Sarit Markovich

Business for Scientists and Engineers

For practitioners and academics in science and engineering, this highly focused program provides a solid grounding in business concepts, industry-specific tools and practical frameworks for developing the business acumen you need to advance your life’s work.

FinTech Strategy: Innovations in Financial Services (STRTX-461-0)

Financial Technology (FinTech) firms are changing the type, frequency, and the way we use financial services. FinTech innovations have a great capacity to transform the financial system because many of these innovations are at a deeper level than traditional financial innovation. Blockchain, for example, can speed up clearing while keeping it secure, as opposed to an introduction of a new type of security which only changes small features of an existing product. While FinTech companies attract a lot of VC money, many of these initiatives will likely turn out to be not sustainable. In this course we will use economic frameworks that both new entrants and conventional financial institutions can use to differentiate the potential gold from the glitter. In addition, we will assess the viability of partnerships and other win-win strategies conventional financial institutions and new non-financial institutions can employ.

Field Study (STRT-498-5)

Field Studies include those opportunities outside of the regular curriculum in which a student is working with an outside company or non-profit organization to address a real-world business challenge for course credit under the oversight of a faculty member.

Field Study (STRT-498-0)

Field Studies include those opportunities outside of the regular curriculum in which a student is working with an outside company or non-profit organization to address a real-world business challenge for course credit under the oversight of a faculty member.

Technology and Innovation Strategy (STRT-463-0)

This course develops approaches to analyzing strategies within technology markets. It teaches students how to analyze technology markets, where firm structure, product cycles and competitive environment change rapidly. The course offers tools to analyzing both entrepreneurial and corporate innovation strategy. These issues are illustrated through general readings and with cases from computing, electronics, online, communication, and transportation markets. The course strikes a balance between presenting a few general models of market behavior and presenting a few key episodes of market behavior. It is aimed at three types of students: those who anticipate taking management positions in technology-intensive firms where they must formulate strategy, those who anticipate investing in technology markets and must analyze firm strategy, and those who anticipate contracting with firms that do much of their business in these types of markets. Discussion questions, individual assignment, and final exam.

FinTech Strategy (STRT-461-5)

Financial Technology (FinTech) firms are changing the type, frequency, and the way we use financial services. FinTech innovations have a great capacity to transform the financial system because many of these innovations are at a deeper level than traditional financial innovation. Blockchain, for example, can speed up clearing while keeping it secure, as opposed to an introduction of a new type of security which only changes small features of an existing product. FinTech companies attract a lot of VC money. Many of these initiatives, however, will likely turn out to be not sustainable. This course builds upon your existing courses and frameworks to provide the tools necessary for crafting successful strategies for fintechs to compete with traditional financial institutions (TFIs) as well as for TFIs to compete with fintechs. The course is aimed at students who anticipate working at financial services firms (whether fintechs or traditionals), students who anticipate investing in firms in financial technology markets and must analyze firm strategy, and those interested in entrepreneurship in general. Discussion questions, group project, and final exam.

Business Strategy (STRT-431-0)

Strategy is the set of objectives, policies and resource commitments that collectively determine how a business positions itself to create wealth for its owners. This course introduces students to principles and conceptual frameworks for evaluating and formulating business strategy. Topics include the boundaries of the firm, the analysis of industry economics, strategic positioning and competitive advantage, and the role of resources and capabilities in shaping and sustaining competitive advantages.

Field Study (MECN-498-0)

Field Studies include those opportunities outside of the regular curriculum in which a student is working with an outside company or non-profit organization to address a real-world business challenge for course credit under the oversight of a faculty member.