Faculty of Economics and Business Administration

FACULTY OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

ERASMUS+ Faculty Coordinator: Mrs. Alida Rizova,

Course
(in the foreign language) / Language / Semester
(winter/summer) / ECTS
(credits) / Number of hours / Professor
Lectures / Exercises/Seminars / Practical work
MICROECONOMICS I ( PART 1 AND 2) / English / winter / 9 / 60 / 60 / Assoc. Prof. Teodor Sedlarski
The course is designed for students in their first year. Introduces basic topics and concepts. Market price, general equilibrium, demand and supply curve, alternative price, elasticity, marginal utility, indifference curve, perfect and imperfect competition, maximization of public utility.
PRINCIPLES OF STATISTICS (PART 1 AND 2) / English / summer / 4+4 / 30 +30 / 30+30 / Prof. Georgi Chobanov
Aim of the course: approaches, methods and tools for collection, analysis and processing of data, modeling and study of business processes and phenomena. Content: axiomatic theory of probability including probability spaces, random variables, random processes, point estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis tests.
PUBLIC FINANCE / English / winter / 6 / 45 / 30 / Assoc. Prof. Kaloyan Ganev
The Public Finance course provides the basic concepts and theoretical constructs of public sector economics. The topics include public goods, externalities, foundations of public choice theory, taxation, etc. Rudimentary models for fiscal policy analysis, automatic fiscal stabilizers and independent fiscal institutions are also discussed. The students will be capable of correctly identifying the role of government in the economy, to analyse the status and tendencies with respect to the core fiscal variables, to correctly assess the expected effects from changes in fiscal policy, the working of automatic stabilizers, etc.
ANALYSIS AND FORECASTING OF ECONOMIC TIME SERIES / English / winter / 7 / 30 / 30 / Assoc. Prof. Boyan Lomev
The Course is designed for Bachelor students from Economics Programme. The basic aim is to present contemporary theory of Time Series Analysis and Forecasting. Key aspect is the application of statistical and econometrics methods to real-life economic data, using Matlab software environment.
SURVEY DATA ANALYSIS / English / winter / 4 / 30 / Assoc. Prof. Ralitsa Simeonova –Ganeva
SDA is a logical continuation of economics, business, statistics and econometircs courses. Course objective is development of practical skills in survey data analysis using popular software packages in business and academics (SPSS and its open source equivalent – PSPP).
ECONOMETRIC METHODS AND MODELS
(MASTER’S COURSE) / English / winter / 5 / 30 / 45 / Course project / Assoc. Prof. Ralitsa Simeonova –Ganeva
The course provides students with econometric tools widely applied in contemporary financial, microeconomic and macroeconomic analysis in modeling cross-section and time-series data.
STATISTICAL METHODS FOR RISK ANALYSIS (MASTER’S COURSE) / English / winter / 6 / 60 / 30 / Assoc. Prof. Boyan Lomev
The focus of "Statistical Methods for Risk Analysis" subject are models and approaches for Market Risk estimation. Different Risk measures are introduced, namely Value at Risk (VaR) and Average Value at Risk (AVaR), along with Time series Models (ARIMA-GARCH) and Copulas. The concepts are illustrated with cases using Matlab software.
STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
(MASTER’S COURSE) / English / winter / 7.5 / 45 / 45 / Course project / Assoc. Prof. Miroslava Hristova
The course aims to provide a comprehensive, accurate and relevant introduction to the practice and study of strategic management today. It has a strong international and dynamic orientation. Numerous examples, case studies and illustrations help explain and further put into perspective the theoretical concepts, enabling thus course participants to easily put ideas in context and build own case studies and insight.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP (MASTER’S COURSE) / English / winter / 7.5 / 45 / 45 / Course project / Prof. Tzvetan Davidkov
Assoc. Prof. Desislava Yordanova
The course introduces students to basic concepts and approaches of entrepreneurship. Topics include: development of entrepreneurial skills, entrepreneurial idea, development of the idea, resources, entrepreneurial strategies, etc.
