Course Synopses

DPM 101-2     Financial Accounting 1

An introductory course which deals with the basic purpose of accounting, accounting concepts and terminology, double entry book-keeping and procedures used in book-keeping and accounts, the use of journals and ledgers, and the preparation of simple financial statements and control accounts.

DPM 102-2     Communication Skills 1

Covers a variety of topics including: communication theory, how to read effectively, effective writing, how to take notes and examination techniques and business communication techniques and procedures.

DPM 103-2     Business Economics 1

The course covers the basic principles of economics, resource scarcity, choice and opportunity cost, economic systems, price theory, consumer theory, theory of production, theory of costs, market structures, economic efficiency and equity.

DPM 104-2     Introduction to Business Mathematics

Students will be introduced to decimals, fractions, estimation, signed numbers, discount, interest, ratios, and percentages including percentage rates of growth, metric units, scale reading, coordinates, scales, drawing and interpretation of different types of growth, as well as business mathematics applications in business operations.

DPM 105-2     Principles of Management

Covers an analysis of the basic managerial processes and functions at the administrative, staff and operational levels of the firm. Attention will be given to the role of organizational theory as it applies to achieving managerial objectives.

DPM 106-2     Business Law

Introduces to the student the essential elements of business contracts and addresses the consequences of a void contract, the grounds for a voidable contract etc. Emphasis is placed on business law as it relates to sales, agency, mortgage, insurance etc. An introduction to partnership law and company law will also be covered.

DPM 201-2     Financial Accounting II

Focuses on the preparation and interpretation of financial accounts of different types of firms, manufacturing, trading and profit and loss accounts, the basic accounting concepts and procedures as well as the use financial accounting data for decision making, including the preparation income tax returns for businesses.

DPM 202-2     Communication Skills II

Provides students with an understanding of and practice in using the study skills appropriate to business environment. Students learn about study skills, comprehension, note taking, writing, and language skills. Emphasis will be placed on developing effective communication skills for use in business operations, including the preparation of business documents/reports and business venture proposals.

DPM 203-2     Business Economics II

This is the continuation of Business Economic I. The course covers national accounting income, the circular flow of income, unemployment, inflation, money and banking, the role of financial institutions in Lesotho, as well as micro and macro economic theory applications to the Lesotho economy.

DPM 204-2     Quantitative Techniques

Covers exponents, algebraic variables, algebraic equations, inequality functions and graphs and their applications and relevancy to business management problem situations.

DPM 205-2     Business Statistics

This course covers the nature of statistical data, population and samples, variables, frequency distributions, sigma notation, measure of central tendency, measure of variation, simple linear regression analysis models and correlation, index numbers and introduction to probability.

DPM 206-2     Computer Applications

Reviews the history of computers the computer as an information processing system as well as the need for and use of information in organizations. Introduces students to computer hardware and software used in the areas of accounting and management. Emphasis is placed on operating systems, word-processing, spreadsheets and their applications in business operations.

DPM 207-2     Cost Accounting

The course provides an introduction to concepts, basic techniques and application of cost and management accounting in a modern business environment. Attention is paid to cost elements of product, overhead allocation, introduction to standard costing, budgeting, variance analysis, pricing strategies and CVP relationships.

DPM 301-2     Business Finance

Introduces students to the area of business finance and focuses on the sources of finance as well as short term and long forms of finance. Emphasis is placed on financing of objectives of small firms. The course also covers working capital management, interpretation of financial statements and local and international monetary and capital markets as well as preparation of business venture feasibility for small-scale enterprises.

DPM 302-2     Information Systems

Introduces students to the concepts of systems theory and the integration of subsystems into business/management information systems. Focus on the characteristics of information technology in business operations, reviews strategies which are useful in the implementation of effective business systems. Introduces students to data analysis, database design, the practical use of business-oriented software, computing packages and applications, and e-commerce operations.

DPM 303-2     Human Resource Management

Focuses on the techniques and skills which are utilized in the area of human resources management. Covers management responsibilities dealing with people, the role of human resources management function within an organization as well as in the recruitment, selection and performance appraisal processes, and the management of the industrial relations, health and safety at the work place.

DPM 304-2     Principles of Marketing

Emphasis is placed on marketing as a basic function within a firm and in the economy. Focuses on the relationship between marketing activities and the consumer and addresses both functional and institutional components of marketing, analysis of the product, distribution channels, price and promotion.

DPM 305-2     Production and Operations Management

Surveys the major production and operations functions of firms. Stresses the identification of major problem areas associated with these functions such as aggregate planning, process design, quality control and the development of concepts and decision processes which are used to deal with the management of production function in both manufacturing and services enterprises.

DPM 306-2     Small Business Management

The course examines small businesses from the perspective of owner/manager and focuses on launching, organizing and operating small-scale enterprises; local and regional small scale business support structures; as well as the formulation and implementation of small business management strategies. Students will be expected to develop business plans for both sale-scale and medium scale business ventures/enterprises.