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Oulu Business School

Martti Ahtisaari Institute of


Global Business and Economics

MBA Study Guide


2011-2012
For Reader

Welcome to study in the Oulu Business School MBA programme!

This study guide has been put together especially for the MBA
students. In addition to the course listings and descriptions, this guide
will lead you to some institutional study customs and other important
information related to your studies in the MBA programme. On the
very first pages of this guide you will also find the Oulu Business
School personnel contact information.

However, since changes in the course descriptions and schedules


are likely to occur, we recommend you to actively follow the facultys
website (www.oulubusinessschool.fi) for more detailed and updated
information. Also, whenever you have questions or concerns related
to your studies, dont hesitate to contact us.

On the behalf of Oulu Business School, we wish you a pleasant study


year 2011-2012.

Oulu, June 10th 2011

Ms. Pia Heikkinen Mr. Antti Kauppila


MBA Programme Coordinator MBA Programme Director

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Table of Contents

For Reader ......................................................................................................................................... 2


Table of Contents .............................................................................................................................. 3
Oulu Business School Contact Information ...................................................................................... 4
MBA Programme Director and Coordinator ................................................................................ 4
Faculty........................................................................................................................................... 4
Master of Business Administration MBA ...................................................................................... 5
Objective of the Programme ......................................................................................................... 5
Learning Experience ..................................................................................................................... 5
Programme Outline ....................................................................................................................... 6
Orientation & Core Courses .......................................................................................................... 7
Specialisation Courses .................................................................................................................. 7
Project Work ................................................................................................................................. 7
Course Descriptions ...................................................................................................................... 8
MBA Courses ................................................................................................................................ 9
Rules and Restrictions Concerning Full-time MBA Programme ............................................... 14
General Information about Studying in Oulu Business School ...................................................... 15
Lectures ....................................................................................................................................... 15
Exams .......................................................................................................................................... 15
Written Course Assignments ...................................................................................................... 16
Grades ......................................................................................................................................... 16
Practical Information................................................................................................................... 17

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Oulu Business School Contact Information

University of Oulu
Faculty of Economics and Business Administration
P.O. BOX 4600
90014 University of Oulu
FINLAND

Tel: +358 8 553 2905


Fax: +358 8 553 2906

Home Page:
www.oulubusinessschool.fi

Personnel Contact Information:


http://www.oulubusinessschool.fi/contact_us/faculty_profiles

MBA Programme Director and Coordinator

MBA Programme Antti Kauppila antti.kauppila(at)oulu.fi


Director Tel: +358 8 553 7355
Office: TA129

MBA Programme Pia Heikkinen pia.heikkinen(at)oulu.fi


Coordinator Tel: +358 8 553 7778
Office: TA134

Faculty

Dean:
ALAJOUTSIJRVI, Kimmo, Ph.D.
Vice-Dean:
SAHLSTRM, Petri, D.Sc.
Chief Administrator:
MAAMKI, Jukka, M.Sc
Director of Studies:
IINATTI, Vuokko, M.Sc.

Coordinator of Studies, Academic and International Relations:


INGET, Merja, M.Sc.

In order to find the most accurate and updated contact information of our faculty
members, please, visit the Contact Us section on our website:
http://www.oulubusinessschool.fi/contact_us.

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Master of Business Administration MBA
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is the most versatile and sought-
after business qualification worldwide. MBA education provides students with
numerous career opportunities in various fields. It is generally seen as a passport
to a successful career in management due to its global recognition.

The Oulu Business School MBA is a one-year full-time masters level study
programme in business administration. The programme combines typical MBA
core courses with highly focused specialisation courses and project work which
gives the Oulu Business School MBA its distinct feature. The core courses are in
accounting, economics, finance and HRM & leadership. Specialisation courses
combine versatile contents of international business, management of technology,
business strategy, law, management & organization and marketing. A big
importance and learning factor is built on programmes project work, a hands-on
consultative process and working method on business development.

The programme allows students to interact and share their experiences with
other students from multiple disciplinary bases during the regular course of study.

