School of Business

Faculty

Dean
Nilanjan Sen, Ph.D.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University      

Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Faculty Affairs
Guy Dinesh Fernando, Ph.D.
Syracuse University

Associate Dean for Global Initiatives
Rita Biswas, Ph.D.
Texas A&M

Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies
Dennis Caplan, Ph.D.
University of California, Berkeley

Director of Undergraduate Student Services and Student Engagement
Jason Cotugno
University at Albany

Director of Accounting Programs
Mark Hughes, Ph.D.
University at Albany

Director of Student Services / Academic Coordinator, Digital Forensics Program
Damira Pon, M.S.
University at Albany

Professors Emeriti
Peter Duchessi, Ph.D.
Union College
Hugh T. Farley, J.D.
American University
Ronald W. Forbes, Ph.D.
State University of New York at Buffalo
Michael J. Kavanagh, Ph.D.
Iowa State University
Paul A. Leonard, Ph.D. (Collins Fellow)
University of Oregon
Paul Miesing, Ph.D.
University of Colorado
Charles M. Schaninger, Ph.D.
University of Rochester
Thomas D. Taber, Ph.D.
University of Illinois
Gary A. Yukl, Ph.D.
University of California, Berkeley

Professors
Indushobha Chengalur-Smith, Ph.D.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Sanjay Goel, Ph.D.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Janet Marler, Ph.D.
Cornell University
Hany A. Shawky, Ph.D.
Ohio State University
David M. Smith, Ph.D.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Giri Kumar Tayi, Ph.D.
Carnegie Mellon University
William Wales, Ph.D.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Associate Professors Emeriti
Donald D. Ballou, Ph.D.
University of Michigan
Salvatore Belardo, Ph.D.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
W. Christian Buss, Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania
William D. Danko, Ph.D.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
David J. Marcinko, Ph.D.
Boston College 
Nicholas Mastracchio, Jr., Ph.D.
Union College
Lakshmi Mohan, Ph.D.
Columbia University
Harold L. Pazer, M.B.A.
University of Washington
John P. Seagle, Ph.D.
Stanford University

Associate Professors
Lisa Baranik, Ph.D.
University of  Georgia
Uday Chandra, Ph.D.
Purdue University
Seok-Joo (Andrew) Chang, Ph.D.
University of Connecticut
Suraj Commuri, Ph.D.
University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Na Dai, Ph.D.
University of Kansas
Ingrid Fisher, Ph.D.
University at Albany       
Ioannis Kareklas, Ph.D.
University of Connecticut
Alfred Z. Liu, Ph.D.
University of California, Irvine       
Saggi Nevo, Ph.D.
York University
William Riccardi, Ph.D.
Florida International University
Eliot H. Rich, Ph.D.
University at Albany       
Kinsun Tam, Ph.D.
University of Connecticut
Yvonne Wang, Ph.D.
Pennsylvania State University
Wei Zhang, Ph.D.
University of Nebraska, Lincoln

Practice Associate Professor
Raymond K. Van Ness, Ph.D.
Union Institute & University

Assistant Professors
Devipsita Bhattacharya, Ph.D.
University of Arizona   
Matthew Crayne, Ph.D.
Pennsylvania State University
Beth DuFault, Ph.D.
University of Arizona 
Kathryn Enget, Ph.D.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Pranay Jinna, Ph.D.
Emory University       
Victoria Kisekka, Ph.D.
University at Buffalo
Sreya Kolay, Ph.D.
University of Rochester
Aleksandra Kovacheva, Ph.D.
University of Pittsburgh
Jungwon Kuem, Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Xiao Li, Ph.D.
University of Arizona
Billian Lin, Ph.D.
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Prinkle Sharma, Ph.D.
University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
Lee Spitzley, Ph.D.
University of Arizona
Hillary Wiener, Ph.D.
Duke University

Clinical Professor Emeriti
Jakov J. Crnkovic, Ph.D.
University of Belgrade

Clinical Professor
Mary Wladkowski, Ph.D.
Northcentral University

Visiting Assistant Professor 
Nimrod Dvir, M.B.A.
Baruch College, City University of New York

Lecturers
Margaret Adkins, J.D.
Albany Law School
Fabio R. Auffant II, M.S.
Champlain College
Thomas Collura, J.D.
Albany Law School of Union University
Robert Downey, M.B.A.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Marisa Lester, M.S.
University at Albany
Ken Moore, M.S.
University of Southern California 
Michelle Moshier, M.S.
University of Hartford
Heidi Reale, M.B.A.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Ethan Sprissler, M.S
University at Albany

Adjuncts (estimated): 15–20
Teaching Doctoral Assistants (estimated): 1–3

The School of Business offers degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels that prepare students to enter managerial and professional careers. All programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The School is one of only four public universities in New York State to have AACSB accreditation in business administration and supplemental accreditation in accounting.

