Introduction to Business Management

BK1. No previous curricular units are formally required.
BK2. Basic ability to interpret texts, tables, graphs and simple quantitative information.
BK3. Elementary skills in the use of digital platforms, productivity tools and information searches.
BK4. English language skills sufficient for the guided reading of introductory management texts.

TM1. Interactive lectures: structured presentation of key concepts, supported by questions, business examples, audiovisual resources and digital interaction tools.

TM2. Case-based learning: analysis and discussion of business situations in which students apply the concepts and tools covered in the curricular unit.

TM3. Problem- and project-based learning: group development of an applied diagnosis concerning a real or simulated organisation or business situation.

TM4. Collaborative learning: debates, exercises, simulations and decision-making activities, with clearly defined individual responsibilities.

TM5. Tutorials and feedback: monitoring of the different stages of students’ work and provision of formative feedback.

TM6. Guided independent study: reading of selected chapters, analysing business cases and news, and completing activities made available on the learning platform.

Interactive lectures mainly support LO1 to LO6. Cases, problems and projects support LO3 to LO8. Debates, presentations and oral defences develop communication, critical thinking, teamwork and autonomy.

Students may choose one of the following assessment schemes:

A) Continuous assessment

AM1. Two individual written tests - 50%

Students complete two individual written tests, each worth 25% of the final grade, covering the main concepts, models and tools addressed in the curricular unit. Both tests are compulsory, and a minimum mark of 8 out of 20 is required in each test.

AM2. Applied group project - 30%

Students develop a project focusing on the analysis of an organisation, a management problem, or a real or simulated business situation. The project is presented in a written report and must demonstrate the appropriate and well-supported application of the concepts and tools covered in the curricular unit. A minimum mark of 9.5 out of 20 is required.

AM3. Individual oral presentation and defence - 20%

Students present the project orally, explain their individual contribution and answer questions concerning the entire project and the contents of the curricular unit. This component is compulsory and requires a minimum mark of 9.5 out of 20.

Final grade formula

FG = 0.25 × Test 1 + 0.25 × Test 2 + 0.30 × AM2 + 0.20 × AM3

To pass the curricular unit, students must obtain a final grade of at least 9.5 out of 20 and meet the minimum mark established for each assessment component.

Failure to complete any compulsory assessment component or to achieve the corresponding minimum mark results in failure under the continuous assessment scheme.

B) Examination assessment with project marks

Under this scheme, students complete an individual written examination and retain the marks obtained in the applied project and its individual oral presentation and defence.

AM4. Individual written examination - 50%

The examination covers the entire syllabus and replaces the two tests included in the continuous assessment scheme. A minimum mark of 8 out of 20 is required.

AM2. Applied group project - 30%

The mark obtained in the project completed during the same academic year is taken into account. A minimum mark of 9.5 out of 20 is required.

AM3. Individual oral presentation and defence - 20%

The mark obtained in the individual oral presentation and defence of the project is taken into account. This component is compulsory and requires a minimum mark of 9.5 out of 20.

Final grade formula

FG = 0.50 × AM4 + 0.30 × AM2 + 0.20 × AM3

To pass the curricular unit, students must obtain a final grade of at least 9.5 out of 20 and meet the minimum marks established for all assessment components.

The AM2 and AM3 marks may be used during the examination periods of the same academic year. Students who have not completed the project and its oral presentation and defence may not choose this assessment scheme.

C) Examination assessment

AM5. Individual written examination - 100%

The examination covers the entire syllabus and requires a minimum mark of 9.5 out of 20. The use of artificial intelligence tools is not permitted.

Working-student status

Students holding working-student status benefit from the conditions established in the applicable legislation and institutional regulations. Where there are demonstrable difficulties in participating in a group project, the project may be completed individually, subject to prior agreement with the lecturer. The individual oral presentation and defence remain compulsory.

Use of artificial intelligence

The use of artificial intelligence tools is:

• prohibited during the written tests, the individual written examination, and the oral presentation and defence;
• permitted on a limited basis in the applied project, namely for exploratory research, the initial organisation of ideas, language revision or technical support.

Artificial intelligence may not replace students’ analysis, argumentation, selection of information or decision-making. The report must include a declaration on the use of AI, identifying the tools used, the purpose of their use and how the outputs were verified and critically reviewed.

Undeclared use of AI or the presentation of AI-generated content as the student’s own work will be addressed in accordance with the applicable institutional rules on academic integrity.

NAO