Business Majors & Tracks
Our BBM students can opt to graduate with a major by focusing on a particular discipline within business. This requires taking a set of six courses that fulfil the major’s requirements. Within some of these majors, there are various tracks that students may choose to further specialise in.
SMU students can curate their own academic experience by specialising in more than one area of interest. They can broaden their scope of learning by opting for a second major offered by LKCSB or other schools in SMU.
- BBM students taking a second major offered by LKCSB will have to complete the six courses listed under the respective majors below. The course requirements for first and second business majors are the same.
- Non-BBM students can also choose a major offered by LKCSB by completing the six courses listed under the chosen major, in addition to two business core courses to build their foundation in business.
Students are free to choose their majors within their first 4 regular terms of study and there is no restriction or quota for each major or track.
Current students should refer to the academic handbook for your cohort to understand the business major/track requirements: OASIS > Academic > Curriculum Advisement > Student Academic Handbook.
The list of courses provided may not be exhaustive. The full list can be found via the Course Catalogue.
BUSINESS MAJORS
Finance is a key pillar of the Singapore economy and accounts for a large fraction of foreign investments into Singapore. Not only does the sector employ a significant part of Singapore’s workforce, job opportunities will be expanded by advances in fintech, sustainability, and Asia’s growth. The Finance major is well-designed to equip you with relevant industry skills to take on a finance-related career.
3 Compulsory Courses:
- Corporate Finance
- Corporate Reporting and Financial Analysis
- Financial Markets and Investments
3 Finance Electives
Some examples of Finance electives:
- Financial Innovation, Blockchains and Decentralised Finance
- Sustainable Finance
- Advanced Portfolio Management
- Investment Banking
- Real Estate Investments and Finance
Finance majors may further choose to pursue the following tracks: Finance Analytics, Real Estate, Wealth Management, International Trading, or Banking
Marketing is an exciting area undergoing digital transformation driven by AI, data analytics, search, and social media. Firms in every industry are seeking talent to enable this journey. The Marketing major prepares you for advertising, branding, customer relationship management, digital marketing, e-commerce, marketing analytics, media research and analysis, and services marketing.
2 Compulsory Courses:
- Consumer Behaviour
- Marketing Research
4 Marketing Electives
Some examples of Marketing electives:
- Advertising
- Digital Marketing
- Marketing Analytics
- Strategic Brand Management
- Integrated Marketing Communications: A Brand Perspective
Marketing majors may further choose to pursue the following track: Marketing Analytics
This major provides you with the knowledge and skills needed to drive operational excellence and manage business operations in various sectors, including retail, e-commerce, healthcare, hospitality, logistics, services, and manufacturing. With operations being the key driver for various business functions and company profitability, mastering data-driven operations provides an edge to thrive in your career.
2 Compulsory Courses:
- Service Processes
- Supply Chain Management
4 Operations Management Electives
Some examples of Operations Management electives:
- Sustainable Operations
- Managing Process Improvement
- Supply Chain Analytics
- Service and Operations Analytics
- Operations and Supply Chain Management in Healthcare
Operations Management majors may further choose to pursue the following tracks: Operations Analytics or Maritime Business & Operations
The Organisational Behaviour & Human Resources (OBHR) major presents you with the opportunity to gain evidence-based knowledge and skills for leading and managing people in organisations. An OB focus will prepare you with team, leadership, and organisational skills that will help you to be successful in any professional pursuit. Alternatively, a HR focus will prepare you for a career in areas such as HR management or consulting.
1 Compulsory Course:
- Human Capital Management
5 Organisational Behaviour & Human Resources Electives
Some examples of Organisational Behaviour & Human Resources electives:
- Negotiating in Management and Business
- Talent Acquisition and Assessment
- The Psychology of Managerial Decision Making
- Compensation
- Power and Politics in Organisations
Firms—from start-ups to MNEs—need to assess their competencies and environment to formulate and implement strategies that keep them competitive. This major will provide you with skills and strategy principles that allow you to create value and help firms set out and achieve their strategic objectives. It also prepares you to progress from junior to mid-level roles where a solid understanding of strategy in addition to functional expertise is crucial.
