MRCH 1100 – 3 UNITS THE BUSINESS OF FASHION MERCHANDISING

A survey of the fashion apparel industry, with emphasis on the roles played by design, textile and product development, merchandising, and distribution in the creative and business cycles. The course introduces students to apparel terminology, textile and manufacturing resources, and industry participants, as well as to the many career paths and job opportunities open to them.

MRCH 1420 – 3 UNITS TEXTILES & PRODUCT ANALYSIS

Students in this course identify and select fabrics and fabric finishes to fulfill specific customer needs relating to garment structure, design aesthetic, performance, and care across divergent target market groups. Students also master the precise textile terminology essential to effective communication with designers, manufacturers, and marketers. Prerequisite: MRCH 1100

MRCH 1450 - 3 UNITS CONCEPTS IN TREND FORECASTING

An introduction to the concepts behind professional trend forecasting. Students learn to understand the fundamentals of the trend forecasting research process through the analysis of current events, social and cultural influences, and industry observation. Emphasis is placed on interpreting research into viable macro trends. Prerequisites: MMKT 1650, MMKT 2880

MRCH 1550 — 3 UNITS THE RETAIL ENVIRONMENT

This course explores store and non-store retailing formats, structure, purpose, as well as the challenges and integration of retail channels. Students gain an understanding of the retail industry and are exposed to today's global environment. They are introduced to franchising, licensing, branding, and pertinent retail terminology. Career paths and opportunities in the fashion industry are further defined and explored.

MRCH 1700 — 3 UNITS MERCHANDISE MATH

A mathematical applications course using percentages, mark-ups, and profit formulas in retail situations. Students also learn pricing principles, tracking inventory, and writing purchase orders. Prerequisite: GNST 1450

MRCH 1750 — 3 UNITS MERCHANDISING STRATEGIES

This course gives students insight into the complexity of decision making for buying and planning merchandise assortments and product development. Emphasis is also placed on the application of technology to solve business problems. Students develop problem-solving skills through the analysis of current business practices in merchandising, including buying, assortment planning, pricing, inventory control, and timing the purchase. The importance of customer service and developing strategic partnerships with vendors and suppliers is examined. Prerequisite: MRCH 1550

MRCH 1780 – 3 UNITS DIGITAL COMMUNICATION 

In this introduction to computer-aided design, students use Adobe Photoshop and InDesign, to create page layouts and photo collages for multimedia presentations and to develop marketing collateral. Prerequisite: MMKT 2880

MRCH 1820 – 3 UNITS TREND ANALYSIS & STYLING CONCEPTS

This course is an introduction to the methodology of tracking and forecasting trends in the fashion industry. Students examine how world economy, popular culture, visual arts, runway collections, and retail and street fashion combine in varying degrees to shape current styles and determine future trends. A culminating styling project challenges them to synthesize what they have learned in an informed prediction about future trends for a specific brand and target market. Prerequisites: MRCH 1420, MRCH 1750

MRCH 1950 – 3 UNITS EXCEL FOR BUSINESS APPLICATIONS

This course is designed to assist the student in developing a facility with electronic spreadsheets in support of effective business management. Students develop a working knowledge of computerized spreadsheet and chart functions as applied to business management concepts with related mathematical formulas and operational requirements.

MRCH 2050 – 3 UNITS CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT IN THE DIGITAL ERA

In this course, students evaluate the impact of the Internet on consumer behaviors and learn to integrate evolving mobile commerce, social media, merchandise presentation technologies, and customer data analytics into effective merchandising strategies for the omni-channel era. Prerequisites: MMKT 1650, MRCH 1820

MRCH 2200 — 3 UNITS MERCHANDISE BUYING

Students develop a complete seasonal merchandising plan incorporating a customer profile, an assortment and financial plan, and a gross margin projection. The buyer's contribution to profit is evaluated. Prerequisite: MRCH 1700

MRCH 2210 – 3 UNITS MERCHANDISE PRESENTATION STRATEGIES

In this course, students learn how to develop effective product placement concepts across a variety of shopping platforms from in-store to electronic devices to increase customer satisfaction, drive sales, and increase profitability. Emphasis is also placed on how data is being used to enhance visual merchandising execution. Prerequisite: MRCH 1550, MRCH 1820

MRCH 2420 – 3 UNITS GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN & LOGISTICS

A thorough exploration of international sourcing, production, and distribution strategies current in the textile and apparel industries. Students gain practical understanding of global supply chain management and import/export regulations and a heightened awareness of the legal, ethical, economic, and social implications of sourcing decisions. Prerequisite: MRCH 2200

MRCH 2700 — 3 UNITS APPLIED BUYING

An advanced course for those interested in buying and distribution careers; students apply previously learned concepts from Merchandise Math and Merchandise Buying in a mock buying experience in the marketplace. They learn profit maximization techniques and vendor negotiations, purchasing terms, discounts, and OTB management. Students use computer-generated reports to evaluate sales and profitability performance and management. Prerequisite: MRCH 1950, MRCH 2200

MRCH 2760 — 3 UNITS ADVANCED BUSINESS APPLICATIONS

This course is an advanced study of Excel - an important and necessary skill in today's business sector. Students will become proficient in functions such as managing data using tables, enhancing charts, using what-if analysis and PivotTables. Prerequisite: MRCH 1950, MRCH 2200

MRCH 2860 — 3 UNITS MERCHANDISE PLANNING & ALLOCATION

Students apply previously learned merchandising concepts with new analytics to measure common retail metrics. Using analysis of past and current performance, students identify trends and develop financial plan and learn various allocations methods used in the retail buying industry. Prerequisite: MRCH 2700

MRCH 2980 — 3 UNITS CONTEMPORARY BUSINESS STRATEGIES

This comprehensive, student-led course analyzes the current business practices of a prominent retailer, with special attention to the organization's present strengths and weaknesses, the challenges it faces in today's global economic climate, and the impact of current trends and changes in consumers' purchasing behaviors on its financial health. The course's innovative format enables students to display their skill as researchers and their expertise as innovative and agile thinkers, capable of accurately assessing the organization's current value and of making informed recommendations for maximizing its business opportunities. Prerequisites: MMKT 2080, MRCH 2050