Business and Entrepreneurship Programs

Engineering Business Minor

The Engineering Business Minor is being revised. Students enrolled in the minor as of the start of the 2023-24 academic year may complete the minor by following the requirements below.

We expect to start offering the new minor in the 2024-25 academic year, including publishing requirements and application details in early 2024.

Students interested in minoring in business should consider the general business minor.

Engineering Business Minor Requirements

The Engineering Business Minor requires the successful completion of three required courses and three electives.

Students pursuing the minor should declare the minor as early as possible since COMM 2010 and STS 4810 are restricted to students in the minor. Students generally take STS 4810 in their fourth year of study.

Required Courses (three):

All students, regardless of graduating class, must take these 3 courses in the following recommended sequence:

COMM 2010: Introduction to Financial Accounting (Recommended for either spring, second year or spring, third year)

ECON 2010: Principles of Economics: Microeconomics (Recommended for either fall or spring, first year)

STS 4810: The Business of New Product Development (Recommended for either fall or spring, fourth year)

Electives (Students choose three):

Be sure to check SIS for courses offered for a particular semester.

The three electives, from the STS 2700 series courses or the STS 2800 series courses, can be taken in any semester beginning in the spring of your second year. Look under the “Courses” tab for course descriptions.

CE 2030: Management of Engineering and Construction Projects
CE 3010: Projects Business Planning

COMM 2020: Introduction to Management Accounting
COMM 2600: Leadership across Disciplines (best for SEAS students in spring)
COMM 2610: Startup
COMM 3200: Project Management
COMM 3410: Commercial Law I
COMM 3420: Commercial Law II
COMM 3600: Principles and Practices of Arts Administration
COMM 3660: Business of Consulting (J-term not currently offered)
COMM 3800: Business, Government, and Society
COMM 3810: Business Ethics
COMM 3845: Foundations of International Business (requires 4th year status)
COMM 4230: Information Technology in Finance
COMM 4240: Electronic Commerce
COMM 4570: Topics in Finance: Investing in a Sustainable Future
COMM 4650: Business, Politics, and Culture in the European Union (offered May term)
COMM 4660: The Advice Business:  The Basics of Strategic Consulting
COMM 4821: Managing Sustainability Development
COMM 4822: Investing in a Sustainable Future

CS 4753: Electronic Commerce Technologies

ECON 2020: Principles of Economics: Macroeconomics
ECON 2060: American Economic History
ECON 3030: Money and Banking
ECON 4210 International Trade: Theory & Policy
ECON 4350 Corporate Finance

ENGR 4599: Special Topics in Engineering: Business Intelligence
ENGR 4880: Business and Technical Leadership in Engineering

ENTP 1010: Startup: An Introduction to Entrepreneurship

STS 1800: Business Fundamentals for Engineers
STS 3020: Science and Technology Policy for Interns

SYS 2057: Management of E-Commerce Systems
SYS 3054: Argentina (J-Term)  
SYS 4000: Financial Aspects of Engineering
SYS 4044: Economics of Engineering Systems
SYS 5044: Economics of Engineering 

 

McIntire School of Commerce General Business Minor

The General Business Minor is administered by the McIntire School of Commerce.

What is the purpose of the General Business Minor?

The GBM equips students with fundamental business knowledge and skills that will prepare them to make a positive impact at work and in society. The minor is intended to complement majors pursued in other schools at the University.

Who can complete the General Business Minor?

The GBM is intended to serve students across the University who are not enrolled in the B.S. in Commerce Program. Participation in the GBM is currently limited during this pilot phase, but capacity in the program will grow over time.

What are the course requirements for the General Business Minor?

The GBM is a 15-credit program. There are 9 credits of required courses—COMM 1800 (3 credits) and four core courses (1.5 credits each) designed to cover the major areas of business beyond Management (which is covered in COMM 1800): Accounting, Finance, Marketing, and Information Technology. Please note that COMM 1800 is a prerequisite for all four of the minor core courses. McIntire recommends students interested in pursuing the minor take this course in their first or second year. In addition, students must complete a total of 6 credits in elective courses.

GBM Requirements Credits
COMM 1800: Foundations of Commerce 3
Minor Core Courses  
CGBM 2110: Accounting for Business 1.5
CGBM 2710: Making Financial Decisions 1.5
CGBM 2310: Principles of Marketing 1.5
CGBM 2210: Digital Skills for the Workplace 1.5
Minor Electives* 6

 

*Courses from the McIntire School of Commerce, the College of Arts & Science, and the Engineering School are included on the list of approved electives. Students may choose to take any of the elective courses that best meet their interests. For example, the following Engineering courses are approved electives for the minor:

  • STS 4810 New Product Development (3 credits)
  • STS 2730 Engineers & the Art of the Deal (3 credits)
  • STS 2830 Innovation and New Ventures (3 credits)
  • STS 2850 Government and Entrepreneurship (3 credits)

How do I apply and get started?

All students begin the minor by taking COMM 1800. McIntire is working with the Engineering School to ensure there are reserved seats in this course for SEAS students. After COMM 1800, students will then be able to take the four course courses. There is no application process for the minor, but students may declare the General Business Minor after completing COMM 1800 and two core courses.

If you are interested in learning more about the General Business Minor, please contact the McIntire School of Commerce.

 

Entrepreneurship Minor

The technology entrepreneurship minor is administered by the McIntire School of Commerce. Visit their program page to learn more.

  • OTHER Frequently Asked Questions

    Q: Is the tech entrepreneurship minor only for engineers? Can I take it if I'm not an engineer?
    Yes. The minor is open to all UVA students

    Q: Will the minor show up on my diploma?
    Yes; but the venture track is life learning rather than a diploma distinction. 
    The venture track can lead to the minor, and the minor track can segue into venture track.

    Q: Do I have to apply to be admitted to the minor?
    No (??)

    Q: I am interested in the new General Business Minor, what do I do?
    Start by taking Comm 1800 which is pathway and introduction to the minor.

    Q: I am currently working on an Engineering Business minor track; can I switch to the Technology Enrepreneurship Minor?
    3rd years are eligible and should contact Doug Garland.
    4th years may not pivot to the new track. 
    NOTE: Applications for engineering business minors are no longer  being accepted.

    Q: If I started as an engineering business minor, do I have to switch?
    Depending on where you are in process, you may be able to finish those requirements. Contact the program to find the best option.  

    Q: What do I do if I have an idea for a startup or invention that could be marketable?  Do I have to be affliaed wth the program to get involved with entrepreneurship? 
    UVA's entrepreneurship resources can be utilized by any student or faculy member interested in start ups, venture captial, entreprenuership or intellectual property.