Quote :

"North Carolina State is the first U.S. research university to launch a master’s level curriculum in Services and Sciences Management."

Quote :

"On August 24, North Carolina State University’s Colleges of Engineering and Management became ground zero for a new era in computing education. The event: the launch of a new master’s-level curriculum in Services Sciences Management and Engineering (SSME). "

http://www.research.ibm.com/ssme/

http://www.research.ibm.com/ssme/20060116_NewAcademic.shtml

anyone on tww involved in this program?

9/18/2006 4:34:08 PM

Quote :

"A team of faculty members from the management and engineering colleges has developed five new services-related courses that will be added to the MBA and Master of Science in Computer Networking (MSCN) programs. "

First thing I thought before I read this was "Isn't this a concentration within the MBA program anyways?". And if I'm reaidng this correctly, it's not actually a degree, just a modification of the current cirriculum to add more courses?

9/18/2006 9:21:39 PM

that's what it looks like to me also - ibm sees a lot of project managers retiring or about to be retiring so supported this cause

9/18/2006 9:24:41 PM

Dunno if anybody else is going to respond to this thread but...

I personally don't like either the IT or the Services concentrations. Maybe I'm biased because the program I'm in is flooded with courses ... but both look like they are missing out on areas of knowledge they really should have. By definition, that's what a concentration is supposed to be ... but for an MBA, meh, I feel it should be more well-rounded. My $0.02.

9/19/2006 7:34:30 AM

Quote :

"First thing I thought before I read this was "Isn't this a concentration within the MBA program anyways?". And if I'm reaidng this correctly, it's not actually a degree, just a modification of the current cirriculum to add more courses?"

It's a new concentration within the MBA program. It was officially announced several months ago - http://www.mgt.ncsu.edu/news/2006/mba_ssme.php - and there was a kick off event during the first class for the Service Management course on 8/24. It was also mentioned in the WSJ last week.

I'm not sure what you think is missing from the Service Management concentration, as compared to the Product Innovation, Biotech-Pharmaceutical, or Entrepreneurship concentrations. None of those seem to be as focused as the Marketing or Finance concentrations but, as you say, there can be an advantage to a more rounded MBA curriculum.

9/19/2006 2:58:58 PM

anymore info on this?

9/20/2006 8:39:28 PM

On the CSC side, you might want to talk to Harry Perros.

9/21/2006 12:52:09 AM

ibm is trying to buy the curriculum, it was in WSJ

and as for the well rounded mba, other than your concentration you will have the same core classes and some variation for certain electives, but it's a pretty solid program

9/21/2006 12:59:35 AM

Its a joint program - the CNE side isn't quite finished yet and it appears that the curriculum is still being worked out. There is one course being offered this fall - Services Management (that I'm in currently - it's probably a 60/40 mba/engineer mix). It's taught by Montoya (BUS) and Perros (CSC).

And in response to perlith, there are no other 'Services' concentrations that I'm aware of so I don't really see how you can be biased against it. IBM does have a heavy hand invested in the program which I'm sure will get criticism - and rightly so.

9/21/2006 7:04:34 AM

minion, here are the list of courses I'm taking as a part of my MBA (at VT), which mostly explains my bias.

Quote :

" Accounting Fundamentals Organizational Behavior Business Decision Making Financial and Economic Environment Operations Management in a Global Environment Marketing Principles IT for Business Decisions Asset Valuation and Options Entrepreneurial Leadership in a Technology Environment Equity Markets and Interest Rates Marketing Analysis and Strategy Business Negotiations Program Management and Project Leadership Financial Reporting for Governance and Control Capital Investment and Capital Structure eBusiness Innovation and Implementation International Marketing Strategy Venture Capital and Investment Banking Currency and Global Finance Technology Innovation for Competitiveness Management of Enterprise Systems Business Ethics and Culture in a Global Environment Global Strategic Management (Competitive Strategies in a Global Environment) Company Projects "

Another thought: I'd like to see is two semesters of consulting rather than one.

9/21/2006 9:59:26 AM

Your class list doesn't match http://www.mba.vt.edu/full_time_prospective_coursesnapshot.htm
(that link seems similar to http://www.mgt.ncsu.edu/mba/future/academics/course_sequences.php#newFT at NC State)

What program are you in at VT? With so many classes total, are you doing mini-semesters?

9/21/2006 8:43:16 PM