All School of Business courses are preceded by the prefix letter B. The following School of Business courses are considered “Liberal Arts and Sciences” courses by the University: B BUS 250, B FOR 100, B FOR 201, B FOR 202, B FOR 204, B LAW 200, B LAW 220, B MGT 341, B MGT 430, B MGT 481, B MKT 351, B ITM 215. 

At the undergraduate level, the school offers Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees in accounting, business administration, digital forensics, and an interdisciplinary studies major with a concentration in financial market regulation. The B.S. degree is granted only to students who have been formally admitted to the School of Business prior to taking their upper division courses in business.

At the graduate level, the school offers a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), a Master of Science in Accounting (M.S.), and a Master of Science in Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity. The full-time M.B.A. is a two-year program open primarily to non-business undergraduates. In addition, the School participates in the Information Science Ph.D. in cooperation with other academic units. Information on this graduate program is available in the Graduate Bulletin.

The UAlbany School of Business has developed a national reputation for the quality of its undergraduate programs.

Majors in Accounting or Business Administration

Application and Admission

The following guidelines have been developed as a means of selecting the best-qualified students to study accounting or business administration.

Initial Admission of Freshmen to the School of Business

All students admitted to the University whose basis of admission is “FRESHMAN” can be admitted to the School of Business as Accounting or Business Administration majors by declaring their major as “School of Business.” To remain a School of Business major during the freshman and sophomore years, each student must meet the retention standards set by the School of Business. These standards require students to maintain a 3.25 overall average at the University at Albany and at least a 3.00 average for the designated admission core courses taken at the University.

To remain a School of Business major in Accounting or Business Administration, students must also have satisfactorily completed any five of the seven admission core courses after three semesters at the University, and all seven of the admission core courses by the end of four semesters at the University. (Note: all core courses must be taken on an A–E basis.) These core courses are: (1) B ACC 211 (2) B ITM 215 (3) A MAT 108 or A ECO 320 (4) A ECO 110 (5) A ECO 111 (6) A PSY 101 and (7) A SOC 115 or A ANT 108. In addition, students must have completed a total of at least 56 degree applicable credits by the end of four semesters at the University to remain a School of Business major.

 Students’ records will be evaluated after their third and fourth semesters to determine that all of the above retention standards have been met.

Students not meeting these standards by the end of their fourth semester at the University at Albany are not guaranteed admission to the School of Business.

Students in the School of Business who have attained junior standing (i.e., 56 degree applicable credits) and who have met all the retention standards shall be eligible to enroll in the upper division School of Business courses. 

Direct Admission as Freshmen

A select group of freshmen will be offered admission to the School of Business Accounting or Business Administration majors without any additional conditions beyond those for continuing enrollment at the University. Such admission will be based on a review of the student’s performance in high school as reflected in grade point average (HSGPA), performance on school-based tests such as Regents exams, scores on the SAT or ACT national exams, competitive rank in class, and similar metrics.

Students must complete the same set of business core courses during their first two years that are required of all students in order to begin the upper division sequence of business courses in the junior year. The business core courses must be completed with an average grade of at least C (2.00).

Direct admission as freshmen to the School of Business represents an act of confidence in a cadre of well-prepared students, and it is expected that these students will perform at the highest academic levels at the University at Albany. Students must meet University at Albany requirements for good academic standing to retain their enrollment in the School of Business.

Initial Admission of Transfers with Sophomore Standing or above to the School of Business

All students whose basis of admission is “TRANSFER” can be admitted to the School of Business by declaring their major as either Accounting or Business Administration at the time of their application to the University as long as they will have met the following criteria:

Students must have completed a total of at least 32 degree applicable credits by the end of the spring semester preceding their summer or fall admission to the University, or by the end of the fall semester preceding their spring admission to the University. They must also have a final cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher and have completed elsewhere a minimum of four of the designated admission core courses with at least a 3.00 average prior to matriculation.

To remain a School of Business major, students must achieve a minimum overall GPA at the University at Albany of at least a 2.50 by the end of their first semester. They must also complete all remaining core courses with a minimum 3.00 average by the end of their second semester at this University. (Note: all core courses must be taken on an A–E graded basis.) Additionally, they must have achieved 56 degree applicable credits by the end of two semesters at the University.