ECONOMIC STATISTICS / English / summer / 4 / 30 / 30 / Assoc. Prof. Ralitsa Simeonova –Ganeva
The aim of the course is the students to learn and apply the economic statistics methodology in making the right decisions in business management and in defining economic policy. Previous knowledge in Statistics, Micro-and Macroeconomics is required.
FUNDAMENTALS OF ECONOMETRICS / English / summer / 5 / 45 / 30 / Assoc. Prof. Boyan Lomev
The subject "Basic Econometrics" addresses the main topics in Econometric Modeling with accent on practical applications. Simple and Multiple Linear Regression Models are presented by a number of cases, solved in Excel. Some topics from Time Series Analysis are added, namely introduction to ARIMA models.
MACROECONOMICS 2 / English / summer / 7 / 45 / 45 / Prof. Stefan Petranov
The course builds on the introductory course Macroeconomics 1. It presents the current macroeconomic theories combined with analysis of numerous examples of real macroeconomic processes, dependencies and policies. The course reflects the dynamic nature of the subject, it takes a balanced approach to different schools and trends in macroeconomics. The course has adopted the European perspective which means that the focus, regulations, examples and data are mostly based on the practices of the EU.
DECISION MAKING UNDER RISK AND UNCERTAINTY / English / summer / 5 / 45 / Course project / Prof. Georgi Mengov
The subject of the course is decision making under risk and uncertainty by business and economic agents. It presents the basic theories of decision making used in situations with economic and business context. A special attention is given to the Prospect Theory of Kahneman and Tversky awarded the Nobel prize for economics. The course also explains common phenomena in decision making such as risk aversion when there is a certainty for profit and risk taking when faced with a sure loss, the delusions of the administrator, investor, manager and entrepreneur.
TELEMATICS AND BUSINESS APPLICATIONS / English / summer / 2 / 30 / Assoc. Prof. Diana Tisheva/
Albena Antonova
The course "Telematics and business applications" aims to introduce new emerging cyber-physical systems and Digital technologies, part of Industry 4.0 and 4th Industrial revolution.The course focus is to analyze new technologies and their main impact on business and economic development. The main concept behind is to develop forward looking thinking, understanding of the last technology outcomes and tech development, to analyze opportunities for technology introduction in companies.
ECONOMIC GROWTH
(MASTER’S COURSE) / English / summer / 4 / 30 / Assoc. Prof. Kaloyan Ganev
The course aims at building the basic knowledge of students in the theoretical foundations and the most important applications of economic growth theory. The main areas of exposition are related to the neoclassical growth theory as founded by R. Solow, as well as the new endogenous growth theory which emerged with the publication of P. Romer. Besides that, the course pays attention to the Schumpeterian approach, the linkages between inequality and growth, between institutions and growth, the role of technological diffusion, etc.
MICROECONOMETRICS
(MASTER’S COURSE) / English / summer / 6 / 45 / 45 / Assoc. Prof. Ralitsa Simeonova –Ganeva
The course provides the students with advanced econometric tools widely applied in the contemporary financial, microeconomic and macroeconomic analysis in analyzing and modeling panel data. The objectives of this course are both to advance students’ knowledge of modern econometric techniques and to develop students’ skills in applied quantitative analysis.
MACROECONOMETRICS
(MASTER’S COURSE) / English / summer / 6 / 45 / 45 / Assoc. Prof. Kaloyan Ganev
The course covers topics, such as: Introduction to Macroeconometrics, the Probabilistic Nature of Time series, Lag operators. ARIMA process and trends. Multivariate decompositions of time series and co-integration, Identification of macroeconometric models, Cowles Commission approach, LSE approach,Vector auto-regressions. Structural VARs. Vector error corrections models, etc.
WRITTEN BUSINESS COMMUNICATION / English
French
German / summer / 2 / 30 / Albena Berova
M. Markova
S. Hurleva
Students get acquainted with the processes of communication in an organization and its significancefor successful work; with the introduction and improvement of the main genreswritten and oral business communication; improves communicative culture andincreases the effectiveness of the contacts in everyday life; builds a theoretical frameworkfor reflection on communicative processes.
