Master of Science

in Business Studies
(MSBS):
Research-Based
Program with Six
Tracks
 PROGRAM TITLE:
Master of Science in Business Studies (MSBS)

An applicant for admission into the full-time two-year MSBS program should have the following
minimum requirements:

• 4-year Bachelor’s (B.S., B.Sc., or B.E.) degree in business, engineering, or science from a recognized
institution/university.
• CGPA not less than 3.0 out of 4.00 or equivalent. Original transcripts and official degree certificates
are required for final admission.
• The completion of TOEFL with a minimum score of 520 (PBT), 190 (CBT) or 69 (IBT). The TOEFL
score must be sent directly to the Deanship of Graduate Studies (KFUPM code is 0868). IELTS is also
accepted with a minimum score of 6.0.
• The completion of the GMAT or GRE with an acceptable score (the minimum acceptable score is
comparable to the scores acceptable by similar reputable master programs)
• 3 recommendation letters from the faculty who taught the applicant university-level courses.
• At least one course in college-level calculus, which covers both differentiation and integration
subjects.
• At least one course in college-level statistics.
• Working knowledge of computers as evidenced by any means (e.g., at least one course in
this area such as data processing, programming, information systems, etc.).
• A one-page statement of purpose

Notes
• Applications for competitive scholarships in the MSBS program are expected to demonstrate high
academic performance with a high GPA and a high GMAT score.
• Applicants with academic degrees earned from international universities may need (and are
highly recommended) to request a WES report for certificates authentication and GPA
conversion to the 4.0 scale (website: https://www.wes.org/). This report must be sent
directly from WES to the KBS Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs at KFUPM Business
School (email: kbs-gp@kfupm.edu.sa)

Program Description:

The MS in Business Studies program is designed to graduate students with business knowledge, soft skills,
and research skills that enable them to pursue an academic or professional career; produce high-quality
research that business scholars highly regard; and engage the community in valuable and enriching services.
Program Curriculum

Applicants must specify the MSBS track he/she interested in at the time of applying for admission.
There are six tracks in the MSBS program (the applicants will be considered only for the selected
track):

1. Master of Science in Business Studies – Accounting

2. Master of Science in Business Studies – Finance
3. Master of Science in Business Studies – Management
4. Master of Science in Business Studies – Marketing
5. Master of Science in Business Studies – Management Information Systems
6. Master of Science in Business Studies – Operations Management

1. Master of Science in Business Studies – Accounting

Proposed Curriculum
1. Degree Plan
First Semester

Course Course Course Title LR LB CR

Prefix Number
ACCT 508 Financial Accounting 3 0 3
FIN 510 Managerial Finance 3 0 3
BUS 505 Multivariate Data Analysis for Business 3 0 3
Elec 5xx Business Elective 3 0 3
12 0 12
Second Semester
ACCT 509 Financial Reporting and Analysis 3 0 3
ACCT 510 Managerial Accounting 3 0 3
ACCT 532 Auditing and Assurance 3 0 3
FIN 545 Financial Econometrics and Inference 3 0 3
12 0 12
Third Semester
MGT 512 Leadership& Organizational Behavior 3 0 3
Elec XXX Free Elective 3 0 3
BUS 599 Seminar 1 0 0
BUS 610 M. S. Thesis 0 0 IP
7 0 6
Fourth Semester
BUS 610 M.S. Thesis (continued) 0 0 6
0 0 6
Total Credit Hours 0 0 36
2. Master of Science in Business Studies – Finance
Proposed Curriculum
1. Degree Plan
First Semester

Course Course Course Title LR LB CR

Prefix Number
ACCT 508 Financial Accounting 3 0 3
ECON 510 Managerial Economics 3 0 3
FIN 510 Managerial Finance 3 0 3
BUS 505 Multivariate Data Analysis for Business 3 0 3
12 0 12
Second Semester
FIN 523 Investment Analysis 3 0 3
FIN 524 Financial Derivatives and Risk Management 3 0 3
Elec 5xx Business Elective 3 0 3
FIN 545 Financial Econometrics and Inference 3 0 3
12 0 12
Third Semester
MGT 512 Leadership& Organizational Behavior 3 0 3
Elec xxx Free Elective 3 0 3
BUS 599 Seminar 1 0 0
BUS 610 M. S. Thesis 0 0 IP
7 0 6
Fourth Semester
BUS 610 M.S. Thesis (continued) 0 0 6
0 0 6
Total Credit Hours 0 0 36
3. Master of Science in Business Studies – Management
Proposed Curriculum
1. Degree Plan
First Semester