Objective of the Programme


The main objective of Oulu Business School International Full-time MBA
Programme is to equip its students with the skills that will enable them to
recognize new opportunities in a dynamic technology-intensive business
environment and constantly create new business. Oulu Business School is
committed to providing professionals with the education they will need in
challenging positions as managers and leaders of companies doing business in
global markets.

Learning Experience

After completing the Oulu Business School MBA programme, the student will be
able to:

Challenge operational performance in contemporary technology-driven


organizations
Integrate information and translate it into business opportunities that drive
positive results either for an existing organization or for start-up business.
Use the most up to date research-based knowledge in international
business and technology management to develop creative solutions to
real life management problems
Manage effectively in international, technology-intensive business
environment
Master the conceptual framework in the core areas of management, such
as accounting, economics, finance, human resource management and
leadership.

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Programme Outline

The MBA modules during two semesters:

Autumn semester modules


Cross-Cultural Business Communications
Product and Market Strategies (MBA Core)
Industrial Sales Management
Strategy & Business Design
Global Business Strategies
Corporate Financial Management (MBA Core)
Legal Issues in International Business

Spring semester modules


Management Accounting (MBA Core)
Organisation, Leadership & Business Ethics (MBA Core)
Human Resource Management (MBA Core)
Business to Business Marketing
Management of Technology & Innovation
Managerial Economics (MBA Core)

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There will also be project work & assignments that span for the whole
academic year.

In order to introduce and integrate students better to the student life of Oulu
University and Oulu Business School as well as to introduce students to
company representatives some of the above mentioned courses are
included into the curricula of the international two-year masters programmes
and Executive MBA programme.

Orientation & Core Courses


The studies in the Oulu Business School MBA Programme start with an
intercultural orientation and continue with intensive coursework in specific
MBA subjects. The core of the MBA programme consists of a selected
combination of key courses in the fields of accounting, economics, finance,
human resource management, leadership and marketing.

Specialisation Courses
Specialisation courses will bring the unique characteristics of the
multidisciplinary university into the MBA programme by combining expertise
from the faculties of technology and humanities as well as from the
programme's home, Oulu Business School.

The contents of specialisation courses are a solid combination of several


thematic entities that can either form an individual course or many separately
assessed courses:

In Strategy and business design course the typical business


strategy content is mixed with development of new business models.
International business specialisation entity includes several courses
that form a through view into different aspects of international
business. These contents include e.g. communications, legal aspects
and marketing.
Business to business marketing is a central research focus area in
Oulu Business School and its position as a specialisation course in
full-time MBA programme is well justified.
Being a part of a bigger university gives Oulu Business School MBA
programme an outstanding possibility to specialise in areas of other
disciplines that are important in modern business studies such as
Management of technology.

Project Work
The MBA specialisation courses culminate with a project work that will be
carried out in small student-teams. Students engage in case work/consulting
project run in collaboration with Research and Innovation Services and
Centre for Internet Excellence at the University of Oulu. The project work will
be carried out in small groups, providing students with a personalised,
interactive learning experience and method. The projects run in themes of

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e.g. Business strategy, Business design, International Business, HR issues
and Marketing.

At its best, Oulu Business School MBA may work as a springboard to a


successful career in innovation-based start-up business. The project work
will be started at the beginning of studies and it should be finished within one
and a half years from the beginning of the programme. (For instance, the
students who will be accepted in the 2011 intake should finish their project
work by the end of the autumn semester 2012.)

Course Descriptions
The courses offered are listed in the following. However, please note that
changes in the course offering are possible. It is important to note that the
course designs, requirements and assessment methods may differ from the
course descriptions below.

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MBA Courses

AUTUMN SEMESTER

Cross-cultural Business Communications


Timing: A
Objectives: After the course completing the students will have an overview of the theories of
cross-cultural communication, an understanding of how cultural differences affect
communication, an understanding of the effects of multicultural business communities on
communication, an overview of international behavioural patterns and practices, and an overview
of culturally-bound business practices.
Contents: The aim of the course is to introduce students to some of the culturally-bound
behavioural patterns they are likely to encounter in dealing with international contacts in their
professional life. The course will cover discussions on cultural differences in behaviour patterns
and their effect on business practices. Special attention will be paid to corporate communication,
such as web pages, flyers and other marketing or company-specific materials. Finally, selected
aspects of internal communication within a multi-cultural business will be discussed.
Working methods: 40 hours of lectures
Study materials: Selected reading will be given in class.
Assessment method: Presentation.
Responsible person: Lisa-Lena Opas-Hnninen and Ilkka Marjomaa.

