The University of Rhode Island offers several formal opportunities for students to train to become successful entrepreneurs. Here are some of the resources available to entrepreneurs at URI:
Capstone Design Programs
Through capstone design programs in the College of Business and the College of Engineering, students are presented with real-world problems by industry.
Engineering Entrepreneurship Minor
The minor in Engineering Entrepreneurship blends technology and business to provide engineering undergraduates with the skills needed to become entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders in both start-ups and established companies.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program
This program in the College of Business Administration builds upon classic and contemporary business theory with practical application to entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, innovation and new venture development. Classes in lean startup, design process, and small business management will teach you how to create value through innovative methods such as new products, services, business models, or processes. Major, minor and certificate options available.
Other Courses
The University has several courses focused on entrepreneurship. Here is a list of current courses available:
| COURSE CODE | COURSE NAME | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| BUS 149 | Introduction to Entrepreneurship | An introductory course to provide students with a solid foundation regarding the essential roles performed by entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs in the local and global economies. (Lec. 3) |
| BUS 247 | Business of Innovation: The Design Process | In the context of entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship, students will learn practical skills that promote efficient and effective creative design, understand the creative design process and develop strategies through design thinking. (Lec. 3) |
| BUS 249 | Business of Innovation: Lean Startup | Applies the Lean Startup Scientific Method for developing and commercializing ideas for new ventures (entrepreneurship), and innovating new products, services or business models within existing companies (intrapreneurship). (Lec. 3) |
| BUS 348 | Business of Innovation: Social Design | An experiential social entrepreneurship course where students will learn and apply theories of affordable product and service design to investigate and identify new social venture opportunities. (Lec. 3) |
| BUS 349 | Special Topics in Entrepreneurship & Innovation | Selected topics of current interest in entrepreneurship and innovation. (Lec. 3) Pre: BUS 149 and BUS 201, junior standing, or permission of instructor. |
| BUS 445 | Strategic Management | Case studies, simulation or company analysis used to study strategic theory and practice and problems of functional integration in domestic and global firms. (Lec. 3) Pre: BUS 202 and 320 or 320H and 341 or 341H and 355 and 365 or 365H and 315 or 345, and senior standing in the College of Business, or permission of instructor. Not for graduate credit. (D1) |
| BUS 445 H | Honors Section of BUS 445: Strategic Management. | Honors Section of BUS 445: Strategic Management. (Lec. 3) Pre: Must have a 3.40 overall GPA and BUS 202 and 320 or 320H and 341 or 341H and 355 and 365 or 365H and 315 or 345, and senior standing in the College of Business, or permission of instructor. Not for graduate credit. (D1) |
| BUS 449 | Entrepreneurship | "Procedures for starting one's own business including business plans, financial data analysis, legal issues, and assessing feasibility of business ideas. Also addresses evaluating career interests and skills in entrepreneurship. (Lec. 3) Pre: BUS 201 or 201H and senior standing in the College of Business or permission of instructor; not open to students with credit in EEC 325. |
| BUS 450 | Small Business Management | Investigation and evaluation of the small business enterprise. Current literature studied and projects completed to enable students to understand and appreciate the operations of small businesses. (Lec. 3) Pre: senior standing in the College of Business or permission of instructor. |
| EEC 352 G | Economics of Small-Scale Renewable Energy System | Provides tools to evaluate opportunities and challenges in the transformation from fossil fuels to renewable energy at the scale of individual buildings and other small scale energy systems. (Lec. 3) Pre: EEC 105 or ECN 201 or permission of instructor. (A2) (GC) |
| EGR 325 | Engineering Entrepreneurship I | Fundamentals of entrepreneurship for engineers including project planning and budgeting, elements of a business plan, financial acumen, presentation skills and manufacturing planning. (Lec. 3) Pre: ECN 201. |
| EGR 326 | Engineering Entrepreneurship II | Advanced concepts in engineering entrepreneurship including metrics development and utilization, negotiating, business simulation and continuous improvement. (Lec. 3) Pre: EGR 325 |
| ELE 403 G | Launching a Technology Startup | Computer technology: hardware, software, and network; Computer applications in today's society; Tech Innovations; startup company, team building, market analysis, technology differentiation, raising Angel and VC funds: Exit Strategies. (Lec. 3) Pre: MTH 142 and junior standing or permission of Instructor. (B2)(B2) (D1) (GC) |
| PLS 324 | Vegetable Crops | A study of vegetable crops including the botany and systematics of the vegetables commonly grown in the United States. Includes organic and conventional production techniques for home gardeners and market farmers. (Lec. 3, Lab. 2) Pre: PLS 150 or BIO 102 or permission of instructor. (D1) (B4) |
| SAF 404 | Food Systems, Sustainability and Health | Cross-listed as (AVS), NFS, SAF 404. Scientific analysis of animal and human health and nutrition in various food systems. Interdisciplinary discussion on food systems and sustainability. (Lec) |
| TMD 433 | Textile Markets | Study of social, economic, and political issues that affect the development, production, and marketing of textile products. Study of the textile needs of the apparel, home furnishings, industrial, and medical industries. (Lec. 3/Online) Pre: TMD 303 and ECN 201 and 202. (D1) |
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