Subsequent Admission to the School of Business

Students who did not declare their major as “School of Business” by the deadlines stated above but whose basis of admission is “FRESHMAN” or whose basis of admission is “TRANSFER” with fewer than 32 degree-applicable credits may directly apply (or reapply) for admission to the School of Business Accounting or Business Administration major once they have attained junior standing (i.e., 56 degree applicable credits) and have satisfactorily completed all seven of the admission core courses. These courses are: (1) B ACC 211 (2) B ITM 215 (3) A MAT 108 or A ECO 320 (4) A ECO 110 (5) A ECO 111 (6) A PSY 101 and (7) A SOC 115 or A ANT 108.

(Note: all core courses must be taken on an A–E graded basis.)

Other “TRANSFER” students who were admitted with 32 or more degree-applicable credits but who were not initially admitted to the School of Business may still be considered for admission within the following guidelines:

a. Students who can demonstrate that their previous transfer record would have qualified them for admission had they applied initially to the School of Business will be admitted under the conditions and criteria described above for other sophomore or junior transfers.

b. Students who do not initially qualify for admission as a transfer student to the School of Business may apply directly to the School of Business in the semester in which they will have completed 56 credits and all seven core courses. Applications are available in the Office of Student Services in BB 201 on May 1^st, June 1^st, or December 1^st and are due in that same office prior to the end of final exams for a fall, spring, and summer session.

Appeals

Special Admissions: Students not admissible by any of the established criteria but who believe they have extenuating circumstances may write a letter of appeal to the School of Business. Contact the School of Business Office of Student Services, BB 201, for the procedure.

Degree Requirements for the B.S. in Accounting

* These are Admission Core Course Requirements (see above).

Degree Requirements for the B.S. in Business Administration

The programs in business administration, combining a major-minor sequence, are designed for students planning careers in management science, information systems, business analytics, marketing, and finance, or a combination of these areas.

* These are Admission Core Course Requirements (see above.)

Approved Concentrations:

Entrepreneurship/Finance Concentration (18 credits): B FIN 301, B FIN 333, B FIN 375, B FIN 404, B MGT 400, B MGT 460.

Entrepreneurship/Information Systems and Business Analytics Concentration (18 credits): B FIN 404, B ITM 322, B ITM 331, B ITM 415, B MGT 400, B MGT 460.

Entrepreneurship/Marketing Concentration (18 credits): B FIN 404, B MGT 400, B MGT 460, B MKT 300 or 400-level elective, B MKT 351, B MKT 400-level elective.

Finance/Information Systems and Business Analytics Concentration (18 credits): B FIN 301, B FIN 333, B FIN 375; B ITM 322, B ITM 331, B ITM 415.

Finance/Management Concentration (18 credits): B FIN 301, B FIN 333, B FIN 375; B MGT 430, 6 Credits B MGT 400-level electives.

Finance/Marketing Concentration (18 credits): B FIN 301, B FIN 333, B FIN 375; B MKT 351, 3 credits B MKT 300-level or B MKT 400-level elective, 3 credits B MKT 400-level elective.

Financial Analyst Honors Program Concentration (21 credits): B ACC 313 (or B ACC 312); B FIN 380, B FIN 400, B FIN 410, B FIN 436, B FIN 485, B FIN 490Z.

Information Systems and Business Analytics Concentration (15 credits): B ITM 322, B ITM 331, B ITM 415, B ITM 416, B ITM 434.

Management/Information Systems and Business Analytics Concentration (18 credits): B ITM 322, B ITM 331, B ITM 415; B MGT 430, 6 credits B MGT 400-level electives.

Marketing Concentration (15 credits): B MKT 312, B MKT 351, 3 credits B MKT 300-level or 400-level elective, 6 credits B MKT 400-level electives.

Marketing/Information Systems and Business Analytics Concentration (18 credits): B ITM 322, B ITM 331, B ITM 415; B MKT 351, 3 credits B MKT 300-level or B MKT 400-level elective, 3 credits B MKT 400-level elective.

Marketing/Management Concentration (18 credits): B MGT 430, 6 credits B MGT 400-level electives; B MKT 351, 3 credits B MKT 300-level or 400-level elective, 3 credits B MKT 400-level elective.

Note: In order to complete concentrations in a timely manner it is necessary to follow specific course sequencing. For more detailed information on concentrations, consult Undergraduate Student Services in the School of Business.

Financial Analyst Honors Program

This program is a concentration within the Business Administration major designed to provide committed students of finance with the opportunity for a special educational experience in small seminars where they can develop their analytical and communication skills.