Product and Market Strategies


Period: A
Objectives: After having passed this course, students will have a basic level understanding of the
concepts and tools linked to product and market strategies. The course provides fundamental
review of pertinent issues considered in marketing management related issues. The course
improves students an ability to evaluate different product and market situations among industries
and increases the understanding of making strategic product/market decisions.
Contents: 1) General tools of marketing management and analysis, 2) value perceived by
consumers, 3) product strategies, 4) market segmentation and 5) new product development.
Working methods: 24 h lectures, case exercises, group discussions and independent reading of
the textbooks.
Study materials: Porter, M.E.: Competitive Advantage (1985); Kotler, P. & Keller, K.: Marketing
Management. (2006 or newer) and other material named by the lecturer.
Assessment: Lectures, case exercise and presentation.
Lecturer: Ilkka Ojansivu.

Industrial Sales Management


Timing: A
Objectives: After the course, students know the principles of international industrial sales
management on the basis of a relationship approach and understand the sales force
environment. Furthermore, students are able to plan sales and recruit, motivate, evaluate and
supervise the sales force.
Contents: The selling process, industrial sales management, planning for sales, developing
sales force.
Working methods: 24 h lectures (and a computer simulation conducted in teams). Lectures are
integrated with international masters degree programme.
Study materials: Hite, R.E. & Johnston, W. J.: Managing Salespeople. A Relationship Approach.
1998; Collection of articles and cases. Assessment methods: A computer simulation conducted in
teams, and a literature examination
Responsible person: Wesley Johnston.

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Strategy & Business Design
Timing: A and B
Objectives: The main objective of this course is to develop an understanding how and why to
develop strategies in contemporary business situations. After the first half of this course students
recognize the different schools of strategic management, are able to define the central concepts,
understand the links between strategy, markets and operations of an organization and are able to
develop a simple strategic plan. The second part of this course will be highly practically
orientated and students will in this part learn and apply valuable business development tools and
premises and use them for analyzing and developing business cases of selected companies;
students will learn and apply insights of business model development, pitch talk and story
building and help selected case companies in these areas. Student groups will be expected to
implement and test their ideas, not only proposing them.
Working methods: The module will be taught in intensive sessions consisting of workshops and
lectures. Further detail will be provided by the responsible person in the first session.
Study materials: TBA; Article collection; On-line material.
Assessment methods: Assessment will be based on interview analysis, group exam and group
assignment.
Responsible person: Sakari Sipola.

Corporate Financial Management


Timing: B
Objectives: Students will become familiar with capital budgeting and financial planning as well as
understand the theoretical foundations of financial decisions of a corporation.
Contents: The course introduces students to the basic concepts of corporate finance: financial
planning, capital budgeting, capital structure decisions, and dividend policy.
Working methods: 24 hours of lectures and exercises and independent studying of text books.
Study materials: Will be specified later.
Assessment methods: Group work, case exercise and home exam.
Lecturer: Bob Boland.

Globalizing Business Strategies


Timing: B
Objectives: After this course the students will be familiar with the basic approaches, theories,
and concepts used within globalizing business. The students will have a general picture of the
issues and phenomena important in global business.
Contents: Based on the course objectives, the content of the course covers how countries differ
from each other, what are the basic elements of global trade and investment theory, what is the
global monetary system like and what are the basic strategies and structures in managing and
leading global businesses. In addition, the effects of globalization on societies are discussed.
Working methods: 30 hours of lectures. The course is partly integrated with Executive MBA
programme.
Study materials: Bhagwati, J. (2007), In defence of globalization, Oxford University Press. Hill,
C. (2005), International business: Competing in the global marketplace, McGraw - Hill.
Assessment method: Home exam.
Responsible person: Petri Ahokangas.