Course Course Course Title LR LB CR

Prefix Number
MGT 512 Leadership & Organizational Behavior 3 0 3
MKT 510 Marketing Management 3 0 3
HRM 520 Human Resource Planning and Management 3 0 3
BUS 505 Multivariate Data Analysis for Business 3 0 3
12 0 12
Second Semester
ACCT 508 Financial Accounting 3 0 3
MGT 511 Organizational Theory and Design 3 0 3
MGT 580 Strategic Management 3 0 3
BUS 506 Research Methods 3 0 3
12 0 12
Third Semester
Elec 5xx Business Elective 3 0 3
Elec xxx Free Elective 3 0 3
BUS 599 Seminar 1 0 0
BUS 610 M. S. Thesis 0 0 IP
7 0 6
Fourth Semester
BUS 610 M.S. Thesis (continued) 0 0 6
0 0 6
Total Credit Hours 0 0 36
4. Master of Science in Business Studies – Marketing
Proposed Curriculum
1. Degree Plan
First Semester

Course Course Course Title LR LB CR

Prefix Number
ACCT 508 Financial Accounting 3 0 3
ECON 510 Managerial Economics 3 0 3
MKT 510 Marketing Management 3 0 3
BUS 505 Multivariate Data Analysis for Business 3 0 3
12 0 12
Second Semester
MKT 521 Buyer Behavior 3 0 3
MKT 526 Services Marketing 3 0 3
Elec 5xx Business Elective 3 0 3
BUS 506 Research Methods 3 0 3
12 0 12
Third Semester
MGT 512 Leadership& Organizational Behavior 3 0 3
Elec xxx Free Elective 3 0 3
BUS 599 Seminar 1 0 0
BUS 610 M. S. Thesis 0 0 IP
7 0 6
Fourth Semester
BUS 610 M.S. Thesis (continued) 0 0 6
0 0 6
Total Credit Hours 0 0 36
5. Master of Science in Business Studies – Management Information System
Proposed Curriculum
1. Degree Plan
First Semester

Course Course Course Title LR LB CR

Prefix Number
MIS 511 Information Technology in Organizations 3 0 3
MIS 512 Data Management 3 0 3
MIS 541 Introduction to Business Analytics 3 0 3
BUS 505 Multivariate Data Analysis for Business 3 0 3
12 0 12
Second Semester
ACCT 508 Financial Accounting 3 0 3
MGT 512 Leadership& Organizational Behavior 3 0 3
OM 513 Operations and Supply Chain Management 3 0 3
BUS 506 Research Methods 3 0 3
12 0 12
Third Semester
Elec 5xx Business Elective 3 0 3
Elec xxx Free Elective 3 0 3
BUS 599 Seminar 1 0 0
BUS 610 M. S. Thesis 0 0 IP
7 0 6
Fourth Semester
BUS 610 M.S. Thesis (continued) 0 0 6
0 0 6
Total Credit Hours 0 0 36
6. Master of Science in Business Studies – Operations Management
Proposed Curriculum
1. Degree Plan
First Semester

Course Course Course Title LR LB CR

Prefix Number
ACCT 508 Financial Accounting 3 0 3
OM 511 Management Science
OM 530 Supply Chain Management
BUS 505 Multivariate Data Analysis for Business
12 0 12
Second Semester
MGT 512 Leadership& Organizational Behavior 3 0 3
OM 513 Operations and Supply Chain Management 3 0 3
BUS 506 Research Methods 3 0 3
Elec xxx Free Elective 3 0 3
12 0 12
Third Semester
MIS 511 Information Technology in Organizations 3 0 3
Elec 5xx Business Elective 3 0 3
BUS 599 Seminar 1 0 0
BUS 610 M. S. Thesis 0 0 IP
7 0 6
Fourth Semester
BUS 610 M.S. Thesis (continued) 0 0 6
0 0 6
Total Credit Hours 0 0 36
3. List of all Core Courses with Descriptions

