Abstract

This presentation reviews insights drawn from an E-commerce course developed for STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) students. The course was developed for over two years and offered to undergraduate students at universities both in the United States and Israel.
The presentation will include insights resulted from surveys filled by 60 students before, during and after taking the course. They include tips in three major domains (1) Integration of business and technology – The course is built on a multidisciplinary approach which reviews the various aspects of conducting business online, including business strategies, technical infrastructure, design practices and other commercial, social and technical considerations surrounding the analysis and implementation of e-business. (2) Relation to industry - Students are exposed to a variety of industry resources, real-world business examples and a caliber of technology with which they will work in their careers. Guest lectures by leading practitioners also provide real-world context (3) Practical experience - The course deliverables are based on real-life projects, which can be translated later in the job market. They include business analysis of an existing e-business, developing an original business idea in the form of an investors proposal and receiving a Google AdWords certification, a professional accreditation by Google that recognizes individuals as experts in online advertising.