Legal Issues in International Business


Timing: B
Learning Outcomes: After completing this course the student will be able to:
Distinguish and compare different legal systems;
Analyze and explain the contents of contracts and other legal documents;
Estimate the relevant information needed in different legal situations.
Contents: The course offers an insight into the diversity that exists within systems of law, as well
as provides an overview of the basic legal issues in doing business in international settings.
During the course some conceptual basis of international business law, different legal systems

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with the emphasis on private international law, and legal practicalities of international business
transactions will be discussed. Management of legal issues and the role of legal function in a firm
are taken as a special approach. Areas covered include, e.g., trade (buying, selling and
distribution), employment and labour issues, company law, IPR issues, and competition law.
Working methods: 20 hours lectures and exercises. Lectures are integrated with international
masters degree programme.
Study materials: Ray A. August, Don Mayer, Michael Bixby (2008): International Business Law -
Text, cases and readings. 5th edition. Selected parts of the book. Articles and other material
given by the lecturer.
Assessment method: A literature examination. All exercise assignments need to be passed as a
prerequisite.
Responsible teacher: Pia Hurmelinna-Laukkanen.

ELECTIVES in Autumn Semester


900017Y Survival Finnish course, 2 ECTS
Timing: A
Objectives: By the end of the course the student can understand and use some very common
everyday expressions and phrases, and s/he can locate informational content in simple texts and
messages. The student also knows the basic characteristics of Finnish language and Finnish
culture.
Contents: The course aims to help students to cope with the most common everyday situations
in Finnish. During the course, students learn some useful everyday phrases, some general
features of the vocabulary and grammar, and the main principles of pronunciation.
Working methods: 14 hours of contact teaching (lessons three times a week) and guided self
study.
Study materials: Will be provided during the course.
Assessment methods: Regular and active participation in the weekly lessons, self study tasks
and written exam at the end of the course will be observed in assessment.

SPRING SEMESTER:

Organisation, Leadership and Business Ethics


Timing: C
Objectives: After completing the course, the student will be able to (1) Analyze ethical issues in
corporate context, (2) Apply the concepts of corporate values and ethical norms in the context of
corporate ethics and ethics related business risks, and (3) Analyze and develop own ethical
behaviour as a leader and a team member.
Contents: 1) Concept of ethics 2) Ethics in corporate context (3) Leadership and leadership
ethics (4) Stakeholder perspective to ethics.
Working methods: 40 h lectures, related discussions and group works, mini cases during
lectures, seminar presentations and learning journal.
Study materials: TBD; Creating and Delivering Value. 2nd edition, 2004. Exact chapters for the
exam will be announced during the lectures.
Assessment methods: Seminar presentations and learning journal.
Lecturer: Tauno Jokinen

Human Resource Management


Timing: C/D
Objective & contents: The HRM section aims to understand the human resource management
as a whole, which includes basic understanding of:
- administrative processes, employment relations, HR information systems
- integrated leadership processes like competence development, performance management,
rewarding and wellbeing
- and HR role to promote the company's overall business strategy and culture.

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Working methods: 32 hours of contact teaching. The course will be taught in intensive sessions
in comprising of workshops, lectures and project-work. Further details will be provided during the
first session.
Study materials: Will be specified later.
Assessment: Will be specified later.
Responsible person: Anne Kernen

Management Accounting
Timing: C
Objectives: After this course student understands how traditional costing systems as well as
ABC systems function, and can analyze the profitability information provided by such systems. In
addition, the student learns the basic principles of budgeting and strategic cost management.
Contents: The issues of the course comprise cost accounting system design and development,
budgets and strategic cost management.
Working methods: 40 hours, comprising 16 h lectures, 20 h spreadsheet application exercises,
and 4 hours case study presentations. Lectures are integrated with international masters degree
programme but the exercises and assessment is separate for MBA programme.
Study materials: Drury, C. Management and cost accounting, 7th ed., Cengage Learning 2008,
chapters 1-10, 15 and 21-22.
Assessment: Home examination + evaluation of both spreadsheet exercises and case work.
Lecturer: Janne Jrvinen.

