II

 

30175

ELEMENTI DI MATEMATICA PER I MERCATI FINANZIARI

ITA

II

 

30180

EQUITY PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

ENG

I

 

30526

FINANCIAL ANALYSIS AND PERFOMANCE MEASUREMENT

ENG

I

 

30055

FINANCIAL ECONOMICS

ENG

II

 

30177

FINANCIAL MODELLING

ENG

II

 

30511

FINTECH FOR BANKING AND FINANCIAL TRANSFORMATION

ENG

II

 

30178

INTERNATIONAL BANKING

ENG

I

 

30518

INTRODUCTION TO BLOCKCHAIN

ENG

I

 

30150

INTRODUCTION TO OPTIONS AND FUTURES

ENG

I

 

30148

MANAGEMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

ENG

I

 

30182

PIANIFICAZIONE FINANZIARIA E ANALISI DEGLI INVESTIMENTI

ITA

I

 

30151

PRINCIPLES OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCE

ENG

II

 

30161

REVISIONE AZIENDALE

ITA

II

 

30184

RISK MANAGEMENT WITH DERIVATIVES

ENG

II

 

30181

THE MICROSTRUCTURE OF FINANCIAL MARKETS

ENG

II

 

30186

VENTURE AND DEVELOPMENT CAPITAL

ENG

I

 

30588

FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS FOR COMPANY VALUATION

ENG

II

30173

CORPORATE BANKING

ENG

I

30488

APPLIED VALUATION ANALYSIS FOR MERGERS AND OTHER BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

ING

I

30598

SUSTAINABILITY AND CORPORATE COMMUNICATION

ENG

II

30599

COMPUTATIONAL APPLICATIONS IN ACCOUNTING

ENG

I

30608

BEHAVIORAL AND EXPERIMENTAL FINANCE

ENG

II


30285
 

EMPIRICAL METHODS FOR FINANCE (INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMETRICS FOR FINANCE)

ENG

I

Last change 03/07/2023 12:51


2.4.3.5. Public Management and Policy

Students must choose 3 courses from among the following elective courses of 6 credit points:

Code

Course title

Language of instruction

Semester

 

30298

DIVERSITY MANAGEMENT AND POLICY

ENG

II

 

30648

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND POLICY

ENG


II
 

30594

GEOPOLITICS: HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY AND POWER DYNAMICS

ENG

II

 

30497

HEALTH AND SOCIETY

ENG

II

 

30576

INSTITUTIONS AND GLOBAL STRATEGY

ENG

II

 

30593

INTERNATIONAL POPULATION DYNAMICS AND CHALLENGES

ENG

I

 

30196

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

ENG

II

 

30193

MANAGEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AND SUPRANATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

ENG

I

 

30575

MANAGING THE GREEN TRANSITION: THE ROLE OF UTILITIES

ENG

II

 

30194

ORGANIZZAZIONE E GESTIONE DEL PERSONALE NELLE AZIENDE PUBBLICHE

ITA

I

 

30264

PUBLIC FINANCE

ENG

I

 

30445

SHARING ECONOMY AND SMART CITIES MANAGEMENT

ENG

II

 

30198

STORIA DELL'IMPRESA ITALIANA

ITA

II

 

30195

ECONOMICS (POVERTY, INEQUALITY AND INCOME DISTRIBUTION)

ENG

I

30573

HISTORY OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION

ENG

I

30197

SOCIOLOGY

ENG

II

30482

HUMAN RIGHTS

ENG

I

30483

POLITICS OF ADAVNCED DEMOCRACIES

ENG

II

30487

POLITICAL REGIMES

ENG

II

30534

ISLAM, POLITICS AND THE MIDDLE EAST

ENG

I

30609

TOPICS IN POLITICS

ENG

II

30610

CURRENT POLITICAL PHENOMENA

ENG

I

30649

HISTORY OF GLOBAL ECONOMY: COMPETITION, TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT

ENG

I


Last change 03/07/2023 12:55


2.4.3.6. Economics

 Students must choose 3 courses from among the following elective courses of 6 credit points:

Code

Course title

Language of instruction

Semester

30387

CLIMATE CHANGE ECONOMICS

ENG

I

30145

DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS

ENG

II

30284

EMPIRICAL METHODS FOR ECONOMICS (INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMETRICS)

ENG

I

30172

FINANCIAL MACROECONOMICS

ENG

I

  30490

FISCAL MACROECONOMICS

 ENG

 II

30054

INTERNATIONAL AND MONETARY ECONOMICS

ENG

II

30443

INTERNATIONAL MACROECONOMICS

ENG

II

30287

MACROECONOMICS AND THE WORLD ECONOMY

ENG

II

30283

MARKETS, ORGANIZATIONS AND INCENTIVES

ENG

II

  30510

MONETARY AND FISCAL POLICY: CURRENT CHALLENGES

ENG

I

30159

MONETARY THEORY AND POLICY

ENG

I

30147

THE ECONOMICS OF IMPERFECT LABOUR MARKETS

ENG

I

30313

ECONOMICS OF INSTITUTIONS AND CULTURE

ENG

II

30261

EXPERIMENTAL ECONOMICS AND PSYCHOLOGY

ENG

II

30605

AI APPLICATIONS IN ECONOMICS

ENG

I

30651

APPLIED MACROECONOMICS AND CONTEMPORARY ECONOMIC PROBLEMS

ENG

I

30649

HISTORY OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMY: COMPETITION, TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT

ENG

I


Last change 03/07/2023 12:58


2.4.3.7. Free track

Students must choose 3 elective courses from among all the courses included in the above lists of the tracks. In addition, students can select the following courses which are not included in any tracks:

Code

Course title

Language of instruction   

Semester 

30600

SOCIAL NETWORKS IN ORGANIZATIONS

ENG

II

30516

THEORETICAL COMPUTER SCIENCE

ENG

II

30592

TOPICS IN COMPUTATIONAL MODELLING: FROM INFORMATION THEORY TO EVOLUTIONARY MODELS

ENG

II

30604

FORECASTING ECONOMIC, BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL DATA. CODING AND APPLICATIONS

ENG

I

30607

FOUNDATIONS OF DATA SCIENCE

ENG

II


30576

INSTITUTIONS AND GLOBAL STRATEGY

ENG
 

II

30647

FISCALITA’ DELLE IMPRESE E DELLA DIGITAL ECONOMY

ITA

II

30665

ELEMENTS OF REAL AND FOURIER ANALYSIS

ENG

II


Last change 10/07/2023 15:56




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