Core Courses:
• ACCT 508: Financial Accounting
• ACCT 509: Financial Reporting and Analysis
• ACCT 510: Managerial Accounting
• ACCT 532: Auditing and Assurance
• FIN 510: Managerial Finance
• FIN 523: Investment Analysis
• FIN 524: Financial Derivatives and Risk Management
• FIN 545: Financial Econometrics and Inference
• ECON 510: Managerial Economics
• MGT 511: Organizational Theory and Design
• MGT 512: Leadership and Organizational Behavior
• MGT 580: Strategic Management
• HRM 520: Human Resource planning and Management
• MKT 510: Marketing Management
• MKT 521: Buyer Behavior
• MKT 526: Service Marketing
• MIS 511: Information Technology in Organization
• MIS 512: Data Management
• MIS 541: Introduction to Business Analytics
• OM 511: Management Sciences
• OM 513: Operations and Supply Chain Management
• OM 530: Supply Chain Management
• BUS 505: Multivariate Data Analysis for Business
• BUS 506: Research Methods
• BUS 599: Seminar
• BUS 610: M.S. Thesis
 Core Courses Description

Accounting Courses
Course Course
No. Course Description
Number\code Title
An introduction to the basics principles, assumptions, concepts and
tools of financial accounting and corporate finance; the accounting
cycle; the structure and contents of the financial statements; pro
ACCT 508 forma financial statements; time value of money with applications
Financial
1 in capital budgeting; financial statement analysis; global,
Accounting
3-0-3 environmental and ethical dimensions of financial reporting and
financial management.

Prerequisites: Graduate Standing

Gives an overview of the objectives and framework of financial
reporting for prospective corporate consumers of financial
information, such as managers, stockholders, investors, creditors
and financial analysts. Emphasis will be on the analysis and
interpretations of corporate financial reports and publicly available
Financial financial information for risk assessment, forecasting, and decision‐
ACCT 509
Reporting making. The course will emphasize cross boarder financial reporting
2
and analysis (e.g. IFRS and role of IASB) in global capital market.
3-0-3
Analysis Ethical dimensions of corporate financial reporting will be
considered. Topics include income measurement, receivables,
inventory, long-lived assets, investments, liabilities, equity and
affiliates, off-balance sheet items, and cash flow analysis.

Pre-/Co-Requisites: ACCT 508

Provides the accounting concepts and techniques related to planning
and cost control. It also provides the framework to assess the
behavioral dimensions of control systems. Topics include
development and uses of accounting data for management decision-
ACCT 510
Managerial making; cost concepts, behavior, and systems; activity-based
3
Accounting costing and activity-based management; budgeting, planning and
3-0-3
control; pricing decisions, strategy and balanced scorecards,
performance measurement and compensation schemes, ethics and
management accounting practices.
Prerequisites: Graduate Standing
Examines the principles and practices of external auditing. Topics
include role of the auditor, organization of the audit profession, and
the audit environment; generally accepted auditing standards,
assurance services, auditor’s independence, professional ethics,
fraud auditing, forensic accounting techniques, auditor’s
ACCT 532 Auditing
responsibilities, and legal liability; illustration of audit applications
4 and
based on discussion of the theory of auditing combined with
3-0-3 Assurance
practical examples of auditing techniques and assurance procedures;
discussion and analysis in light of auditor’s reporting standards,
audit process and case studies and readings.

Prerequisites: ACCT 508

Finance Courses
Course Course
No. Course Description
Number\code Title
Emphasizes the impact of financing and investment decisions on
firm value. Topics include understanding risk and return, the role
of financial markets and institutions, information and pricing,
capital budgeting under uncertainty, firm valuation, capital
FIN 510 Managerial
1 structure, payout policy, leasing, mergers and acquisition,
3-0-3 Finance
takeovers and other forms of corporate restructuring, bankruptcy,
risk management, corporate governance, measuring and rewarding
performance.
Pre-/Co-requisites: ACCT 508
Covers the basic concepts and techniques of financial
investments. The topics covered include financial securities and
financial markets, market efficiency, asset pricing, portfolio
FIN 523 Investment theory, selection and management of financial assets, valuation
2
3-0-3 Analysis techniques for stocks and bonds, portfolio management, portfolio
performance measurement, derivatives and hedging.