Business to Business Marketing


Timing: D
Objectives: After having passed this course, students will have a basic level understanding of
the marketing management in industrial and other business-to-business enterprises, and an
overall picture of business-to-business marketing theories and practices. This includes
understanding of the differences of business-to-business marketing and consumer marketing,
basics of organizational buying behaviour and current logic in business-to-business markets. In
addition, students will have an ability to assess relevant issues in the strategy formation and an
ability to evaluate different channel possibilities.
Contents: 1) Characteristics of Business-to-Business marketing; 2) understanding organizational
buying behaviour; 3) current trends in business-to-business markets and collaboration; 4)
relationships and networks in industrial markets; 5) assessing marketing opportunities and
strategies and 6) distribution in industrial context.
Working methods: 32 h lectures, related discussions and group works, mini cases during the
lectures, an exam of the literature, course material and group works. Lectures are partly
integrated with international masters degree programme.
Study materials: Anderson, J.C. & Narus J.A.: Business Market Management. Understanding,
Creating and Delivering Value. 2nd edition, 2004. Exact chapters for the exam will be announced
during the lectures.
Assessment methods: Exam and group work
Responsible person: Satu Ntti.

Management of Technology and Innovation


Timing: C-D
Objectives: After the course completion the students are able to explain the role of technology
development and product development in an organization. Students can recognize the role
technological development in organization and recognize the needs for technology development
and technology cycles. Furthermore, students can connect technological development into the
strategic management of an organization.
Contents: The objective of the course is to make visible the role of technology from the
competitiveness point of view and provide the basis for understanding the interconnectedness of
innovation, business strategy and technology strategy. Especially, issues such as technology life
cycle, technology transfer, and technology development are discussed during the course.

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Working methods: In total 80 hours contact teaching including lectures and seminars to present
lessons learned in assignment. Practical assignment. Parts of this course will be integrated with
Executive MBA programme.
Study materials: A collection of articles and lecture materials.
Assessment methods: Assignment.
Responsible person: Harri Haapasalo.

Managerial Economics
Timing: D
Objectives: The aim of this course is to introduce the basic concepts of monetary economics and
financial markets.
Contents: Financial systems, the concepts of money and finance, determination of interest rates,
monetary and financial institutions, supervision of banking, central banks, tools, aims and
mechanisms of monetary policy, financial
systems of euro zone and the monetary policy of Federal Reserve and ECB, the connection
between monetary policy and aggregate demand and supply
Working methods: 40 hours lectures and independent reading of the textbooks and other study
material. Lectures are integrated with international masters degree programme.
Assessment methods: Lectures and final exam (lectures + books)
Study materials: Krugman, P. & Wells, R.: Macroeconomics, Worth Publishers; Heckner, D. &
Krestschmer, T.: Dont Worry About Micro, Springer.
Lecturer: Visiting Professors

Project Work and final report


Students engage in case work run in collaboration with Research and Innovation Services and
Center for Internet Excellence at the University of Oulu. The project work will be carried out in
small groups, providing students with a personalised, interactive learning experience and
method. The projects run in themes of e.g. Business strategy, Business design, International
business and Marketing.

The course consists of project work sessions that run through the whole academic year. There
will be two sets of presentations and written reports all for the benefit of the project at hand.
Presentations will take place at the end of semesters and the reports are due at the same time.

The project work will be started in the beginning of studies and it should be finished within one
and a half years from the beginning of the programme. For instance, the students who are
accepted in the 2011 intake should finish their project work by the end of the autumn semester
2012.

Through solid and thorough project work Oulu Business School MBA may work as a springboard
to a successful career in innovation-based start-up business.

Internship
Timing: At the end of studies
Course status: Elective
Objectives: The aim of internship is to prepare student to full-time professional work in an
established company. This is particularly aimed at Oulu Business Schools International MBA
students in order to get them familiar and acquainted with Finnish companies going global.
Assessment methods: Report maximum 5 pages of the tasks handled during internship
focusing particularly on business internationalisation and growth issues.
Responsible person: MBA programme director, Oulu Business School

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Rules and Restrictions Concerning Full-time MBA Programme

Curriculum
The full-time MBA curriculum and Study Guide is given at the start of
semester. It is not possible to include other courses into MBA certificate.

