In Exploratory Business, you'll take stock of your options and opportunities by exploring majors such as accounting, management, marketing, finance, and information technology. With an accounting job fair that is the largest in the region and a student-managed portfolio, business-savvy students have told us attending IUP is an excellent return on investment.
As an explorer, you'll get advice from advisors and build connections with other students as you learn more about the world of business.
First-Year Course Guidelines
Below, you'll find the typical first-year courses taken by students in Exploratory Business. Your courses may be slightly different, based on placement testing and courses you've already taken through dual enrollment or Advanced Placement (AP).
First Semester (Fall)
- DVST 160 Learning Strategies† (1cr)
- MGMT 101 Business Success Seminar† (3cr)
- MATH 107/108 (or placement - See math sequence for business, below) (3-4cr)
- IFMG OR COSC 101 OR IFMG 110 (3cr)
- ENGL 101 OR ENGL 100 (based on placement) (3cr)
- Wellness course (likely FIN 143) (3cr)
- NOTE: Business Honors students take ACCT 201 and HBUS 101 in the fall, and should not be placed in the linked courses.
Second Semester (Spring)
- MATH 214 (or next in math sequence) (3cr)
- HIST 196 OR HIST 197 OR HIST 198 (3cr)
- Social Science Course (see options below) (3cr)
- Fine Arts Course (3cr)
- Natural Science Elective (see options below) (3-4cr)
†Courses are part of the required First-Year Experience
Math Sequence for Business
Programs in business require a calculus-based course followed by two statistics courses. See your placement on the test scores report for needed preparatory courses and sequencing. For students who need preparation, the following courses are offered:
- Developmental Studies (DVST) courses (083, 093)
- MATH100 Intermediate Algebra
The required sequence for Business includes:
- MATH107/108 Business Mathematics
- MATH214 Probability and Statistics for Business
- QBUS215 Business Statistics
Do not defer math without specific discussion with your advisor today. As a business major, you need to take math every semester to complete your math sequence by the end of your sophomore year.
Social Science Electives: Business
Students must complete three alternatives in fulfilling social science requirements. All business students must take ECON121, PSYC101, and one of the remaining courses (GMA) listed below that may also fulfill the Global and Multicultural Awareness requirement. It is not necessary to take a social science now; but, if you have room in your schedule, this is one area to consider. Note that you may use a prefix only once.
- ANTH 110 Contemporary Anthropology (GMA)
- ANTH 211 Cultural Anthropology (GMA)
- RGPL/GEOG 103 Global Cities: Issues in Planning and Development (GMA)
- GEOG 104 World Geography/Global Context (GMA)
- PLSC 101 World Politics (GMA)
- SOC 161 Foundations of Sociology (GMA)
Note: SOC 151 is not taken by business majors. Do not self-advise into this course.
Natural Science Electives
Students must complete one of two options:
- Option 1 (8cr): two laboratory courses, may be non-sequential
or - Option 2 (7cr): one laboratory course (4cr) and one non-laboratory course (3cr)
Either option usually begins with a laboratory course, but option 2 may start with a non-laboratory course.
Listed below are some of the options for lab sciences you may consider. All of these courses are designed from a liberal studies perspective and are open to non-majors.
- BIOL 103 Life on Earth
- BIOL 104 Human Biology: How the Human Body Works
- BIOL 106 Human Genetics and Health
- GEOS 101/102 The Dynamic Earth + lab
- GEOS 103/104 Oceans and Atmospheres + lab
- GEOS 105/106 Exploring the Universe + lab
- GEOS 201 Foundations of Geology*
- PHYS 111/121 Physics I + lab
- SCI 105 Physical Science I (physics)
- SCI 107/117 Chemistry for Everyone *
*Typically restricted to certain majors or minors; on limited occasions others may receive special permission. CHEM113 requires that students be able to enroll in a calculus course—students not meeting this requirement should be advised to schedule CHEM111.