1 Compulsory Course:
- Introduction to Organisations
2 Strategic Management Electives from the following:
- Corporate Strategy
- International Business
- Management of Technology and Innovation
- Managing Strategic Change and Digital Transformation
3 other Strategic Management Electives
Some examples of Strategic Management electives:
- Management Consulting Work-Study Elective
- Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Leadership Seminar with CEOs
- Strategic Risks and Opportunities Management
- Sustainability Management and Governance
The major encompasses the knowledge and skills necessary for navigating the complex world of communication in the age of artificial intelligence. Communication professionals play a pivotal role in shaping narratives and experiences, influencing behaviour, and driving organisational success. The major equips students with the skills and strategic thinking to develop communication that builds relationships with strategic stakeholders.
2 Compulsory Courses:
- Foundations in Strategic Communication
- Designing Communication for Behavioural Change
4 Communication Management Electives
Some examples of Communication Management electives:
- Intercultural Communication
- Crisis Management and Communication
- Communication Strategies in the Digital Age
- Fundamentals of Media Engagement
- Misinformation Management
Communication Management majors may further choose to pursue a track: Data, Design, & Communication
Quantitative finance uses an analytical approach to make trading and investment decisions. Graduates with quantitative finance, programming, and modelling skills are especially sought after in the job market. This major cultivates a rigorous and analytical mindset, giving you a competitive advantage in the job market. It aims to meet Singapore’s growing human resource demand for talented graduates with expertise on financial markets, modelling, and coding.
3 Compulsory Courses:
- Quantitative Finance
- Investment Statistics
- Computing Technology for Finance
3 Quantitative Finance Electives
Some examples of Quantitative Finance electives:
- Machine Learning in Quantitative Finance
- Linear Algebra and Numerical Methods
- Quantitative Trading Strategies
- Stochastic Finance
- Reinforcement Learning in Portfolio Optimisation
BBM QF-MQF Fast-Track Programme:
This integrated programme provides an avenue for high-potential BBM students to accelerate their studies towards a master’s degree. You can benefit from a holistic education by combining a broad-based undergraduate education with a highly specialised and technical postgraduate education. Students can graduate with both degrees in four years.
Please click here for the programme details.
The Innovation & Entrepreneurship major is for undergraduates who want to make an impact through leading corporate innovations, spearheading business growth plans, or starting entrepreneurial ventures. Courses consist of electives, practicums, and overseas study missions to international hubs of innovation and entrepreneurship to give students a foundation in the tools and techniques for scaling growth and impact.
2 Compulsory Courses:
- Entrepreneurship and Business Creation
- Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation OR Leading New Ventures to Growth
4 Innovation & Entrepreneurship Electives
Some examples of Innovation & Entrepreneurship electives:
- Management of Technology and Innovation
- Entrepreneurship Practicum
- Sustainable Entrepreneurship
- Fraud Protection for Entrepreneurs
- Design Thinking and Innovation
Only as second major
Digital technologies are transforming business, government, and society rapidly and profoundly. This major helps you gain the comprehensive understanding of digital technologies, digital business models, and a series of analytical and management tools to navigate the digital transformation frontier with confidence. It focuses on how to create value for various stakeholders in different industries and gain competitive advantages in the digital age.
3 Compulsory Courses:
- Managing Strategic Change and Digital Transformation
- Computational Thinking and Programming/ Programming Fundamentals I
- Digital Business: Technologies and Transformation
2 Digital Business Electives
Some examples of Digital Business electives:
- Doing Business with Artificial Intelligence
- Financial Innovation, Blockchains and Decentralised Finance
- Digital Marketing
- User Experience and Digital Product Design
- Digital Media, Entertainment and E-commerce Ecosystem
1 other non-LKCSB Digital Business Elective
Some examples of non-LKCSB Digital Business electives:
- Business Process Analysis and Solutioning
- Interaction Design and Prototyping
- Sustainable Digital Cities
- Digital Transformation Strategy
- Analytics Foundations
Many businesses now embrace sustainability. This develops a broad knowledge of sustainability concepts and practices for solving societal problems such as climate change and poverty. The interdisciplinary major covers business courses and electives from other disciplines. It provides graduates with tools to frame and solve problems from business and multi-stakeholder perspectives. Graduates find meaningful work in firms, governments, and non-profits.