Attendance
Attendance in class is mandatory and it will be monitored. In some
courses interaction and work-shops form an important part of the
working method and assessment, and therefore participating in
classroom work is essential.

Examination retake and raising grade


In case student has to retake an examination or wants to raise grade of
an MBA course e.g. by taking the examination again it is possible
without extra cost only once. After this try there will be an examination
fee of 50 per each try. In some courses raising grade is not possible at
all if weigh on classroom activity is high.

Integrated courses
Concerning MBA courses that are integrated in Oulu Business School
international Masters programmes, the above mentioned matters
(attendance and retakes) and alike are defined by the lecturer of that
particular course. See next page paragraph Exams.

Prolonged studies
If studies are not finalized during the study-period of 1 years, an
additional fee of 8 % of the total cost of the Oulu Business School Full-
time MBA programmes price of that time is charged each following
study-semester. Failure to make this payment will lead to automatic
dismissal of study right. In case of the dismissal of the study right, the
paid programme fee will not be refunded.

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General Information about Studying in Oulu Business School
Lectures
The academic year 2011-2012 for full-time MBA students is divided
into four study periods (A-D) as follows:

Autumn semester:
Period A 1.9.-21.10.2011 (weeks 36-42)
Period B 31.10.-16.12.2011 (weeks 44-50)

Spring Semester:
Period C 9.1.-2.3.2012 (weeks 2-9)
Period D 12.3.-8.6.2011 (weeks 11-23)

The period of each course is marked in the course description.


However, please note that the periodic schedule is not accurate
enough to show the exact start and end dates of the courses, which
means, that a course that has been scheduled for instance in the
period A may be held anytime between 1.9. and 22.10.2010.
Therefore, it is really important for students to actively follow the
course schedule updates on the facultys website:

http://www.oulubusinessschool.fi/studies/schedules

Unless otherwise announced, lectures start 15 minutes past, for


instance, the lecture from 14 to 16 would usually start at 14:15. It is
important to note, that this rule only applies lectures, not exams!

Exams

When the course evaluation is based on an examination, there are


usually three possible dates per each course during a calendar year to
participate in the examination. The first exam is usually organised 2-4
weeks after the end of the lecture period. The second and third exams
are then after 1-2 months. MBA students are allowed to take any of the
three exams to pass a course. It is also possible to participate in the
examination more than once (mandatory, if the student has failed the
previous exam(s) and recommended if the student wishes to improve
the grade gained in a previous exam(s)). However, it should be noticed
that the exam questions do not necessarily remain the same from an
exam to another.

Usually the exams in Oulu Business School are based on essay


questions rather than on multiple choices. The usual examination time
is on Thursdays from 8:00-12:00 AM. No lectures or other instruction is
organized simultaneously with this time by Oulu Business School.

Signing up for the exams is mandatory.

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Rules of Examination

1. Faculty of Economics and Business administration examination time


is usually Thursday 8.00-12.00 AM. Examination hall is usually L1.
2. Students need to sing in through WebOodi before the previous
Monday at 12:00 PM.
3. The students need to be in the exam hall before 8:00 AM. No one is
permitted to enter examination hall after 08.15.
4. In the hall mobile phones are not allowed. Bags need to be placed
next to the walls. Snacks are not allowed unless a medical condition
requires so. No chatting is allowed in the examination hall.
5. Cheating is taken very seriously. If there is even a slightest suspect
of cheating, the issue will be dealt with the Faculty administration
after the exam. In the cases of proven cheating the consequences
are serious.
6. The student identification card is needed in the exam to proof the
identity of students.

The list of exams can be obtained from the facultys website:


http://www.oulubusinessschool.fi/studies/exams

Written Course Assignments

Course evaluation in Oulu Business School - and in the Finnish


universities in general - is relatively heavily based on term papers and
other written reports. Therefore, it is recommended (although not
mandatory) for students to familiarize themselves with the facultys
instructions and guidelines for written course assignments:
http://www.oulubusinessschool.fi/studies/tools_and_instructions.