PRINCIPLES OF MARKETING / English / winter / 6 / 30 / 30 / Prof. Neviana Krusteva/
N. Stefanov
The Principles of Marketing course introduces the key elements, frameworks, concepts, models, and techniques in the Marketing field. It is designed to enhance the analytical and problem-solving skills of students and to prepare them to be able to make research, develop strategies and plan a marketing program.
Apart from covering the theoretical fundamentals, the seminars focus on the more practical and applicable side of Marketing. They provide examples of how companies organize their marketing efforts across a variety of business settings. In addition, a number of real life case studies are discussed and students have the opportunity to work with businesses in real time.
FUNDAMENTALS OF MANAGEMENT / English / winter / 9 / 45 / 45 / Course project / Assoc. Prof. Miroslava Hristova
The present Fundamentals of management course aims to provide a comprehensive, accurate and relevant introduction to the practice and study of management today. The course introduces the basic and essential concepts and definitions in the field of the management with relevance for the practice of firms, and points to the contemporary trends determining the management of organizations today. The course has a strong international and dynamic orientation. Numerous examples, case studies and illustrations help explain and further put into perspective the theoretical concepts, enabling thus course participants to easily put ideas in context and build own case studies and insight.
MATHEMATICS I / French / winter / 5 / 30 / 30 / Dr. Georgi Simidchiev
Analytical Geometry: the concept of curve equation, coordinate transformation and elementary problems; straight line and second-degree curves in the plane; example of linear programming; analytical geometry in the space; examples from the theory of securities portfolio. Linear algebra: linear vector spaces; linear dependence and basis; sets of linear equations; linear transforms and matrices; scalar product; quadratic forms; Leontev models. Real numbers, sequences and limits. Calculus (functions of a single real variable): limits; continuous functions; derivatives and differentials – definition, analytical and geometrical meaning; derivatives and study of functions; Taylor expansion; the concept of risk and camber. Elementary models in Economics.
MONEY, BANKING AND FINANCIAL MARKETS / English/German / winter / 7 / 60 / 30 / Ch. Asst. Georgi Ganev, Ph.D./ Prof. Ralf Anderegg – guest lecturer
The course in money and banking introduces students to the topic of monetary analysis and monetary policy. Money, their importance for modern economy, the financial system and the system of monetary policy, the mechanisms of action of various modern financial instruments are among the main topics that the course covers in depth. The course uses generalized models of the functioning of the economy to achieve an analysis of the latest theories of money and monetary policy. The practical examples are based on the experience and data of Bulgarian economy.
BUSINESS ENGLISH / English / winter / 3 / 30 / 30 / M. Tsaneva
It is English for Specific Purposes course at an advanced level. The themes are organized around the activities of a given company operating on the international and domestic markets. By looking in detail into the different aspects of the firm, corresponding thematic fields and related terminology are covered.
The above is illustrated by making a comparison of the work of two companies: an American one and a British one with the Bulgarian reality. The texts are selected to suit the needs of the course by focusing on language use. Students are contributing by bringing in the specific knowledge they have acquired so far.
MACROECONOMICS I – Part One / English / winter / 4 / 30 / 30 / Ch. Asst. Georgi Ganev, Ph.D.
In this course essential economic concepts such as scarcity, trade, demand and supply, macroeconomic indices and policy are introduced, defined and analyzed. The seminars offer a more practical approach to the theoretical issues discussed during the lectures. They also provide the foundations for economic modeling and analysis. The impact of the economy as a whole, as theory and practice, is the subject of particular emphasis during the lectures and seminars. The practical examples are based on the experience and data of the Bulgarian economy.
SOZIALPOLITIK / German / winter / 4 / 30 / Course project / Dr. Nicole Vetter – guest lecturer
Knowledge on Social market economy; Social policy; Civil society and Third Sector institutions. Introduction into the life situation approach/economic and sociological approaches to social policy/ conceptions of the social market economy/ introduction to gift and reciprocity/ principles, actors and history of d\social policy/ policy fields: health care, long-term care, pension, labour markets/ future challenges to social policy
ADVANCED FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT / English / winter / 4 / 30 / Assoc. Prof. Marselen Yovogan
Students acquire theoretical and practical knowledge concerning the nature of analysis of the company’s financial condition. Obtain proficiency in: creative accounting, manipulation of financial results, evaluation of companies forecasting and detection of potentially falling into financial insolvency.