School of Business students may continue in the Honors Program at the end of the first semester of the junior year so long as they have achieved a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.50 for:
(1) all courses taken through the first semester junior year
(2) B ACC 313.

NOTE: Students will be allowed to advance register for second semester junior year courses with the understanding that if they do not meet the minimum qualification for retention in the Honors Program, they will receive notice by letter or email informing them of their non-retention in the Honors Program and will be deregistered for courses in the program.

Maintenance of a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.50 overall and a 3.50 in all courses required in the Honors sequence is required to remain in the program.

Required Honors Program courses for the concentration are:
B ACC 313 (or B ACC 312); B FIN 380, B FIN 400, B FIN 410, B FIN 436, B FIN 485, B FIN 490Z.

Financial Analyst Honors Program Sequence:
Fall semester junior year:
B ACC 313 Financial Statement Analysis
B FIN 300 Financial Management (Required of all School of Business students)

Spring semester junior year:
B FIN 380 Investment Valuation and Analysis
B FIN 400 Financial Case Problems
B FIN 410 Fixed Income Securities Market

Fall semester senior year:
B FIN 490Z Financial Analysis Seminar and Thesis

Spring semester senior year:
B FIN 436 International Financial Management
B FIN 485 Derivatives and Risk Management

During the Financial Analysis Seminar and Thesis course, students will be required to present oral and/or written progress reports on their ongoing research and critique each other’s work. Each student must submit his or her senior honors thesis to the Finance faculty for review and eventual acceptance.

NOTE: Students who drop or are dropped from the Financial Honors Program at the end of their junior year will be allowed to use any completed courses in Finance toward a combined concentration in Finance/ISBA, Finance/Management, Finance /Entrepreneurship or Finance/Marketing after consultation with the School of Business undergraduate advisement personnel.

Students who successfully complete the courses in the Financial Analyst Honors Program and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.50 will be awarded the Bachelor of Science with Honors in Financial Analysis, and they will be recognized formally at the School of Business recognition ceremony in May. Students whose cumulative GPA is below 3.50 will be awarded the Bachelor of Science in Financial Analysis (without honors). 

Major in Digital Forensics

The undergraduate curriculum in Digital Forensics is designed to nurture the development of students who are able to think critically, perform high-level analysis, adapt to changing environments through innovation and exploration, and have a deep understanding of the technical, legal, financial and socio-psychological influences that are related to the practice of digital forensics and investigation of cyber-crime.

The curriculum is structured with four components: foundational principles, core competencies, concentration, and capstone. The first two components are designed to integrate the dissemination of fundamental principles with the cultivation of the critical skill set necessary for advance undergraduate coursework and interdisciplinary research. The remaining two components expand on these foundational skills to develop the topical expertise, technical depth, and independent analytic abilities that are essential to a well-rounded undergraduate educational experience.

This program will provide students with foundational technology skills in the areas of communications and networking, computer hardware, software development and database design, information security and the law. It will build core competencies in the area of data preservation, and examination and discovery in multiple areas including information security, criminal investigations, accounting and finance. The program culminates with capstone courses that consolidate the student learning in context of real problems. Overall, the program offers an academically rigorous preparation for students intending to pursue careers in digital forensics related fields as well as to pursue graduate education in the area of information security, digital forensics, and data analytics and law.

Admission Requirements

A select group of freshmen will be offered admission to the School of Business Digital Forensics major without any additional conditions beyond those for continuing enrollment at the University. Such admission will be based on a review of the student’s performance in high school as reflected in grade point average (HSGPA), performance on school-based tests such as Regents exams, scores on the SAT or ACT national exams, competitive rank in class, and similar metrics. To maintain enrollment in the major, at the completion of 56 credits, these students must also have completed the following seven courses with an average grade of at least C (2.00).

• For students matriculated prior to Fall 2018, A SOC 115, R CRJ 281 or A MAT 108, B ACC 211, B FOR 100, B FOR 201, B FOR 202, and B FOR 203.
• For students matriculated Fall 2018 and after, R CRJ 281 or A MAT 108, A PSY 101, B ACC 211, B FOR 100, BFOR 201, B FOR 203, and B FOR 205

Students not admitted as Direct Admission may apply for the major at the time of completion of 56 credits. Eligibility criteria at that time include a cumulative GPA of 3.25 in addition to completion of the same seven courses (based on matriculation date), with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. Transfer student designated courses may differ according to articulation agreements, but cumulative GPA from the transfer institution must be a 3.25.

