B-School Introduces Computers to Curriculum

The Business School, aiming to expand the role of computers in business education, recently introduced changes in two of its programs.

Students in the Master's of Business Administration (MBA), program will use personal computers for Managerial Economics classes in January, according to Professor of Business Administration F. Warren McFarlan, chairman of the Required Course Subcommittee.

Personal computers to aid in case preparation have also been installed in every room in the dorm used for the Program for Management Development (PMD), a 14-week seminar for business executives.

MBA students already have access to computers through non-graded first-year business games in which students compete in a simulated business environment, and in second year electives. Computers are not part of the required curriculum.

Some students perceive computers as an important management tool. Donna Florence one of the student members of the Required Course Subcommittee, said this week adding there is a lot of enthusiasm for computers on campus.

Aside from aiming to improve the manage trial of skills of more than 100 businessmen from all over the world PMD is also the testing ground for a joint B School IBM research project which explores the future role of computers in a business curriculum.

PMD is the experimental unit for the MBA program. Professor of Business Administration Paul Vatter director of the program, said yesterday. He added, "Our experience will be very useful once we start introducing computers into the MBA program on a larger scale. The MBA program will be able to draw on our existing sources of materials and know-how."

Although MBA professors and administration agreed that there will be further integration of computers in the curriculum, they said they were uncertain of the extent.

The subcommittee is examining a variety of ways of increasing computer use on campus, ranging from using computers in more courses, to possibly, putting personal computers in all dorm rooms.

"There could be a big change in the curriculum but a lot depends on the success of the two [Managerial Economic] cases in January." She said.

Professors were unable, however, to comment on whether cases currently used in Managerial Economics classes could be tailored for computer use, or whether new cases would have to be developed.

The B-School case method teaches concepts through simulated business situations.

Vatter added that the greater exposure of students to computer should lead to an "increase in analytic abilities in case preparation."

In addition, he said, "We want to provide a feeling for the office of the future since many of our participants will be instituting major technological changes in their office.