ORGANIZATIONAL THEORY / English / winter / 7,5 / 45 / 45 / Assoc. Prof. Miroslava Hristova
The course focuses on one of the most daunting tasks of strategic management – to align strategy and structure. The course studies the fundamentals of organizational structure, various approaches to it and dominant criteria. The course reviews the classical and neoclassical approach, the specifics of the humanized organization, systems approach to organizational structure, integration of the organization learning into the organizations. It also includes the ideas of the lean organization, business process reengineering, horizontal organizational networks, types of organizational networks – stages and strategies, selection of network members, conditions for the smooth functioning of the network, management problems of contemporary networks.
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT / English / winter/
summer / 6 / 45 / 45 / Course project / Prof. Zhelyu Vladimirov
This course is designed to provide basic knowledge and skills needed in a HR department. Topics such as personnel planning, hiring and selection, assessment, promotion, remuneration and motivation, career development, training and qualification, work environment safety, industrial relations and other are discussed during the course. Teaching is divided into lectures and seminars. Each topic starts with a rather short theoretical part which defines the main concepts (definitions, relations, tools and etc) followed by a more extensive “practical” part which will train skills for the successful realization of the HRM functions. The lectures present the development of theoretical concepts, approaches and methods in HRM, while seminars are more practically oriented towards qualitative and quantitative research methods, communication and presentation skills, and work with various documentation samples. Simulations of a real work environment are used: personnel structure, compensation schemes and other.
PRINCIPLES OF STATISTICS / French / winter / 8 / 60 / 60 / Assoc. Prof. Vera Angelova
Modern methods of mathematical statistics were developed in the last century thanks to and on the basis of the achievements of the computer technology and the development of the probability theory. Therefore, the probability theory, in one form or another, is part of every course in statistics or is expected to have been studied in advance. In this course, the theory of probability is given the place it deserves, not only because it is the basis of statistics, but also because the theory of probability is the foundation upon which many modern economic theories are built. It is impossible to get an insight into the contemporary economic theory and practice without clarifying the probabilistic concepts such as uncertainty, risk, rational expectations and etc.
Therefore, the first part of the course examines the construction of axiomatic theory of probability including probability spaces, random variables, random processes and their properties, and fundamental laws as the law of large numbers and the central limit theorem.
The second part presents the main modern statistical methods of point estimates of parameters, checks of statistical hypotheses, and confidence intervals.
USING PYTHON FOR DATA ANALYSIS / English / winter / 3 / 45 / 45 / Assoc. Prof. Ralitsa Simeonova –Ganeva
The course offers an introduction to Python programming tailored to the needs of the quantitative economics analyst. The topics cover the basics of the programming language and its data structures, and also the rudiments of object-oriented programming using it. The main focus is on scientific packages such as NumPy, SciPy, and Pandas which offer a rich selection of tools to attack a very broad range of problems of quantitative economics.
STATISTICAL LEARNING / English / winter / 4 / 60 / 60 / Assoc. Prof. Ralitsa Simeonova –Ganeva
The course offers an introduction to the area of statistical learning from data. The main context is the phenomenon of big data flows and stocks which have emerged alongside with the development of computing technology. The goal is to acquaint the students with supervised and unsupervised learning which represent two of the major ingredients of modern data mining.
APPLIED ECONOMIC ANALYSIS WITH SPSS/PSPP / English / winter / 5 / 30 / 45 / Course project / Assoc. Prof. Ralitsa Simeonova –Ganeva
Applied Research course with SPSS/PSPP course is a brief course in applied research methods for graduate students from Sofia University PhD and FEBA MSc programmes. Course objective is development of practical skills in data analysis using popular software packages in business and academics (SPSS and its open source equivalent – PSPP). Course topics cover basic concepts, applications and practical examples of research methods, data processing, parametric estimation, and nonparametric testing in business and economic research. Seminars are focused on application of studied techniques with real life data from Bulgaria and other EU countries using SPSS/PSPP. Master students have a possibility to apply survey data analysis methods while developing their own individual research project.