Prerequisites: FIN 510

Covers the trading and pricing of a wide array of derivative
securities including financial options, futures, forwards, and swaps.
The topics covered include that operation of derivatives markets,
Financial trading strategies of derivatives, the payoff and valuation of
FIN 524 Derivatives divertive securities, the theory and approaches of derivative
3
3-0-3 and Risk pricing. The course will also cover the economic role of derivatives
Management and their use in managing risks such as currency risk, interest rate
risk, market risk, commodity risk, and general business risks.

Prerequisites: FIN 510

Economics Courses
Course Course
No. Course Description
Number\code Title
Links economic theories with business practice to create competitive
strategies for sustainability and growth. The topics covered include
demand and production theories, the theory of the firm, economic
ECON 510 Managerial optimization, cost/benefits analysis, pricing policies, information
1
3-0-3 Economics and efficiency, strategic interactions of consumers, firms, markets,
and regulators, and dynamics of competition.

Prerequisites: Graduate Standing

Management Courses
Course
No. Course Title Course Bulletin Description
Number\code
Analyzes organization as an open system, with an emphasis on
maximizing congruency among organizational structure,
strategies, and environments along with understanding the impact
of alternative design configurations and strategies on individual
and group behavior. Includes an understanding of organizational
Organizational goals, various designs and structures available for different
MGT 511
1 Theory and organizational contexts, organizational culture, and processes like
3-0-3
Design decision-making, communication etc. Primary focus will be on
organizational performance and effectiveness. Explains the
linkage between organizational theory and its practical
applications to everyday management.

Prerequisites: Graduate Standing

Looks at organizations as multilayered realities operating at
individual, group, interpersonal and collective levels. Addresses
issues of significance at all these four levels highlighting the role
of leadership in managing organizations effectively. Addresses a
range of topical themes such as contemporary theories and
models of leadership by focusing on leadership styles, managing
commitments, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, and
Leadership
team dynamics. Applies the theories from psychology and
MGT 512 and
2 sociology on leadership and managerial practice. Topics include
3-0-3 Organizational
individuals and teams, motivation, performance, rewards,
Behavior
problem solving, decision-making, communications, corporate
culture, political dynamics, diversity, power and influence,
conflict resolution, ethics, giving and receiving feedback,
managing work, negotiations, leadership as well as organizational
design and change.

Prerequisites: Graduate Standing

Introduces the process of strategic management in organizations,
including strategy formulation, implementation, and evaluation
from the viewpoint of the top management. Takes students
through three pillars of the strategic management framework.
First, students will be exposed to the tools and frameworks meant
to analyze a firm’s external environment, internal environment,
and organizational paradigm. Second, students will learn how to
MGT 580 Strategic assess a firm’s existing strategy and subsequently use the
3
3-0-3 Management information from their analysis to devise a new strategy or alter
an existing one. Third, students will learn how to implement an
organizational strategy by understanding the important role of
organizational change and the implications of business level
strategy on functional area strategies with emphasis on
integrating the functional areas of management.

Prerequisites: MGT-512 & MKT-510, and corequisite ACCT 508

Human Resource Management Courses
Course Course
No. Course Description
Number\code Title
Environmental forces shaping and impacting the human resource
function; human resource strategies; human resource planning;
Formulation and implementation of human resource strategies;
Human Alignment of human resource strategies with business and
HRM 520 Resource corporate strategies; human resource management process;
1
3-0-3 planning and Elements in the human resource management process;
Management Contribution of human resource to organizational success and
competitive advantage; Developing human resource plan.

Prerequisites: Graduate Standing

Marketing Courses
Course Course
No. Course Description
Number\code Title
Introduces fundamental aspects of marketing: how organizations
discover and translate target audiences’ needs and wants into
strategies for providing compelling value propositions that
maximize organizational objectives. Builds upon these foundations
to provide an understanding of the objectives and typical marketing
MKT 510 Marketing
1 strategies of organizations and to develop skills in applying the
3-0-3 Management
analytical concepts and tools of marketing to such decisions as
branding, pricing, distribution, and promotion and how to monitor
performance continually.