Requirements for the B.S. in Digital Forensics

 The B.S. program in Digital Forensics requires the completion of the following courses (68-69 credits) clustered in four components:

1. Foundational Principles courses (22 credits)
   B FOR 100 Introduction to Information Systems (3)
   B FOR 201 Introduction to Digital Forensics (3)
   B ACC 211 Financial Accounting (3)
   B ITM 215 Information Technologies for Business (3)
   A PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology (3)
   R CRJ 202 Introduction to Law and Criminal Justice (4) or B LAW 220 Business Law (3)
   R CRJ 281 or A MAT 108 Elementary Statistics (3)
2. Core Competencies courses (12 credits)
   B FOR 203 Networking and Cryptography (3)
   B FOR 204 Introduction to Cyber Security (3)
   B FOR 205 Introduction to Database Systems (3)
   B FOR 206 Programming for Analytics (3)
3. Concentration courses (27 credits)
   B FOR 301 Computer Forensics (3)
   B FOR 303 Computer and Memory Forensics (3)
   B FOR 304 Mobile Forensics (3)
   B FOR 305 Cyber Defense (3)
   B FOR 306 Database Security and Forensics (3)
   B FOR 400 Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination (3)
   B FOR 403 Risk Analysis and Security Policies (3)
   B FOR 412 Cyber Incident Response and Penetration Testing (3)
   B FOR 413 Multimedia Forensics (3)
4.  Capstone courses (8 credits)
   B FOR 401W Advanced Digital Forensics (4)
   B FOR 402 eDiscovery Forensics and Moot Court (4)

For all students matriculated prior to Fall 2018, the B.S. program in Digital Forensics requires the completion of the following courses (69 credits) clustered in four components:

1. Foundational Principles courses (24 credits)
   A PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
   A SOC 115 Introduction to Sociology
   B ACC 211 Financial Accounting
   B FOR 100 Introduction to Information Systems
   B ITM 215 Information Technologies for Business
   R CRJ 201 Introduction to the Criminal Justice Process
   R CRJ 203 Criminology
   R CRJ 281 or A MAT 108 Elementary Statistics
2. Core Competencies courses (16 credits)
   R CRJ 202 Introduction to Law and Criminal Justice
   B FOR 203 Networking and Cryptography
   B FOR 204 Introduction to Cybersecurity
   B FOR 300 Databases for Digital Forensics or B FOR 205 Introduction to Database Systems
   B FOR 400 Forensic Accounting and Fraud Detection
3. Concentration courses (21 credits)
   B FOR 201 Introduction to Digital Forensics
   B FOR 202 Cyber Crime Investigations
   B FOR 301 Computer Forensics
   B FOR 302 eDiscovery Forensics
   B FOR 303 Computer and Memory Forensics
   B FOR 304 Mobile Forensics
   B FOR 404 Forensic Accounting Investigative Techniques or B FOR 403 Risk Analysis & Security Policies
4. Capstone courses (8 credits)
   B FOR 401W Advanced Digital Forensics
   B FOR 402 eDiscovery Forensics and Moot Courts

Department of Information Systems and Business Analytics
Certificate in Business Analytics

There is growing demand for people with skills in data management and analysis. National and international companies recognize that the application of business analytics has a positive impact on their businesses. However, a shortage of business analytics professionals that have business and/or STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) backgrounds exists. The Certificate in Business Analytics program aims to provide the skills necessary to satisfy the needs of the marketplace. The program consists of the following five courses:

1. B ITM 215 Information Technologies for Business - introduces Excel spreadsheet analysis;
2. B ITM 322 Quantitative Analysis for Business Decisions - focuses on statistical methods, including data collection, hypothesis testing, and multiple regression analysis;
3. B ITM 330 Improving Business Performance with Information Technologies - covers data management, database design, and structured query language (SQL);
4. B ITM 415 Data Analytics in Business - emphasizes data management and predictive analytics;
5. B ITM 416 Topics in Business Analytics - exposes students to analytical techniques that are not covered in B ITM 415.

The certificate is relevant to business and STEM majors wanting to make themselves more marketable in today's world.

Admission Requirements

Admissions to the Certificate program is by application. School of Business majors apply through School of Business Undergraduate Student Services. Students from other schools and non-majors should contact either their Department Advisor or the ISBA Department Chair for application details. Matriculated University at Albany students must apply for the Certificate in Business Analytics through no later than the start of their Senior year.

Acceptance into the certificate program requires a 3.25 GPA and junior standing, or an equivalent achievement in an Associate's degree. To retain eligibility for the certificate, students must achieve a B or better grade in each of the courses required for the certificate. In exceptional cases this retention requirement may be waived by the department faculty or designate.