2 Compulsory Courses:
- Sustainability Management and Governance
- SMU-X Sustainability Project:
- Sustainable Entrepreneurship Practicum OR
- Corporate Sustainable Product and System Design
2 Sustainability Management Electives
Some examples of Sustainability Management electives:
- Sustainable Finance
- Sustainable Operations
- Sustainable Marketing
- Sustainable Entrepreneurship
- Organisational Aspects of Sustainable Innovation
2 other non-LKCSB Sustainability Management Electives
Some examples of non-LKCSB Sustainability Management electives:
- Climate Change: Global and Local Solutions
- Technological Innovations Enhancing Urban Sustainability
- Sustainable Cities
- Economic Development in Asia
- Sustainable Ocean Law and Governance
Tracks within majors
For students who have chosen a major, they can further specialise by choosing a track within the major. Choosing a track is optional. Those choosing a track need to take the compulsory courses of the major, plus the following additional courses. See details on each currently available track below.
Finance major with track in
This track puts you at the forefront of innovation in the new fintech world of finance. You will learn programming and data analytical skills that help you make sense of the big data in financial markets. The Finance Analytics track will equip you with the necessary skills for new jobs in the finance industry.
4 Compulsory Courses:
- Introduction to Business Analytics/ Analytics Foundations*
- Computational Thinking and Programming
- Business Data Management/ Data Management*
- Financial Innovation, Blockchains, and Decentralised Finance
*All students opting for LKCSB’s Analytics tracks should take Introduction to Business Analytics. Non-SCIS students should take Business Data Management instead of Data Management. Only students declaring majors from SCIS should take Data Management.
1 Finance Analytics Track Elective
Some examples of Finance Analytics Track electives:
- Analytics in Finance and Real Estate
- Analysis of Derivative Securities
- Analysis of Equity Securities
- Analysis of Fixed-Income Securities
- International Finance
Singapore is a hub for regional real estate investments and financing. In partnership with Mapletree, this track will provide you skills necessary for a variety of roles in the real estate sector, including real estate investment, finance and development, management of real estate investment trusts (REITs), and infrastructure financing.
3 Compulsory Courses:
- Real Estate Economics
- Risk and Regulations in Real Estate
- Real Estate Investments and Finance
2 Real Estate Track Electives
Some examples of Real Estate Track electives:
- Analytics in Finance and Real Estate
- Project Financing
- Real Estate Valuation and Taxation
- Urban Economics and Policy
- Real Estate Development
Wealth management is a very important sector due to the growing wealth in Asia and Singapore’s position as a wealth management hub. With SMU’s established global reputation in training wealth management professionals, this track will equip you with deep knowledge and expertise in investment products, portfolio management, and client advisory.
2 Compulsory Courses:
- Advanced Portfolio Management
- Wealth Management and Advisory
3 Wealth Management Track Electives
Some examples of Wealth Management Track electives:
- Wealth Management and the Law
- Sustainable Finance
- International Finance
- Analysis of Equity Securities
- Analysis of Fixed-Income Securities
Singapore is expanding as a centre of global trade flows. This track focuses on physical commodities trading, equipping you with knowledge of products (e.g. oil, agriculture), logistics (e.g. shipping, warehousing), and risk management. Organisations seeking such talent include ones in trading, shipping, logistics, trade finance, and maritime services.
4 Compulsory Courses:
- Analysis of Derivatives Securities
- Law of International Trade
- Shipping Business
- Trade Finance
1 International Trading Track Elective
Some examples of International Trading Track electives:
- International Finance
- Advanced Portfolio Management
- Corporate Banking
- Analysis of Fixed Income Securities
- Sustainable Finance
At least 3 non-credit courses
Examples include:
Agri-Commodities, Maritime and Logistics Management, Commodity and Energy Trading, Geopolitics and the Impact on Shipping Routes, Financial Risk Management, Sustainability, Carbon Trading, The LNG Value Chain, Container Liner Trade, Technology and Trade, Port Operations, Data Analytics.