Prerequisites: Graduate Standing

Examines why consumers behave the way that they do. Introduces
basic concepts and principles in consumer/buyer behavior, decision
processes and behavior of individuals and organizations as they
relate to the purchase and consumption of goods and services.
Covers topics related to customer’s psychological processes (e.g.,
motivation, perception and attitudes, decision-making) and their
impact on marketing (e.g., demographics and segmentation,
MKT 521 Buyer
2 branding, customer satisfaction). Examines social and
3-0-3 Behavior
psychological influences on purchasing decisions, emphasizing
their implications for marketing strategy. Also covers concepts and
relevant psychological and sociological theories of the behavioral
sciences, research methods, and applications in marketing
management.

Prerequisites: MKT 510

Develops skills necessary to manage companies in an increasingly
service-oriented and technology driven economy. Gives an insight
into customer loyalty principles and interventions – including
customer experience design and implementation of customer
management program and in understanding customer loyalty
MKT 526 Service
3 drivers and their impact on growth and profitability. Consideration
3-0-3 Marketing
of demand management, customer portfolios, and frameworks to
understand and position services in highly competitive markets is
also included.

Prerequisites: MKT 510

Management Information System Courses
Course Course
No. Course Description
Number\code Title
Use of information systems in business; digital systems; digital
transformation; IT architecture and infrastructure; strategic
Information information systems and its role in creating competitive
MIS 511 Technology organizations, managing global corporations and adding business
1
3-0-3 in values. Topics covered include information systems strategy
Organization triangle, security, business intelligence, privacy and ethical
considerations.
Prerequisites: Graduate Standing
Data management concepts. Database support for various levels of
management. Relational database model. Database development
life cycle. Data modeling. Conceptual, logical and physical
MIS 512 Data
2 database design. Database integrity. Database languages and
3-0-3 Management
technology. Data and database administration.

Prerequisites: Graduate Standing

Introduction and scope to business analytics. Topics include data
issues, descriptive analytics, classification of learning algorithms,
Introduction
MIS 541 market basket analysis, logistics regression, ethical issues, R
3 to Business
3-0-3 programing, data visualization, and application of business
Analytics
analytics tools in different industries.
Prerequisites: Graduate Standing

Operations Management Courses

Course Course
No. Course Description
Number\code Title
The course is concerned with a wide variety of managerial
decision-making models currently used in the field of operations
management. Throughout the course, algebraic formulation and
spreadsheets modeling will be used side-by-side to help develop
conceptual thinking skills and how they are applied and
interpreted. Emphasis will be on primal and dual Linear and
OM 511 Management
1 Linear Programming, Integer Programming, Multi-objective,
3-0-3 Sciences
Transportation, Assignment, Transportation, and other Network
Optimization models. Students are expected to use the spreadsheet
modeling extensively throughout the semester to solve, analyze
and interpret the management science scenarios.

Prerequisites: Graduate Standing

Provides an overview of several operations and supply chain
management concepts including process design and analysis;
productivity competitiveness, operations strategy, forecasting,
Operations inventory management, quality management, scheduling, capacity
OM 513 and Supply planning, logistics and locations decisions, and project
2
3-0-3 Chain management. By focusing on the roles of different parties involved
Management in operations and their interactions, the course will help developing
the managerial insights for the supply chain management.

Prerequisites: Graduate Standing

 Course Course
No. Course Description
Number\code Title
Addresses strategic and tactical issues pertaining to an
organization’s global supply chain and logistics activities. Topics
include designing global supply chains, sourcing, evaluating
international suppliers, outsourcing, logistics, financial
Supply management issues, relationship management, information
OM 530
3 Chain management, inventory management, and integration and
3-0-3
Management performance measures. Relies on cases to understand and solve
problems related to the management of global supply chains and
logistics.

Prerequisites: Graduate Standing with OM 511 Pre-/Co-requisite

Research Courses
Course
No. Course Title Course Description
Number\code
Applications of statistical methods and econometric techniques in
finance problems using statistical packages. Introduction to
classical linear regression model and OLS estimates, assumptions,
Financial and diagnostic tests. Univariate and multivariate time series
FIN 545
1 Econometrics models, modelling long-run relationships, volatility and
3-0-3
and Inference correlations models, switching models, panel data, limited
dependent variable models, and various simulation methods.