Academic integrity policy in Oulu Business School is extremely strict.


Cheating and plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated by the
Faculty. Cases of violation of the integrity policy are dealt with the
Faculty administration and lead to the assignment of sanctions.

Grades

The grading scale for the passed courses is from 1 to 5 as described in


the following:

5 Excellent
4 Very good
3 Good
2 Satisfactory
1 Passable

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Practical Information

Paju-tunnus i.e. Paju username & password

The username and password that you will receive when you become a
student in the University of Oulu. Paju-tunnus is needed for instance when
signing in the computers in the computer labs on campus, and when using
University Library databases, Webmail and WebOodi. You will also usually
need the Paju e-mail address when communicating with the school. A lot of
important study related information will be send to the MBA students via Paju
e-mail. Therefore, it is important for the students to actively follow their Paju
mailbox.

Paju-tunnus can be obtained on campus from the Computer Services Centre


within the next couple of days after your registration to the university. In
order to get your Paju username and password work as soon as possible,
students are recommended to register to the university shortly after the
orientation. You may also obtain the user account by contacting IT
Administration Services Helpdesk (E-mail: helpdesk@oulu.fi, Tel: +358
8 553 3080).

More information on the Paju-tunnus and the IT services available for


students can be obtained from the IT Services website:

http://www.oulu.fi/it/students/index.html

e-mail / Webmail

The e-mail that you get a right to use when you become a student in the
University of Oulu. The webaddress for the starting page of Webmail is:
https://webmail.oulu.fi/webmail/. (See also: Paju-tunnus i.e. Paju username &
password in this study guide.). To log in, you will need the Paju-tunnus i.e.
Paju username and password. When using this e-mail, the latter part of your
e-mail address will look like as follows:

EITHER

@mail.student.oulu.fi

OR

@paju.oulu.fi

Both of these typing-forms work. It is up to the student, how she or he


chooses to type his/her e-mail address.

Instructions on how to use webmail (how to reset a password, how to put on


spam filtering etc.) can be obtained from the IT Services website:

http://www.oulu.fi/it/students/index.html

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WebOodi

The online tool to keep track of the students in the university. WebOodi
allows you for instance to:

view and update your personal contact information


sign up for courses and examinations (signing up is mandatory!)
view your grades and order your transcript of records to your e-mail

Optima

An online study tool that allows you for instance to:

communicate with teachers and fellow students


obtain course material such as articles and lecture notes
hand in written course assignments at distance

How does Optima work?

The teacher who is responsible for a course creates an Optima workspace


where both the teacher and the students become members. The Optima
username and password are not necessarily the same as Paju-tunnus but
they can be tied together. To get the Optima username and password,
please contact either the IT services, teacher of the course where Optima is
used or the MBA Programme Coordinator. You will not need Optima
username and password for every course, but once youve got them you
should keep them available. You dont have to establish a new Optima user
account for every course.

University Library

The MBA programme fee will only cover the students participation in the
instruction and therefore, the MBA students are expected to self-finance their
course materials. Nevertheless, it is very rare that students in the Finnish
universities will need to buy books to study. By obtaining a library card,
anyone can borrow books, journals etc. from the Oulu University Library for
free. The course literature, i.e. the literature that is required for exams and
other course assignments can be borrowed from the course book library
Cursus near the main library.

You can search and reserve books and other material both in the library and
on librarys website: http://www.kirjasto.oulu.fi/index.php?id=509. To make
reservations online, you will also need a library card and a password.

Usually, there are a lot of books available in the course book library,
however, right before the exams the demand for certain books might be so
extensive that there are not enough books available for every student.
Therefore, it is important for students to be active and in time when reserving
and borrowing books.

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Through Paju-tunnus you will also have an access to several online
databases of the University Library through which you can search, for
instance, some journals and articles.

More information on how to use the services of Oulu University Library can
be obtained by attending the library presentation organized by the Oulu
University Library and MBA Programme Coordinator.

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