In this track, you will explore the three sub-sectors of banking: corporate banking (financing businesses through loans), consumer banking (maturity transformation, access to credit), and investment banking (capital raising, mergers and acquisitions). The vibrant banking sector in Singapore ensures promising employment opportunities.
3 Compulsory Courses:
- Retail Banking
- Corporate Banking
- Investment Banking
2 Banking Track Electives
Some examples of Banking Track electives:
- Wealth Management and Advisory
- Banking Law
- Project Financing
- Structured Products Sales and Trading
- Analysis of Derivative Securities
Marketing major with track in
How do we handle, analyse, and report big data in marketing? And how do we use the findings to drive business performance? This track prepares you for these questions through courses in marketing and business analytics, data management, and digital marketing. You will be equipped with a strong analytics skill set and ready for marketing jobs in today’s data-rich world.
4 Compulsory Courses:
- Introduction to Business Analytics/ Analytics Foundations*
- Computational Thinking and Programming
- Business Data Management/ Data Management*
- Marketing Analytics
*All students opting for LKCSB’s Analytics tracks should take Introduction to Business Analytics. Non-SCIS students should take Business Data Management instead of Data Management. Only students declaring majors from SCIS should take Data Management.
2 Marketing Analytics Track Electives
Choose from the following Marketing Analytics Track electives:
- Pricing
- Digital Marketing
- Customer Relationship Management
Operations Management major with track in
In this track, the courses provide you with the skill set to transform data into useful information, identify trends and challenges, and ultimately empower companies to make smarter, data-driven business decisions. Elective courses encompass a range of business analytics applications, from supply chain management and logistics to warehousing, fulfilment, and business process improvement.
4 Compulsory Courses:
- Introduction to Business Analytics/ Analytics Foundations*
- Computational Thinking and Programming
- Business Data Management/ Data Management*
- Service and Operations Analytics
*All students opting for LKCSB’s Analytics tracks should take Introduction to Business Analytics. Non-SCIS students should take Business Data Management instead of Data Management. Only students declaring majors from SCIS should take Data Management.
2 Operations Analytics Track Electives
Some examples of Operations Analytics Track electives:
- Supply Chain Analytics
- Managing Process Improvement
- Logistics and Transportation Management
- High Performance Warehousing and Fulfillment
This track equips you with knowledge about transportation and logistics, operations management, and maritime technology. The core and elective courses offered by expert faculty from SMU and overseas include topics such as logistics, port operations, digitisation, maritime law, and business analytics. Your learning will be extended through non-credit courses from practitioners, internships, overseas study missions, local site visits, and work-study electives.
4 Compulsory Courses:
- Port-Focal Logistics and Maritime Operations
- Logistics and Transportation Management
- Shipping Business
- Law of International Trade
2 Maritime Business & Operations Track Electives
Some examples of Maritime Business & Operations Track electives:
- Sustainable Operations
- High Performance Warehousing and Fulfilment
- Sustainable Shipping and Ports
- Shipping Strategies – the Digital Dimensions (SSDD)
- Trade Finance
At least 3 non-credit courses
Examples include:
Agri-Commodities, Maritime and Logistics Management, Commodity and Energy Trading, Geopolitics and the Impact on Shipping Routes, Financial Risk Management, Sustainability, Carbon Trading, The LNG Value Chain, Container Liner Trade, Technology and Trade, Port Operations, Data Analytics.
Communication Management major with track in
The track is for students who want to learn data-driven decision-making in business; design digital experiences and products; and create AI-enabled stories. The track is suitable for students who are interested in interdisciplinary jobs and roles in the tech sector. Graduates emerge as versatile communicators who have the data, design, and storytelling skills to help organisations achieve desired outcomes.
3 Compulsory Courses:
- Machine Learning for Communication Management
- User Experience and Digital Product Design OR Interaction Design and Prototyping
- Design Thinking and Communication
3 Data, Design, & Communication Track Electives
Some examples of Data, Design, & Communication Track electives:
- Storytelling with AI
- Communication Strategies in the Digital Age
- The Business of the Creative Industries
- Digital Media, Entertainment and E-commerce Ecosystem