Prerequisites: Graduate Standing

Graduate students are required to attend seminars given by faculty
members, visiting scholars, practicing managers and fellow
graduate students. Additionally, each student must deliver at least
one presentation on a contemporary business research topic.
BUS 599
2 Seminar Among other things, this course is designed to give the student an
1-0-0
overview of how to conduct research, apply research
methodology, comply with journal specifications and submission
requirements, and on membership of professional societies. The
course grade is a Pass or Fail.
Multivariate data analysis topics and the applications in the
business context, Examining Data, Factor Analysis, Multiple
Regression Analysis, Multiple Discriminate Analysis, Logistic
Multivariate
Regression, Multivariate Analysis of Variance, Cluster Analysis,
BUS 505 Data
3 Multidimensional Scaling, Correspondence Analysis, Structural
3-0-3 Analysis for
Equation Modeling (SEM), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA),
Business
Conjoint Analysis.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing

The philosophy of business research, research methods
(qualitative, quantitative, mixed), research problem/gap/question,
theoretical foundation, literature review, study design (cross-
sectional, longitudinal, experimental), study variables and
BUS 506 Research measurement scales, development and validation of a research
4
3-0-3 Methods instrument, sampling and data collection, data analysis,
interpretation and report preparation. Research impact on theory,
practice, and society. Research ethics and integrity.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing

 Course
No. Course Title Course Description
Number\code
The student will spend two consecutive semesters conducting a
thorough research in a topic in his concentration under the
supervision of a faculty member in the concentration area. A well-
BUS 610
5 M.S. Thesis written, defensible thesis is the expected outcome of this integral
0-0-6
degree component.

Pre-/Co-Requisite: BUS 599

 1. Courses Flow Chart: Master of Science in Business Studies – Accounting

First Semester Second Semester Third Semester Fourth Semester

Pre-/Co-
requisite
ACCT 508 ACCT 509 MGT 512 BUS 610
Pre-/Co-requisite

Pre-/Co-requisite
Prerequisite

Elec 5xx ACCT 510 Elec XXX

FIN 510 ACCT 532 BUS 599

BUS 505 FIN 545 BUS 610

2. Courses Flow Chart: Master of Science in Business Studies – Finance

First Semester Second Semester Third Semester Fourth Semester

ACCT 508 Elec 5xx MGT 512 BUS 610

Pre-/Co-requisite

ECON 510 FIN 523 Elec XXX

Prerequisite
Pre-/Co-requisite

FIN 510 FIN 524 BUS 599

BUS 505 FIN 545 BUS 610

3. Courses Flow Chart: Master of Science in Business Studies – Management

First Semester Second Semester Third Semester Fourth Semester

MGT 512 ACCT 508 Elec 5xx BUS 610

Pre-/Co-requisite

Corequisite
MKT 510 MGT 511 Elec Xxx

Pre-/Co-requisite
HRM 520 MGT 580 BUS 599

BUS 505 BUS 506 BUS 610

4. Master of Science in Business Studies – Marketing

First Semester Second Semester Third Semester Fourth Semester

ACCT 508 MKT 521 MGT 512 BUS 610

ECON 510 MKT 526 Elec XXX

Prerequisite

Pre-/Co-requisite

MKT 510 Elec 5XX BUS 599

BUS 505 BUS 506 BUS 610

 5. Master of Science in Business Studies – Management Information Systems

First Semester Second Semester Third Semester Fourth Semester

MIS 511 OM 513 Elec 5XX BUS 610

MIS 512 ACCT 508 Elec XXX

Pre-/Co-Requisite
MIS 541 MGT 512 BUS 599

BUS 505 BUS 506 BUS 610

6. Master of Science in Business Studies – Operations Management

First Semester Second Semester Third Semester Fourth Semester

ACCT 508 Elec 5XX MIS 511 BUS 610

Pre-/Co-Requisite

OM 530 MGT 512 Elec XXX

Corequisite

OM 511 OM 513 BUS 599

BUS 505 BUS 506 BUS 610